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. This week (and probably for several weeks) I am continuing my celebration of Spring.
Last week we went on a short excursion to the Australian National Botanical Gardens. Our few hours there were blissful. It is within walking distance from the city centre - and a million miles away.
As is usual, many, many photos follow. Some of the plants I know and others are beautiful mysteries.
The purple one is Hardenbergia or Happy Wanderer.
One of our many Banksias.
I don't know what type of bird built this nest. It was occupied, and when a flurry of wings erupted from it I left so I didn't spook it any further.
There were lots of acacia in bloom, or about to flower. I think the last one was Acacia Cardiophylla - or West Wyalong wattle.
This beauty is Pimelea Physodes.
Dwarf Banskia
Uglemor commented on my last post that I often 'sneak' a kangaroo in. I didn't see any kangaroos this visit (though they are there) but I will finish with Kangaroo Paws which were blooming beautifully.
The day was warm and still, the air was perfumed and filled with bird song. Do you wonder we had a wonderful time?
In Jazz news, he is still not out of the woods. Keep those positive thoughts for the furry black tyrant coming please.
The blooms, the variation, the bee hotel...I'm swooning! Thank you, E.C., for sharing the bounty with us.
ReplyDeleteThinking good thoughts for Jazz. x
Bea: It really is a lovely place - whatever the time of day or year. Jazz and I thank you.
DeleteIt looks so delightful, springtime Down Under. I love the beautiful flowers, so foreign to me and therefore even more fun to see in bloom. Sending Jazz some soft virtual pettings. :-)
ReplyDeleteDJan: We have not gone to these gardens in early spring before - a mistake which we will promise not to repeat.
DeleteJazz appreciates the care.
Looks like a great place for a stroll. Never heard of Banksias before though.
ReplyDeleteAlex J. Cavanaugh: It is a great place for a wander - for a couple of hours or a day. We have well over 150 types of banksia, and many of them are spectacular - and bird and insect magnets.
DeleteLovely place that bee hotel is just wonderful.
ReplyDeleteMerle...............
Merlesworld: I really like the bee hotel. And hope it is full to bursting at night.
DeleteWhen I first visited Australia in 1998 I stayed at a B&B in Hall, NSW just outside the ACT and visited the Australian National Botanical Gardens frequently and enjoyed it immensely. I would return in a heartbeat!
ReplyDeleteDavid Gascoigne: If ever you do come back this way, eheck to see whether 'Breakfast with the Birds' is on. We went last year and LOVED it. It starts before the gardens are open to the public and had some very knowledgeable guides, both about the gardens and the birds.
DeleteJazz has been in my thoughts, EC...give him special hugs from me and my two furry mates. I hope things look much brighter for him soon...and may the next week treat all of you with much kindness. Take care. :)
ReplyDeleteLee: Thank you. Poor Jazz is still not himself. We has good days, but then it goes backwards again. We go back to the vet at the end of the week (unless things go downhill when we will return earlier).
DeleteLove the parrot mosaic.
ReplyDeleteJamie Ghione: The mosaics were an unexpected treat and we liked them too.
DeleteGorgeous! I think Canberra has one of the better Botanic gardens.
ReplyDeletedinahmow: Next time you make it down here we will go to the gardens. They are indeed lovely.
DeleteA wonderful selection of beautiful things. The Pimelea is new to me, so I had to google it; what a pretty flower!
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry to hear that Jazz is still not right - a special trans-Tasman hug from me.
I really like the butterfly mosaic. Hope the week treats you all kindly.
Alexia: The Pimelea was new to us too, and we were so lucky to see it in bloom.
DeleteJazz and I thank you - and hope your poor face is recovering.
You have the most beautiful types of plants and that bottle tree is also so interesting. Everything seems so exotic, including the birds that features on your blog now and then. Even the animals are different than what we have here. Thank so much for showing us your part of the world. So beautiful...
ReplyDeleteHugs, Julia
Julia: Your familiar is frequently exotic to me. I am so grateful to the blogosphere for expanding my horizons.
DeleteWhat a gorgeous spring you are having! Thank you for sharing it with us.
ReplyDeletemessymimi: It is lovely at the moment isn't it?
DeleteLoved the nest, a modern sculpture, and kangaroo paws, why not! I love the amazing colours of your plants, that this is your Spring, makes our watercolour summer look drab.
ReplyDeletelostinimaginaryworlds: Thank you. Our summer is mostly gold, turning to brown dust. Our spring is a LOT more vibrant.
DeleteJust gorgeous! Such usual flowers compared to those I am familiar with! Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteKind thoughts for Jazz going across the planet.
Marie Smith: Some of these blooms were new to us as well (despite them being native). And thank you so much for your good wishes for Jazz.
DeleteI don't think I have seen kangaroo paw in that colour. There are lots of pretty flowers and some weird and wonderful. Funnily, I was just reading on a Canadian blog about bee hotels.
ReplyDeleteAndrew: I read about bee hotels on a Canadian blog this morning too. I wonder if it is the same one. There were white kangaroo paws too (which I don't think I have seen) but my photographs of it were woeful.
DeleteI've never seen a Bee Hotel before, and I adore the Rainforest Gully, especially that walkway. If only I could have a backyard like that!
ReplyDeletePlease tell Jazz I'm sending lots of love his way - and to you as well.
River Fairchild: I would like a backyard like that too. Rather a lot.
DeleteJazz and I thank you. Muchly.
Oh your photograph has reminded me to get some Happy Wanderers in my garden as soon as it's less like a giant frog bog. I was just about to say I've not visited those gardens but I think I have, if they're on a hill and sometimes have functions in the grounds. I go to the Melbourne equivalent at Cranbourne which is also beautiful, but I only come home with photographs of birds... you've inspired me to look at other things next time I'm there!
ReplyDeleteKim: On one of our major roads the verges have been planted with Happy Wanderer interspersed with wattle. It is a truly glorious sight in Spring. I am not surprised that you focus on the birds in the Botanic Gardens, they do thrive there. Which is lovely.
DeleteI'm always available for a botanical garden, especially if I can find a scooter to drive around.
ReplyDeleteThe bee hotels were pushed extensively by local naturalists. However, someone pointed out they must be cleaned out every winter, for the next season. And now I've heard nothing further.
Joanne Noragon: They had scooters for hire, and many of the paths would suit them (though not the rainforest gulley). I believe that our bee hotels are cleaned out (or at least I hope they are).
DeleteHere I thought the kangaroo was taking the pictures.
ReplyDeletePowdered Toast Man: I suspect the perspective would be different. And possibly more interesting.
DeleteKangaroo Paws, a delightful name for a plant. Loved all these exotic looking plants, flowers and trees. Thanks so much!
ReplyDeleteDeniseinVA: Thank you. It is stylised, but I can see kangaroo paws in the blooms.
DeleteThis is all so delightful, I wish I could have walked with you. I love rainforest plants and have recently acquired a small birds nest fern in a pot, a gift from a neighbour. I really love the native bee hotel and would like to build one for my garden, but do they have to be a certain size? I shall google.
ReplyDeleteI still think of Jazz everyday and cross my fingers.
River: Good luck with your birds' nest fern. I am not good with ferns and have resisted the very real temptation to get one.
DeleteWe have our fingers crossed for the Jazz man too.
The Bottle tree is most interesting t me, I've never seen or heard of anything like that. I love purple flowers, so pretty.
ReplyDeleteMary Kirkland: They are fascinating aren't they, and were used to great advantage for a very long time before white settlers arrived in this country.
DeleteHi EC - gosh I'd love to visit ... I can see I need to appreciate a whole lot of new flora ... some I know from SA days ... the Banksias, Acacia ... but a whole lot of others ... gorgeous. The Bottle trees always delight ... are they the ones that the aboriginals want to protect in Victoria? Wonderful mosaics ... very cheery ...
ReplyDeleteThen Jazz - I do hope he improves and soon becomes his taunting self again ... amusing you both and keeping you company in the Spring garden.
Have a good week - cheers Hilary
Hilary Melton-Butcher: It is a beautiful place and we only visited a small part of it that day. The bottle trees are dear to many of the Aboriginal peoples and I expect they are the ones that they are trying to protect in Victoria (and sadly probably other states).
DeleteBest wishes for Jazz. I recognize quite a few Western Australian flowers there.
ReplyDeleteAnna: Thank you. The garden is quite eclectic in the natives it is able to grow - I am super impressed because many of them I can only dream of.
DeleteI especially like the flowers. Wonderful shots of everything!
ReplyDeleteBill: Needless to say, I took many, many photos on this visit - as I do every time.
DeleteWhat a beautiful place with so many amazing photo opportunities! I love the plant that looks like a chewed corn on the cob.:D
ReplyDeleteI hope Jazz gets a little better every day.
LL Cool Joe: That is a perspective on banksia I had never considered - and can totally see it. Thank you. Jazz is having a down day today.
DeleteFabulous images EC, I love ceramics, pretty.
ReplyDeleteBob Bushell: There were lots of ceramics, but these most caught my eye.
DeleteThese are all gorgeous! Fingers crossed for Jazz. Hugs!
ReplyDeletee: Thank you. I hope that Dorian's wrath didn't wreak too much havoc for you.
DeleteNone...very lucky. I hope Jazz is too!
Deletee: I am very glad to hear it. And do hope that Jazz is lucky (and we are).
DeleteDear EC
ReplyDeleteWhat amazing plants you saw there. I really liked the bee hotel too.
Sending good thoughts for Jazz...
Best wishes
Ellie
Ellie Foster: We only spent a few hours there, and could have spent all day and not seen it all. It was very beautiful (and peaceful). Thank you for those good thoughts. He/we need them.
DeleteI’ve see drawings of beehives but this is the first picture of one.
ReplyDeleteI would love to see a working hive like that up close.
Hope Jazz feels better soon.
R
Rick Watson: I wonder how many of the native bees use it, and how many continue to make their homes in nooks and crannies (and there were plenty of those).
DeleteLovely lovely flowers and sending positive thoughts for Jazz!
ReplyDeletemshatch: Thank you - on both counts.
DeleteSending lots and lots of long-distance healing hugs for poor Jazz...he is in my thoughts...❤❤❤
ReplyDeleteAnd my sincerest thanks for sharing your visit to the botanical gardens with us...wow, such rare beauties there, such as I have never seen or even imagined existed.😊😊
I love those wonderful mosaics too... absolutely exquisite!!!
Hope you are having a fabulous weekend, my dear Friend!
All my love and hugs ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
Ygraine: Jazz is in our thoughts too as we do the one step forward two back dance.
DeleteMany of those plants were new to us too (or at least their blooms were). It really was an exciting time. Our weekend is now over, but I hope yours is blissful. Hugs. Always.
what a wonderful walk through the gardens and then the mosaics on top of that, thanks
ReplyDeleteLinda Starr: It was wonderful, and the air was perfumed delightfully too.
DeleteLooks like a wonderful place to get lost in for hours and hours. Sending positive thoughts and a big hug to Jazz.
ReplyDeleteMason Canyon: It is yet another place we don't go to often enough - and spring in the gardens is very special. Thank you for the Jazz well wishes.
DeleteHi EC,
ReplyDeleteThe flora Down Under is definitely different from Up North.
Bottle Tree - what a great name for a tree.
:o)
Cheers
PM
Plastic Mancunian: You can see where the name comes from can't you, in both form and function?
DeleteYes - of course. That's why I love the name.
Delete:o)
Plastic Mancunian: So many plant names (common or not) are mysteries to me. Much like the names of birds.
DeleteI LOVE botanical gardens. Thanks so much for sharing. What's going on with the Jazz Cat?
ReplyDeleteSandra Cox: We love them too. Jazz has a good day, or even a couple of good days, and then goes backwards again. Worrying.
DeleteMy thoughts are going out in a positive way for Jazz!
ReplyDeleteLon Anderson: Thank you - and welcome back.
Deletestunning and beautiful as always. and jazz is in my prayers!
ReplyDeleteCindi Summerlin: Thank you.
DeleteWonderful photos of your fantastic flora. I want to travel to Australia - and meet a live kangaroo. Thanks for the cangaroo paws. I did not know such a plant existed, alas it is not winter hardy in Denmark. a
ReplyDeleteUglemor: I have had trouble with keeping kangaroo paws live over winter too - our garden is not nearly as sheltered as the Botanic Gardens and the micro environment doesn't favour them. Some day. I do hope you can visit and see kangaroos.
DeleteThose plants are really beautiful and the bee hotel looks fantastic☺
ReplyDeletenatalie20041989: Thank you. I really liked the bee hotel and hope that there are no vacancies.
DeleteI love it when the acacia bloom and their branches hang archlike over the roads. We have kangaroo paw as well, but I have never seen a pink one. That is beautiful! I once had a hardenbegia in my garden, but I killed it. I think it's so beautiful when it spills over walls and fences and I wanted that, but it didn't work out.
ReplyDeleteCarola Bartz: We had a hardenbergia climbing up a eucalypt in the back yard. It thrived for several years, but has now disappeared. I will replace it I think. That pink kangaroo paw was lovely wasn't it? I also liked the white one which I failed to photograph at all well.
DeleteThe mosaics are gorgeous I am such a fan of mosaics. And the blooms are amazing.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely Sunday treat!
XO
WWW
Wisewebwoman: I really like mosaics too, and they often look soooo right in a garden.
DeleteYou did come across some good finds.One of my grown kids told me of a Botanical Garden he found close to his house, that I never knew about. He says we must go, and so we shall. :)
ReplyDeletemail4rosey: I hope you can, and that you enjoy it as much as we did.
DeleteWhat a lovely visit you had, and we reap the benefits too. Love the bottle tree, the mosiacs, the bee hotel, and the huge variety of blossoms. I've seen online instructions for building a bee house and wondered if that would encourage our bees to hang around and multiply.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry Jazz is still having such a hard time. Poor fellow. I hope he feels better soon, or that the vet can come up with a new plan. Hugs.
jenny_o: It really was a delightful visit - heartbalm at its best.
DeleteJazz is mostly a happy cat, but is messing with my mind very well as he umms and ahhs about whether to eat. The last alternative suggestion the vet had was exploratory surgery - an option I am very reluctant to take. He goes back to the vet on Friday and we will see. Huge thanks, as always.
Hope your furry buddy is doing well! And thank you for these lovely lovely shots.
ReplyDeleteLady Fi: Jazz is so so today, but at least there have been some good patches. Isn't that garden lovely?
DeleteI wondered how Jazz was doing. Poor boy. How old is Jazz by now? I think the Bottle Tree is fascinating. I haven't heard of a lot of the plants and flowers you mention.
ReplyDeleteStrayer: Jazz came to us as a rescue cat. Our best guess says he is 12 or so. Fingers crossed that his good days become more frequent. The Bottle Tree is amazing isn't it?
DeleteYour photos tell a story. We are about to enter autumn here.
ReplyDeleteTeresa
T. Powell Coltrin: Spring is in full swing here - though I am also a big fan of Autumn.
DeleteBotanical Gardens are always so interesting.Been awhile since we've been to one, but I've always enjoyed them. The one yellow flower that looks like an ear of corn really got my eye...very unusual and interesting. The mosaics are sooo pretty, especially the first one of the Monarch. Who doesn't love Monarch's. Thanks for the visit. Let me know if you get your Himalayan Light. I may get a 2nd one.
ReplyDeleteSandy: We don't go to this one often enough - and have never had a bad time in one.
DeleteIt truly fascinates me on how people take the time to plant such beautiful flowers and plants, and other really unusual creations. I love traveling through your eyes. Hugs, RO
ReplyDeleteRO: How I would love a garden like this one. Like any of the very varied gardens in our Botanic Gardens. Hugs gratefully received and reciprocated.
DeleteTheres so much captivating beauty worth looking at in the world. This bottle tree being one must have taken years to grow and yet in its own way, has provided a source of survival to locals. I betcha the moon they're grateful and pray for it.
ReplyDeleteSpacer Guy: Without question they are grateful to it, and look after them. Which sadly is more than can said for many of the more recent arrivals to our country.
DeleteHello Sue,
ReplyDeleteSorry my delay to visit you.
Thanks for your comment about the old cars that Carlos loved so much.
Beautiful flowers and I love the Mosaics too.
Near my daughter's house there is a Botanical park very beautiful too.
Sending you lots of hugs and much Love too!
sonia a. mascaro: You are never too late, and always welcome. I do hope that life is starting to treat you a little more kindly. Huge hugs.
DeleteSneak a kangaroo in:) I love that:)
ReplyDeleteYour Springtime is so very fascinating with her blooming specimens; some are very familiar and others unknown. It's bliss to meet them!
Thanks for sharing the journey you're on - such a beautiful life you're living:)
- Jennifer
Jennifer Richardson: I often do sneak roos in to my posts. I just wasn't aware that other people had picked up on this habit. And thank you. We live in a beautiful world.
DeleteTruly beautiful EC! I loved all these pictures! That bottle tree is so cool! Prayers are continually being sent for your fur baby Jazz! Big Hugs!
ReplyDeleteMagic Love Crow: Huge thanks. Jazz has had a better couple of days but our fingers remain crossed. He/we go back to the vet on Friday.
DeleteBeautiful photos of your visit to the Botanic Gardens EC.
ReplyDeleteI don't think I've ever seen that pink Hakea bakeriana, so pretty :) The mosaic pictures are very cute.
Sami: That Hakea Bakeriana is lovely isn't it? I am going to have to investigate that one, and would love to grow it. I suspect the small birds would like it too.
DeleteWow, what beautiful photos! My gardening obsession is straining at the leash: "Look at all those gorgeous plants! Maybe some would grow here..." ;-) The mosaics are lovely, too.
ReplyDeleteSending good vibes to Jazz...
Diane Henders: These gardens in spring time ignited my gardening lust too. Nice to hear of yet another obsessive gardener.
DeleteNature provides so much beauty.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful selection of photographs - those flowers are beautiful, so too the mosaic.
Sorry to read that Jazz is still not out of the woods.
Continued positive thoughts for him.
All the best Jan
Lowcarb team member ~Jan: Nature is the best artist with the best galleries isn't she? Huge thanks for your positive wishes for the black hearted Jazz.
Delete