Wet and Aggressive Corella challenges Magpie

Wet and Aggressive Corella challenges Magpie

Sunday 26 March 2017

Sunday Selections #320

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?  More from the Tommy Tourist Trail, specifically from Telstra Tower and the nearby National Botanic Gardens.



There is (or was) a revolving restaurant in that tower.  I have never been, but I understand the views at night are spectacular (matched by the prices in the restaurant).  






The centre of our city (such as it is).  Despite being the Nation's capital, we are also a large country town.  Which I like and some people loathe.


We have had a long hot summer, and the countryside shows it.  Fortunately over the last week or so there has been rain, and I expect those brown fields have at least a tinge of green again.


And then to the Botanic Gardens.  Telstra Tower stands on top of Black Mountain and the gardens are on its slopes.  It is an easy walk from the gardens to both the Australian National University and to the city.


 



We got a kangaroo fix in the Botanic Gardens as well.  Indeed I think we saw kangaroos every day while himself's sister was with us.








  This final flower is Sturt's Desert Pea, South Australia's flora emblem.  It was blooming happily on the other side of the country - and has me considering tracking one down.

I do love the gardens.  A beautiful place, filled with bird song.  A haven for people, for birds, for insects, for animals and for reptiles.  Who seem to co-exist well.  

126 comments:

  1. Do the kangaroos ever show up in your neighbourhood?

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    1. Birdie: Yes they do. Not very often but we have had kangaroos in the street.

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  2. love that tower and that is one huge lizard, what is the weeping plant that looks like a pine ?

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    1. Linda Starr: The water dragon really wasn't that big. The marvels of a zoom lens.
      The weeping plant? Acacia cognata or Green Mist.

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  3. Great photos!
    Love kangaroos! I've never seen a kangaroo in person! I would love to!

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    1. sonia a. mascaro: Welcome and thank you. We do love our roos.

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    2. Thanks! I am glad I found your gorgeous blog!
      Love the photo of the header too.

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    3. sonia a. mascaro: Thank you. It is a white corella and a black and white magpie in a stand-off on the feeder with a pink and grey galah watching on. And we still feed all three of them.

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  4. Beautiful. The colors and creatures compose a garden that borders fantasy. Telstra Tower furnishes a fine sense of place --tall vistas amaze me.

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    1. Geo.: Telstra Tower was resisted strongly when it was first proposed, and is now a landmark. And every garden should include a fantasy.

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  5. I love the pictures. We have a botanical garden in Atlanta, but I have never been to it.

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    1. Lisa: Thank you. We don't get to our botanical garden often enough. There is a lovely cafe there too.

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  6. Love the photos of the flora and fauna in your incredible country! The desert pea is especially beautiful.

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    1. Marie Smith: Sturt's Desert Pea is a stunner isn't it? I am not surprised that Western Australia claimed it as their emblem.

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  7. Those photos are grand!

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  8. Yes EC, I will go away with a garden in mind, beautiful images.

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  9. I look at those brown hills and shudder.Extended droughts are the worst of natural hardships, I think.Fires burn out, floods recede, but drought can go on for years...

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    1. dinahmow: No arguments here. I have lived through several extended droughts and it is part of the reason I always welcome rain.

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  10. Lovely, as always!!

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  11. You have some magnificent shots today, i can't believe you got the lizards to stay still!

    I try not to complain about weather because what is convenient is not always what is needed but this summer has been awful with the heat and now three weeks of rain every day have the insects swarming. I just want winter to come

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    1. kylie: I have (or had until I deleted them) several photos of lizard tails as they scuttled away.
      Three weeks of rain? We have had a week where there has been some most days. And after the summer it has been more than welcome. I too want winter. And hope to freeze more bubbles.

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  12. The aerial photos are just phenomenal! Got to love a capital that's a country town! How sensible, and wonderful, is that?! Why isn't every capital built on the same principle?

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    1. Nilanjana Bose: I like the bush capital, but for many there is a push to make it a big city. I suspect they will succeed, and I will mourn.

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  13. That desert pea is particularly striking and new to me. Glad the roos made their appearances for your SIL.

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    1. Sue in Italia/In the Land of Cancer: The fates smiled on us while his sister stayed with us. We saw the balloons launch (which many did not) had pleasant weather, and the kangaroos every day was a bonus.

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  14. I thought it was bigger, your city, but your birds eye photos make it look rather small. The trail foliage makes me think you live in a jungle world, so I imagine it that way.

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    1. Strayer: It is a little bigger than it looks from my photos because I didn't display the photos from the other side. We have lots of trees which I love - and which also conceal the suburbs.

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  15. Good photo of the lizard. Is it a water dragon? The claws are frightening. I like the foliage in the third last photo.

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    1. Andrew: It is indeed a water dragon. There were lots of them about. These were mostly not big but those claws are impressive. I liked that foliage too. Green Mist it was called (Acacia cognata).

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  16. Thanks for the shots of your big country town. It's unique and yet comfortingly familiar. I like that.

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    1. Alex J. Cavanaugh: I suspect if you were to visit you would find more about my city and culture to be familiar than exotic.

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  17. I love the photos you share. We don't see these things here in the US.

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    1. Rick Watson: I love your photos for similar reasons.

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  18. So many interesting plants and flowers! I can't even imagine seeing a kangaroo once- let alone every day while vacationing. His sister must have been thrilled.

    Such beautiful photos! Great to see your city from above. :)
    ~Jess

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    1. DMS ~ Jess: She did enjoy her holiday, which is lovely.

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  19. Did you take the pictures of your city from the Tower? It's wonderful to see so many trees within the city. I hadn't pictured it that way at all. Beautiful!

    Love that blue and red bird. And the lizard. And the various plants. You are getting some very good pictures with your camera.

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    1. jenny_o: Yes, they are all my photos. I am very pleased to live in a city with lots of trees. A whole avenue of them has just been removed in the city (to make way for light rail) and I am grieving.
      The camera has been good to me hasn't it?

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  20. You do always get colorful and interesting photos. That reptile shot is quite something. Cheers!

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    1. e: Thank you. I often worry that people will get tired of my obsessions, mentally promise to shift my focus, and then repeat myself.

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  21. Spectacular photos. Really loved them. Thanks.

    Greetings from London.

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  22. What a wonderful outing you've given uus this morning! I did like seeing the views of your 'country town' capital. And the flora and fauna shots are great - that blue and red parrot is beautiful, and it's a great capture. Good luck with the Sturt's Desert Pea - very pretty indeed.

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    1. Alexia: I really love the crimson rosellas. We see them at home as well. Fingers crossed on the Sturt's Desert Pea front. They are stunning but I don't know that they would like our winters. I will investigate.

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    2. Yes - I've often looked at them longingly, but some winters we get pretty hard frosts...

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    3. Alexia: So do we. I don't know whether the Botanic Gardens brings it inside over winter. I suspect not, but the plant was in a sheltered spot.

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  23. Marvelous photos. So appreciate you sharing. What to have some fun? I live at 33rd Ave. and Taraval in San Francisco. Use satellite and have a look around.

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    1. Martin Kloess: Thank you. Is that the ocean at the end of the street? Jealous thoughts. I would really, really love to live by the sea.

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    2. Yes. And you will notice there is knoll close by. I live in an amazing area. Take the Google map tour. It will even take you to the SF zoo.

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    3. Martin Kloess: There is beauty everywhere for those with open eyes, hearts and minds. Aren't we lucky?

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  24. I thought the Sturt's Desert Pea was the South Australian emblem, but I don't mind being wrong.
    I love the beautiful lizard photos :)
    What is that soft weeping plant just under the staghorns photo?

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    1. River: You were right, I was wrong. Thank you. I have amended the post now. That soft weeping plant is beautiful isn't it? Linda, Andrew and you have all asked about it. Common name Green Mist (Acacia cognata).

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  25. I just checked via google: WA is the red and green kangaroo paw; SA is the Desert Pea.

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  26. Glad you're getting some rain! That tower looks like something out of a Sci Fi movie. You have the most spectacular birds! That red and black one is gorgeous.

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    1. Molly Bon: Telstra Tower does look as if it could fly doesn't it? The bird is a crimson rosella, and we love them. Unlike a lot of our birds its song isn't a scream either.

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  27. Beautiful selections for this Sunday.
    Have been up there where the tower is a few times actually.

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    1. Margaret-whiteangel: It is a lovely view from up there isn't it? Whatever the season.

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  28. You have a beautiful combination of mountains, wide open lands, and greenery! So much to look at all around you.
    I love that red and blue parrot(?). Handsome dude.

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    1. River Fairchild: He is. And he knows it. Despite being small, they are feisty and not backward about getting what they want.

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  29. So lovely scenes from this tower. You have many different views there, as lakes, city, green and brown colors.. Beautiful.
    Have a nice week.

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    1. orvokki: Thank you. The views are special aren't they? We have a number of vantage points to see the city and should come here more often.
      I hope you also have a lovely week.

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  30. My response on your previous post was meant for this one, EC...but I guess you figured that out! Goodness knows where my mind was...my head was still on my shoulders, but my mind must have gone off on a wander! :)

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    1. Lee: My mind frequently takes off without me.

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  31. Gorgeous photos! I love the looks on those lizards' faces!

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    1. Jenny Baranick: There were lots of them, and I loved watching them. Probably more than they loved watching me.

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  32. Hi EC - I imagine the city is not enormous, yet has the cultural benefits available to a city. What wonderful views from the tower - I hope the rains last a while and replenish the lands. The botanical gardens look so lush -gorgeous ... and yes lizards are lovely to see - cheers Hilary

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    1. Hilary Melton-Butcher: From my biased viewpoint my city has the best of both worlds. Too many politicians, but I can't have everything.

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  33. P.S. the views across your town and surrounds are very beautiful.

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    1. River: Thank you. I think it is a very pretty city.

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  34. At first I thought the Sturt's Desert Pea was one of Australia's exotic birds.

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    1. Granny Annie: It certainly has the colouring of some of our birds. An exotic plant instead.

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  35. Beautiful photos. Such awesome sights.

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  36. It IS a beautiful place as are YOU! <3

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  37. Enjoyed. Our lizards don't have that much attitude.

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    1. Author R. Mac Wheeler: Most of our wildlife has attitude. And the water dragons certainly thought (rightfully) that we were in their territory.

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  38. I'm not a big city girl, so I love the ones that have the 'town' feel to them. I also love botanic gardens. Wondrous pictures. Thanks for sharing.

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    1. Sandra Cox: I am not a city girl either. If I move again it will be to a smaller rather than bigger area.

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  39. And I second Cloudia's comment:)

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  40. Beautiful. I like that your city has rural aspects. I imagine you loved the botanical gardens knowing how much you love flowers and birds and creatures that coexist.

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    1. Myrna R.: I don't think there is anywhere in our city which is more than half an hour away from green and open space. Which I love. And you are right, the Botanic Gardens are a place I visit with pleasure. Lots of pleasure.

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  41. Loved all the pictures, but really enjoyed the views from high up. A revolving meal would be nice but here those places are so expensive!

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    1. Bookie: I am not even sure if the restaurant is still open, but it was expensive. Very expensive. I also heard it didn't cater well for vegetarians.

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  42. The critters and plants around your neck of the woods would keep me in awe for quite a long time. The colors and textures of both would be so exciting, except maybe anything that would kill me. I should probably have a guide.

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    1. Jono: We have some killers, but mostly they are as anxious (more anxious?) to avoid us as we are to avoid them. And I would happily be a guide.

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  43. Really awesome photos. Love the critters and the plants.

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  44. The views certainly are spectacular from the tower!!

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    1. CountryMum: They are, whatever the time of the year, or of the day.

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  45. It looks beautifully green and blue there.
    Thanks for more kangaroos.
    Hope you're feeling good in all ways.

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    1. Rawknrobyn: We live in a colourful world - for which I am endlessly grateful.

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  46. Lush and exotic is how I'd describe the last few photos as one living in the Pacific Northwest. Love the birds and that last flower is very intriguing. Just coming by for a photo fix. . .

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    1. D.G Hudson: The Botanic Gardens is considerably lusher than most of my city. And some of it is exotic to us too. It is lovely to see you come by. I hope life is treating you and your husband kindly.

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  47. Fabulous captures, EC. Very wonderful to see, and some are so unusual to my eye that I gasp with pleasure. :-)

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    1. DJan: Thank you. The world has become a smaller place through the magic of blogging hasn't it?

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  48. The lizard looks similar to my son's pet named Dave and Steve. Oh and the huge water jet is like the one in Switzerland except yours works. I always love the Botanical Gardens.

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    1. Ginger Dawn Harman: One lizard called Dave and Steve or two? Our water jet was a gift from Britain and has been out of action for over a year. It is lovely to see it back again.

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  49. That first building is amazing. It would be fun to eat there.....if I wasn't afraid of heights:)

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    1. Sandra Cox: I don't have a problem with heights, but am a tad claustrophobic. I don't like basements. Or enclosed car parks. Or lifts...

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  50. An what a beautiful life we have to drift through together. These pictures were a delight. Thanks for letting me "drift through" and see them along with you.

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    1. cleemckenzie: We do indeed live in a beautiful world. I hope you will come fly with me tomorrow too. Balloons. Lots of balloons.

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  51. Ive never seen a real Kangaroo! Of course I never will where I am unless I visit a zoo. Your pictures are amazing!
    Lisa

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    1. Lisa: Thank you. I am very grateful that we often see kangaroos, living wild and free.

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  52. I love the photo of the bird. They're all good but that was definitely my favorite!

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    1. Libby Heily Author: Thank you. Crimson rosellas are charming birds.

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  53. Oh these were so lovely to see and what a great selection.

    I appreciated the words in your last paragraph too ...
    "I do love the gardens.  A beautiful place, filled with bird song.  A haven for people, for birds, for insects, for animals and for reptiles.  Who seem to co-exist well."

    Enjoy the remainder of March

    All the best Jan

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    1. Lowcarb team member ~ Jan: Thank you. The gardens are a very, very beautiful place. With free entry.

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  54. Some say water cures, well it does - landscapes and people. Curiously trees apparently talk to grass and shrubs, I not sure what it means but it is fascinating much like your blog every time I come here I am mesmerized by mother nature or her gifted creatures.

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    1. Spacer Guy: I too am memsmerised by Mother Nature. Healing, solace, delight.

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  55. Fabulous pictures, as always. I especially like that last flower. It's quite unusual. Then again, none of the other plants you've shown are exactly "ordinary." Those gardens look like the perfect place to spend a day.

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    1. Susan: I could happily spend many days in those gardens. Many, many days.

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  56. I so enjoyed the bird and kangaroo photos. I have been enjoying some doves and a red cardinal came for a visit today.

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    1. Truedessa: Thank you. I would love to see a red cardinal. We have pigeons, and I do like their soft voices.

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  57. Gorgeous shots, as usual. I love that desert pea - so unusual!

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    1. Lady Fi: Isn't it beautiful? I would love to grow it.

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  58. Beautiful pictures of your city/town. It looks like a lovely place to live.

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    1. Sandra Cox: My city is widely criticised, but I like it.

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  59. How beautiful! What a nice excursion - I would want to go to that restaurant, too.

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    1. Lynn: Thank you. Some day we might get to that restaurant. The view is incredible.

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  60. What gorgeous photos. Did you say kangaroo fix? I love the expressions you come up with.

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    1. Kalpanaa M: I did say kangaroo fix. When I am down or feeling glum to go and look at kangaroos fixes what ails me.

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