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. We had a blissfully cool morning towards the end of last week. I revelled in it from before dawn.
In the heat I have been skulking inside so on this cool and cloudy day we headed down to the lake.
The first thing which caught our eye was this white duck, having a delightful time bathing. We have no white native ducks so I assume it was an escapee (or the progeny of an escapee).
I don't know what the plant is, but it seems to be as happy as the duck on the edges of the lake.
The obligatory kangaroos. Also watching them with as much pleasure as we had was a Dutch tourist.
A little further away we spent half an hour or so watching the boats scud across the water. It really was a lovely outing after the hot period we had been enduring. Today and tomorrow the temperatures are again predicted to fall in the unpleasant range but there are some signs that autumn is coming. For which I am extremely grateful.
I hope that those of you who were affected by the polar vortex have been able to stay safe and warm. As I so often say, some world-wide weather moderation would be very nice.
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. We had a blissfully cool morning towards the end of last week. I revelled in it from before dawn.
In the heat I have been skulking inside so on this cool and cloudy day we headed down to the lake.
I don't know what the plant is, but it seems to be as happy as the duck on the edges of the lake.
The obligatory kangaroos. Also watching them with as much pleasure as we had was a Dutch tourist.
I hope that those of you who were affected by the polar vortex have been able to stay safe and warm. As I so often say, some world-wide weather moderation would be very nice.
Some good ones as always.
ReplyDeleteJamie Ghione: Thank you.
DeleteYour pics could as easily be here in FL as down by you, except, of course for the kangaroos! Love that mystery flower....
ReplyDeleteMolly Bon: The mystery flower is a pretty thing isn't it? And a lovely addition to the lake foreshores.
DeleteI’m so glad you got to get out and enjoy the cooler weather while it lasted. The escapee sure was having a great time splashing around!
ReplyDeleteRiver Fairchild: That duck was having a heap of fun. There were some native ducks not far away but they were MUCH more sedate.
DeleteWhat a nice outing!!! I miss these outings myself. It has been soooooo cold here!!!
ReplyDeleteI had never seen a white duck before!!!
Hope you have more opportunities to be out and about.
Hugs
: )
Caterina: Another mostly hot week coming so I will be inside again. Or mostly inside. I went out not long after first light this morning and played/worked in the garden. It is just after nine now and too hot to do any more.
DeleteI hope you get outside too.
The animals as well as the people must be mightily relieved to have a break from the heat. Can people swim in that lake? Is there any place near you where you can go to swim? With the temperatures you've had for such a long time, perhaps it would be more like poaching oneself.
ReplyDeleteThank you for such lovely pictures, EC. Take care.
jenny_o: Except when there are blue-green algae outbreaks you can swim in the lake. I often used to when I lived in the suburb which adjoins it. I need to get back to swimming, but prefer it less crowded. Greedy aren't I? And yes, the birds and the animals revelled in that cool day too.
DeleteNot greedy at all - I prefer to consider it sanity, especially since I share the trait :)
Deletejenny_o: Crowds (any crowd) bothers me, and makes me uncomfortable. They don't mix well with doing something for enjoyment. I am not certain whether it is part of my decidedly introvert nature or just basic anti-socialness but it is rea.
DeleteSuch beauty you are surrounded by, EC...within easy reach. Your appreciation of Nature's bounty is appreciated by us with whom you share week after week.
ReplyDeleteAnd, while on the subject of "week"...I hope this coming one treats you well...and cooler temps prevail. Take care...cuddles to Jazz. :)
Lee: Back to heat again for the next few days. And humidity today. Despite no rain being forecast the humidity was over 90 per cent at six this morning.
DeleteI am a beauty addict, and so glad that other people enjoy the things I share.
I hope the three of you have a cooler and less stressful week too.
Stress is rampant here with me, EC...and unfortunately the status quo will remain for a while until I can sort things out...to my benefit. The humidity is horrendous!!
DeleteLee: I am sorry. And hope you can find a solution. Quickly.
DeleteTry to stay cool, Sweetie--we love you!!
ReplyDeletefishducky: Mega thanks.
DeleteI commend you for relaxing for an hour, watching boats float by. That's a great way to do better than mere survival.
ReplyDeleteTake care, EC.
Rawknrobyn: The lake is my go to spot when I am tired, grumpy, overwhelmed... It has never failed me.
DeleteYes, spring is coming. Early according to the groundhog. So that means autumn for you. Yea.
ReplyDeleteJoanne Noragon: I hope so. I really hope so. For us both.
DeleteGlad you had a cooler day, and celebrated with such a lovely outing. We have lots of white ducks on the river near here - they seem to stay mostly in one particular area.
ReplyDeleteI plan to get up very early one day this week and head out to the beach for some sunrise shots. It's several years since I last did it.
I hope you have more pleasant days this week. (But autumn already? Noooooo! )
Alexia: I don't think I have ever seen a white duck before - except in picture books. The beach and sunrise sounds lovely. I look forward to seeing the photos.
DeleteAt the moment autumn is just hinting she might be on her way. The sweaty season still rules.
Glad you got a break. So did we - it was decidedly warmer today.
ReplyDeleteCan't say that we have any white ducks here, either.
Alex J. Cavanaugh: The white duck was considerably bigger than our native ducks too. I am glad that you also got a break -albeit in the opposite direction to ours.
DeleteYou know I love sky shots...oh, and ducks.
ReplyDeleteAnd....
Author R. Mac Wheeler: And trees. I know you prefer your boats to have motors.
DeleteOh these lifted my heart into summer. That unidentified pink flower looks remarkably like our purple strife here, blooms along the hedgerows. Insidious they say and not native to our province.
ReplyDeleteAnd the colourful boats and kangaroos, I hope autumn comes for you soon, your heat has been unbearable.
XO
WWW
I think loose strife, too and it may well have been introduced. Certainly the climate for it, but I can't be certain from the photo.Someone at a good garden centre (or even arboretum) might help
DeleteWisewebwoman: Thank you. This has been a long, hot and hard summer, I will be very glad to see it end. As I suspect many of our birds and animals will. You are right about the plant too. Thank you.
Deletedinahmow: Wisewebwoman is right. It is almost undoubtely loosestrife, but so far (I have noticed it in that area for years) doesn't seem to have world domination plans.
DeleteIt's not so bad here in Oregon, and everybody is going nuts we could have half inch of snow Sunday night and Monday morning, although it will likely melt before we even wake up. The kangaroo's are awesome and so muscular. We have a lot of escapee tame ducks that then breed with wild ones, creating strange mixes. Your early morning sky photos are beautiful.
ReplyDeleteStrayer: On the very rare occasions we have snow people rush out and stock up as if they are going to be marooned for weeks. I can only remember one time when it even lasted on the ground for more than a day.
DeleteThat duck was on its own, and bigger than our native ducks. I wonder whether it will breed.
And yes, the roos are very fit, and very muscular. Cute yes, but they shouldn't be underestimated.
Hope the cool temperatures come soon. I am in Costa Rica at present and we have been stuck in the mid thirties here. I will be home on Thursday and should be right back into my regular routine by the weekend.
ReplyDeleteDavid Gascoigne: We have a few more days of mid thirties to endure this week, but so far the weather boffins are not predicting higher temperatures. I hope they are right. Going from Costa Rica temperatures to those at home will come as a shock - but I know which I would prefer.
DeleteWe too had one quite cool day last week and everything just cooled down so nicely. Even on a hot days, early mornings can be very pleasant when the air is clean and crisp. What a great duck and I didn't even know they are not native. Stay cool.
ReplyDeleteAndrew: Even our early mornings have been a bit challenging this summer. This morning while the temperature wasn't high the humidity at 6am was in the high nineties. Bleah.
DeleteThat cool day was bliss. Hopefully we will get more. The duck just epitomised duckiness didn't it?
Lovely set of photos.
ReplyDeleteYou certainly have had it hot this summer.
Keep cool.
Margaret-whiteangel: Thank you. It has indeed been a hot and horrid summer. For much of the country.
DeleteA beautiful post as always. Thank you for commenting on my blog.
ReplyDeleteI noticed that not far from you city is a place called Watson according to Google Maps. I didn’t know I had kinfolks over there.
It was COLD here a few days ago but it was almost warm enough to swim today.
Rick Watson: Watson, the place, is a suburb on the north side of my city - and is named after our third Prime Minister. So not only kinfolks, but famous kinfolk.
DeleteSome cold would be very welcome. It is definitely warm enough to swim today, and will be a tad hotter tomorrow.
Wonderful photos. Love the ducks and kangaroos.
ReplyDeleteRasma Raisters: Thank you. We loved that duck and always love the roos.
DeleteDucks having a splash around are precious, it is so obvious they are enjoying themselves immensely.
ReplyDeleteHow glad i am that i do not go through summer with a fur coat, the way the rest of the land mammals do.
My selections will be on my blog when it finally gets to be Sunday here.
messymimi: I look forward to seeing your Sunday Selections. Our cat Jazz has been suffering this summer. On hot days I don't let him out, and he finds a cool(ish) spot and sleeps the day away.
DeleteThat's the whitest duck I've seen in a long time. The purple flowered plant reminds me of delphinium, which it isn't, but I don't know what it is.
ReplyDeleteRiver: It was a very white duck wasn't it? And a happy chappy. Bloggers have identified the plant as loosestrife, which can become invasive, but so far hasn't.
DeleteWhat wonderful shots! So glad to hear that you have had some cooler weather.
ReplyDeleteLady Fi: I was incredibly grateful for the very brief cool change. And hope for another.
DeleteI am glad to hear you got at least day of cooler weather so you would enjoy your trip to this lovely lake. Love all the images. I hope you have great week ahead.
ReplyDeleteMargaret Adamson: Thank you. We were glad to go back to the lake as well. A mixed week this week, busy and hot - in patches. I hope yours is lovely.
DeleteDear EC
ReplyDeleteI agree on the purple loosestrife - it likes to be near water and is a lovely plant, good for wildlife too, though as other commenters have said, it can be a thug. I do hope the temperatures will fall there soon. As you say, some moderation in weather across the world would be a wonderful thing...
Best wishes
Ellie
Ellie Foster: As I took photos of the loosestrife (and a big thank you to those who identified it) there were plenty of insects attracted to it. Which is always a win.
DeleteI hope your week is lovely and the weather gentle.
The duck is a domestic Pekin. They are related to mallards at some point, but are generally almost twice as big. I had a pet Pekin back in the 50's. I named it Donald---after Disney's duck, not after ... he who will not be mentioned. Love these pictures.
ReplyDeleteBill: Thank you. A little investigation had made me think it might be a Pekin - and yes, it was a big bird. Not mentioning THAT Donald is a wise move for those with blood pressure issues.
DeleteI'm sitting here still sweltering so your cool water images were extra pleasant to look at. When my brother was a toddler he called the crescent moon a 'toenail moon', not nearly as romantic a title as it should have but very memorable. He also said that people got freckles from sunbathing through tea strainers
ReplyDeleteKim: Too much of Australia has sweltered this summer. We have a couple more hot days ahead and then hopefully some more moderate days. Love the toenail moon. And the thought of sunbathing under a tea strainer makes me smile.
DeleteHappy duck! Our temps are expected to warm up for a few days this week and I'm looking forward to it!
ReplyDeletemshatch: A very happy duck. Which was lovely to see. I hope you get some warmer days (and that we get cooler ones).
DeleteThe duck seems to be relishing its freedom!
ReplyDeleteJono: We thought so too.
DeleteGlad you got to enjoy some cooler weather. The photos look like it was an enjoyable outing.
ReplyDeleteMason Canyon: The cooler weather (while brief) was lovely. The lake is always a welcome excursion for us.
DeleteHi EC - love the white ducks ... glorious to see; no wonder you go down to the lake to get away with a break ... especially as I expect there's a light breeze occasionally.
ReplyDeleteI was wondering if the pink flower is mallow (Malva) ... but loose strife also seems an option ... my wildflower book is still packed away - so can't easily look.
We even had a bit more than a sprinkling of snow - and it's cold, but due to warm up ... though just glad I wasn't on the roads - everyone got caught out ... we're just not used to a few inches of snow -
Have a better cooler week - cheers Hilary
Hilary Melton-Butcher: Road travel in the snow is challenging isn't it? I remember it well from a time where we lived in a place that got fairly regular snow. I am glad you weren't on the roads, and hope it warms up for you. The consensus seems to be loosestife, and I am (as usual) grateful to the knowledgeable people who comment here.
DeleteFlowers oh my! How I wish I could see some right now instead of this dreaded white snow. I really hate winter. Sailing ...it's water and not frozen ice..........lovely. The swan splashing made me smile........I so long for warmer temperatures.
ReplyDeleteSandy: We are lucky and get flowers all year round. I hope you get some relief from winter (and that I get it from summer). The duck splashing made us smile too. Broadly.
DeleteGood morning! I have to laugh while you were hiding from the heat we were doing everything possible to stay warm! Flip flop makes the world such an amazing place right. Thankfully we all survived, and life continues in it's wonderful cycle of fun and games hot and cold and sharing moments and lovely photos together right here! Safe and sound.
ReplyDeleteKaren S.: I am so grateful to the blogosphere for giving me two seasons at once all year round. And for the sharing and caring I have found here.
DeleteBeautiful images EC. The Kangaroos and the ducks are enjoying the moon, ha ha.
ReplyDeleteBob Bushell: The lunatics in this house enjoyed the moon too.
DeleteOur polar vortex spun away It is almost 50F out versus -19. A big change
ReplyDeleteSue in Italia/In the Land Of Cancer: That is a huge change. One that my body would object to. I do love cooler weather but don't cope well with dramatic changes.
DeleteKangaroo's, flowers and a duck. Such pretty pictures.
ReplyDeleteMary Kirkland: Thank you. The lake is a very pretty area.
DeleteThe vegetation looks dry, EC. No wonder. I wish you cool temperatures.
ReplyDeleteMarie Smith: It is dry (though sadly I have seen it much drier). I wish you warmth and sunshine (and would gladly swap our weather with you).
DeleteIt's nice to see warmth is happening somewhere. I just wish, as you said, we could have some moderation. Extreme cold and extreme heat is no fun at all!
ReplyDeleteDJan: Extreme anything is no fun is it? I hope your week is, as usual, exercise and fun filled.
DeleteWow...thank you once again for the great photos. So nice to see a bit of where you live and what you enjoy, and you are spot-on regarding the need for weather moderation. I hope you are doing well.
ReplyDeletee: Thank you. I am struggling a bit, this summer has been brutal. I will be happier (and healthier) when autumn arrives. How are you and Lukas doing?
DeleteIt has been a long two weeks but we are near the end, I hope. He is doing well though we'll know if the treatment was successful only when the blood work comes back at one and three months post treatment. If not, the whole thing will need to be repeated. I am tired but happy and hopeful for him. Sorry to hear the heat is getting to you. I would be happier without that myself.
Deletee: Fingers and toes crossed for you both. I am certain you are tired, and hope the happiness continues and grows.
Deletejust seeing the lake makes me feel cool, not sure what that plant is either but it is lovely, we are now in a warmer stretch after a very cold few days, go figure
ReplyDeleteLinda Starr: The weather has been weird hasn't it? I hope your brutal cold doesn't return.
DeleteHow wonderful that you take every opportunity to go out and enjoy those beautiful places near you. Love your pictures of the moon. Love them all. Hope it stays a little cool.
ReplyDeleteMyrna R.: I am a beauty addict, and am very lucky that there is so much of it close to us. The warm weather has returned, but it isn't nearly as bad as it was. Hotter than I like, but not obscenely so.
DeleteFrom a sweet poem I love: "I'm playing Kanga and this is my Roo." Makes me think of my daughter.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
Janie Junebug: What a lovely thought. Who wrote the poem?
DeleteSo glad temperatures are starting to behave in your world. That heat wave must have been extremely unpleasant. I'm certainly not a fan of them and feel fortunate that usually we don't have too many of them. That purple flower is beautiful. I have never seen white ducks here, that's quite the sight! And I love the sailing boats.
ReplyDeleteCarola Bartz: We usually have a few hot days, but this summer has been a foretaste of hell. Across much of the country.
DeleteThe white duck (and the loosestrife) were both unexpected treats. We have never gone down to the lake without being treated to beauty and wonder.
Always waiting to see your posts .this is wow
ReplyDeleteShilpa Chandrasekheran: Welcome - and thank you.
DeleteOn such an interesting trip, I would like to see the freedom kangaroo the most. Greetings.
ReplyDeleteGiga: We often see the kangaroos at that spot (up to fifty or more) and always smile.
DeleteOh I am so glad to hear you've had a reprieve in the temperature! It must have been such a welcome relief!:)
ReplyDeleteAnd thank you so much for sharing your trip with us...as always, your photos are amazing! I love the kangaroos...and really hope I will see them in person someday!
Lots of Love & Hugs xoxoxo
Ygraine: That cool day was indeed a very welcome relief. The heat returned, but we are slowly getting signs that summer is winding down. Hooray. I hope you can see the kangaroos for yourself some day as well.
DeleteLike the middle duck photo. I will presume that it knew what it was doing :)
ReplyDeleteAndrew R. Scott: Even if the duck didn't know what it was doing, it seemed to be enjoying it.
DeleteYou're as ready for fall as I am for spring. Every year I'm like you... ready for the extremes to end and the moderates of spring and fall to take over.
ReplyDeleteCarol Kilgore: Our wimpy winter doesn't count as an extreme. I like all of our seasons - except the sweaty season. I hope your spring is well on her way.
DeleteNow the polar vortex is in the news with climate change seriously affecting us. It hardly surprising Earth is trying to heal itself. Its nice to see people enjoying the good weather.
ReplyDeleteSpacer Guy: We missed the polar vortex but as I type parts of Australia are still in heat wave conditions, there are fires in three states and record breaking floods in another. Good weather? A question of degree.
DeleteI love your kangaroo photos. We had a kangaroo "farm" or whatever they called it not too far from us. We went there and had a marvelous time watching these interesting animals. But it is closed now and I don't know why. I will post some Roo photos one day. Glad the weather is a little better. We had beautiful weather today. Sunny and I opened the doors for a bit. Lexie loved running outside on the deck and barking. Maybe we will have some more good weather for awhile. We deserve it.
ReplyDeleteGlenda Council Beall: They are fascinating animals and I am grateful that these are free - and close to us. The cooler weather didn't last but was very welcome. I hope your sun continues and that you and Lexie continue to enjoy it.
DeleteIt would be nice if the world was a big snow globe and we could shake it up.
ReplyDeleteSusan Kane: Something like that...
DeleteAwesome series of photos!
ReplyDeleteNas: Thank you.
DeleteI am right there with you wanting a bit more weather moderation. With temperatures below 0F for close to a week today it is almost 60F! I am enjoying the early glimpse at spring- but I know the temps will be plummeting back down soon.
ReplyDeleteGlad you had some cooler temps and your trip to the lake looks lovely and magical. :)
~Jess
DMS ~Jess: The cooler weather was short lived, though it is not as hot as it was. Roller coaster weather is difficult to deal with isn't it? A happy medium all round would be nice.
DeleteThe lake is always soothing, calming and beautiful. Magic indeed.
Lovely. I love the chaos of cats too, what else could more than on ever be?! x
ReplyDeleteStarshine Twinkletoes: I really like collective nouns and a chaos of cats strikes me as truth.
DeleteThat first picture is glorious.
ReplyDeleteSandra Cox: Thank you. I have a poor track record with moon shots.
DeleteAND....Yay, for cool air.
ReplyDeleteSandra Cox: Big yay. I hope it comes back soon.
DeleteYour photos are very nice and I think the cooling off in your weather was also a nice change. Being close to this pretty lake must give you much pleasure. In Georgia we had a lake behind our house, but here in Nashville I don’t know where there is one. I believe there is a large park not far away but have not had time to investigate. Feb. 2nd would have been my husband’s birthday so instead of hitting dark chocolate for comfort I went back and read all my friends’ comments on my blog and returned to visiting – it certainly helps me and is calorie free… Thanks for coming to my blog when I was unable to visit yours. I read that we have to get used to these extreme weather patterns because of climate change. Many in our government here do not believe in it – I hope our planet will survive.
ReplyDeleteVagabonde: Visiting your blog is always an informative pleasure (and also calorie free). Sadly you are very right about the extreme weather patterns and our own government has too many denialists. I hope the planet survives but wonder in what state.
DeleteLove your photos.
ReplyDeleteHow i wish am the duck...can go for a swim in the pond. My side is super-duper hot right now
Small Kucing: Thank you. That day was the first in a long, long while which wasn't super hot, so I understand how you feel. I hope you get some cool breezes soon.
DeleteLove all the photos. Its so hot where we are that I wish we had a pond like in the photos nearby!
ReplyDeleteNasreen: I am so sorry. I hope you get some relief from the heat. Soon.
DeleteLovely set of pictures
ReplyDeleteShilpa Chandrasekheran: Thank you.
DeleteI'm so happy to hear you had some cooler temperatures and were able to get out and about to take advantage of them. I keep thinking about those pics you posted of the poor birds panting. They'll be as happy to see fall come as you will.
ReplyDeleteHere, it's still technically winter, but daffodils are in bloom all over the place, and most of the trees are in full bud. It's seventy degrees here now, and it's supposed to hit close to eighty tomorrow. I'd rather have those kinds of temperatures than the arctic freeze some parts of the country have been experiencing, but if it's this warm now, I can't help but wonder what it's going to be like this summer. Like you say, a little moderation would be nice, both in our weather and in our politics.
Susan: We have had some more panting bird days, but they haven't been quite as hot. For which I am grateful. Roll on autumn. I hope your summer is much more gentle than ours has been.
DeleteYou are so right on the other area I would like to see rather a lot of moderation.
All delightful photos, lovely scenery (cooler weather which I'm sure was a joy), that white duck was pretty, and those kangaroos? I adore them. Now I wish one of those would come on my back deck :))) Pretty flowers too. Thanks so much and I hope you are having a great week.
ReplyDeleteDenise inVA: The cooler weather was indeed a joy. One which I hope returns.
DeleteWe are so lucky to have the roos close to home. I adore them too.
Sorry you've been struggling with the heat, whilst here in the Uk it's been a little too chilly for my liking. Love the photos of the kangaroos.
ReplyDeleteLL Cool Joe: I would trade you weather in a heart-beat. And thank you.
DeleteYou have no native ducks? That is so interesting!
ReplyDeleteI truly enjoy your photos every week! Such a pleasure!
So interesting, thinking you will be going into Autumn and we will be going into Spring.
I survived the cold, then it heated up and brought ice pellets. Now it's getting colder again! LOL!
Who knows??
I hope it stays cooler for you EC!
Big Hugs and Lots Of Love!
Magic Love Crow: We have native ducks and some beauties - but no white ones.
DeleteI hope you can stay warm, safe and creative.
And megathanks. Hugs and love received and reciprocated.
Hi there, just letting you know not to worry about commenting to this. I just read your post above and know that the comments section is turned off, but wanted to let you know I will be thinking of you. I hope all goes well and that you will get your much needed rest and time to feel better. A big hug and a wave from me to you, and a big thank you for all you do in putting these amazing posts together :)
ReplyDeleteDenise inVA: Thank you. Be well and happy my friend.
DeleteGood wishes for your "Time Out". (Reply not needed)
ReplyDelete