Wet and Aggressive Corella challenges Magpie

Wet and Aggressive Corella challenges Magpie

Sunday 30 June 2019

Sunday Selections #435




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.  My manically busy weeks have continued.  I have had appointments some of them ugly (an MRI and root canal therapy definitely fall into the ugly category) almost every day.  The busyness will continue for at least the next week.


So I have been looking to the sky for solace.  And finding it too.









And of course the visiting birds continue to give me joy.





In the middle of the activity we made time to go to the National Gallery for a Monet exhibition.  Which will get a post of its own later.   Some of you will remember Franscico 2017 by Urs Fischer which I described as a million dollar candle.  I had to detour to check it out again.


This is how we saw it last, and the next photo was from our most recent visit.



I think it its current state it could feature in a horror movie.  I assume it will be recast soon.

We headed home via the lake for the obligatory kangaroo fix.




As always, they were totally 'laxed and I found them soothing.

148 comments:

  1. What a lovely and uplifting post. I love your skies, the kangaroos and the birds. the "candle sculpture" does nothing at all for me. I'm glad you found much-needed solace. Thanks for sharing these photos. Wishing you a good week.

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    1. e: I am grateful for the solace (and v pleased that others enjoy it too). I hope your week is much better than the last.

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  2. Your pictures of the sky are quite remarkable. I am sure that I don't look at the sky nearly as much as I should for there is a great deal of interest in it. And when I do scan, I am generally looking for raptors. Thanks as always, Sue, for the images of the birds. You can serve them up for as long as you wish. I hope that your busyness is coming to an end, especially the disagreeable parts of it. Anything to do with root canal makes me shudder and I have never had issues with it!

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    1. David M. Gascoigne: Thank you. I often feel guilty about the number of times I post/repost my obsessional fondness for things. Sadly dental anaesthesia doesn't work for me, so despite the dentist's valiant attempts, the visit was unpleasant. Not impossible, but decidedly unpleasant.

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  3. Thank you for sharing all of the soothing things you notice. Best wishes on your tasks this week, dear 🌺

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    1. Cloudia: I am so glad that others also enjoy my comfort photos.

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  4. Dear EC
    Beautiful skies - they never cease to amaze and inspire. As do the birds...and the kangaroos.
    The candle? Well, I think you are right, it definitely looks disturbing to me.
    I hope your busyness (especially the ugly appointments) will slow down soon and allow you some relaxing time.
    Best wishes
    Ellie

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    1. Ellie Foster: Thank you. By the end of next week the busyness should mostly have subsided, and I can return to my usual routine. The candle is not for me either. At all.

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  5. I always adore seeing your sky pictures. Fantastic. Love the colors. You live in such a beautiful area.

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    1. mxtodis123: Thank you. I think my home city has a lot to recommend it, and I take pleasure in rather a lot of it.

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  6. Marvelous skies, I do understand that you look to the sky. I love that you always need a kangaroo fix by that lake. And those birds ... Those I'd have to go to the zoo to look at ;) The same goes for kangaroos.

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    1. Uglemor: I don't know when we coined the phrase 'kangaroo fix' but it is accurate. When we go down to that patch of the lake both of us always come away smiling. The kangaroos are almost always there, and there are also birds, trees and water.

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  7. Everybody already said everything I would have, so now I must just commiserate with you for those ugly appointments and thank you so very much for taking the time out of your busyness to brighten my day! Sending you virtual hugs, and oh yeah, that candle! :-)

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    1. DJan: I suspect the sculptor would be insulted at the use of the word candle to describe his sculpture, but that is how I see it. Ugly and expensive to boot.
      And thank you.

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  8. And another Sunday morning rolls around again...it only seems like a week ago since we had one!!!

    Great shots, EC. I hope you have a less hectic week ahead; but it sounds like you're still going at full steam - take care...cuddles to Jazz. :)

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    1. Lee: It only seems like forty-five minutes since the last Sunday. Indeed I nearly forgot to post this morning, despite preparing it a few days ago.
      Fingers crossed that less hectic becomes the rule again.
      I hope you and your furry overlords have a lovely week.

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  9. The skies are lovely. I’d be watching the kangaroos too if I lived there. Such interesting creatures.

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    1. Marie Smith: Thank you. We do love our kangas.

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  10. you do sound awfully busy. some great sky photos, especially the first rather unusual one.

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    1. Andrew: It has been busy. Hopefully this week will see the end of the worst of it. I hope that you commenting is a sign that your hand is feeling much better.

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  11. Always love your burning skies, roos, and birds. So much beauty!
    The candle man looks positively gruesome now. Horror movie, indeed.
    Say hi to Jazz for me and know you always have a hug sent your way.

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    1. River Fairchild: Jazz tells me that he expects homage rather than casual greetings. And thank you for the hugs - which as you know is reciprocated.

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  12. Fantastic photos as always Personally, I think that particular candle photo could be sent to Stephen King for inspiration.

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    1. RasmaSandra: I thought it looked rather like a 'snuff movie' seen in its current incarnation. Truly nasty.

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  13. Such pretty skies and birds! Let me tell you i am glad you did not include another candle photo.

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    1. messymimi: Thank you. I am glad that I wasn't alone in finding that candle distressing.

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  14. Sky shots are beautiful! Let me know when the corollas return!

    the man candle is absolutely creepy.

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    1. Susan Kane: The corellas are here most days. I will take more photos of them for you. And yes to the creepiness of that candle. A big yes (and a shudder).

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  15. Your sky shots are always wonderful - far better than mine ever are! The colours in mine are never as good as the real thing...
    The 'million dollar candle' is just weird.

    I hope this week's appointments will be less ugly.
    Arohanui.

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    1. Alexia: I delete rather a lot of my photos because they are blurred or unreal. I find that sculpture weird at the best of times, and just plain nasty in the state we saw it on the most recent visit.

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  16. All kinds of beautiful in those skies -- thank you from a fellow sky scanner and sky lover.

    Great shots of those birds. And I was glad to see the update on Candle Man even though he lost his head! It took a long time for him to make that much progress, it seems.

    I can imagine your fatigue and how happy you'll be to get back to a quieter life. Good luck this week. Keep your eye on the prize, as they say.

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    1. jenny_o: May you live in interesting times has always struck me as a particularly vicious wish. I am longing for a return to routine. Soon I hope.
      Skyscapes are always a joy aren't they?

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  17. "I'm playing Kanga and this is my Roo." Your sky photos and the birds are beautiful. I hope all your appointments go well.

    Love,
    Janie

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  18. Love, love, love those sky photos, the birds and the kangaroos. The candle is interesting but it looks menacing.
    I hope that everything is good with the MRI and that you soon will have your normal routine.
    Hugs, Julia

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    1. Julia: Thank you so much. The MRI says that things are stable rather than normal - which I am happy to hear. I certainly wouldn't give that sculpture house room here - it would haunt my dreams I think.

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  19. Elephant's Child, I sure do hope all goes well for you, and that your weeks will become less busy, because I know for me, when I'm able to slow down in life, my life becomes so much more peaceful.

    When I look at your sky images, they truly do soothe my mind, not only that, but they are so beautiful as well!

    Oh . . . and those birds, what a comfort that must be being able to be so close to them!

    And as for those kangaroos, by my being able to see them, this also comforts my mind!

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    1. Lon Anderson: Thank you. I much prefer a quiet life, and am grateful for the snatches of beauty and peace I find even in busy times. Very grateful.

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  20. I think root canal therapy is probably the worst of the bad things. I've been putting off going back to the dentist for almost a year now.
    The skies are lovely, I like that last photo with the puffy white clouds and the fourth one with the two pines reaching up into the pink. What type of bird is in the second bird photo? He/she is quite pretty.
    I don't like the candle statue.
    I'm being as lazy as those kangaroos today.

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    1. River: Root canal therapy is not a lot of fun, but it was easier for my claustrophobic noise averse self than the MRI.
      The bird is an Eastern Spinebill. He is camera shy, but I am working on getting a photo of him that I am happy with. And one of his mate who flys deep into the grevillea (or away) as soon as she sees me.
      Today had an appointment, and some cooking and cleaning. Soon I will emulate the kangaroos. Very soon I hope.

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  21. The sky pictures are stunning. The birds are beautiful.

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    1. Mary Kirkland: Thank you. We do love our birds.

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  22. I'm not so sure about the candle, bit grotesque for me I feel. l do love your birds and roos. What is the bird in the second picture?

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    1. CountryMum: I loathe that sculpture/candle and think a million dollars is a very high price for it. The bird in the second photo is an Eastern Spinebill, who visits our grevilleas each day. Often several times each day.

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  23. Seeing those birds arrive in my garden would definitely warm my heart. And the skies. I hope all the ugly things are over and done with quickly.

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    1. LL Cool Joe: The birds definitely warm my heart, despite their noisy, incontinent vandal tendencies. Most of the truly ugly things will finish this week. I hope.

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  24. Oh my! The sky, clouds, and colors are magnificent!
    I can think of better uses for a million than a candle but the powers that be rarely ask me for my opinion.
    And as usual I envy your beautiful birds!

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    1. Anne in the kitchen: I wholeheartedly agree about that candle/sculpture - but no-one asked for my opinion either.
      I am grateful for our birds - but envy some on your side of the world too.

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  25. that reddish clouds!!! so pretty!

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  26. Kunjungan perdana.. salam kenal ya.. semoga bisa mampir setiap saat disini.. :)

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    1. Geral Toyota: Welcome. I will be over to visit you shortly.

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  27. So glad you found some relief from your impending concerns.Your lesson to us is that we are surrounded by peace if we allow ourselves to recognize it.

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    1. Jono: I am a beauty addict. And love that the world is so generously filled with it.

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  28. Awesome sky pictures, some looked like the sky was on fire.

    I hope your appointments this week go well.

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    1. Starting Over, Accepting Changes - Maybe: I have been marvelling at a more subtle sky this morning. Fingers crossed for this week.

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  29. That's great - he lost his head!
    Hope the ugly-busy is over soon.

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    1. Alex J. Cavanaugh: He did indeed lose his head. He didn't appear to miss it though.

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  30. The colour of the sky is magnificent and of course I love the birds and roos, but I could do without that gruesome candle, though it is so revolting that it's almost funny.

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    1. Kim: I was astonished at just how disturbing I found the headless candle. I never liked the sculpture but in this incarnation I found it creepy.

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  31. the first photo is mesmerizing; good lucky with the uglies

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  32. Oh Sue, I do hope all your appointments go well, and that you will soon have a break from them.
    I know exactly how you feel.
    Gosh, you are SO right, though: look to the sky to soothe and relax you...such absolutely breathtaking skyscapes!!
    I am well and truly inspired...will make a point of just sitting quietly and gazing at the sky. It is everchanging, and therefore fascinating.😊😊
    Thank you so much for inspiring me!!

    Lots of love and hugs ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

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    1. Ygraine: Your appointments are uglier than mine, and I hope that you get good news and relief.
      I need the solace of the sky and the birds and am so very grateful for them.
      Heartfelt hugs and healing wishes flowing your way.

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  33. Your photos are always so beautiful. I especially enjoy your sky photos. I think the 4th one is my favorite today. Hope your week slows down soon and only happy things are happening.

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    1. Mason Canyon: Thank you. I spend a lot of time marvelling at the sky, at all seasons and all times of day. Another busy one this week, but a mixture of happy busyness thrown in as well.

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  34. I always love your critters, but have to say you take great skyline shots too...

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  35. What is the bird between the two green parrots? Beautiful sky pics, especially the crimson clouds :)

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    1. mshatch: Thank you. The bird in question is a male Eastern Spinebill. It is camera shy (and his mate more so) but I am working on getting photos of both of them.

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  36. -_Thank you for my Kangaroo Fix!)) Love those guys! xx

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    1. My Inner Chick: A kangaroo fix makes any day better.

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  37. I'm always grateful that you share your joys with us. The sky, the birds, the kangaroos and even droopy, creepy, huge candles. And I understand about the medical and dental procedures. Ugh. I understand too well. May your week be busy - but only with the things you like.

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    1. Myrna R.: Thank you. I am so very pleased that so many people in the blogosphere share my joy.

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  38. I love your pictures of the sky. Hope things slow down for you after this week.

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    1. Natalie Aguirre: Thank you. Fingers crossed life returns to a more even keel.

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  39. Hi EC - so glad you told us about the Eastern Spinebill - he's beautiful ... reminds me a little of our Common Bulbul. Gorgeous skies - but one could so easily be of a huge fire underneath. Amazing photos though ...

    ... love the birds and roos - while the resultant candle brought me to think about last night's Killing Eve programme??!!

    Good luck though with all the medical related things and not being able to get proper relief from the anaesthetics is not worth thinking about for me - but must be awful for you: horrid and very unfortunate.

    Take care and with thoughts for the week ahead ... cheers Hilary

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    1. Hilary Melton-Butcher: I am so happy that the Eastern Spinebill is a regular visitor. I may have to plant more grevilleas for them.
      The dental anaesthesia issue is a blight, but fortunately I rarely need major work.
      I didn't see Killing Eve and will have to investigate.
      I hope your week is delightful.

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  40. Great selections, my dark side adores that candle. It is riveting. Love the 'roos. Not often us non-Ozzers see them chillaxing.

    I'm a sky nut myself so do indulge this habit at times.

    XO
    WWW

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    1. Wisewebwoman: My dark side is more into subtle creepiness. It is certainly there though.
      Hooray for sky obsessives.
      Have a great week.

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  41. What a gorgeous sky! Just stunning!
    Love the birds too!

    I am glad I am here visiting you!
    I miss your blog and I enjoyed it so much.

    Love,
    Sonia.

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    1. sonia a. mascaro: Thank you so much. I do hope that life starts treating you more kindly and gently. Hugs.

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  42. The sky! What a lovely collection - i've spent some time getting lost in clouds myself over the past few weeks. Stopping back into the blogosphere to check in on my mates. Hope the run of medical appointments yields only good news!

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    1. daisyfae: Dinah shared some of your travels with me, and I was a little green eyed and filled with awe and wonder.
      The medical issues have been confronting, but mostly hopeful. Which is a win.

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  43. The sky is always amazing because it never stays the same.
    Pretty birds and always love to see the Kangaroos.

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    1. Margaret-whiteangel: Thank you. We love them all.

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  44. nice article..
    thanks for sharing :)

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  45. I continue to love your skies, EC.

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  46. Beautiful clouds, beautiful birds, beautiful statue, and beautiful Roo.

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    1. Bob Bushell: I agree with you about three of the four. I never liked the statue much, and even less in its headless state.

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  47. My weekly skyfix, birdfix, and naturefix in general. All spectacular. What I tried to write in words on mine, here in effortless, resplendent images - resonated especially today. The artwork strangely but completely slotted in, though I don't have the right words to explain how exactly, it possibly captures the reason for wanting to run off to the fringes at top speed! Thank you!

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    1. Nilanjana Bose: Thank you so much. You are right. So very right. The fringes are much, much more comfortable (and comforting) and a place I want and need to spend more time in.
      And I LOVED your poem.

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  48. The birds on the Island never cease to make me smile and the bees, of course but they're just creatures - long may they live and buzz and chirp!

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    1. Spacer Guy: They are just creatures as we are just creatures. I do hope that the birds and the bees (and the flowers and the trees) continue to survive (and even thrive).

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  49. The pictures of the sky look perfectly postcard ready, and so cool to see kangaroos close up! Hugs, RO
    p.s. - hope all goes well with all your appointments and they are pain free.

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    1. RO: Thank you. Last week's appointments were painful, the week before was distressing, this weeks are mostly pain and discomfort free. The pain will return next Monday. The roos are always a treat. I demand a kangaroo fix often, and we both enjoy them.

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  50. awesome article.
    thanks for sharing :)

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  51. My goodness, what a beautiful sky.

    Here, people wouldn't say that they had root canal therapy, but simply that they had a root canal. I don't know where it was along the way that I realized that the tooth is killed. Maybe I have just been lucky, but I don't think of them as being the horrific affairs that they have a reputation for being, the only bad part is that they take so long.

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    1. Snowbrush: I am rarely disappointed, and often awed when I look up. Perhaps you have been lucky, or perhaps you (thanks to a lot of practise) deal with pain and discomfort well.

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  52. I'm so sorry to hear about the issues you've been dealing with. The sky is glorious and indeed filled with solace.
    Thinking of you.
    Sandra (I'm on a different computer. Mine is sick and in the hospital.)

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    1. Sandra: I hope your computer makes a quick and complete recovery.
      The sky is so often heart balm. And thank you.

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  53. Oh, I love sky shots, the first one is quite a beauty. Still haven't seen a kangaroo in person but I don't seem to mind. I rather like looking at photos of them. Strange, they kind of looks like deers.

    Have a lovely day.

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    1. lissa: From some angles kangaroos do look a little like deer. I suspect you could only see them in zoos, which is a bit sad. I like seeing these because they are free.

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  54. I thought your skies, the birds and kangaroos were lovely to see. Sorry to say I can't say that about the "candle sculpture", although I'm sure there are some fans of it somewhere. Having said that I'm pleased we can see so many varieties of art … long may that be so.

    Wishing you all the best with any remaining appointments you may have and hope the your busyness decrease quite soon.

    Take Care.

    All the best Jan

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    1. Lowcarb team member ~Jan: Apology NOT necessary. I am not a fan of that sculpture either. The sky, the birds and the roos are much, much better in my prejudiced eyes.
      And many thanks.

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  55. I would always want to do a kangaroo visit too. :) That candle is amazing, and I laughed because even the features have technology today. :) Love the pics of the sky and birds!

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    1. mail4rosey: Thank you - we both really enjoy a kangaroo fix - and visit them often.

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  56. Those are glorious photos!
    The 4th from the beginning is the kind of photo that inspires entires series of novels and movies. The world-building in that photo is inspiring!

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    1. Jemi Fraser: The twin trees in that photo appear here on my blog often. I love the way they highlight the sky. And huge thanks.

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  57. As always, your photos of the sky are inspirational. How can anyone feel blue when looking at a sky like that? The birds are gorgeous, too. As for the kangaroos, it is soooo cool that you have the option of seeing them whenever you'd like. There's an animal rescue place in north GA that contains a number of kangaroos, and I was hoping to visit it, but it's closed to the public, darn it.

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    1. Woo HOO! You can't see me, but I'm dancing here. On a whim, I looked up that Kangaroo Conservation place in North Georgia, and they are now open to the public again!!! So YES, I plan to see some roos in the very near future. :)

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    2. Susan: I am happy dancing with you. I hope that you enjoy them as much as we do - and really, really look forward to seeing/hearing about your visit on your blog. She says 'subtly' hinting.

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  58. Replies
    1. Chelsey @ The Heartspace Connect: Welcome and thank you. I never, ever tire of skyscapes.

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    2. Chelsey @ The Heartspace Connect: PS: Do you have a blog where I can visit you?

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  59. I hope all your appointments are finished and everything is well EC! Thinking of you! Your nature photo are breath taking! I love them so much! That candle man is freaky scary! LOL! I agree, horror film! Big Hugs!

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    1. Magic Love Crow: Thank you. A few more appointments to go. And huge thanks for your kind words. That candle/sculpture would fit well in a horror movie wouldn't it? And I would run screaming from it.

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  60. awesome article.
    thank for sharing & have a nice day

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    1. Azka Kamil: Thank you. I hope your day is great too.

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  61. Thank you for these marvels! Here's hoping you find some calm amidst all that busy-ness.

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  62. The shot with the streaky red in the sky is glorious.
    Hope you are feeling well.
    Thinking of you.
    Hugs

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    1. Sandra: Thank you. I hope the HH is out of hospital.

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  63. I always love the way you drift through life. The contrasts make it so interesting and exciting. Thanks again for the visual treat.

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    1. cleemckenzie: For years I would have insisted that I am not a visual person. I was wrong. I really, really need to capture beauty in each and every day (and fortunately find plenty).

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  64. Your photos never fail to make me happy. Thank you.

    I hope your appointments go as well as they possibly can. x

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    1. Bea: I am glad they make you happy. And many thanks.

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  65. Wow, your skies are beautiful! And I'm so impressed by your bird photos. You're inspiring me to get out my camera again. :-)

    That sculpture is a little horrifying, though. Brrr.

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    1. Diane Henders: I would dearly love to see your birds. And agree wholeheartedly about the sculpture. It gives me a severe case of the grues.

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  66. Those skies are beyond beauty. Thanks. :-)

    Greetings from London

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    1. A Cuban in London: Thank you. I look to the skies often each day. Surrounded by heart balm.

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  67. Replies
    1. Marfi-topia: Thank you. They are relaxing for me too.

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  68. I am so glad I came back as I did not realize I had missed one of your Sunday Selections. Always enjoy what you share, thanks you :)

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    1. DeniseinVA: Many thanks. I am glad you enjoy Sunday Selections.

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  69. Oh those skies!!!! So much beauty!
    Will look at those pictures again...

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    1. Caterina: What a lovely thing to say. Thank you.

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  70. Your photography is so fantastic I have to share it. You have an exceptional talent. Thanks for all this.

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    1. Glenda Beall: Many thanks. I do love digital cameras and the ability to delete the squillions of images which fail.

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