Sunday Selections #390

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 going to be a bit more random.  Snippets from the week.

We have had some chilly mornings (which I love).

  
Despite the chilliness there are hints of spring.  The anemones are starting to bloom.  Beautifully.

 Yesterday morning I spent a happy couple of hours marvelling at the lunar eclipse.  Even by my standards it was an early start.  The mad woman and her camera were outside shortly before 4.30.  It was well worth it.  Some less than stellar photos follow ( I find getting reasonable photographs of the moon at any time a challenge).

Once the eclipse started I was amazed at how quick it was.

It snuck behind a tree here...

And a restful almost dawn to finish with....

 

Sunday Selections #389

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 has been a grey week, both literally and metaphorically.

However, heading out the door early to go to Lifeline one morning this week I was stopped in my tracks by a truly spectacular dawn.  I HAD to rush inside for my camera and nearly missed the bus.  And it would have been worth it if I had.

This is a more normal dawn for us.  Pretty, but understated.

And these images will explain why I rushed inside for my camera.

Sadly those red skies didn't warn us of ANY moisture falling from the skies.

There were other patches of colour and drama in my grey week too.

 

This King Parrot has got quite clever, and comes to the back yard rather than the front.  He and his female companion can be fed there without being menaced by other birds.

The Bearded Ravens are such majestic birds.  Sadly they too give way to the bully boy antics of the much smaller Rainbow Lorikeets featuring in the next photos.

 Finally, please send some good wishes.  The eldest of my brothers has a health crisis and we are all worried.

Sunday Selections #388

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 we are going back to the National Arboretum.  It is a piece of art in its own right, but is also home to other art.  And glorious scenery

 

This is a Californian Fan Palm.  Aren't those spikes on the fronds vicious?

 

 

That large building with the green roof on the shores of the lake is our Governor General's residence.

The wide brown land sculpture is a tribute to Dorothea Mackellar's poem 'My Country'  This link will take you to the poem.

Our big country very often is brown too.  The sculpture's form and style was apparently inspired by Mackellar's own handwriting and was created by Marcus Tatton, Futago Design Studios and Chris Viney.

The dragon trees have been caged again.  I hope they will be released in summer.

 

The Pod is a children's play area.  And is very popular.

I adore Richard Moffatt's 'Nest'.

Detail from the railing at the lookout near Nest.

It is a steep hill, and I am impressed at the cyclists I often see tackling it.

I

Finishing with two shots of Louis Pratt's 'A Backwards Attitude'.  I first saw this sculpture at Floriade a few years ago and apparently the artist donated it to the Arboretum.

I thoroughly enjoy our visits here.  It is a less than twenty minute drive from home and we should go more often.