Sunday Selections 416

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.  River is taking a well-earned self care break.  She will be missed, but I will keep the meme warm for her.
Clicking on any of the photos will make them embiggen. 
 
Like River I usually run with a theme.  This week?  Several overlapping themes which include weather, extremes, summer and dreams.

Our heatwave continues.  We have not been as hot as some parts of Australia, but we have been considerably hotter than usual.  Since Christmas Day we have had only four days with a maximum temperature of less than 30C/86F.  Most have been considerably over that.  MS loves the heat (increased pain and fatigue and decreased mobility, dexterity and brain power) so I loathe it .  My sweetspot is about 14C/57F and I am very comfortable considerably below that spot too.

Andrew, River, JahTeh, CountryMum, Kim and not one but two of my brothers have endured some horrendous temperatures over the last few days.  Lee and dinahmow have had slightly lower temperatures and energy sapping vile humidity.  I was thinking of you all, and hope that you survived ok. 

Less talkwhinging, more photos.

The first come from Antarctica - in the summer of 2004.  My thoughts have been there a lot recently.  If either money or health allowed it I would be back in a heart beat.

 And then to photos from home in the summer of 2019.

Yes , it was hot.

The birds continue to give us joy.  And worry us, as they also deal with the heat (undoubtedly complaining less than I do).  I should add that the photos of the heat stressed birds were taken from inside so I didn't add to their stress. 

 

I have a soft spot for the bearded ravens.

The rainbow lorikeets are here shortly after dawn and at dusk.  The apple we put out appears to hit the spot (with them and other birds). 

The crested pigeon was ensconced in the shade of the camellias.  They are pretty birds.

A heat-stressed currawong, with its beak open and panting.

The King Parrots are not usually with us over summer, as they go into the nearby hills to breed.  This pair appeared late last week (perhaps because the on-going drought has made food scarce in their breeding territory).  They had obviously been here before and made it clear that they NEEDED food.  I loved the errant feather on the female (and was proud of that shot taken with one hand while I fed it from the other).

Gardening continues.  At a slower pace.  I drag hoses around at times when our restrictions allow it and have been weeding just after first light.

If you have made it this far in this very long post - thank you.  Stay cool or warm and have a pleasant week.

Sunday Selections 415

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.  River is taking a well-earned self care break.  She will be missed, but I will keep the meme warm for her.
Clicking on any of the photos will make them embiggen. 
 
Like River I usually run with a theme.  I am returning to the 'art' theme this week.  Public and natural.  It is a varied selection again this week and I suspect some will appeal more than others.  Which is fine, and a part of the reason I am glad that our street art is so varied.  Long term followers of this blog will recognise some of both the public and the natural art.  I don't feel (much) shame.  I appreciate them both.  As is also common there are a lot of photos.  And I don't feel (much) guilt.

This is a Pineapple Lily (Eucomis autumnalis I think).  Unlike many of the lilies this will not give grief to sensitive noses.

And our flowering cactus.  The blooms last just a day (less in the temperatures we have been having).  And are worth the wait.

And now to some public art from two of our city centres.  I had a commitment to our crisis line last week and went out early to try and beat the heat (I failed).

Both the metallic monolith (which I suspect allowed some beaurocrat to put a tick on 'install public art) and the mural come from the city centre I travel through on my way to Lifeline.  I couldn't find any attribution for either.

The next ones come from the city centre.  And are within a hundred yards of each other.

 I have always thought that Amanda Stuart's 'bush pack (nil tenure) is a nod to the dingo, our native dog.  With that in mind it seems entirely appropriate that the nearest artworks are a tribute to my cities' First People.

I

The 'goon' as it is popularly known looks like the blown-up innards from a cask of wine.  It is too hot to sit on in summer and too chilly in winter.  Looking for an attribution (in vain) I came across this poem (also without an attribution) at its base.  A very truthful and much walked over poem about the area.  I am ashamed to say I have never noticed it before.

Lynette Bone's tale has delighted me since I first spotted it, set into the pavement in Garema Place some years ago.

The 'Young Eagle' (Qian Jian Hua) perches on a public noticeboard and surveys the scene below.  It supposedly 'evokes the strength, optimism and freedom of youth - a spirit which can be embraced at any age'.  Hear, hear.

It has been hot again.  Some parts of Australia, scorchingly and record-breakingly so.  While not as hot as other parts of the country we also broke records.  And experienced a minor earthquake to go with it.  We are having a 'cool' change for the next week or so and our maximum temperatures will fall to between 34-39C (95-102F).  Bleah.  Bring back winter.  And, as a grumpy aside our temperature yesterday was predicted to reach 34C and reached a little over 36C.  I do hope that trend doesn't continue. 

Sunday Selections #414

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.  River is taking a well-earned self care break.  She will be missed, but I will keep the meme warm for her.
Clicking on any of the photos will make them embiggen. 
 
Like River I usually run with a theme. This week I am back in town again.  A part of the town I don't usually go to.

Some years ago we had a Chief Minister who championed public art.  I am very, very grateful to him.  I don't like all of the art but I love that it is there. 

'The Other Side of Midnight' by Anne Ross isn't a sculpture I lust after, but I did smile.  And smiled even more widely when I noticed children patting the dogs.I really enjoyed these small pieces too.

( Sorry about the intrusive finger blur.)

 

I wish the fountain had been going. but loved the leafy reflections in the facade behind.  

The Canberra Memorial - which was installed to honour those people with an association with my city who have served their country - in peace, in war, and in humanitarian services.

I really liked that these trees were draped in coloured fairy lights.

Some weeks ago I posted star benches from the town centre.  Kim asked whether they were in fact benches noting that they could be unstable unless they were bolted down.  I promised to check - but have to chalk up a failure.  They have gone, which I suspect means that they were as she suggested decorative rather than functional.