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? Sort of. We have had a little very welcome rain (as well as snow less than sixty miles away, wind, heat and cold) and I have been revelling in its impact on the garden. And celebrating Nature's amazing colour palette and galleries.
I loved the water droplets on the King Parrot.
And have a very weak spot for long-beaked corellas.
I save (and broadcast) the seeds from this double poppy each year.
Last year the vandal cockatoos neatly snipped off the flower spikes from this orchid. We got no flowers. This year they generously left them alone.
That double poppy from a different angle.
And some golden glory in the sky.
We do live in a beautiful world.
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? Sort of. We have had a little very welcome rain (as well as snow less than sixty miles away, wind, heat and cold) and I have been revelling in its impact on the garden. And celebrating Nature's amazing colour palette and galleries.
I loved the water droplets on the King Parrot.
And have a very weak spot for long-beaked corellas.
I save (and broadcast) the seeds from this double poppy each year.
Last year the vandal cockatoos neatly snipped off the flower spikes from this orchid. We got no flowers. This year they generously left them alone.
That double poppy from a different angle.
And some golden glory in the sky.
We do live in a beautiful world.
The flowers are exotic looking! Goegeous! That sky in the last two photos is brilliant.
ReplyDeleteMarie Smith: Thank you. I am so glad that I saw that golden glory and rushed out with the camera.
DeleteDear EC, just yesterday, we in the States celebrated Thanksgiving--a day to give thanks for the wonder of our friend and family and nature and the event of our lives. You always are aware of the beauty of the world and give thanks often. It's a gift you offer all of us.
ReplyDeleteI don't think I've ever seen red the color of the King Parrot. I don't think even our cardinals have feathers that red! Peace today and ever.
Dee: The King Parrot is a beautiful bird, but so many of our natives are. And yes, I am both aware of (and very grateful) the beauty of the world. Peace today and forever is a truly wonderful wish. For us all.
DeleteThe flowers and the birds are very exotic looking. I especially like the King Parrot.
ReplyDeleteJamie Ghione: We are very fond of the King Parrot too.
DeleteEC I thought you might enjoy this poem by Patrick Pearse, an Irish teacher, poet and rebel who was shot by firing squad in 1916 in Dublin for taking part in the Rebellion for Irish freedom. Your photos always bring this piece to mind. I thank you for them.
ReplyDeleteThe Wayfarer
The beauty of the world hath made me sad,
This beauty that will pass;
Sometimes my heart hath shaken with great joy
To see a leaping squirrel in a tree,
Or a red lady-bird upon a stalk,
Or little rabbits in a field at evening,
Lit by a slanting sun,
Or some green hill where shadows drifted by
Some quiet hill where mountainy man hath sown
And soon would reap; near to the gate of Heaven;
Or children with bare feet upon the sands
Of some ebbed sea, or playing on the streets
Of little towns in Connacht,
Things young and happy.
And then my heart hath told me:
These will pass,
Will pass and change, will die and be no more,
Things bright and green, things young and happy;
And I have gone upon my way
Sorrowful.
XO
WWW
Wisewebwoman: Thank you so much for the gift of this poem, which I didn't know.
DeleteThis too will pass indeed. But new beauty will follow (whether I see it or not).
Thank you from me, also. Puts into words something I have felt, some times more than others.
DeletePoppies! (Something else I miss)
ReplyDeleteBut we have had one rumble storm and some good rain.The southern regions of this State are battling fires...
And I, too, have a flash of red...one canna burst into bloom when it rained.(But I can't hand-feed that!)
dinahmow: I have cannas poking through the ground but they are weeks away from flowering. I hope that the fires in your State (and indeed the world) are extinguished quickly.
DeletePoppies are blooming prolifically here at the moment. Mostly singles, but at least a few of the beauteous doubles.
I am so glad you got some rain, and took advantage of it with your beautiful photos. Those roses are incredible. I love the pretty yellow one most of all. And the sunsets are gorgeous. Thank you for brightening my day. :-)
ReplyDeleteDJan: That rose is 'Just Joey' and is scented. I cannot at the moment smell much of anything, but I know the scent is there.
Deleteyou do live in a beautiful part of the world and its a treat for my snow weary eyes!
ReplyDeletelaurie: I am very glad to treat your snow weary eyes.
DeleteKing parrots, Corellas and roses......does it get any better than that?
ReplyDeleteDavid Gascoigne: It is hard (and greedy) to ask for more isn't it?
DeleteThat we do and further proof is displayed here today.
ReplyDeleteI the coming week treats you kindly, EC. Cuddles to Jazz. :)
Lee: It is going to be a very busy (and sometimes manically so) week. Hopefully I will stop barking before our visitors arrive.
DeleteI don't know why, but King Parrots really are my favourite parrot. The cockatoos probably read your mind this year and left the orchids alone. It is a beautiful sunrise.
ReplyDeleteAndrew: I am very, very fond of the King Parrots too. I am a tad surprised the cockatoos left the orchid alone but very grateful.
DeleteYour bookends, the red King Parrot and the golden sunset, are perfect statements of perfection.
ReplyDeleteJoanne Noragon: I thought so too, and am glad that this perfection is re-invented/recreated so regularly.
DeleteThe double poppy is enchanting. I don't know if I've yet had the pleasure of seeing them around these parts.
ReplyDeleteAs usual, the birds are stunning. Have I ever mentioned that we have at least one flock of green parrots here in the city? I think it all began with a few rogue birds 'going native'. Now there are scores of them (usually around Telegraph Hill). And, boy, they make quite a racket!
Bea: I was given (and thoroughly enjoyed) a book about the parrots on Telegraph Hill. And yes, parrot voices carry. They aren't musical beasts either.
DeleteI don't know where the double poppy came from. It popped up in the garden one year and I have been working to spread it ever since. With variable success.
Aside from the king parrots, I love the double poppies
ReplyDeleteSue in Italia/In the Land of Cancer: So do we. There are more in bloom each day at the moment.
DeleteIndeed we do live in a very beautiful world, which is peopled by wonderful birds and animals, gorgeous trees and flowers, and kind, caring people. Thank you for reminding us of those facts every week; it is all too easy to become dispirited about all of the troubles and issues that the world is facing.
ReplyDeleteMy world is utterly sodden at the moment. We have had 2 days of heavy rain, and it is forecast to last all week! Sigh. I shall have to look at your poppies and parrots often :)
Alexia: I often get dispirited. Almost invariably by people. Nature is my solace, and my heart balm.
DeleteI feel for your sodden self, though cannot remember when we last had that sort of rain. Even in the very welcome rain we have had I could almost always stand in it without the need for a brolly.
your photos this week are all my favourite!
ReplyDeleteI relate to you spreading the poppies. I worked hard to spread a small number of freesias all over our front yard and it worked, we had a meadow for a time there.
I may have told you that before, and if so you have to forgive me for being so fond of that memory. The scent was to die for.
kylie: You have told me of your freesia meadow and keep on doing so. It would have been absolute bliss. Scent and colour. I would like to naturalise rather a lot of things though the 'lawn'. Himself would loathe it. And says so.
DeleteLook at my favourite birds, the king parrots!! I saw them here for the first time. They are beautiful!!!! And so is the world we live in...
ReplyDeleteThe flowers are your pride and joy!!
: )
Caterina: They are lovely birds aren't they? And he has been back this morning for a hand-out. I do put a lot of blood, sweat and tears into the garden. And need to put in more.
DeleteVery beautiful, and you help make it so by growing such lovely plants.
ReplyDeletemessymimi: What a lovely thing to say. Thank you.
DeleteI love the shots of the twin sister trees backlit by all that gold. And the shots of the king parrot with his smiley-looking face. And all the flowers with the raindrops still on them. Such beauty you find and share. Thank you for opening my eyes to it so often. Hugs.
ReplyDeletejenny_o: I am a beauty addict and fortunate in finding rather a lot of it. Each and every day. That king parrot does look to be smiling doesn't he? Which given that he has both the human residents of this house wrapped round his smallest digit is right and proper.
DeleteYay for the rain! Birds and flowers all look beautiful with the raindrops. The corella looks a little sad, though. :)
ReplyDeleteRiver Fairchild: I think the corella was grumpy because the feeder was empty and I was wasting time taking its photo.
DeleteLove the sunset and the rain-sparkled roses. Your cactus flowers are lovely too. Mine aren't doing so well, something keeps eating it. I think perhaps I need to invest in a sturdy structure to hang the baskets higher.
ReplyDeleteRiver: Apart from the cockatoos I have never known anything eat those cacti. I wonder what is munching yours.
DeleteGorgeous sky, beautiful birds/parrots and wonderful roses and flowers.
ReplyDeleteMargaret-whiteangel: Thank you.
DeleteBeautiful sky + lovely flowers + gorgeous birds = 1 magnificent post!!
ReplyDeletefishducky: What a lovely thing to say. I was thinking it was a bit same old, same old.
DeleteRaindrops on flowers make for beautiful photos Sue and I love all your bird shots. Yes Nature is wonderful and always changing.
ReplyDeleteMargaret Adamson: I think she is the very best of artists.
DeleteAll so beautiful, especially with the added raindrops.
ReplyDeleteI saw a small flock of corellas fly over our house yesterday. Good to see they have survived as there has been so much land development in and around us and thus lack of habitat for the birds.
The Carnaby cockatoo is suffering though. For many years we would have flocks of them biting the flower of our bottlebrush but this year I only found one flower on the ground and very few cockies seen. There habitat has really diminished rapidly. So sad for them and for us as we love them, even if they are a little destructive.
Hope your weekend has been a good one. Cheers.
Mimsie: I am sorry to hear that the numbers of the Carnaby cockatoo are diminishing. They are not a bird I have ever seen. We occasionally get yellow-tailed black cockatoos and their arrival is always a red letter day. I hope that you, Phil and Candy have an excellent week.
DeleteDear EC
ReplyDeleteBeautiful fauna and flora for us all to enjoy. What an uplifting start to the day!
Best wishes
Ellie
Ellie Foster: Thank you. As I type my response the birds are starting to arrive for breakfast. I have put out some apple for them and will go and watch them enjoy it shortly.
DeleteSchön die Rosen mit den Wassertropfen und die anderen Blüten.
ReplyDeleteNoke
Noke: Thank you. Those water droplets just added to the beauty didn't they?
DeleteThe red party is fantastic Love from rainy Poland
ReplyDeleteGosia k: Feel free to send your rain this way.
DeleteLove the birdies so much. So beautiful!
ReplyDeleteGranny Annie: We do too.
Deleteso much to see so little time, love the water droplets and I've never seen a double poppy
ReplyDeleteLinda Starr: I don't remember seeing a double poppy before this one popped up in the garden a few years ago.
DeleteYou are surrounded by beauty every time you step outside! The poppy is gorgeous. As are the colourful birds. I'm still surrounded by snow, but it's a little warmer.... 3C out there instead of -12C as it was last week.
ReplyDeleteShammickite: Our winters often get to 3C, and usually into the minuses. Minus 12 is rare though. Very rare in my city anyway.
DeleteThose tiny droplets on the King Parrot make it look as if he'd been sprayed with water repellent. I guess they have their own repellent in the oils of their feathers. Your flowers are beautiful. Why is it called a double poppy?
ReplyDeleteStrayer: You are right about the oils in their feathers. Occasionally we will see a bird whose 'waterproofing' has failed and goodness they look miserable. 'Double' flowers are called that because of the extra layer(s) of petals. Most poppies only have a single layer.
DeleteWe do indeed live in a beautiful world, E.C. I'm thankful for you and for the beautiful photos you share with us. I love the flowers and the birds but the photos of the sky are breathtaking.
ReplyDeleteMason Canyon: I never tire of the sky. Or the flowers and the birds.
DeleteOh how beautiful!!
ReplyDeleteI have never seen a King Parrot before, not even in a picture. They really are stunning, aren't they?
I love the flowers too. So colourful!!😊😊
Ygraine: We are very, very lucky and often have a small flock of King Parrots visiting. At the moment most are in the breeding territory but this one visits us several times each day. Too young too breed perhaps.
DeleteHi EC - stunning, simply stunning - so delightful to see - Nature at its best ... beautiful - loved them ... cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteHilary Melton-Butcher: Nature's best is spectacular isn't it?
DeleteAbsolutely beautiful! i am so charmed by the parrots! Here they only exist in captivity, or zoos! To see them in the wild? Breathtaking!
ReplyDeletedaisyfae: We often get seven or more native species of birds visiting daily (including several types of parrots). And are very, very grateful to see them.
DeleteGood morning, I have a weak spot for your blossoms and (feeling a little blue that winter is entering, slowy) and especially love your parrots and birds, many I don't know their names. In truth there isn't a critter in this world that is uninteresting to me. Enjoy your new week! Hope all is well.
ReplyDeleteKaren S.: I am a big critter fan too. Some from a greater distance than others. I hope your week is filled with fun and whimsy.
DeleteThose birds, flowers and sunsets are so beautiful.
ReplyDeleteMary Kirkland: I think so too.
DeleteI resent we don't have native parrots over here!!
ReplyDeleteBut we share the same sunsets ♥
Author R. Mac Wheeler: You have a lot of critters I would love to see. And I am grateful to share our sunsets (and sunrises).
DeleteOh my word! Everything is glorious...The King Parrot, your beautiful flowers and that golden sky.
ReplyDeleteSandra Cox: Thank you. We rarely get a golden sky like that one, and I revelled in it.
DeleteElegant EC, the best are the Parrots, wonderful.
ReplyDeleteBob Bushell: He is a beauty isn't he? And we think he is aware of just how lovely he is.
DeleteI adore the double poppy! So pretty! And that King parrot is exceptionally good looking :)
ReplyDeletemshatch: The double poppy is a charmer and if ever I come across them in a different colour I will invest. And a big yes about the King Parrot too.
DeleteYes, our world is beautiful and you live in a particularly beautiful piece of it. Your garden - the birds and flowers - always bring me a little happiness. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteMyrna R.: I am more than happy to share the beauty, and to know it gives you a little happiness is truly lovely.
DeleteThe photos are just awesome. Love the parrots. Hope you have a great new week.
ReplyDeleteRasma Raisters: Thank you. I hope your week is wonderful too.
DeleteYou have the most intense colors!
ReplyDeleteJono: Spring is a truly vivid time. As we move into summer the colours (except in the sky and the birds) will be much more muted.
DeleteLove all these photos but the roses are top of the charts for me!
ReplyDeleteMolly Bon: There is something about a rose isn't there? And these are all scented (I consider a rose without a scent a travesty).
DeleteBeautiful shots as always, EC! I've been playing with filters on my phone camera, but I know I'll never match what you do with your hardware.
ReplyDeleteJohn Wiswell: Thank you. I have never played with filters and struggle with the camera on my phone.
DeleteYes, we definitely live in a beautiful world - and your wonderful pictures are always a great reminder, even if the world sometimes includes vandalous cockatoos :)
ReplyDeletemark koopmans: Incontinent vandals the cockatoos may be - but they are also beautiful.
DeleteOMG - The colors on the birds and flowers are so vibrant and beautiful! Hugs...RO
ReplyDeleteRO: I thought so too. And am still revelling in both. Hugs.
Delete"We do live in a beautiful world." Yes, indeed! Love the parrots and I always love roses! These are so beautiful. And that sky! Thank you for starting my morning with beauty.
ReplyDeleteElizabeth Varadan, Author: The roses are empheral and won't last much longer, but I am really enjoying them at the moment.
DeleteYou're so right, we do live in a beautiful world and your photos displayed that perfectly. Thank you so much for sharing that beauty with us. Stunning!
ReplyDeleteElsie
Elsie Amata: It is my pleasure to share, and to learn/know that others enjoy it too.
DeleteSherlock Holmes said this on TV and it seems appropriate so I wanted to share it, EC :) What a lovely thing are roses, There is nothing in which deduction is so necessary as in religion. It can be built up as an exact science by the reasoner. Our highest assurance that the goodness of providence seems to me to rest in the flowers. It is only goodness which gives excellence and so I say again, we have much to hope from the flowers.
ReplyDeleteSpacer Guy: What an intriguing quote. I DO take hope and comfort from nature.
DeleteYes, we do live in a beautiful world...
ReplyDeleteI think it is so important to take photographs of our world and surroundings - they are certainly to be treasured.
I thought the rain on many of your photographs looked so beautiful, and those last two photographs of the sky were stunning.
All the best Jan
Lowcarb team member ~Jan: I came to photography late in life, but am making up for lost time. And thank you for your kind words.
DeleteYes, this is a beautiful world we live in!
ReplyDeleteKelly Steel: A very, very beautiful (and varied) world.
DeleteWell you seem to capture all the beauty in our world, especially those birds. The King Parrot is an amazing looking creature. I would never get tired of seeing that in the garden.
ReplyDeleteLL Cool Joe: We are never, ever tired of the King Parrots. Even when they start to insistently peep at us to remind us they need sustenance. Now.
DeleteBirds and flowers you can't beat that pair.
ReplyDeleteMerle.........
Merlesworld: I agree. They are both winners.
DeleteSo much beauty and colour!
ReplyDeleteLady Fi: Thank you. I do love this time of the year. Beauty - and moderate temperatures.
DeleteI sang aloud as I enjoyed your post this week, 'raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens ...'
ReplyDeleteKim: I am so sorry I missed this comment. And am a big, big fan of raindrops on roses...
DeleteYou are amazing EC! You have such a talent with your garden! Truly beautiful! And, I love so much, how you take care of your birds! Very, very beautiful! Love your sky photos too! Glorious! Hope you are well! Big Hugs!
ReplyDeleteMagic Love Crow: Thank you, but believe me the garden needs a LOT more work. Next week. Perhaps. I hope your week is wonderful.
DeleteSplendid images this week. I adore the colorful birds you share. The flowers are very pretty also and the skies always are.
ReplyDeleteDenise inVA: Thank you. We adore the birds too, and the breakfast crew are demanding sustenance as I type.
DeleteWhat a beautiful selection!
ReplyDeletejanicce.
A Casa Madeira ~Janice: Thank you. I hope you are well.
DeleteI think water droplets on flowers looks so beautiful. So pretty and magical. You captured many glorious moments. Nature is a wonder and I love to sit back and enjoy it. :)
ReplyDelete~Jess
DMS ~Jess: Nature is indeed a wonder. And I do hope to be able to sit back in revel in her artistry soon.
DeleteYour garden is beautiful, but the birds definitely steal the show.
ReplyDeleteCarola Bartz: They are glorious aren't they?
DeleteOooooh, that sky!
ReplyDeleteWe do live in a beautiful world. I wish more people would stop and notice. I think it's full of healing vibes.
neena maiya (guyana gyal): No arguments from me. On either count. And thank you for backtracking through my posts.
DeleteIn this New Year, I wish you achieve all you goals in life and get success at every step of life.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy a rocking year.
happy new year daughter