Wet and Aggressive Corella challenges Magpie

Wet and Aggressive Corella challenges Magpie

Sunday 27 January 2019

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.

162 comments:

  1. How long is the trip from Australia to Antarctica?

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    1. Sandi: I flew to Argentina - close to twenty-four hours and then boarded a ship in Ushuaia. The ship took a few days to reach Antarctica. You can also leave from Hobart or New Zealand - which are probably faster options.

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    2. It looks so much shorter on the map!

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    3. Sandi: It does. And how I wish it was.

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  2. Superb images EC, I love the Penguins from 2004, and the King Parrots, fantastic.

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    1. Bob Bushell: Thank you. The penguins are beatiful - particularly porpoising through the waves.

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  3. It is beautiful there. I would be over the moon to have the birds eating out of my hand. I do feel for you though with the heat. It sounds good now while we are freezing up north. Donna@gather

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    1. Donna@gather: Antarctica IS beautiful. And so far, largely unspoiled. Some weather moderation would be nice wouldn't it?

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  4. Those are amazing photos from Antarctica! What an opportunity - one us northern people won't likely ever get. Just keep thinking about that frozen south.

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    1. Alex J. Cavanaugh: Antartica was a dream destination for me - and I am so glad that I realised that dream.

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  5. 5 .30am here and cooler, with a breeze. BOM says 29C, showers and patchy rain. Bring it on, fellas! But I will not be putting the orchids just yet.
    (That's about 90F for non-metric folk.)

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    1. dinahmow: We are heading for 34 or so today. And showers have been promised but I won't be holding my breath.

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  6. Dear EC
    I hope the heat will abate for you all soon. I can't imagine how uncomfortable it must be for people and animals alike. Your photos are (as ever) lovely. I particularly like seeing the birds.
    Best wishes
    Ellie

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    1. Ellie Foster: Thank you. We are expecting a few cooler days at the end of the coming week. Unless the weather boffins change their mind.

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  7. Cool? What's cool?

    I've just let myself out of my fridge long enough to read the Sunday blog posts!

    My landlady has just visited Antarctica...I'm not sure if she has returned yet...I hope she dragged an iceberg back with her! My late brother's eldest son worked at both Casey and Davis Bases in Antarctica for around seven years.

    I hope your week treats you kindly, EC..,cuddles to Jazz. :)

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    1. Lee: I did know that about your nephew - and am jealous.
      I hope that both of us (and the furred ones) get some relief. Soon.

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  8. Well today is decidedly cooler before we head back into the high 30's & 40's next week. A nice reprieve!

    Love your contrasting photos of the weather... can't get any more extreme than those.

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    1. CountryMum: We are expecting a day below 30 at the end of the week. Fingers crossed. In the interim, mid to high 30s again. Bring back winter.

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  9. Thank YOU for so many lovely photos. Just looking at your Antarctic ones made me feel cooler! The contrast of the luminous sun made the point about our poor planet very clear.
    I hope you have some relief this week - maybe even some rain? We have been warned that your heatwave is heading our way, which is a worry because we are already having 29/30 most days!
    Look after yourself, EC.

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    1. Alexia: I hope the heat wave drowns before it manages to cross the ocean to you. Vile, vile and vile. A smidge of rain has been predicted, but I am not holding my breath.
      Thank you for your kind words. A large copy of the first photo hangs on the wall in our kitchen - and makes me feel cooler every time I look at it.

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  10. Hang in there, march will come eventually

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    1. kylie: Is it wrong of me to wish my life away and long for it to hurry up?

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    2. If it is wrong, I am wrong with you

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    3. kylie: Sigh. Nice to have your company.

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  11. pure and serene the winter landscapes from your trip, I too have my own trips I hold onto as solace to a much mundane life of now, then your heat, hope you are providing water for the poor birds; we are lucky as humans to have a permanent shelter but the birds and other creatures must fend as they can; life can be tough no matter human or creature; I think most domestic animals have the best life if their humans dote on them.

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    1. Linda Starr: That was Antarctica in the summer, but I do hold it close to my heart and know exactly what you mean about holding trips as solace. We do put food and water out for the birds. And hope that they can survive.

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  12. Just wonderful pictures! I love the King Parrot feeding ones the best, but they are all delightful. I am so sorry you are having such heat, stressing out both you and the other animals. Sigh. But thank you for taking me to Antarctica for a short visit! :-)

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    1. DJan: Thank you. Antarctica truly is every bit as beautiful (and more) as any photo suggests.

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  13. I love your native birds--hope they make it through the heat wave!!

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    1. fishducky: We love them too. We are a little cooler than some parts of Oz and I hope they will be ok. Birds (and bats) didn't make it through Adelaide's nastiest days.

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  14. While i am just a tiny bit jealous that you got to see Antarctica, part of me knows that the cold would nearly do me in.

    At the same time, i melt in extreme heat, so i pray for relief for all of you!

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    1. messymimi: Antarctica is only open to tourists in summer so you may be able to survive the cold. It really wasn't bad (but I am no judge of weather and biased). I hear you on the melting in the heat.

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  15. I am very grateful that with all that heat you were able to put together such a delightful Sunday Selection. Hope you get some relief soon and I once again loved all that you had to share today, thank you bunches of ice cubes :)

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    1. Denise inVA: Thank you. Bunches of ice cubes are very welcome.

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  16. Do Australians do the same thing as we do and thank their lucky stars that February is a short month? (Of course, we're doing it because of the cold, not the heat.) I really hope the extreme heat abates soon. There are sad stores coming to us of animals dying in the heat from lack of water at their usual drinking places. So hard for man and beast alike.

    Your Antarctica pictures are so beautiful, the brilliant white against the brilliant blue and the dark land and water - it must have been thrilling to be there in person.

    I'm amazed (and appreciative) that you could get such a good shot that close to the king parrot with one hand!

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    1. jenny_o: There are some dreadful stories emerging of animals felled by the heat. Heartbreaking.
      I DO look forward to Autumn. Usually people disagree with me. This year there are more people on 'my team'.
      Antarctica was unbelievably beautiful. It had long been a dream of mine and the fulfilment of that dream matched and exceeded my hopes.

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  17. Love all the photos and just would love to cuddle a penguin.

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    1. Rasma Raisters: I didn't cuddle a penguin (rules)but did have one pecking at my boot. And a baby seal gumming on my knee.

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  18. I can understand why beautiful photos from the Antarctic are on your mind :)

    Also well impressed the birds were comfortable enough being "hand-fed." (That would be fun to do! There's wild parrots over here - there - so I'm going to bring some old bread with me one of these days.)

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    1. mark koopmans: I loved Antartica and often think of it - the heat here has just brought it closer to the surface of what passes for my mind.
      If you are feeding birds see whether they are seed or fruit eaters - which is probably better for them than bread.

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  19. As usual, the photos you share are gorgeous. I loved the Antarctica photos as well as the birds, but I am absolutely smitten by the pics of the lilies.

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    1. Anne in the kitchen: Thank you. Those are almost the last of the lilies, and I have been loving them.

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  20. I haven't dragged my hose out often enough and a couple of things have died or appear to be dying. As a surprise though, the red yarrow which I thought had dies now has a tiny new shoot about an inch tall.
    I love the birds and particularly raven and crows, do you have plenty of water bowls around for them? We have several more crows around my area now, I think the original two may have convinced family members to move in or they've been breeding. Either way, I'm happy about that. I don't put food out for any birds, there is plenty around I think and far too many cats.
    That flame orange sunset looks like the gateway to hell.
    LOVE the icy Antarctic and the penguins.

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    1. River: I am glad that your yarrow is coming back. There is water out for the birds but despite obvious signs of heat stress only the pigeons imbibe. I hope there are water sources close by which are more to their liking, and console myself a little thinking that the apple provides some much need moisture.
      A gateway to hell is an accurate description of that sunset.

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  21. Those of us with the less than stable hands know what an achievement it is to get crystal clear photo with the camera in one hand and a bird on the other. I love all the photos. So when you win the lottery, you will spend summer in Antarctica. I may just join you.

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    1. Andrew: If I won the lottery I would happily decamp to Antarctica - and would be happy to have some company. And huge thanks for recognising just how lucky I was to get that 'errant feather' photo.

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  22. Love the penguins. After looking at all the snow, your big orange sun looks extra hot! I hope it starts cooling down for you soon. Smart birds you have, knowing where to come when their food source becomes scarce. And the one-handed photo shot? That’s talent. :)

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    1. River Fairchild: The king parrots are particularly smart. They are low on the pecking order and struggle to get food while there are other birds about. Unless they are being hand fed. The one-handed shot was very lucky. A triumph against expectations.

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  23. It's lovely to see photos of Antarctica makes one feel cooler - the birds, they do struggle in the heat and nice photos of everything - so you keep cool if you can.

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    1. Margaret-whiteangel: Thank you - on all counts.

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  24. I am so sorry you are suffering so much in this heat and I hope it abates very soon for you. Despite the conditions your flowers are doing very well. Antarctica looks wonderful but if you never get there again at least you have the memories and photographs. I hope this is a better week for you heat wise.

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    1. Margaret Adamson: The memories of Antarctica are hugged tightly to my heart. We will have a couple of cooler days before the heat ramps up again.

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  25. The birds are why I've left the wormy apple tree in the yard but with the heat the apple chunks have baked like bricks. Pain level is slightly below standing on kitty litter, lesson learned, broom along the steps before going out the back door.

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    1. JahTeh: Standing on kitty litter is slightly less painful than standing on lego - but both are to be avoided. We put out the apples fresh each day, but sometimes they have baked. Eeeuw.

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  26. Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful pictures. The parrots, the penguins, the flowers, even the too hot sun. Oppressive heat can be so tiring.

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    1. Bill: Thank you. I find ongoing heat debilitating - but there is still beauty about. Lots of it.

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  27. Hi EC - gorgeous photos ... I'm sorry about the MS - must be ghastly in this heat. So glad you're helping the birds, the plants to help the birds, insects et al ... take care as you look after others and yourself - cheers Hilary

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    1. Hilary Melton-Butcher: Thank you. The sweaty season is not my favourite - but will pass.

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  28. Those birds would thank you for that much needed water. We have similar sweet spots. I would love it to be 57F. Soon our high here will be -1F. Very very cold.

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    1. Sue in Italia/In the Land Of Cancer: At the moment I would prefer your temperatures to ours. I am the only one in the house who would.

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  29. Antarctica. Beautiful place, but not a place I'd like to visit. I never minded the cold in my youth, but, like you, my bones ache terribly when it's cold. Some beautiful photos of the birds. I miss them here in the city. Of course, they are all around me, but it's not the same.

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    1. mxtodis123: Antarctica is beautiful, and somewhere I always longed to visit. I am glad I got the opportunity. My bones melt in the heat.

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  30. I heard about the heat there. I hope it cools soon, though February is on the horizon. It is a short month, but I fear a hot one.

    Wonderful photos, EC. The birds are incredible and lucky to have you.

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    1. Marie Smith: February is often our hottest month. The birds are a constant joy - and the luck is on our side.

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  31. Road trip!!!! I'd go with you to Antarctica to enjoy that cold in a minute EC!(lol) I hate that you're having to suffer in that heat despite the prettiness of the sun. As always, I adore the colorful picture of the birds and I'm learning every Sunday! Happy National Chocolate Cake Day and sending some healing hugs your way. RO

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    1. RO: Thank you. I have been luckier than many in our current heat wave. Luckier to the extent I am a bit ashamed of complaining. Healing hugs gratefully received - and reciprocated.

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  32. Those are some beautiful birds. A flock of Red-wing black birds come to our feeders each afternoon. I haven’t been able to photograph them yet but I’m going to try again today.
    I would LOVE to go to Anartica!

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    1. Rick Watson: I am really looking forward to the day you capture your Red-wing Blackbirds. Antarctica is amazing, if ever you get the chance, grab it.

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  33. I've been following the news about the Australian drought and heat wave, and sending you cooling thoughts, as we have recently endured a couple of nights at -25c! I saw a news item about the wild horses that have died at the dried up water hole, so very sad. All the wildlife mist be suffering.

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    1. Shammickite: The death of the wild horses (and kangaroos) has made my head and heart hurt. It would be a dreadful death too.
      Even liking the cold I suspect your temperatures would be a tad too low for me - and your wildlife will be suffering too.

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  34. I've been updating regularly on the heatwave, friends are travelling there and also friends live in Oz. It is terrifying. I saw those pics of the wild horses dead around the water hole and my heart broke. So wonderful you can feed the birds.

    I do hope it alleviates for you soon. Daughter has MS and heat like that would ravage her as it did in Toronto (she moved here which is much cooler).

    XO
    WWW

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    1. Wisewebwoman: I hope your daughter is MUCH more comfortable in your cooler climate. The death of those horses is appalling isn't it? And there will have been many more such tragedies.

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  35. The photos of the cold are beautiful but the bird eating from your hand is amazing. Wish I could send you some of our cold weather. Take care.

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    1. Mason Canyon: Thank you. I would love some of your cold weather. Want to swap?

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  36. Wow...those stunning photos of Antarctica!!
    I can well imagine how much you long to be there. The heat must be so debilitating for you. You have my deepest sympathy.
    Here, at present, it is 6c! I would swap temperatures with you in a flash though! I adore the heat...but we get precious little of it here.:/
    I really like the bird photos too. We don't have any of those birds here. Plenty of pigeons, but not crested ones.

    I do so hope it cools down for you soon.

    Lots of Love xxx

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    1. Ygraine: Antarctic memories are ones I hug very close to myself.
      I am sorry to read that you are struggling, and hope you feel MUCH better very quickly.

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  37. Taking "think cool thoughts" to a new level, EC! I'm sorry the heatwave continues to spread its misery. Please take care of yourself. Those can be brutal on our bodies.

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    1. John Wiswell: Thank you. Here at least many more people die in the heat than the cold. I am spending most of my days skulking inside.

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  38. Enjoyed the shots...wishing you cooler weather :)

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  39. I didn't realize you've been to Antarctica. How wonderful. I've never seen a crested pigeon. What a handsome fellow. Wishing you cool breezes and raindrops. AND less to no MS discomfort.



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    1. Sandra Cox: After my mother died in 2004 I spent a substantial part of my inheritance going to Antarctica. Not the most prudent use of the money perhaps but I don't regret it for a moment.

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  40. I love that you take care of, not only the flowers, but the hungry, thirsty birds. I can see why you want to go to Antarctica again. I didn't even know one could go there. Not a place I'd like to visit. I'm your opposite as far as temperature comfort.
    Hope you cool off and feel better.

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    1. Myrna R.: Thank you. I hope that you are in temperatures which are more to your liking.

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  41. Se, 86F would be okay with me, as long as it was a dry heat. Anything in the high 70s to low 80s is my sweet spot. I suffer all winter, although today isn't too cold, 30s, but there's wind so...Love your birds and flowers as always. Stay cool!

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    1. mshatch: I can (just) cope with 86F, but the hotter days were too much for me. I hope your winter improves.

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  42. All your photos are stunning. I especially love the photo of the King Parakeet feeding in your hand while you take the photo in the other hand. I always love flower, especially those gorgeous lilies.

    How kind of you to hang apples for the birds. Those parrots are so beautiful although the can be destructive... I've been thinking of buying a small budgie since I saw some youtube videos on a talking budgie named Disco. He could talk complete sentences but he died at 9 years old. I can still see all his videos. They keep me entertained. The big parakeets can live a long life. I hope that they will survive this heat wave.

    I cannot take the extreme cold or the extreme heat especially with high humidity. My hands hurts in the cold. I'm wishing you a good downpour to cool things down.

    I'm counting days to Spring and we have 52 days to Spring.

    Stay cool and hopeful for relief from the heat.
    Hugs, Julia

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    1. Julia: As you count down to Spring I am longing for Autumn. High humidity is dreadful isn't it? It makes an already dreadful temperature a lot worse.
      Some parrots do indeed live very long lives. These ones fly free but I hope that they do too.
      Stay as warm as you can. And thank you.

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  43. I love the pictures of the birds. I only ever see 3 types of birds around here so nothing as the variety that you have. I don't like the heat either. I hate the summers here when the temps reach 117F, it gets to be too much.

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    1. Mary Kirkland: By my wussy standards a temperature of 117F is a LOT too much. We are lucky with our birds and often see seven or eight native bird species in a day.

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  44. It's been abnormally cold where I live so I imagine the temps are all at extremes right now. Wish I could send you some of my frozen air to breathe - it would refresh you wildly - like those sweet penguins:) Glad we have seasons!
    Thanks for sharing your floral and feathered beauty
    and sending cool breezes with all of my heart,
    Jennifer

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    1. Jennifer Richardson: I am very, very glad we have seasons, and like living somewhere that has them all. Just the same the sweaty season is my least favourite. Thank you for the cool breezes. I hope you can feel the warm ones I send in return.

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  45. I love the pictures but I don't love that your MS gets worse and worse with the hotter days.

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    1. The Happy Whisk: MS wasn't on my wish list, but if you have to have an incurable disease there are worse ones about.

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  46. Heat is a curse here too in summer. Hurts my head, keeps me inside until the sun sets.

    Your birds know where to come for comfort.

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    1. Susan Kane: I go out at first light if I am going out at all. On the worst days it was over 37.7C/100F even after the sun had set.

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  47. What a fabulous selection of photographs in your post here.
    I loved the cooler scenes and the penguins, to the much warmer, yes indeed HOT, ones that you are currently experiencing.

    That photograph of the king parakeet feeding in your hand while you take the photo in the other hand is marvellous. Your flowers look very nice too, well done for watering them.

    I really, really hope your temperatures will ease a little.

    My good wishes for the new week ahead.

    All the bet Jan

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    1. Lowcarb team member ~Jan: We are having a couple of very welcome cooler days at the moment, though the temperatures start to rise again on Tuesday. I was so lucky in that photo of the King Parrot.

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  48. Canberra has been copping it with the heat... even the Snowy had temps above 30C..
    I check our rainfall after storms last night - 12.5ml.. total this month 35ml.. BOM average for January - 101ml...

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    1. Anna: We have had about average rainfall for the month (though our average is half yours). However the heat has sucked it straight out of the ground.

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  49. i would gladly ship you some cold in exchange for some of that heat! we're looking at -5F (-18C) this coming week - and that doesn't include the 'feels like' factor for the wind! i'm going to stay indoors and wear blankets for a week...

    Love the Antarctica photos! Need to add that to my travel wish list... while it's still cold there!

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    1. daisyfae: If only we could do a temperature exchange. If you get the chance to do the Antarctic trip, go for it. It was unbelievably beautiful.

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  50. Love the pictures. Lots of color and variety here.

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    1. Jamie Ghione: Thank you. Two summers - but very different ones.

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  51. If we could split the difference in our cold and your heat we might have a winner! Beautiful photos, too!

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    1. Jono: If only... I would be happy with half the heat, and I suspect you would with half the cold.

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  52. I am so sorry you must endure such heat. Sounds awful, how do you bear it? Inside mostly? That sunflower is so beautiful!

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    1. Strayer: If at all possible I go out at first light and not after that. I really like that sunflower too. It is a dwarf, multi-headed variety. Of the packet of seeds only that one came into flower. I will save its seeds and try again next year.

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  53. I remember loving the heat when I was a girl, now, not so much. I find myself staying inside more in the summer than winter. The heat just saps all my energy.

    I love when you post pictures of your fabulous native birds.

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    1. STarting Over, Accepting Changes - Maybe: Thank you. I agree with you on the energy sapping front, and we do love our birds.

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  54. How awesome that you went to Antartica. Loved all your pictures. Wish I could blow some of our below zero temperatures to you in exchange for some of your heat this week.

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    1. Natalie Aguirre: Antartica was wonderful. A lifetime dream fulfilled.

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  55. Beautiful photos. I'm sorry the miserable heat wave continues. I hope you're keeping hydrated and have strong A/C.
    Go gently.

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    1. Rawknrobyn: Thank you. We had a couple of cooler days but from today the temperatures are climbing again. It is enough to drive a woman to drink (more water).

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  56. I can feel your love in the photos. I think the birds feel it too

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    1. Cloudia: I hope they can. I really hope they can.

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  57. The animals are lucky and delighted. If only they could speak, the birds would thank you. You stick it out replenishing their world with food which is obviously going very down well in the Australian heat. I bet the birds sing to you, thats them saying thank you!

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    1. Spacer Guy: As well as the thank you song there is more than a little of the 'hurry up' song. And the 'leave us in peace to enjoy our meal'. I listen, and I try and obey.

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  58. Your photos are stunning, and that trip to Antartica, how fortunate. Can you share more about that? I'm sorry I've not been around as usual. I hope you are doing well.

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    1. e: You have had MUCH more important things to think about than reading blogs. How is Lukas? And you?
      If you search using either the label Antartica or Memories you will find lots about the trip. It was a gift I have myself with my inheritance after my mother died.
      I am struggling a bit - but summer does that.

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  59. Hope you can stay cool in that hot weather. Very nice shots of the ice! And sky.

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  60. Dear EC, I learn so much from you about birds. I've never seen the different ones you feature and your "up close and personal" photos just delight me.

    As to weather: here it is unseasonable cold. Tomorrow we are going down to 9 below 0F and the windchill will be 25 below F. Up in Minnesota where I used to live, the air temp will be 50 below F. I have no idea what the wind chill will be. I so hope everyone is checked on and everyone has a place inside to be. Peace.

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    1. Dee: I am glad you are not bored with my avian obsession.
      I hope you can stay warm, and don't have to be out in that weather.

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  61. Look at those penguins. Aren't they just the cutest things?
    Wishing you cool breezes.

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    1. Sandra Cox: Penguins are enchanting birds, and incredibly graceful in the water. Cool breezes instead of hot winds would be very, very welcome.

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  62. I love penguins, setting sun, birds and flowers. :)

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  63. All these photos are amazing. Thank you for the kind words you left on my blog for the loss of Tallulah.

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    1. pilch92 15andmeowing: Thank you. Sadly I am all too familiar with the pain you are in now. Hugs.

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  64. You should be justly proud of every single one of your photos. Brilliant as always.

    Hope things cool down soon for you. The weather's extreme right round the world.

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    1. Nilanjana Bose: Thank you. The weather has been scary the world over hasn't it?

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  65. I can see why you have a soft spot for the bearded raven. He has quite the sleek, urban look.
    Stay cool.
    It's deadly cold in the Midwest. Yes, I am happy to be in the South:)

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    1. Sandra Cox: The bearded ravens are intelligent, family minded birds. The patriach comes in first and scopes out the neighbourhood. When (and if) he is convinced it is safe he calls the family in.

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  66. Not too long, as your photos are always a delight, although since we're in a very freezing, frozen tundra at the moment I skipped through very quickly of the ice and snowy photos. But the others especially the birds wonderful views. Take good care.

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    1. Karen S.: I have been hearing about your frighteningly low temperatures. And my ignorant self knows that it is colder than I would like, but still suspects that it would be better than the never-ending heat.

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  67. I can understand how uncomfortable those temperatures are. If I could send you some of my -30 C temperature I would!! : ) We would establish a Temperature Exchange Program!!

    : )

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    1. Caterina: I would very, very happily participate in a Temperature Exchange Program. Brilliant idea.

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  68. Your sweetspot is just below mine. I'm absolutely enthralled with 64F/17C, but do enjoy it cooler as well.

    How wonderful that the birds can find a bit of respite with you in your garden. I saw a short video online of a heat-challenged koala accepting water from a human. It was a reminder that the animal kingdom greatly suffers under temperature extremes as well. May you all get through as best as can be expected! x

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    1. Bea: Kangaroos, fish and horses have been dying in droves. It is a very, very difficult time. I have much less to complain about than the animal kingdom (with the exception of our cat Jazz who doesn't have a lot to complain about but does).

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  69. I'm such a fan of the heat but even I have my limits. In August, my beach time drops because the sand is so hot! I love your pictures. Especially the birds and flowers. Hope the heat wave passes soon!

    Elsie

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    1. Elsie Amata: Thank you. We had a BLISSFULLY cool night last night and are expecting two (perhaps three) pleasant days before it ramps up again. I have been watching the temperatures on your side of the world and hope that the Polar vortex also passes soon.

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  70. Those lorikeets are certainly making short work of that apple:)
    Stay cool.

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    1. Sandra Cox: They are very partial to apple and defend it (successfully) against much bigger birds.

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  71. Do the lorikeets chatter as they do here in the bird sanctuary?

    The heat is a killer for people suffering as you do. Weather changes, Santa Ana Winds (come from desert winds), and barometric changes do me in. Migraines hit hard when that happens. Right now we are having rain (yay!) and cold.

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    1. Susan Kane: The lorikeets are pint-sized bullies and very noisy with it. We know they have arrived almost immediately.
      I don't deal with dramatic weather changes any better than I do heat. Fortunately my migraines are largely things of the past. Yay indeed for rain.

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  72. Thank you for this beautiful post!
    EC, please take care of yourself in this heat! Thinking of you and sending you cool breezes and big hugs!
    I love your Antarctica pictures! Gorgeous!
    You are such a good mom to your bird friends! They love you!! Such special pictures! Love your bearded Raven and your king Parrot couple, with the little feather sticking up is so precious! It's so sad to see the birds panting!!
    You are doing a wonderful job with your flowers in this heat!
    Big Hugs!

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    1. Magic Love Crow: Thank you. I hope you are able to stay warm and safe in your chilly part of the world. It was cooler this morning (yay) and I did a couple of hours work in the neglected garden. Tomorrow the same, and then we return to the furnace. A slightly cooler furnace. Hugs received and reciprocated.

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    2. thanks for always sticking by me with my art! Big Hugs!

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    3. Magic Love Crow: Hotter again today and tomorrow but then (hopefully) a return to more reasonable temperatures.

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    4. Magic Love Crow: Of course I support your art. Your crow drawing lives in the bookcase beside the bed and is one of the first things I see in the morning (and the last at night).

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  73. Hello birds. A crested pigeon... I didn't even now they existed.

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  74. Those photos of Antarctica are gorgeous. Too bad looking at them isn't sufficient to give you relief and take your mind off of that awful heat. It's amazing that you've managed to keep your flowers looking so healthy. While you're taking such good care of the flowers and birds, please don't forget to take care of YOU. Stay as cool as you can, dear lady.

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    1. Susan: Thank you. Some of the garden has been crispified, some survives. And I do look after me. For most of the really hot days I am hunkered down inside.

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  75. Not familiar with currawongs. Are they a type of raven?
    Autumn's on the way......

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    1. Sandra Cox: Autumn can't come soon enough. Currawongs are native birds (passerines) with an amazing call

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  76. The sun looks HOT! The birds and flowers look beautiful- but I can imagine the heat. Hopefully it gets a little cooler each day. Moderation!

    Your trip looks like the trip of a lifetime. Love the pictures you shared. Simply amazing!
    ~Jess

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    1. DMS ~Jess: Antarctica was beyond amazing. I hug the memories very tightly.

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  77. Un bel post, la fotografia del pappagallo rosso che beve dalla ciottola è stupenda.
    Buona domenica.

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    1. Giancarlo: Thank you. Sadly, our country is bathed in heat and fires again - but the beautiful king parrots are still with us.

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