Wet and Aggressive Corella challenges Magpie

Wet and Aggressive Corella challenges Magpie

Sunday 16 September 2018

Sunday Selections #397

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 have mentioned before that I am a creature of habit.  Sadly not all of my habits are good.


After the Out of The Shadows walk finished it was still early.  There is always a breakfast for participants after the walk.  If I had gone to the breakfast I could almost certainly have got a lift home.  I rejected that because I was all peopled out, and needed some time to think about the walk, and about conversations I had with other walkers.  I could have waited an hour or so for a bus.  But no, I didn't choose either of these practical options.  Instead, as usual, I walked into town.  I was already tired and sore and adding two or three additional miles to the walk wasn't sensible.  But I did it, and took photos all the way.

So, come walk with me again, and revel in the early spring.





I take photos of this garden every year.  I love those entrancing paths...





I think these flats are ugly, but was impressed with the balcony garden.  Their citrus tree has fruit too.


 My city is often called the bush capital.  Photos like this explain why.



Without doubt this hotel was once a very posh home.





Despite the original house being demolished, fragments of the garden remain.





These bunnies (and another hutch too) were in the front yard of the house above.



The outskirts of the city.


The rainbow on the pavement was put there when the gay marriage plebiscite results were announced. 


 An office block.  I think it looks a little like a docked spaceship...

   At the second bus interchange of the day, with a developer's plans for future development.

It did feel good to get home.  Very good.

163 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. OOPs. I mean pics. Don't know how that happened.

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    2. Jamie Ghione: Not a problem. I am pleased to see that other people experience the same difficulties I do. And thank you.

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  2. I kept you company. You are a very good conversationalist!
    :)

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    1. Caterina: Thank you. I wasn't talking much that morning (which is probably a plus).

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  3. I bet it did feel good to get home …
    I did enjoy my walk with you, a lovely selection of photographs, thank-you.

    Kettle is on. I'll go and make us a drink …

    All the best Jan

    PS Have a good new week ahead

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    1. Lowcarb team member ~Jan: Thank you. I am very grateful for my cup of tea. I hope your week is delightful too.

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  4. I feel sad for the person who lives in such an ugly building but is trying to make it pretty with a little garden on the deck.

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    1. Birdie: I hope the inside of their building is MUCH nicer than the outside. I really loved their garden.

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  5. What is the green ropey or hose like thing hanging off the upper apartment?

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    1. Birdie: I have no idea. I didn't even notice it at the time.

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  6. I hope you had a chance to rest your aching feet!

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    1. David Gascoigne: Nearly a week later, I am still feeling the effects and still glad I went. On both walks.

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  7. Goodness! You must have been in a world of hurt the rest of the day. I’m glad you shared the photos that you sacrificed your wellbeing for, though.
    Love garden paths! The bird on the wire was amusing. Perhaps he hasn’t heard about your garden buffet yet. Awesome rainbow on the sidewalk too.

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    1. River Fairchild: All self induced. Nobody makes me go on the Out of the Shadows walk, and I had at least two perfectly reasonable alternatives to walking into town. I am glad I went on the suicide awareness/prevention walk and enjoyed the beauty on the second.

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  8. A big walk it was, EC. I'd be still hobbling along...or sitting under a tree somewhere along the way if I attempted to do that!

    Have yourself a great week...take care.....cuddles to Jazz/ :)

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    1. Lee: Sometimes I surprise myself in what I can do. I hope that you and your furry overlords have a wonderful week.

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  9. So much wattle! Mostly the cootamundra,I think?

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    1. dinahmow: Almost all of the wattle here is the cootamundra. Some day I will purchase a red flowering wattle for our garden.

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  10. A very long trip; I appreciate your fatigue. Registering voters today, the lead registrar said the most new applications she gets are at gay pride festivals. How good we seem to have so many in the nearby large cities.

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    1. Joanne Noragon: I hope you get lots and lots and lots of voters registered. And suspect I know which way most of the gay pride registrants will vote.

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  11. Great pics from your trek! Flowering trees are fab. I'm guessing the tree with birds perched on the branches is a cherry blossom?

    That Mercure looks kinda fancy. :D

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    1. Bea: The blossom was either a cherry or perhaps a prunus. Pretty though. And yes, the Mercure does look very fancy.

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  12. Wonderful shots! And good on you for taking me along on your walk, which I enjoyed immensely, since I took it from my armchair. :-)

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    1. DJan: It seems only fair. You often take me on MUCH more strenuous walks. And very beautiful ones too.

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  13. A lovely spring, and i hope you quickly recovered from all the walking.

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    1. messymimi: I have nearly recovered and it was worth it. Both walks.

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  14. Love all the photos, especially the third. There was much to see on your walk, EC.

    What is that black and white bird?

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    1. Marie Smith: It is a lovely time of year, and the walk is held in a part of the city I don't see very often.
      The black and white bird is our magpie. I adore their warble and this is a link to their call.

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    2. I wish I could speak "bird", I'd love to know what that magpie was saying and the faint reply from the other one.

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    3. River: I would also love to speak bird. And to be able to sing as the magpies and currawongs do.

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  15. Frequent photo stops make long and tiring walks a little easier.

    What an odd block of flats to be seen in your city. I assume it is public housing.

    We don't see it so often in the city, but I love been in the country and coming across some land with perhaps remnants of a stone chimney where a house once stood and perhaps some daffodils in bloom or a remaining tough old rose bush in bloom.

    The office block reminds me of the Lost in Space spacecraft.

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    1. Andrew: You are right about frequent photo stops. I assume that ugly block is public housing, but don't know. And if it is they are lucky. Our government has been demolishing (and not replacing) rather a lot of public housing recently. And I am ballistic with rage.
      Isn't it amazing how often a chimney is the last part of the house standing. And yes to the rose bushes too. Something I always look for on country drives.
      I am glad that you also saw the spacecraft in that office block.

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  16. You found such lovely places to share with us - thank you. I don't think I could have walked that far - my hat is off to you.

    The black and white bird made me think of Elvis, I think because of the colouration on its head - the white looks a bit like Elvis's hairstyle!

    Love the stone pathway you noted in one of the first shots.

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    1. jenny_o: I couldn't walk that far on a regular basis either. The magpie is a lovely bird, and like Elvis a talented singer. I put a link to its call in my response to Marie Smith.
      That stone pathway is a beauty. I photograph it each year.

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  17. That was a nice walk :) I, too, love those intriguing paths, and the black birds with the white on their wings. What are they? They look like crows but ours here are all black.

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    1. mshatch: The black and white bird is our magpie. Which is different to both the American and the European magpie (a sad lack of imaginatin when it was named). There is a link to its call in my response to Marie Smith.

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    2. wow! That is some song! I wish we had magpies!

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    3. mshatch: Parts of your country do have magpies. They are more beautiful than ours, but I do love that song. And its myriad variations.

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  18. Beautiful photos! Too bad they came at the cost of physical pain to you...

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    1. Molly Bon: I was hurting already, and I really don't know how much I increased the pain. Probably not a lot. I liked the walk, and am happy to pay the price.

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  19. That was a great walk! I really enjoyed seeing through your eyes along your active streets. I hope you're feeling a lot better now. That coffee shop looks inviting - a good place for a rest, perhaps?

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    1. Alexia: Thank you. I don't think that coffee shop was open. It was only a little after seven when I got into town. I might remember it in a later visit though.

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  20. Hi EC - after that walk I bet it felt good to be home. Sincerely hope you had the most wonderful sit down with some reviving drink ... perhaps tea, lemonade or plain water - all good! Love the walk into town with you ... some of it looks so English - while others not so ... delightful to see - cheers Hilary

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    1. Hilary Melton-Butcher: Several cups of chai. Which I thoroughly enjoyed. That is an older part of town, so it is not surprising that some of it still looks English.

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  21. I can see why you walked. It was lovely.

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    1. Sandra Cox: Sometimes being an antisocial introvert has bonuses.

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  22. I love taking these walks with you. I hope you soaked your feet when you got home!!

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    1. fishducky: Nope. I did take my shoes off though.

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  23. That was a long walk, Sue, but you picked a lovely spring day to enjoy it. I bet it felt good to take your shoes off when you got home.

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    1. Starting Over, Accepting Changes - Maybe: It was a tad warmer than I like, but it was lovely. And you are so right on the shoe front.

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  24. I did enjoy seeing along the way of your walk... a very different walk from mine on the farm.

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    1. CountryMum: Very, very different to your walks. I lived on farms in the Central West of NSW and miss that life.

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  25. It's always good to get home and after the extra walk, I hope you put your feet up for at least two cups of tea worth of time. I enjoyed walking back with you, I love that rocky path in the garden and the bunnies.

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    1. Iriver: Weren't the bunnies BIG? I loved them too, and that rocky path is a charmer.

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  26. Dear EC
    Thank you for taking us along. I love the Spring too.
    Best wishes
    Ellie

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    1. Ellie Foster: It is my pleasure. There will be rather a lot of spring posts over the next little while.

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  27. Wow, thanks for this virtual walkaway! Awesome!

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    1. Nas: I am very pleased you enjoyed wandering with me.

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  28. It is nice to walk to get some space and clear air. After too much though, it is definitely nice to be home. :) I enjoyed seeing the scenery you had along the way. I thought the same about the flat, the building isn't the greatest, but when you zoom in, there's a little piece of it that is... I love that the tree had fruit too!

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    1. mail4rosey: I do love that the flat dweller makes his or her own beauty. I hope they enjoy it as much as I did going past.

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  29. An amazing way to see your city. I enjoy the way you find beauty in all things. You are an inspiration.

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  30. That rainbow pavement is historical. Idnever make it to town once I got a garden with stone pathways...thats intriguing!

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    1. Harlynn: Isn't that pathway charming? Some day I will be there at a sensible hour and can talk to the garden builder...

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  31. I love the flowers, the birds, the bunnies, and the cobblestone walk through the garden. A lovely walk.

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  32. Gorgeous, but you must've been exhausted...Wishing you a good week.

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    1. e: I was totally knackered. A busy week ahead, but hopefully productive. I hope yours is lovely.

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  33. You must have been exhausted and your feet must have been sore. But- I understand being peopled out and needing to be alone with your thoughts for a while. Your walk looked very interesting. Glad to go on the journey with you. :)
    ~Jess

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    1. DMS ~Jess: Not my feet so much as my hips. It was worth it though. Sadly, I am often peopled out.

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  34. Always a pleasure to walk with you round your town, I really enjoyed these, you have an eye for colour, as ever. x

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    1. Starshine Twinkletoes: Some day (if the small gods are kind) we will be able to walk together.

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    2. I love that. Yes, sounds marvellous. Xx

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    3. Starshine Twinkletoes: Walk, and talk, and laugh.

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  35. The balcony garden is a great idea. I loved the pictures once again.

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    1. Mary Kirkland: I loved the garden. It must have been hard work too. I would be surprised if that building has anything other than stairs to trek the plants, the pots, the soil up to the balconey.

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  36. Those are ugly apartments. We have plenty of those here but interspersed with new developments but the developments are thrown up lightning fast with little regard for sound building and some of them, every house looks like an ugly barn and the same as the next house. You couldn't tell them apart in the dark. The bunnies look happy. Your town looks clean! My brother and his wife went to Europe for two weeks for their anniversary, about the first vacation they've taken in decades. They said Switzerland was so clean compared to American small towns and the garbage everywhere and run down houses and towns.

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    1. Strayer: Mostly my city is clean. Mostly. And the suburbs are looked after. We have our fair share of ugly lightening fast developments though - mostly in the outer areas.

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  37. I am up to my ears in ugly apartments. Those balconies at your end are the last bastions of hope. Container gardens are the only option to get some greenery into life for flat dwellers.

    Loved the photos in both walking posts.

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    1. Nilanjana Bose: I would HAVE to have a garden if I lived in an apartment (ugly or not). Thank you.

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  38. Great pictures. They are especially nice to contemplate from the comfort of my computer chair. I'm a lazy woman, but I admire your determination to commit to such a long walk every year.

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    1. Olga Godim: You are not the only lazy woman. Not by a long shot. Some things will get me to 'stir my stumps' though.

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  39. The little garden on the balcony reminds me of my deck garden although my house is a bit nicer on the outside. When I could no longer garden in my yard, I decided to garden on my deck and I love it. I can sit in my chair, indoors, and watch the butterflies and hummingbirds that come to my flowers. Your photos, as usual, are glorious. I admire your taking that walk. I could not do that now and I miss taking walks. I have always been a lover of nature, but now I observe it from my deck or from inside my house as I watch the deer that romp around my house, the squirrels and birds that come to my feeders. I feel like I take a trip to Australia every week when I visit your blog. Thanks for taking me along.

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    1. Glenda Council Beall: I am so glad that you have a deck garden. I envy you squirrels, deers and hummingbirds - which are all exotica to me.

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  40. Nice to see some spring flowers. Our spring is 6 months away! I've enjoyed walking with you through the city. I like the rainbow painted on the bricks and I think those buses are sort of rainbowey too aren't they?

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    1. Shammickite: When our summer is baking us I will look at images from your side of the world for cooling relief. Some of our buses ARE rainbow coloured, and I am tickled that all of their numberplates start with BUS.

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  41. What a wonderful walk it was too, so many views, and comments but I'll just mention a few. The first house you showed is lovely, quite a yard they must have too, love the active street sign on the sidewalk not sure the meaning? At least the flats have a bit of balcony, and that must have been some residence! Loved the birds especially the large black? One photo had a what appeared to be a red coffee can? That peeked my attention! So many fun things, it was fun joining you from here.

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    1. (Photo number 4 up in the tree! A red feeder for birds?)

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    2. Karen S.: You have a good eye. I hadn't noticed it, and hope it is a bird feeder. The large black bird is a magpie. I am immensely fond of them. Cheeky charmers with a lovely warble.
      The active street sign is not one I have seen before, but I think it is an encouragement for families to walk their children to school - and to walk more anyway.

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  42. I love going on your walks. Thank you.

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  43. what a long walk, what are the yellow flowers? and I love that tile roof, such a tiny balcony but lovely how they have adorned it with as much living plants as they could.

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    1. Linda Starr: The yellow is wattle - the emblem of our land.
      I really liked the balcony garden too.

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  44. I feel as though I just had a wander with you pointing out interesting things as we went (but I didn't talk, as you were peopled out)

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    1. Kim: I would probably have just pointed that morning. Glad to have your silent company on the way.

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  45. That stone walkway in the flowers...gasp! So beautiful.

    What does active streets mena?

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    1. Sandi: Isn't that walkway lovely? I am not sure about 'active streets'. It is quite close to a school so I suspect it is encouragement for children to walk to school, and for us all to use our legs.

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  46. Its just been toooooo hot to be out collecting here. 97 yesterday...with FL humidity

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    1. Author R. Mac Wheeler: Eeeuw. I would be hunkered down inside. I hope you can stay cool.

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  47. The paths in that garden do indeed entrance. Thanks for taking us with you on this lovely walk.

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    1. Sandra Cox: I am happy to have my blogging friends walk with me - and love that path.

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  48. You, my dear, are amazing! Despite being so tired, you were able to walk and take pics.

    You always take the type of pics I like. Most people take photos of grand scenery, but you always notice the little details that make up the whole. Like stitches on a tapestry.

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    1. neena maiya (guyana gyal): Thank you. The little things are huge in my world. Always.

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  49. I completely understand why you pushed to walk home! We want to make it. So interesting a walk, the sights. I see the bushes, flats balcony, spring is almost there....

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    1. Kim@stuffcould: I think I can, I think I can... Spring is indeed almost here. Very almost.

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  50. Dear EC, I so understanding being "peopled out." But oh, that long walk plus the second one would have had me down for the count! You're a better human than I am "gunga din!" Peace.

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    1. Dee: Given my levels of pain and fatigue for days I would have been smarter to go down for the count. I am still glad I pushed myself though. Hugs.

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  51. Thank you for the tour. I enjoyed it. Nice photos.

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  52. Lovely shots.. I especially liked the balcony shot.

    http://www.henatayeb.blogspot.com

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    1. Hena Tayeb: I am glad. The balcony was a pleasant surprise to see on that ugly apartment block.

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  53. Glad you took the scenic trip home.
    It looks like it was, altogether, a beautiful day.
    Blessings.

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    1. Rawknrobyn: I almost always opt for the scenic route. Hugs.

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  54. That was a long walk my friend!! Thank you for taking such amazing photos! I hope you weren't too soar! Big Hugs!

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    1. Magic Love Crow: It was a long walk. I was/am sore, but it was worth it.

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  55. So glad you walked those extra miles so we could enjoy your fabulous photos.

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    1. Lady Fi: From a photographer of your calibre that is high praise. Thank you.

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  56. I always love your photos so much. Regarding the ugly building. This makes me think of how we can make the best of (mostly) anything. With a few flowers and some decorating, an ugly balcony says look at me, I'm pretty. I also like the crow/raven and bunny rabbits only not in my front yard. :)

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    1. T. Powell Coltrin: I was really impressed with that balcony garden. It made a huge difference even walking by, and I hope the gardener revels in his/her work. The raven is actually a magpie, and we have LOTS of them in our yard. No bunnies though.

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  57. I LOVE the bunnies. Just want to swoop them up and cuddle.
    Hope your day is wondrous.

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    1. Sandra Cox: They were very BIG bunnies and looked as if they got a lot of love.
      I hope your day is dry, sunny and wonderful.

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  58. I hope you are feeling better by now!

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  59. Lot's of walking, but boy did you find so much beauty in everything...
    Loved this post..thank you for bringing us along :)

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    1. Marfi-topia: I am a beauty addict. Fortunately there is a LOT of it about.

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  60. Always enjoy your Sunday Selections, and your positivity, thank you :)

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    1. Denise inVA: Thank you. You have me thinking here - I don't view myself as a positive person, so thanks for that too.

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    2. You are very welcome, our positivity shows in a lot of ways. Your Sunday Selections are one of them and oh my goodness, I am glad I came back to enjoy again before your next post. Absolutely delightful! Thank you EC and happy weekend :)

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  61. As always, you take lovely photos and you know what my favorite is....birds, birds, birds! Oh and flowers and scenery and I guess just about anything. Just keep them coming!

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    1. Mildred Ratched: There will for a change (not) be birds, flowers and scenery in my next post too.

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  62. Thumbs up for the sidewalk art:)

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    1. Sandra Cox: It is fun isn't it? I haven't seen anything like it in my suburb. Mind you, we don't have a lot of footpaths.

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  63. I'm so glad you walked and showed us what you saw. And I will keep it as a reminder when I'm too lazy to walk...
    What is that bird on the branch? To me it looks a bit like the herons we have around the lake. I agree, those flats are ugly (at least the building is), but I do love that someone tries to beautify it a little bit. Of course I wander what that green wire (?) hose (?) thing in the picture is. That would drive me crazy to see that in front of my window all the time.
    The sign on the path about the Active Streets is cool - I wish we had something like that in our town.

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    1. Carola Bartz: Believe me, I am often lazy too. The bird on the branch is a magpie. I love them. The green thing would do my head in. I suspect I would be strongly tempted to yank on it...

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  64. How cool about that rainbow path, and such a significant way to celebrate. I need to be walking the path in that gorgeous garden right now to get in my steps EC!(lol) Hugs...and more hugs! RO

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    1. RO: Good to see you. I hope Florence is leaving you alone now. Getting those steps in isn't easy is it?

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  65. Enjoyed your previously unused photos today.

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    1. Curious as to why your blog is named Elephant's child?

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    2. Christine: Welcome and thank you. I am the Elephant's Child because like the Rudyard Kipling version I suffer from insatiable curiosity.

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    3. Christine: We grew up with the Just So Stories (Elephant's Child is just one of them). I can still, decades later recite great slabs from them.

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  66. You do have some fascinating architecture there.
    Have a glorious day, my friend.

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    1. Sandra Cox: I live in a very varied city. I prefer the older styles, but some new buildings have charm too. I hope your day is full of wonder.

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  67. How refreshing to see your pics of early spring. Technically, it's the first day of autumn here, but the thermometer hasn't gotten the memo yet. It's still early morning, and it's already warm and muggy outside. These 90+ degree days are getting old. Come ON, cool weather!

    Thanks for taking us along on your outing. (so to speak...)

    Have a wonderful weekend.

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    1. Susan: I hope your cooler days arrive (and that our heat is delayed). Have a wonderful, wonderful weekend and week.

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  68. I would have walked too:) I so get that.
    And I love seeing the world through your lens and appreciate the company as we took in the springing.
    Lovely and loved, you.
    -Jennifer

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    1. Jennifer Richardson: I am so grateful to be able to share my world. So many people I have never (and probably will never) met have become dear to me. Hugs.

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  69. Of course that's the benefit of walking, you can take in so much more and photograph it too. I loved doing that walk with you. Do you think I've burnt up and calories though?

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    1. LL Cool Joe: My walk was so slow I probably didn't burn any calories either. Which is a shame, because I need too. I am glad to have the company on the walk though.

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  70. Ein Spaziergang im Frühling schön und die Bilder von den Blüten sind klasse.

    Noke

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  71. Okay, maybe it's just me, but doesn't the pink in the roof, particularly in the corner of the right, on the first house, look like hearts?

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    1. Sandra Cox: Not just you. I can see it too (thanks to your eagle eye).

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  72. A lovely walk. I love the plants on those flat balconies.

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