Wet and Aggressive Corella challenges Magpie

Wet and Aggressive Corella challenges Magpie

Sunday 14 May 2017

Sunday Selections #327

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.   I found myself distraught and overwrought this week.  Largely self-induced, but unpleasant.  And the fact that it was self-induced made it worse.  Sometimes I am the queen of slow learners.


So, as I usually do, I turned to nature for solace.



And when himself got up we went down to the lake.  He has recently invested in a pushbike and headed off along the cycle-paths and I wandered down to the water.

Where I spent a very happy hour.





I smiled at this magpie having a bath - and you will see more of it later.






The damp magpie flew into a nearby tree and did some energetic and acrobatic grooming.








I loved the between the legs view.




It was finally satisfied and started to sing.  The magpies warble is a quintessentially Australian sound, and I love it.  You can hear a short version here.



134 comments:

  1. That magpie is beautiful!
    I'm so sorry you've been overwrought. I hope you're feeling better now. Hugs!

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    1. River Fairchild: Magpies are a delight. Always. And no sympathy. I brought it on myself through stupidity. And failure to learn from past mistakes.

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  2. Does one operate a push bike with ones arms? Or is a stand up bike? Magpies are beautiful We don't have them in Michigan.

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    1. Sue in Italia/In the Land of Cancer: Pushbike is an Australian term for a bicycle. Magpies are lovely - but can be disconcerting in breeding season when the males will swoop passersby.

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  3. Very striking magpie.
    A lot of ducks. You may have found Duck Haven.

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    1. Alex J. Cavanaugh: The ducks were very happy there. And so were the 'sea-gulls' most of which I suspect have never and will never see the sea.

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  4. Hope you feel better today, EC.

    The magpie is incredible! Love the look and sound of it.

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    1. Marie Smith: Isn't it a lovely call? And when you get a choir of them singing to each other...

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  5. I hope you have a better day today. Relax. Breathe. 💕

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    1. Birdie: Thank you. The time by the lake helped. A lot.

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  6. I love the sound of the maggies...I love maggies.

    Blame the full moon during the past week for the disruption to your sensibilities, EC.

    Your photos are very tranquil, so perhaps that's a sign of good, peaceful times ahead for you inn the coming week.. I hope that is the case. Take care...cuddles to Jazz. :)

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    1. Lee: Maggies are wonderful birds aren't they?
      I don't think it was the full moon. It was me. Biting off more than I could chew and whipping myself to do more. Stupidity.
      The lake is a very, very peaceful place - and a good reminder of the beauty of just being.

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  7. What lovely and delightful photos. Thank you for the walk by the lake. I also find such peace when I get out into nature.

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    1. Rasma Raisters: It is a lovely place. At any time of the year - or day.

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  8. Your photos, as always, are wondrous. Especially Mr. Magpie.
    I hate that your week was stressful and trust your weekend is both joyful and colourful.
    Hugs,

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    1. Sandra Cox: Thank you. Don't feel sorry for me. It was my own stupidity. Some day I will learn. And in the interim I will enjoy the magpies.

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    2. I'm the queen of slow learners:)

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    3. Sandra Cox: It is a sad and shameful admission isn't it?

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  9. What beautiful, peaceful photos! And yes, the magpie's warble is lovely, though you really have to stay away from them in spring! I work at a school in amelbourne's west and every spring, the Principal has to warn the kids to stay away from the area where the magpies are nesting!

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    1. Sue Bursztynski: Welcome and thank you. I don't blame them for their protective instincts in Spring, but agree, they need their space at that time. Quite a lot of space.

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  10. Thank you so much for your gifts of magic and wonder. May you ever be blessed with richness.

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    1. Martin Kloess: Thank you. I am always happy to share the wonder.

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  11. Lovely tranquil lake pictures - the one of the ducks on the lake, with the autumn colours, is my pick. Mr Magpie is very smart and fastidious - I could watch birds for ages.
    Manu and I have just had an hour's walk: the wind was so cold that I had to wear my Scottish beanie, the ground along the river track was soggy and slippery, one ankle was hurting; I loved every minute of it! The sun was out, there were lots of lovely trees dressed in their brightest, I saw a kingfisher, a fantail, and lots of ducks...
    Have a better week, my friend.

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    1. Alexia: Being out in it is wonderful isn't it? It defeats pain, and overwhelmedness. I do watch birds for ages, and benefit. Immeasurably.
      This week will have busy periods but is free of some of the insanity I imposed on myself last week. And I have a treat to look forward to (weather permitting) on Thursday.

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    2. Ohh - shall we be seeing any of the "treat", I wonder?

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  12. I love your magpie pictures, EC. He definitely is getting a workout as he preens and polishes after the bath! :-)

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    1. DJan: It was a chilly day too. I suspect he needed the workout for warmth's sake.

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  13. What is the first picture of, EC? Both it and the feathers are exquisite.

    Do people swim in the lake? (I'm noticing the platforms with what look like handrails.) It looks so peaceful there. A good place to slow down. Excellent shots of the magpie!

    I hope the upcoming week is a better one for you. Doesn't matter who or what caused the bad week; it feels just as bad when self-inflicted as otherwise.

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    1. jenny_o: The first is down. I suspect it was enthusiastic grooming which set it free to land on our small maple.
      People do indeed swim in the lake. Just not at the moment.
      This week should be better. Busy, but not insanely so. And, as I said to Alexia, with a treat scheduled for Thursday.

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  14. Oh I'm sorry to hear you felt down. But there's no better therapy than [a walk in] nature for all ills and ailments. What a serene lake. I enjoyed the magpie images - they are superb. And of course, loved the call. Have a great week ahead. Greetings Jo

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    1. Jo" Thank you. I get solace, healing and delight from nature. I hope your week is wonderful too.

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  15. Hope you feel better now. I adore the magpie and the warble. I had never heard that sound and didn't know what a magpie looked like. You always educate me to your world. Thank you so much.

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    1. Glenda Council Beall: Thank you. Showing an incredible lack of imagination there are North American and European birds called magpies as well. They aren't even from the same family, and look different as well. I too adore our magpie warble.

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  16. Magpies! I've never been "bombed" but then, I've never lived in an area where they were tormented.

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    1. dinahmow: I have been swooped but very rarely. Thinking about it, it was around a high school, where it is possible they were tormented. I simply changed my route until the nesting season was over.

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  17. This is wonderful. I have never seen a magpie take a bath before and it was very nice of you to include a bit of his song for us.

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    1. River: I don't think I have often seen them bathing either. I wonder why not? He was obviously enjoying it.

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  18. A really beautiful place, and so blue water and blue sky..
    The birds are again exotic.
    I hope your overwrougt etc. has gone away.
    All the best for you,
    hugs.

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    1. orvokki: Thank you. The water isn't blue - it is a reflection of the sky, but it is a lovely, lovely spot. I hope your week is wonderful.

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  19. Absolutely stunning photos. You have a good eye for composition.

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    1. Geo.: Thank you. We live in a beautiful world.

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  20. Dear EC
    Sorry to hear your week wasn't so good. Hopefully this week will be better. I do like the magpie photos!
    Best wishes
    Ellie

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    1. Ellie Foster: Self-induced. And hopefully I have learnt from it. Magpies are cheeky and charming birds.

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  21. Hi EC - sadly our magpies are thugs ... they do have incredible colouration ... Incredible views you got of Mr or Mrs Magpie ... interesting they weren't disturbed .. beautiful shots ... of the magnificent creature and of the park, lake and surrounding area ... fun - delighted to read - cheers Hilary

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    1. Hilary Melton-Butcher: Our magpies aren't thugs - though the males are scary in nesting season. Neither the magpie nor the ducks gave a hoot about my presence, which was lovely.

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  22. Spending time beside a waterhole with birds is always soothing a nice way to spend a morning.
    Merle.........

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    1. Merlesworld: It is, isn't it. There is something about water - and the birds are a bonus.

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  23. Beautiful images. Love the photos of the magpie. Interestingly, lately there's been one particular magpie that has fallen for our office surroundings. We don't have too much greenery in that section of the school, but maybe there're some rich pickings for it there.

    Greetings from London.

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    1. A Cuban in London: I wonder what pickings your magpie is finding? Leftover lunches?

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  24. Wow...you've a great eye for composition and I loved the warble, so many colors and textures and so much from which to choose! Sorry you've had a crap week. It is very hard to learn to pace oneself, especially as we're taught that we can do or have it all when the fact of the matter is that there are limits, particularly in the physical realm. I do hope you can rest a bit. Hugs.

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    1. e: There are indeed limits - which I need to acknowledge and recognise. This week should be better, and I am being conscious of the need to pace myself. Thank you - and I hope your week is kind.

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  25. The magpie is a beautiful bird. We saw them here a few years ago in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
    Jilda and I saw an interesting bird yesterday at the cemetery.

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    1. Rick Watson: I suspect that the magpie you saw, was very different to ours. And I loved the bird you and Jilda saw at the cemetery, and hope its nest survives.

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  26. What a nice clean maggie! Lovely shots of the preening up in the tree. We have had quite a bit of rain over the past week, and I've noticed lots of birds taking advantage of the puddles and having a nice splashy bath.
    I hope your week improves. Think positive, smile, enjoy the lovely blue Australian sky. And just sit and think with a cuppa tea in the garden whenever things get too overwhelming.

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    1. Shammickite: I always enjoy birds bathing. And particularly love seeing them hanging upside down from the telephone wires in the rain. And another cup of tea is a great idea. Thank you.

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  27. You snooze you lose. I read this post last night. Today, I got to get in a long line with a comment. Oh well, I'll be Johnny on the spot next time.
    We don't have magpies here. But there were many when I lived in Alberta, Canada. Lately, we have a very noisy whippoorwill at night. And when he takes a break, Bobwhite starts singing. Good sounds to sleep with. Take care. Ann

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    1. Ann Bennett: The bird choir is a joy isn't it? Thank you for coming back and commenting.

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  28. If only everyone understood the solace we get from nature the world would be a happier and healthier place. Your images are beauties; the feathers, the lake and the stunning magpie who danced and sang for you

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    1. Kim: The solace is immense isn't it? And I was so grateful to that magpie.

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  29. Nature does have a calming and healing affect on our mind ...
    What a fabulous time I had down by the water with you - your photographs are lovely.
    Great post.

    My good wishes for the coming new week.

    All the best Jan

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    1. Lowcarb team member ~Jan: Thank you so much. I am glad you enjoyed our time at the lake.

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  30. WOW,
    what a BIRD))!!
    xx from Duluth, dear. xx

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  31. Feels as if we have shared more happy hours together listening to the magpie. How restorative. What a blessing to have a friend like YOU <3

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    1. Cloudia: You are right. Restorative is the perfect description of that warble.

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  32. Hope you are feeling better my friend. Nature always helps me. Lovely photos.

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    1. Mason Canyon: Thank you. Nature helps so many of us doesn't she? Incredibly generous with her gifts.

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  33. Oh, what a lovely hour you spent!!! I'm sorry to hear your week was trying one...I had one of those too! Yesterday I met some book club pals for lunch which was nice, but the 15 minute drive in sunshine and listening to new Willie Nelson CD was even better!!! Do you listen to Willie?

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    1. Bookie: Your trying week would have been infinitely more so than mine. I am glad that you had a pleasant lunch - and drive in the sunshine. I am more likely to listen to the birds than any of 'our' music. I hope this week is filled with sunshine (literal and metaphoric) for you.

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  34. love the seed head and feathers; I am a slow learner myself.

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    1. Linda Starr: Slow learners of the world unite? I am frequently horrified at just how many lessons I need to learn and relearn.

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  35. I really do get jealous of where you live sometimes. I grew up in the rural woods in North Carolina but I'm currently now in the middle of a city in Southern California. I do like it but I get desperately hungry for nature sometimes and it's one of the very few things that my wife and I don't share (as she's whipped herself into the belief that everything in nature will murder her the moment she enters it).

    *sigh* Imma need to grab my brother and go hiking sometime soon. You're makin me thirsty. haha

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    1. Robert Bennett: I hope you can grab your brother. Soon. I am convinced that the city is more dangerous, and often need to either get out of it, or to a quieter corner.

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  36. The magpies are so striking in contrasting color. What's a pushbike? Is that just like a regular peddle bike?

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    1. Strayer: We have quite a few black and white birds, but the magpie's song is unique. A pushbike (also known as a pushie) is indeed just a regular bicycle. I hadn't realised that the pushbike term was orstrayan slang.

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  37. Beautiful, and Magpies, they are alluring.

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  38. Dear Elephant's Child, thank you for the audio/video of the Magpie warble. I'd never before seen a magpie, much less heard the warble.

    I'm sorry to learn that you were distraught and overwrought. As you know from my recent postings, I've been that way too--for weeks, which is much longer than your day. So you aren't a slow learner, but I surely am.

    Things are better for me now, and I was so glad to learn that your being by the water and listening to the magpie brought you back to balance. Peace.

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    1. Dee: Thank you. The difference is that a lot of what happened to you was out of your control. And recovery from major surgery is always a challenge. I just heaped more and more stuff onto myself until I collapsed.

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  39. Pacing one's self can be so boring, it's no wonder you forget sometimes!
    A few years back my mum and dad went to a church service commemorating the family of Daniel Jurd, a first fleet convict. Sometime during the service a magpie flew onto a rafter of the historic church and warbled for some time. Dad still talks about it with excitement and I suspect his enjoyment will become an enduring memory of mine.

    Conserve energy for thursday!

    xo

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    1. kylie: I LOVE the idea of a magpie warbling in church. And that your father remembers it with pleasure.
      You are right about pacing myself being boring - but it isn't as boring as paying the price for forgetting to do so.

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  40. I hope nature made you feel better. She is my main source of healing too. Love the magpie and its song. I wanted to go down to the river today too but it was too hot to be outside. Have a good, restful, healthy week.

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    1. Myrna R.: Thank you. I hope you get to the river soon.

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  41. I love the feather image in the second photo, and much enjoyed the magpie sounds when I followed your link. I like spending time by the water, watching the birds, but mostly being soothed by the water. . .

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    1. D.G. Hudson: Water, whether moving or still, is an incredible benison isn't it?

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  42. Time spent admiring nature and absorbing its beauty can do wonders for the soul. Thinking of you.

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    1. CountryMum: Thank you too. Admiring and wondering at Nature. Who is never, ever dull. And often awe-inspiring in the literal sense of the phrase.

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  43. Lovely to see the water and what's around it, on it and above it.

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    1. Margaret-whiteangel: I love to see water too. Moving or still.

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  44. Such wonderfully peaceful pictures for which many thanks. Love the song of the magpie. We had one that visited for a few years that had an entirely different song and was fun to listen to.
    Hope you are feeling much happier with yourself now. Hugs.

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    1. Mimsie: Magpies have such varied songs - and I love them all. I hope you, Phil and Candy are doing well.

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  45. I wish we had magpies here. They're cool

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    1. Author R. Mac Wheeler: I would like to see some of the North American magpies too. Despite loving ours.

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  46. The first picture is breathtaking.
    Hope today is a most colourful day for you.
    Hugs,

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    1. Sandra Cox: Thank you. Today is crisp, clear and beautiful. Albeit too cold for some.

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  47. That is a beautiful bird. The black and white pattern is gorgeous.

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  48. Slow but sure. . .learning that is. Sorry about the downer time, but look at the beauty it encouraged you to enjoy and share today. I always wondered where the name Magpie came from. I'll have to find out now that I've seen those beautiful images of that guy. Thanks.

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    1. cleemckenzie: My father always described me as a magpie 'a picker-up of ill considered trifles'. And loving them as I do, I take it as a compliment.

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  49. Wow, looks like a bird wearing cow fabric. Pretty neat.

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    1. The Happy Whisk: Now that is something I have never thought of... Perhaps because the cows close to us are brown and white.

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    2. That's true, brown and white ones too. When we were kids, they used to tell us the brown cows were the ones that produced chocolate milk.

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    3. The Happy Whisk: We got told that too.

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  50. Yes EC, we are slow learners when it comes to anything about ourselves. I hope you are feeling better after this lovely walk. It gave me peace just looking at these extraordinary pretty scenes. The magpie shots were great, such a striking bird to be sure. Thank you so much for sharing your part of Australia with us. It is a beautiful country.

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    1. DeniseinVA: Thank you. That particular stretch of the lake brings me comfort and peace any time I can get there. Sad about our slow learning though.

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  51. I know how this works dearie, and I'm glad you've got the beauty above to look at to recover from the emotional drain and feeling distraught. Onwards and upwards we go, hugs and love sent your way Xxx

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    1. All Consuming: Baby steps. Sometimes no step. But eventually onwards and upwards. Hugs gratefully received and returned.

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  52. I’m so sorry to read you were feeling distraught. Nature is wonderful and there is nothing better than a good walk, some sunshine and birdsong to restore equilibrium. I really enjoyed all the photographs and smiled when I got to the between the legs view. :-)

    Listening to the magpies warble reminded me of my trips to Australia, we will be there again next year, and I can hardly wait.

    Sending good vibes and hugs your way.

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    1. Barbara Fisher: Thank you. Which parts of Oz are you going to visit? It is a big and varied country, but I do love a lot of what I have seen.

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  53. That's a gorgeous spot to spend an hour! I wish I had more time to spend by lakes.

    Hope whatever has pushed you into overwrought territory improves soon, friend.

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    1. John Wiswell: Thank you. Not what, but who. And the who was mostly me. I am glad to have made time to spend by the lake, and am getting better.

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  54. I am glad the magpie got you singing too, if only metaphorically. I hope your spirits stay lifted.

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    1. Rawknrobyn: Sometimes having a woeful memory is a plus. If I can't remember what got me down, it is difficult to justify staying there.

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  55. Love the fall colors! What a beautiful day - perfect to provide solace. The birds had a nice companion in you.

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    1. Lynn: What a lovely thing to say. The birds gave me much more than I was able to give them that day.

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  56. A magpie plays a role in our second book which we are in the process of editing- so I loved seeing all the photos hear. Beautiful! I am glad you got out and about and into nature. I always find it soothes me too. Hugs!
    ~Jess

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    1. DMS~ Jess: One of your magpies or one of ours? I look forward to finding out more. And congratulations on having your second book nearing completion.

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  57. You get the best pictures and the ones with the magpie are outstanding. It looks like you are into fall and everything looks so pretty and peaceful.

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    1. Starting Over, Accepting Changes - Maybe: Thank you. We are definitely well into autumn now, and I am loving it.

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  58. Beautiful shots! Here's hoping you are feeling more relaxed.

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  59. I have decided Aussie birds freak Shelby, the dog, out. Once again she is looking for this invader.
    You photos are quite beautiful and it looks like a gorgeous place to spend some time.

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    1. Anne in the kitchen: Good to know that Shelby is determined to protect you from alien invaders... And it is a gorgeous spot. Whatever the season.

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  60. In a funk, that's what I call it. Sometimes I wonder if a wave of funk covers the world from time to time. One thing I know it's when I push to take care of me, if not my funk would allow a behavior like Trump and there's no way I want that! My funk arrives on the heals of following things that I have no power over! But, your words and especially the critters and nature you bring to us that really knocks out the blues/funk/evils in the world. Disconnect somethings and reconnect in nature!

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    1. Karen S: Things I have no control over certainly had a part to play. As did giving things/people I shouldn't power. Reconnecting in nature is often my saviour.

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  61. Oh my. The sky and lake are vying for the most brilliant blue.
    Have a most productive day and pleasant evening.
    Hugs

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    1. Sandra Cox: Thank you. Early morning here - and still dark. Yesterday and last night were v busy. Hoping for a quiet one today.

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  62. I'm sorry things haven't been easy for you. Sometimes it's hard to avoid self-induced pain, so don't be hard on yourself.

    I'm glad you found comfort in the beauty around you and shared it with us.

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  63. I hope you are feeling better!

    That first photo looks to me like a little fluffy creature climbing its way out of adversity.

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    1. Sandi: You are right - it could be a small critter.

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  64. What a great post! I love the scenery and the Magpie is fascinating as we don't have any here.
    Hope your day is full of joy!

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    1. Wally Jones: Thank you. I would find the magpies on your side of the world fascinating too. They are so very different to ours.

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