Wet and Aggressive Corella challenges Magpie

Wet and Aggressive Corella challenges Magpie

Sunday, 28 August 2016

Sunday Selections #291

Sunday Selections was originally brought to us by Kim, of Frogpondsrock, as an ongoing meme where participants could post previously unused photos languishing in their files.
 
The meme is now continued by River at Drifting through life.  The rules are so simple as to be almost non-existent.  Post some photos under the title Sunday Selections and link back to River.  Clicking on any of the photos will make them embiggen.
 
Like River I usually run with a theme.  This week I am returning to not one but two of my obsessions.


As I have said, I am a habitual early riser.

And love the soft early morning light.  Fog is a bonus too.






And then to another of my on-going obsessions.  Spring is certainly very nearly here.  However the mornings are often still chilly, and the birds still start the day fluffed up into their winter woollies.






I said that Spring was almost here didn't I?  Splashes of colour like this one are spreading across the garden.

143 comments:

  1. The photo of the early sun on the hill is good. You've certainly had some visitors

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    1. Andrew: And they are out there this morning too.

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  2. Today I was telling a client with Alzheimer's all about the birds that live around you.

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    1. Birdie: I hope it helped the client. There is a galah fridge magnet on its way to you. And a 'sprise magnet too.

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    2. It did help her! She was quite interested. :-)

      We are on the verge of a postal strike! drat! Something to look forward to.

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    3. Birdie: I am so glad. Hopefully your postal strike will hold off.

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  3. We'll all have a spring in our steps next week! I can't believe how fast this years is going!

    I hope you're feeling much better, EC. Cuddles to your two furry mates. :)

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    1. Lee: The years is zooming past isn't it? Still wrestling the lurgy, but it finally does look as if I will win. Eventually.
      A good week to you and your furry despots.

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  4. You would love the San Francisco Bay fog! And the many birds that visit. So fine to enjoy this walk with you

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    1. Cloudia: I would like the San Francisco Bay fog. And the birds. Big time.

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  5. Sun mist and pretty birds...can't go wrong with that.

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  6. Dear EC
    Beautiful early morning light and it's lovely that Spring is just round the corner for you.
    Thank you for sharing all the beauty.
    Best wishes
    Ellie

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    1. Ellie Foster: My pleasure. I hope your autumn is kind and beautiful.

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  7. What lovely foggy views.And snow! I might have been a little envious, but I'm still getting over Wellington's temperature being kinder than mine! Harumph!Grump!

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    1. dinahmow: You are right, that does look a little like snow, but is shafts of sunlight on frosty ground. Wellington was warmer than you? What is the world coming too.

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  8. lovely foggy vistas!

    sometimes when i catch the pretty early light i wonder why i dont do it more often

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    1. kylie: Early morning is me time. Mostly I am not dressed and still indoors. I was out early this morning though (in my dressing-gown).

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  9. The birds are gorgeous ♥ Nice photos ♥

    summerdaisycottage.blogspot.com

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    1. Summer: Welcome and thank you. We do love our birds.

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  10. Wow, what I wouldn't give for some chill in the air here...Love all the bird photos and auntie loved your birthday wishes...Hope you are in good spirits.

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    1. e: I am savouring our chill while it stays with us. I fear it will be a memory tooooo quickly. I am glad that your auntie liked her birthday wishes, and hope her birthday was wonderful.

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  11. Your morning photos are beautiful! So are the puffed up birds and flower. Spring must be glorious if that flower is any indication.

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    1. Marie Smith: Spring is a treat. Though mind you I like all of our seasons with the exception of the sweaty season (more commonly called summer).

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  12. I am seeing fog in the morning, too. One season slipping into another. Would we had another spring coming!

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    1. Joanne Noragon: I like the softness and mystery of fog. And spring. Not looking forward to her big sister though.

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  13. I too love the early light, and fog, and what they do to photos. Achingly lovely, as usual.

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    1. Nilanjana Bose: It is such a gentle time of day. Quiet, contemplative, beautiful. Insomnia has some pluses.

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  14. I too love the soft light and morning fog. We don't get the snow capped mountains in the background though. Lovely photos.

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    1. CountryMum: I am always fascinated by your morning light. It often seems MUCH more vivid than ours.

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  15. Love seeing fluffed up birds. :)
    I have to say the tree in the third photo looks rather sinister, like its waiting for prey to slither below its branches...or is it just me and my overreaching imagination?

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    1. River Fairchild: You could be right. That weeping mulberry has certainly snatched at my hair as I weed under it...

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  16. Oh my, that third photo is especially lovely! I love morning mist. And that bird with the pink breast is just absolutely gorgeous. Beautiful!

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    1. Kathleen Valentine: Thank you. The pink breasted bird is a galah, and we are getting lots of them visit at the moment. Our dawns frequently mimic their colours too.

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  17. I love the pictures with the fog! So mystical looking! Beautiful birds too. Glad you are starting to see splashes of color. :)
    ~Jess

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    1. DMS ~ Jess: Those splashes of colour will become blazes soon. Wide swathes of colour. And I will do happy dances.

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  18. Ooh, I love the foggy pics, and those birds (Cockatiels?)are adorable and beautiful. Our summer is winding down here, kids back to school next week and I even saw a tree beginning to turn.

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    1. mshatch: The birds are a cockatoo (with the yellow crest), a corella (white and no colour to its crest) and a galah (pink and grey). I hope your autumn is beautiful.

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  19. I love your pictures ALWAYS!!! Not to say you are an odd bean or anything but I never understood how anyone could be a morning person.

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    1. Sonya Ann: The morning thing was forced upon me. Insomnia gets me up well before first light most days, and I have learned to love the early hours (looking on the bright side of life).

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    2. I love your positive spin.

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    3. Sonya Ann: Starting every day in a temper uses energy I just don't have to spare.

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  20. I love the birds all fluffed up and that daffodil is so bright and cheery. The fog images are really nice, I'm in love with the third one.

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    1. River: I had wandered out to collect the paper, saw the fog and came inside for the camera. Took photos, wandered back inside again and THEN remembered the paper. That is the first of our split corona daffs and I hope there are many more.

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  21. All of the photos are beautiful but the first one of the birds is the one that caught me today. I especially like photos with fog. They are just so mysterious.

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    1. Mason Canyon: I like fog too. Muted, mysterious magic.

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  22. Fog and morning light do make interesting pictures.
    The birds and a nice addition.
    Merle.............

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    1. Merlesworld: Thank you. I think the birds are a lovely addition though I would like to know which one of them is beheading my daffodils. Before they flower.

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  23. Stunning early morning pictures - and the tendrils of mist are lovely. Birds and daffodil? 10/10!

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    1. Alexia: We live in a beautiful world don't we? Very beautiful.

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  24. I am jealous of your permanent living. Your nature is amazing and the birds are fantastic..

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    1. Gosia k: The internet frequently fills me with a little envy. There are marvels the world over...

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  25. Those birds are fluffed out aren't they, to insulate from cold. I love the fog. I like it so dense you can barely see your hand in front of your face. Feels like a blanket, a privacy cloak here where I live in dense housing and cars. I can pretend I'm somewhere else altogether.

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    1. Strayer: I love fogs like that too. We get them, fogs so dense we cannot see across the road. It seems to muffle sound too. The birds were indeed insulated - we are still getting frosts.

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  26. enjoyed

    you 'winter woolies' got me thinking...I've lived in Tampa 30 years and I still crack up watching the kids walking to school when it drops below 70 F...wearing fluffy parkas.

    I guess they need an excuse to own a coat.

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    1. Author R. Mac Wheeler: It is what you are used to. The skinny one's sister lives in a much warmer part of Oz, where our maximum temperature is often their minimum. And some days their whole family retires to bed because it is soooo cold.

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  27. Wonderful photos. You know I would love it now that autumn is almost here in Latvia even with the wonderful colors coming to be able to hop on over and step back into spring.

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    1. Rasma Raisters: I like all of our seasons - except summer. Spring is vibrant and exciting, but I love the mellow colours of autumn too.

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  28. Hi EC - misty mornings ... with the warming sun behind them - offer some moisture for the plants. Wonderful shots ... and I love the pink cockatoos ...gorgeous colourings ... cheers Hilary

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    1. Hilary Melton-Butcher: The galahs are beautiful aren't they? And I do love a 'soft' morning.

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  29. When I had to drive over a small mountain to get to my job, I hated the fog. Now being home, I enjoy the mist. You take wonderful pictures!

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    1. Starting Over, Accepting Changes - Maybe: Driving in the fog can be terrifying. I can remember some white knuckle trips where we went from one white line on the road to the next. On foot? It is beautiful.

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  30. You have some great screensaver photos. I always love the mystery of the fog. What about that pink chested cockatoo? Striking and beautiful.

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    1. That's how I look after eating tomato soup!!

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    2. Grannie Annie: The galahs are lovely aren't they? At the moment we are getting a lot of them.

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    3. fishducky: I would like to see that.

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  31. Early in the morning it should wake up, but actually I'm too lazy to go out early ...
    The fog is beautiful in photos (and also, of course, in the nature), and I love the white parrot, and even more the pink one.
    Have a nice next week.

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    1. orvokki: There is no virtue in my early start to the day. If I could sleep in I would - at least some of the time. I hope you have a wonderful week.

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  32. Lovely photos all, but I especially love the birds! Gorgeous. I never get tired of looking at your beautiful birds, and you photograph them so well.

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    1. Paper Chipmunk (aka Ellen): Thank you. I always worry that people will tire of my obsessions, and I am glad to hear differently.

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  33. You take some of the best shots! The fog is dramatic here too. I hope spring comes calmly for you. In like a lamb and all that.

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    1. Carolyn McBride: Thank you. I would be happy for winter to linger for a while yet. Not going to be a happening thing though.

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  34. Oh how I love the fluffies ... I don't see that around here in the summer, but will soon. Our fall approaches as does your spring and we will change places ... not for the better on this end, though I have to admit to loving certain aspects of our winter, not the least of which is Izzi's love of snow. These are wonderful pictures EC and I especially like the early morning sun on the mountain. Hope all is well with you ...

    Andrea @ From The Sol

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    1. Andrea Priebe: I prefer winter to summer. Spring and autumn are beautiful though. World wide.

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  35. I'm not much of a morning person, so thanks for the morning pictures. I'm mesmeriized by the Beaty of those birds. How lucky you are to be surrounded by such beauty.

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    1. Myrna R.: We are very lucky and know it. My partner doesn't do mornings either. Which gives them all to me.

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  36. Love the galah. Aside from flamingoes (not around here) we don't have pink birds

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    1. Sue in Italia/In the Land of Cancer: As well as the galahs we have a spectacular pink cockatoo (the Major Mitchell). We don't see them here though.

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  37. Fog gives the impression of an alternate reality. It blurs the outlines and softens the images. I like getting up early too, to have time to myself. That pink parrot could be a stuffed toy, his feathers looks so velvety. Uplifting images for a Sunday, thanks EC! Lucky you going into spring, as we go into autumn. (I like spring and autumn best)

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    1. D.G.Hudson: I like all of the seasons except summer. And am endlessly fascinated by fog and mist.

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  38. I love the fog and your pictures of it are lovely, especially the one with the sun shining through it. We had fog here this morning, too, although I saw it not because I was getting up, but because I woke up mid-sleep.

    The photos of the birds are wonderful. Every feather is perfect and perfectly captured. You and your camera are getting along well.

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    1. jenny_o: Thank you. The birds are a constant joy.

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  39. Wow! My favorite is the one with the sunlight upon the hills.

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    1. Snowbrush: I liked that when I saw it too. We live in a basin, surrounded by hills and the effect of the light coming through clouds can be spectacular.

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  40. I love that pretty pink and white bird, and yes, fog and sunrise are always good to see. :-)

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    1. DJan: No fog this morning, but the galahs are here. Which is lovely.

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  41. Here on the other side it will be fall soon. Right now it's 97 degrees F here. It's brutal. I'm glad we have changing seasons.

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    1. Rick Watson: 97 is way out of my comfort zone. Brutal indeed. I hope you get some relief soon.

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  42. Thank you this beautiful stroll outside

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  43. Those photos are fabulous, Elephant's Child, they're all great, one thing I know, though, is I love the fog when it's covering me to the point where it's hard to see through.

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    1. Lon Anderson: I love the sky in almost all of her manifestations, dark and light.

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  44. Absolutely, love the bird photos!

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    1. Truedessa: We love the birds. Incontinent, destructive vandals that they are.

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  45. Love the photos, especially those birdies!
    So you're discussing obsession today and I'm talking lust. Hmmm, great minds in the same gutter. Grin.

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  46. Another joyful Monday for me! I always love seeing your images when I start my week.

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    1. cleemckenzie: Thank you. The birds are back today too. No fog though.

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  47. I am an early morning gal too! Fog sure is beautiful. Interesting that birds change their coat for the seasons. Our goldfinches turn from a lovely yellow to a brown. I could spend a day watching nature in your area!

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    1. Ginger Dawn Harman: I misled you a little. Their coats are the same, but 'fluffed' out to provide insulation against the cold.

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  48. Fog does add a whole new dimension. Those pictures have so much depth.

    Keep a smile, EC.

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    1. Rawnknrobyn: Fog adds a soft mystery, to familiar scenes doesn't it?
      I hope your new book has arrived.

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  49. I particularly like those pink winter woollies!

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    1. Molly Bon: Aren't they pretty birds? The fledglings colours are much more muted, but as adults they come into their own.

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  50. Omgoodness,
    that pink bird takes my breath away!! xxxx

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    1. My Inner Chick: The galahs are beautiful aren't they? And very common here. We often have dozens of them visiting.

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  51. The misty morning pics are awesome.
    Have a great one:)

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    1. Sandra Cox: And you. We have gentle rain this morning. The cats are not happy. The garden and I are very happy.

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  52. Gorgeous Mountain and all morning pics....your birds are so pretty. I feel your pain looking for Spring. I love Spring, fav time of the year

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    1. Kim@stuffcould...: I do like spring. And shortly we have two flower festivals celebrating it to go too. Woo Hoo.

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  53. Love that fog! And that splash of color, too.

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  54. Hi Sue,

    There's something hauntingly magical about the early morning mist. You have captured the very essence. The splashes of colour are just what I needed to see. Thank you.

    Gary

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    1. klahanie: Dear Gary, I hope your trip goes really, really well. Hugs.

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    2. Thank you, dear Sue. Hugs, your way....

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  55. Oh, you have daffodils! Yup your spring is coming...as is our fall.

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    1. Sandra Cox: Yup. More daffodils coming out each day. Sunshine on stalks.

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    2. Sunshine on stalks.....well said.

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  56. How lovely, you live in a beautiful part of the world and I have enjoyed the scenery, the flowers and always love the birds.

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  57. Another fine collection of photos :-)

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    1. The Happy Whisk: Goodness only knows what this week will bring.

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  58. I adore early morning fog. I grew up in the forests of the American East Coast and there's nothing like wandering through the wilderness while a heavy fog is settled throughout the trees.

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    1. Robert Bennett: I love it too. We often get fog (thicker fog) in winter, but these gentle spring wisps were a treat too.

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  59. I love early morning fog too. Your shots are lovely!

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    1. Lady Fi: Thank you. It is a beautiful time of day isn't it?

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  60. There's something magical about early morning mistiness and you've captured it beautifully. I love the sleeping cockies and that splash of spring colour makes me hopeful that these chilly wet days will soon be taking a backseat to some luscious spring warmth.

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    1. Kim: I think the luscious spring warmth has been delayed a tad. More rain for the end of the week - which I will welcome.

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  61. I love this time of year, when the fog comes rolling in! Beautiful pictures!

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    1. Dawn@Lighten Up!: We are moving out of the fog season now, so I am welcoming it each and every time I see it.

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  62. The pic with the gnarly tree and spring flowers is particularly mesmerizing.

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    1. Sandra Cox: The knarly tree is a weeping mulberry and shortly its gnarliness (is that a word?) will be gone.

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  63. Hello again. I am sending Spring around to you with my good wishes and it seems you reply with the gift of Autumn. What goes around comes around.

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    1. Andrew: Thank you for Spring. You can keep her big ugly sister though. I hope that Autumn is gentle and beautiful for you. Like the cat who has moved in on you too.

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  64. Amazing shots. Enjoyed seeing them:)

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  65. I'm an early morning riser, too. Always have been. To me, it's the most peaceful time of day, and always full of hope and possibilities. Your photos captured it beautifully.

    Your description of the birds still being dressed in their winter woollies is fantastic. Love it!

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    1. Susan: And unlike some of us (me), the bird's winter woollies always fit.

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  66. Te envio mi blog de poesias por si quieres darle un vistazo Gracias. http://anna-historias.blogspot.com.es/2016/09/vacaciones.html?m=1

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