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.
Huge thanks to Cie who gave me this wonderful Sunday Selections image.
The meme was then continued by River at Drifting through life. Sadly she has now stepped aside (though she will join us some weeks), and I have accepted the mantle.
The rules are so simple as to be almost non-existent. Post some photos under the title Sunday Selections and link back to me. Clicking on any of the photos will make them embiggen.
I usually run with a theme. Last week was busy. The coming week will be busy. And the week after will be manic.
So I am sticking close to home with my photos this week. Winter has finally arrived. A wimpy winter, but winter just the same. There is not a lot blooming in the garden, but both the birds and I are enjoying what there is.
Remember the tree dahlias? The next photo shows what happens when the frost hits them.
We have a number of grevilleas. We like them and the birds love them. The next photo (not very good) is of a male Eastern Spinebill. I hope to get better photos of this charmer soon. He is a regular visitor to the grevilleas but quick and camera shy.
There have been foggy mornings. The dampness of the fog gave me this beauty.
Finishing with more visiting birds, beauty and sadness.
You know that I love our Sulphur Crested Cockatoos - despite them being noisy and incontinent vandals.
While this bird is healthy we have also been visited by one suffering from Beak and Feather Disease.
This disease apparently can affect all parrots though I have only seen cockatoos with it. They lose their feathers and their beaks can grow to the extent that they can no longer eat or drink.
Heartbreaking isn't it? In the past we have captured birds with the disease and taken them to the RSPCA for a quick and gentle end. Sadly this one could still fly and evaded us. I haven't seen him for a few days and assume he has died.
I will finish on a nicer note, with a healthy happy male King Parrot.
I hope your weeks are packed with beauty.
ReplyDeleteMy compliments for your blog and pictures included,I invite you in my photoblog "IMAGES AND PERSPECTIVES" and "video blog".
CLICK IMAGES AND PERSPECTIVES
CLICK VIDEO BLOG
Greetings from Italy
Ivo Serentha: Welcome and thank you. I will be over to check out your photoblog shortly.
DeleteHow sad to see the bird with this disease. I have never seen a bird with this condition in our neck of the woods, though they must have it here too? Your photos of the flowers are lovely, such pretty blooms. The Eastern Spinebill is new to me and loved learning about it, thank you :) I love the birds you share. The foggy one and the spider's web, works of nature's art and beautifully captured.
ReplyDeleteDeniseinVA: It is very, very sad and I suspect that parrots in your country can also contract it. Nature is a superb artist isn't she. I am awed. Often.
DeleteThe African daisy is a new one for me. Just gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteThat poor bird. Hope is didn’t suffer much longer.
Marie Smith: The 'spoon-like' petals are a variation on the African daisy. They are lovely and hardy things anyway. I do hope that bird's suffering is over. He/she was still eating when last we saw it, but limited feathers and cold nights would be cruel.
DeleteYou display such heart!
ReplyDeleteCloudia: As a child I was condemned for that same butter soft heart. Which I refuse to surrender.
DeleteIt's been warm up here this past week or so...I hope more chilly weather arrives and sticks around for a while. Summer will come more than soon enough!
ReplyDeleteLove your photos...as always, a lovely array, EC.
I hope you have a wonderful week ahead...keep warm...cuddles to Jazz. :)
Lee: It has been a very warm winter here so far. We have had a few chilly days, but most have been surprisingly warm. I hope you and the furry overlords have a wonderful week.
DeleteHello Sue:
ReplyDeleteEastern Spinebill is one of my all time favourite Australian birds, followed closely by Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, so you have hit me where it counts with this post.
David Gascoigne: Aren't the Eastern Spinebills lovely? I feel so privileged that they are visiting our garden. My heart aches for the cockatoos (and other birds) afflicted with this dreadful disease.
DeleteYour flowers are/were wonderful before the frost. I love that African daisy, and just like you other commenters, I'm sad about the disease that afflicts those birds. You are so thoughtful to try to help them not suffer. :-(
ReplyDeleteDJan: Thank you. It is always dreadful to see, and if we can help we will.
DeleteDear EC
ReplyDeleteLovely photos to enjoy.
Sorry to see the ill bird though and I hope he/she isn't suffering any more. Nature is beautiful but also cruel (although not as cruel as human beings).
Best wishes
Ellie
Ellie Foster: I agree with you about nature and even more about people.
DeleteThat poor bush...
ReplyDeleteGreat shots of the birds. And I really like the fog shot.
Alex J. Cavanaugh: I am a fog fan. If I am not being driven though it. Walking is a different matter. Poor bird indeed.
DeleteFoggy mornings for you and me both! Beautiful photos as always!
ReplyDeleteCountryMum: I like fog. It makes for a soft and gentle start to the day - and thank you.
DeleteThe spider web shining with dew drops is spectacular.
ReplyDeleteSusan Kane: It was. There were four of them and I took photos of them all.
DeleteTerrific photos this week. The dahlia demise is sad but they will be back, but not so the poor cocky. What a great spider web and such a good photo of the upside down king parrot. With a beak like the spinebill, it is easy to work out its diet.
ReplyDeleteAndrew: I spotted the female Eastern Spinebill for the first time today. Not only are her markings less dramatic, so is her beak. A subtler beauty.
DeleteAnd thank you.
Poor cockatoo. You will find it hard to see them in that condition - and well done for taking them to the SPCA to end their suffering.
ReplyDeleteGreat fog photo, and the king parrot shot is superb. Have a good busy week!
Alexia: I do find it hard. It is even harder when they can still fly and I cannot help. Medical mayhem this week and next, but hopefully it will come good.
DeleteWhat a shame about the bird disease and the birds who have contracted it. It's hard to see critters suffer and not be able to do much, if anything, to help.
ReplyDeleteYour flowers are so beautiful. As you know our spring is heading into summer and the flowers are starting to pop out. Our irises are just starting to bloom. I, too, think your late neighbour would be happy to know you think of him when you see your irises bloom.
I hope next week is not as bad in retrospect as it looks from this end of the time telescope. A convoluted way of saying good luck with all of it.
jenny_o: Thank you. The next few weeks will be busy and I cannot say I am looking forward to them, but it will be good to have them done.
DeleteAnd yes, it is hard to watch suffering and worse if you cannot help.
As we head into winter some things which shouldn't be blooming are. Hopefully there will be a spring display too. I do hope your summer is gentle.
Such beautiful flowers and birds. I was touched by your memory of your neighbor and the Iris. Is there no treatment for feather and beak disease?
ReplyDeleteI hope you had a good week.
e: Sadly no, there is no effective treatment. It is a virus, so we keep the feeders clean, but each year we see a few birds who have picked it up. More medical issues last week, the coming week and the week after. I am bored with it (but resigned). I really liked that neighbour and miss him. I hope you and Lukas have a great week.
DeleteI love African Daisies. So beautiful, with such a distinctive shape to the petals. The fog photo has hidden stories to tell...
ReplyDeleteThe sad side to appreciating wildlife is worrying about their conditions. I once lived in an area where I saw a lot of deer, but more dead than alive. It was depressing.
River Fairchild: Road kill takes far too much of our wildlife, but at least it usually a relatively quick death. (I assume that is what took out your deer). Fog is magical and mystical isn't it? Or I find it so.
DeleteI love the fading-into-fog picture. And the cobweb.No atmospheric shots around here today - we're between sunshine and overcast skies. But my bees are busy, :-)
ReplyDeletedinahmow: Glad to hear your bees are busy. Since the frost killed our tree dahlias there is a lot less for them about. We are predicted to have more fog this week. And frost.
DeleteLOVE the spiderweb. I haven't heard of beak and feather disease, I'm so sorry to hear that birds have this problem, is there no cure? The fog photo is lovely. I had grevilleas but they didn't do well and the flowers, which looked so large on the label turned out to be tinier than my pinky nail. I eventually potted the plants and gave them to a neighbour.
ReplyDeleteRiver: I loved the spiderwebs too. It was early when I spotted them and I had to rush inside for the camera. Sadly there is neither a cure or a treatment for beak and feather syndrome. I suspect that by the time wild birds with are caught they are too far gone.
DeleteGrevillea flowers are usually small, but nectar packed and the birds love them.
A beautiful selection of photos for this post but it is heart rending to see that poor SCC with the disease. Have a great week ahead.
ReplyDeleteMargaret Birding For Pleasure: Thank you. We feel exactly as you do about the birds who visit after they are afflicted.
Deletelovely photos, i have never seen a spine bill and your fog photo is sublime, sad about that disease
ReplyDeleteLinda Starr: The Eastern Spinebill is an Australian native, and I hope not caught and sold as a pet. Beak and feather disease is a dreadful thing.
DeleteDriving keaghan to the station one day recently he remarked on a "very sick bird"
ReplyDeleteI didn't see it but it was a featherless cocky. Maybe the same disease?
I wish you well with medical mayhem!
kylie: Thank you re the medical mayhem. Expensive medical mayhem. I suspect that it was indeed a bird with beak and feather disease that keaghan saw.
DeleteHow sad for that beautiful bird. On a lighter note, it was so wonderful to see the colorful flowers, anad thank you for brightening my day. Hugs...RO
ReplyDeleteRO: We see affected birds too often. Winter is hard on them and takes them out relatively quickly. I am glad that the other parts of my post brightened you day. Hugs.
DeleteThose cockatoos life for a very long time. I wonder if this one is old. It looks so pitiful. I hope his suffering is over. Your photos are all so lovely. I potted two African Daisies yesterday. They are so lovely. I'm in awe of nature also.
ReplyDeleteHugs. Julia
Julia: I have no idea whether the cockatoo was old. Part of me hopes so and that he had a life before the disease took hold. African daisies are charmers aren't they? And hardy which is another plus. Hugs.
DeleteSad to see the parrot like that, but that's life.
ReplyDeleteAmazing what a good frost will do...
I'm sure your friend on the other side would be looking down on you and his iris he gave you, smiling.
Don't over do it with whatever you are going to do this week and next, smell the flowers.
Margaret-whiteangel: That is life (and death). I suspect my neighbour would shudder to see what has become of his own garden, and hope he approves of ours. And thank you.
DeleteIt's hard to think of winter as next week will be the official beginning of summer for us. Love your photos. Sad about the birds. The fog photo is my favorite. Such mystery.
ReplyDeleteMason Canyon: I MUCH prefer winter to summer. I hope your summer is gently and that our winter settles in for the long haul. Nice to find more fog fans.
DeleteSome good pictures, as always.
ReplyDeleteJamie Ghione: Thank you.
DeleteOh gosh that Beak and Feather Disease is ghastly.
ReplyDeleteAs always, your garden is beautiful.
Enjoy your day.
Hugs
Sandra Cox: It is awful isn't it? Some of the garden is lovely. Most is a work in progress.
DeleteI love and admire your fascination with birds and flowers. You live in art and it shows by your caring and your actions. I so much appreciate your versatility in gardening, bird watching, photography, volunteering and essentially... giving.
ReplyDeleteForgive me for sounding sappy, I'm just grateful to be inspired by your posts.
Myrna R.: Thank you. What a lovely thing to say. I lead a very ordinary life, and frequently berate myself for the things I don't do.
DeleteWhat a horrible disease for the poor birds. Why do such diseases exist? How lovely to have those flowers in the winter. No hope of flowers in the garden here during the winter months, unless I go to find a nice bunch of cut flowers at the supermarket! Which I often do just to cheer me up and put some colour into the season. I like the foggy photo. Mysterious and secret.
ReplyDeleteShammickite: Why indeed? How I wish they didn't. In winter our garden is quieter, but things do still bloom. I also buy cut flowers for their cheer though.
DeleteI think it's nice that you think of your neighbor when the Iris blooms. I love your pictures.
ReplyDeleteMary Kirkland: I think of him often, but always remember him when that iris flowers.
DeleteOh you just had to bum me out :(
ReplyDeleteMay you soon see your Eastern spinebill
Author R. Mac Wheeler: I saw both the male AND the female yesterday. No photos of either. That will come.
DeleteThose flowers tho! The African daisies enthrall me. I haven't seen those before!
ReplyDeleteLovely Sunday backatcha EC!
XO
WWW
Wisewebwoman: Aren't they special? As soon as I saw them in the garden catalogue (known as garden porn here) I knew I HAD to have them.
DeleteIncontinent Vandals!! Haha! That is title of my next album. :)
ReplyDeleteGreat winter shots, EC. I always love seeing the African Daisy. It's a beaut.
Bea: Noisy Incontinent Vandals. And I like the idea of an album of that name.
DeleteSo much beauty, and i'm sorry about the ones that get sick. Better luck catching the next one.
ReplyDeleteBy now you've seen them, but here's a link if anyone else wants to take a peek at our vacation.
messymimi: Thank you. I have indeed seen your vacation and was particularly taken with the sunset shots.
DeleteI love the Iris and African daisy. I never saw ones like those before. We're heading toward summer, not winter, if it'd ever warm up.
ReplyDeleteNatalie Aguirre: Thank you. Both are beautiful variations aren't they? I am welcoming winter and hope your summer arrives soon.
DeleteThat is sweet about the Iris. I love the pics. The spider web pic is awesome. So is the cute bird upside down eating. :)
ReplyDeletemail4rosey: Lots of the birds are prepared to swing upside down for apple. Which always makes us smile.
DeleteFine bunch of critters you've there EC. The Eastern Spinebill is my favourite, as you would know.
ReplyDeleteBob Bushell: Isn't it a beauty?
DeleteYour Eastern Spinebill is gorgeous, as is your cobweb. How heartbreaking of a disease for the birds, and so glad you are able to put some out of their suffering. Do they know how it is spread?
ReplyDeleteCindi Summerlin: It is apparently a virus, and we are certainly advised to clean the feeders thoroughly (and the bird crap decorated veranda also gets frequent scrubbing). Wasn't that cobweb spectacular - intricate and fragile beauty.
DeleteI love that you look outside and see these things. So very far from what I see!
ReplyDeletePearl: I really like the way the blogosphere brings such different realities to us.
DeleteThat spinebill is beautiful. Is that the first photo of one on your blog? I don't recall one before. I love the King Parrots though. My favorite! The color! So the tree dahlia has wilted in the frost. I am looking for one for my yard.
ReplyDeleteStrayer: It is the first photo of an Eastern Spinebill. I am hoping to get better shots soon. The tree dahlias have now been cut back to the ground, but will spring back next year. I hope you can find one (they aren't a 'fashionable' plant here so it may b difficult.
DeleteYou gifted us with life, love, beauty, and heartache in this batch. I love its grand finale. Every shot, a winner.
ReplyDeleteTake gentle care, EC.
Rawknrobyn: Life is a bit like that isn't it? A very mixed bag. And thank you. I am taking care more or less and hope you are too.
DeleteThe Iris is a lovely remembrance.
ReplyDeleteAnd the shape of the African Daisy is fascinating.
Hugs
Sandra Cox: I think I would like to be remembered that way.
DeleteLove the spider web picture, even though I detest spiders. What a great shot. Your fog picture is pretty cool too. Made me cold to look at it. Sorry about the frost, sure did ruin your beautiful flowers.
ReplyDeleteSandy: I quite like spiders (though your distaste is shared by the other resident of this house). I am blown away by the intricacy and delicacy of their webs.
DeleteThe tree dahlias will be back next year, and after our long hot summer the cool is welcome. And even the frost.
Maravilha de imagens!
ReplyDeleteA Casa Madeira: Thank you.
DeleteAll such dynamic beauty around you, from that incredible web, the lovely flowers, and just the cutest feathered friends ever!
ReplyDelete21 Wits: Thank you. We are lucky, but I do always grieve when a cockatoo with beak and feather disease comes by.
Deletesuch beautiful photos.
ReplyDeletethat web is stunning. it's heartbreaking about the cockatoo though:(
Marfi-topia: Thank you. And yes, I agree, beautiful AND heartbreaking.
DeleteWow, your photos are amazing! Despite years of trying, I've never managed to capture more than a blurry likeness of any bird I've tried to photograph. I guess I get too excited and shake the camera! :-)
ReplyDeleteDiane Henders: Thank you. I hear you on the shaky hands/excitement front. I do love digital cameras and the ability to delete my many failures.
DeleteYes, I remember all too well the constant quandary of film cameras: Do I take lots of shots, pay an arm and a leg to develop eleven crummy photos and one good one; or do I take only two shots and fervently hope one of them is okay? Thank goodness for digital cameras!
DeleteDiane Henders: Eleven crummy and expensive photos. I am so grateful that those days have gone. Though mind you I would be grateful if less of my photos fell into the crummy category.
DeleteGreat photos as always and I love the pics of the birds.
ReplyDeleteRasmaSandra: Thank you.
DeleteOh, Child, I do love your photos, my favorite of this crop being the spiderweb. I use to love taking photos, but a tremor has hindered it.
ReplyDeleteI recall that winter is somewhat easier for you, symptom-wise, so does this mean that you're looking forward to summer's end? What would your favorite season be if they were the same as far as symptoms go?
As for taking birds to be euthanized, a favorite writer of mine is Loren Eiseley, and one of the most remarkable things he said was inspired by seeing a starving dog. He wrote that he had rather be alive and starving than dead and out of his misery, and he did indeed approach death (at age 69) with frantic resistance.
Snowbrush: I hear you on teh tremors. Sucky beasts aren't they?
DeleteWinter is usually easier on me, but the disease has ramped up a notch this year. I have never been a summer fan and suspect that would remain the case. I might not dislike it quite so fervently without the dread disease.
I hope when my end is imminent that euthanasia IS an option. I am not holding my breath though (blue is not my colour).
So very sad to see the bird with this disease.
ReplyDeleteBut I did enjoy seeing your colourful blooms and that spiders web is amazing.
You mentioned on the low carb diabetic blog that you were fasting for a test, hope all went well.
All the best Jan
Lowcarb team member ~Jan: I agree. I am always sad to see a bird afflicted with this dreadful disease.
DeleteThere will be more flowers (and cobwebs) to come. I was fasting for an MRI (with contrast). A test I loathe. It is done now, and hopefully will help the neurologist map the progress of my own dreadful disease. And thank you.
There is still lots of colour to brighten up your days. The king parrot is enjoying himself.
ReplyDelete: )
Caterina: There is a lot of colour, for which I am grateful. At the moment we are getting LOTS of king parrots, and they do seem to be enjoying themselves. As we enjoy them.
DeleteSuch gorgeous shots of flowers and birds.
ReplyDeleteLady Fi: Thank you.
DeleteThe poor cockie, it's always sad to see how PBFD affects them, it's good to know you're looking out for their welfare. Your photograph of the spinebill is lovely, and the cobweb is exquisite.
ReplyDeleteKim: I do what I can for those we see, but it isn't enough. As I was trying to photograph the spinebill I thought what a photographer of your calibre could do.
DeleteHi EC - late but here ... stunning tree dahlias - love them and the other plants. Sorry about the disease - lots of these things around now ... sadly. Gorgeous photos and looking forward to see more the spinebill - cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteHilary Melton-Butcher: The disease is a particularly cruel one. I have been watching/stalking the spinebill and got another shot of it that I was pleased with yesterday.
DeleteMy heart breaks for the sick bird(s). Love all your pictures though and the African daisy is fantastic. Gorgeous! And that web- love it! Thanks for sharing. :)
ReplyDelete~Jess
DMS ~Jess: My heart aches each and every time I see an affected bird. I do love the daisy, and that web was a treat for my eyes.
DeleteLoved the sky, not so sure about the statue.
ReplyDelete