Wet and Aggressive Corella challenges Magpie

Wet and Aggressive Corella challenges Magpie

Sunday 29 December 2019

Sunday Selections #461




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.


It is still hot.  It is still dry.  We are still shrouded in smoke, and our air quality is still firmly in the hazardous range.
A lot of the fires (but by no means all) have finally been brought under control.  Sadly next week is predicted to be extremely hot and windy so our army of mostly volunteer firefighters cannot stand down for their totally deserved rest.
The New South Wales Emergency Services minister is on holiday in Europe but will receive twice daily briefings, so we are told that is alright.  And sadly it probably is, because it isn't as if he contributes anything positive to the fight against the fires.





A lot of the garden is crispified (which if it isn't a word should be) but splashes of colour remain.







And because I am bird obsessed I am showing you the bouquet of  (mostly) Sulphur Crested Vandal's crest feathers we have collected over the years.



In this hot, horrid and smoky week you will be unsurprised to learn that we headed down to the lake for a bit of respite.



As well as the welcome kangaroobies we received the much rarer treat of a swan family and their cygnets.  Most of these photos were taken by the smaller portion because mine were shockers.








On a hot and particularly smoky day it really was a treat.

113 comments:

  1. I'm sorry the weather and conditions are still so miserable for you. The hot winds predicted is certainly not welcome news.
    Thanks for the roo and swan fix. Always lovely to see!
    Hugs to you.

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    1. River Fairchild: It is unpleasant and uncomfortable here, but we are MUCH better off than many. And yes, the roo fix is a definite plus.
      Hugs to you too.

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  2. Crews from 8 Canadian provinces are helping with Australian wildfires. Australians need all the help they can get.

    Black swans!! A rarity in my neck of the woods.

    :)

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    1. Caterina: We do indeed need all the help we can get. Huge thanks to the Canadians who came to help.
      Our native swans are black. I very, very rarely see white ones (except on television).

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  3. It is a treat indeed to see your photos and to visit with your sensibility. My fondest best wishes for a good year ahead, Dear

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    1. Cloudia: Many thanks. I hope the world knows a kinder and gentler year.

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  4. Laurie: Thank you. Our fire season has been growing and extending for some years now. I do hope that we do get some much needed rain. Soon. Parts of Queensland have, so at least it hasn't forgotten entirely how to rain.
    Thank you so much for your thoughts. You remain in mine too.

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  5. You always have the loveliest pictures to share. And I know so many in your country are not seeing the same beauty. Little comfort to know so many are thinking about you and the continent. Sending sincere thoughts for relief soon.

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    1. nothoughtsnoprayersnonothing: Sadly today has started with more areas subject to emergency bushfire warnings. There doesn't seem to be an end in sight.

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  6. Here, over the past week, since Christmas Day, we've had a respite from the heat...plus we had a few bursts of welcome rain. I'm sure I could hear the earth shout out in joyous thanks. It's amazing how quickly green shoots of grass have appeared...the brown yard, has turned to green in a blink. The sound of the rain on the roof was wonderful to hear.

    I hope rains come soon to all the areas that need it so, so badly.

    May the week ahead be kind to you, EC...and 2020 even kinder. Cuddles to Jazz...take care. :)

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    1. Lee: I saw that part of Queensland had recieved some very welcome rain. I was both glad and envious. We are still not expecting any significant calls until February or March of next year.
      Thank you for your wishes. I hope the coming week and year are kind to you too.

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  7. They have been on my mind, the fires, keep seeing the news headlines. Horrific and saddening. Hope everyone affected gets some rain and relief soonest.

    Lovely photos as usual, thank you. And crispified is totally a word.

    Heartfelt wishes to you and yours for a happy New Year 2020 and a gentler new decade. Stay well.

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    1. Nilanjana Bose: No relief in sight, but huge thanks for your hopes.
      A kinder decade sounds wonderful. I hope you and yours have a wonderful year to come - and indeed all the years to come.

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  8. I am so envious of the collection of feathers of the Sulphur-crested Vandals (I may apply to the nomenclature authorities to have that moniker made official). I have but one solitary feather and not of the crest either. I agree that the NSW Emergency Services Minister does not actually do anything in terms of the wildfires, but to my mind there is a symbolic and important value to having him remain at his post while the fires are being fought. My wife was in hospital for a couple of days earlier this year, following gall bladder surgery. I didn't contribute a darn thing to the surgery, but nor did I leave town either. Yesterday it was unseasonably mild here, 10 degrees and the air was saturated with moisture. My thoughts turned to Australia immediately. What a difference a few days like that would make. Be well, Sue, and stay safe.

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    1. David M. Gascoigne: Thank you. Knowing your fondness for our sulphur crested beauties I did think of you when I posted that bouquet. Our Prime Minister took holidays shortly before Christmas too, but returned when two firefighters were killed. He apologised for making people anxious - which was NOT the way I had reacted to him absence. And yes, I agree with you about the symbolism of the politicians taking holidays at this time.
      Ten degrees and moist sounds pretty close to heaven to me right now.

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  9. Oh I bet the lake day was a relief. What beautiful photos you take! I LOVE seeing the kangaroos, it's not something I ever see, so THANK YOU! It enriches my life to see wildlife that isn't common where I live! The birds look gorgeous! Your sky photos are beautiful but haunting, if you didn't know about the fires, you would think it was just summer haze. It's very scary to read about the fires there. But your garden seems to be thriving with beautiful colours! I think you should patent "crispify"!!! We collect feathers too but yours are SO BRILLIANT!!! Wishing you well!

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    1. Rain: Many thanks. We often go the lake for relief. It is close to home and I can almost guarantee a kangaroo fix. And that fix makes a LOT of things better. Always. Some of the garden is still doing well, but we are (quite justifiably) under water restrictions and other parts of the garden are dying off.

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  10. One killer hot day tomorrow but it hasn't been too bad here. I feel for you. The cocky crest feathers are great. I've never seen one on the ground. The cygnets are getting old now. If you don't already know, they self regulate their populations at lakes etc. I guess some have to find new lakes, perhaps a bit hard in times of drought.

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    1. Andrew: I did know that about swans. The lake is relatively large (though the water levels are dropping) so I hope they can just move to other areas.
      We don't see crest feathers often, but I snaffle them each time I do.

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  11. That hazy pinkish gray against the sun is all too familiar here in S. CA. If only you had some rain.

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    1. Susan Kane: If only. If the weather bureau is to be believed, signifant rain is months away. Hot and dangerous months away.

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  12. Replies
    1. Kinga K.: Thank you. The garden is another of my obsessions.

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  13. I can't even imagine what it must be like. Our fires were bad, but yours sound so much worse. We did get a lot of help from firefighters around the world (including Australia) and I'm wondering whether this is the case with your fires as well. I sure hope so, and I hope California firefighters will be among them.
    I love the feathers. Such a beautiful thing to keep.

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    1. Carola Bartz: We are getting help from other firefighters. Which is lovely.
      The crest feathers are dropped much less often that other feathers and always make us smile.

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  14. I pray for rain, EC. Lots of it!

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  15. My heart hurts for all the damage being done by the fires.

    May you all get respite from the heat soon.

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    1. messymimi: Thank you. My heart hurts too. Badly. Sadly we have a few months of heat and high fire danger ahead. Too many months.

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  16. I am so glad you have some colour spots in your garden. Lovely to be able to get away for a bit especially with roos and black swans which we only see in zoos. I hope the rain does come and extinguishes the fires!!

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    1. Jo: Thank you. We hope for rain too, though sadly it doesn't look likely.

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  17. Most of my garden is sort of okay, but the pots are getting dried out and keeping the water up to them isn't so easy. It's just too hot to stand out there with a hose. The rose bushes throughout the grounds all have drooping sunburned blooms.
    The photos are wonderful, kudos to the smaller portion. I love the Sulphur Crested Bouquet :)

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    1. River: Thank you. I will let him know. His are the swan and cygnet photos. Mine were dreadful. You are right about the difficulty of standing out with a hose. I do my watering early at the moment, generally starting by 6 am. We have water restrictions, so if I start much later I can't get much done.

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  18. If anyone is curious to know what "big rain" means in Qld...http://www.bom.gov.au/products/IDQ60801/IDQ60801.94367.shtml is the official Met. Office record.
    Right now? Breezy, sunny and I can hear lawn mowers.

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    1. dinahmow: If only the whole country could get that sort of rain. The rain you received overnight is more than we have had in months. And months.

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  19. Lovely pictures as usual, EC. I hope the heat will be kind to you this year and I agree crispified should be a word! It perfectly describes the sound my lawn made during our drought last summer

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    1. Anne in the kitchen: That crunch as you walk across the grass is very dispiriting isn't it. Parts of our lawn have gone to dust, and what remains is crisp, crunchy and dead.

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  20. The terrible conditions at least do make for some interesting pictures. But I'd rather have less interesting pictures. I hope the world will take some warning from what's happening there. I love your critter and flower pictures.

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    1. Bill: No arguments from me. I would be happy with very dull pictures of the sky. I hope the world takes warning and I particularly hope OUR government does. At the moment they are still talking about underwriting coal mines.

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  21. Lovely photos of the flowers and birds. The bushfires are horrific here as well and the weather report for the next couple of days is not good either. Wishing you all the best.

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    1. Rosie: Welcome and thank you. I loved your Sunday Selections. The forecast here is not good either and I gather that there is an evacuation order out for East Gippsland in Victoria, that Western Australia is in trouble, and that the fires near Adelaide and Sydney are ramping up again. Scary times.

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  22. Dear EC
    We are thinking of you - and hoping for some rain for you. It is indeed a scary time. We think we are in control and then nature reasserts herself, just to remind us who is really in charge. We mess with the planet at our peril.
    Best wishes
    Ellie

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    1. Ellie Foster: Thank you. Sadly I think that Nature has had more than a little assistance in laying the conditions for these fires. They are bad across several states again today and I think the whole country is wishing and hoping.

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  23. Hi EC - I feel for you and Australia ... and sincerely hope that 2020 will bring earlier relief than appears likely at the moment.

    I'm glad you were able to get away to the lake and see some wildlife, while letting you see some nature living peacefully.

    Take care and with many thoughts to you all down under ... it's frightening for everyone. All the best - Hilary

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    1. Hilary Melton-Butcher: We are relatively lucky here and are not at the moment in the fires direct path. I loved seeing the birds and animals - but I also wondered what the constant smoke is doing to them.
      Here's to a gentler 2020 for the whole world. Much gentler.

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  24. Everyone must be so frustrated and feel so helpless in a situation like this, and I agree, te fire people must be exhausted. I pray that there is relief soon for all. As usual, your pics are so fabulous. Your garden is truly amazing! Hugs, RO

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    1. RO; Frustrated, helpless, terrified and exhausted. I do hope the weather turns. Soon.

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  25. I can’t imagine what those firefighters must be going through. We have wildfires here in the south, but nothing on the scale of what you all are facing.
    I’m hoping the weather shifts soon and provides a little relief.

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  26. my it really is smokey; love the swans and all the birds resting by the shore, at least there is a lake for them to cool off in.

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    1. Linda Starr: Thank you. I hope they can continue to enjoy the lake (and that we can too).

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  27. Me encantan los animales. Me pasaré a menudo por el blog.
    Saludos.

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    1. y leo Novela: Welcome and thank you. Birds and animals are often a feature here.

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  28. I'm so glad you're able to seek some respite from the smoke and the heat. The pictures are lovely as always and I'm glad there is still some color in your garden.

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    1. Myrna R.: Thank you. That patch of the lake is my go-to place when anything gets me down. Anything or anyone.

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  29. Always nice to see pretty flowers and wildlife. Glad to know that some of the fires are under control.

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    1. gigi-hawaii: Thank you. Sadly overnight yet more fires have joined the out of control list.

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  30. Your photos are beautiful as always. So hope the fire problems continue to improve. Wishing you and your family a safe and happy week.

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    1. Mason Canyon: Thank you. I hope that you and yours have a wonderful week to (and all the years to come).

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  31. Sorry to hear it's so hot and smokey. I'm glad to hear some of the fires are under control. Your pictures are beautiful.

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    1. Mary Kirkland: Thank you. Still hot, still smoky, but I live in hope.

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  32. yor nature is fantastic. Love from Poland.

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    1. Gosia: I turn to nature for relief often. And am endlessly grateful. Thank you for the blissfully cool photos you posted today.

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  33. It's wonderful to see all the beautiful wildlife and sad to hear that the fires are still going. I tell myself that I need to be glad for the snow even though it sometimes means I can't leave the house for several days. It means less chance of wildfires.
    I see them doing a lot of controlled burns in this area. That's smart too.
    I found another cache of photos from my museum trip nearly 3 years ago now.
    Ancient Flying Mammal

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    1. The Real Cie: I was glad to see the swans and the roos, but my heart aches for the many, many birds and animals (cute and otherwise)lost in our fires. Those that survive will have a hard time finding food and water as well.
      Snow? I wish. How I wish. Which is probably ignorant of me. I will be over to check out your Sunday Selections very shortly.

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  34. Sorry to hear about the fires, hope people are safe there! Beautiful flowers and the swan family is do cute☺

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    1. natalia20041989: Thqnk you. Sadly homes and lives remain at risk (birds, animals and human).

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  35. Keeping you in my thoughts as the new from Down Under makes its way into my news feed. I love your crest feathers, and of course the swans. Fingers and toes crossed for the rain to come and the wind to cease.

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    1. DJan: I hope your back is getting better, and yes, fingers and toes are tightly crossed here too.

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  36. Love the splashes of color in your garden. Glad you are getting some respite at the lake and hoping for much needed rain.

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    1. Crownandcottage: Welcome and thank you. No rain yet, but we are hoping. Big time.

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  37. I don't even know what to say anymore about the fires and loss of life and habitat. It's all so sad and frightening, and even enraging -- so many people deny there is a problem of our own making or that there is anything we can do to reverse it. My god, what will it take to open their eyes?

    After reading Andrew's post about acreages in other parts of the world equivalent to the burned areas in Australia, I checked with Google, and the 12.5 M acres burned represents almost the totality of my home province of Nova Scotia. The devastation is staggering.

    Sorry, EC, I am not helping, I know. But I am thinking of you and your countrymen/women and hoping for healing for all of you at some point.

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    1. jenny_o: It is staggering isn't it? And today the fires (dangerous fires) have extended into other areas. And still our politicians (if forced into it) will admit that climate change is a factor - but refuse to alter their policies. I rage and I grieve.

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  38. That smoke looks so dense and nasty. And terrifying really. Are you on water restrictions? We've had those here in summers past.

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    1. Strayer: We are on water restrictions. Very minor water restrictions which I hope/believe will be strengthened soon.
      We are miles away from the fires and yes the air is nasty. How much worse it must be for those in affected areas.

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  39. I'm sorry for the nasty air. Please look after your lungs. Thanks for your impromptu surprise. It is much appreciated. I went to write a proper note and noticed the address is incomplete. You were most kind to think of me. Hugs and best to you.

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    1. e: I am glad the very little surprise arrived safely. I suspect all that is absent from the address is Australia. Hugs to you, and hopes that you and Lukas are doing well.

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  40. Replies
    1. Francisco Manuel Carrajola Oliveira: Thank you - and to you and yours.

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  41. As always your photos are pretty and exotic. All our swans are now white - which seems to be a rare sight your place - but as a child in Elsinore, I saw blach swans on the moat around Hamlet's castle, they never had white spots under their wings, hougm, sp anoher species, I suspect. And I see a green tag in a kangaroo-ear. Do they stay controlled, counted or what?
    I too want to express my hope for lots of rain - I wish I'd bve able to send some of mine. Hoping for a rainy new year for you and yours and all the brave fire fighters.

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    1. Uglemor: The green tag shows that the kangaroo (female) is part of a fertility trial. Worried by the increasing numbers our local council caught and injected drugs to inhibit pregnancy. Which is a much better option than the kangaroo cull they undertake in other parts of the city.
      Rain would be lovely. So lovely.

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  42. Oh those fires really are such a tragedy. It must be awful for you all...I can only imagine...:(
    I so wish I could send some of our rain your way. We have been experiencing widespread floods here.
    It seems the entire planet is shifting on it's axis, doesn't it?! Really scary.:/
    Such beautiful photos though...I am so glad you still have some colours in your garden, in spite of everything.:))

    Wishing you a Happy New Year (and a speedy end to the fires).

    With Much Love & Hugs xxxxxxx

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    1. Ygraine: The fires are truly dreadful. We are on the fringes here and at the moment are safe. So many are not, which makes my heart ache.
      And yes, I would love it if you could send some of your excess rain.
      A very Happy, Healthy New Year to you and yours dear one.

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  43. I keep undated on the news out of Oz and am horrified at the devastation, destruction and seemingly cavalier pols taking vacations away from it all. WTH?

    It must be just a constant underlying dread in everyone's lives not to mention the losses to date.

    You're in my thoughts EC, rain. Definitely.

    Meanwhile your pics are so beautiful.

    XO
    WWW

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    1. Wisewebwoman: We are told that our politicians NEED their holidays after a busy year. Presumably the firefighters don't. Hiss and spit.
      And thank you. On all counts.

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  44. You have gorgeous garden colors yet. The feather bouquet is very striking.

    I had read that the koala pop. in NSW has been drastically reduced by the ongoing bushfires. I would imagine that other animals have been very negatively affected as well.

    Looking forward to an end of all this for all of you. x

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    1. Bea: Thank you. Today has been an absolute shocker in several states. Lives, homes and habitat are gone (for both people and animals). We are reeling and fear the coming days.

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  45. Happy New Year, EC!
    Wishing you harmony, peace, resilience and well-being.
    Hugs

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    1. Caterina: Thank you so much - and to you and yours.

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  46. Hi EC,

    The fire situation is terrible. We are hearing all about it on a daily basis here in the UK.

    It's just too hot down there. I'm not sure I could stand the heat to be honest.

    :o(

    Cheers

    PM

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    1. Plastic Mancunian: Thank you. Sadly the fires and the heat continue - and I loathe them too.

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  47. Lovely shots, but so so sad about all the fires that are still raging after several months!

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    1. Lady Fi: Thank you. Yesterday was catastrophic across several states. I fear for what today will bring.

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  48. Happy new year 2020 EC, it was terribly the fire, poor 'roo.

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    1. Bob Bushell: Thank you. My heart aches for so many birds and animals affected by the fires.

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  49. Dearest EC,
    I have been commenting very little but you have been in my thoughts, thinking of your Holiday fruit salad, air quality in the ACT, and the anticipation of a new year.
    I hope you are well. My best wishes, positive energies and rain dances come your way.

    xox

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    1. kylie: Many thanks. The air quality remains dreadful, but we are luckily (so far) out of the fires zones. My heart aches for those (human and otherwise) who are not.
      And the fruit salad was delicious. I have topped it up several times, and the huge bowl is nearly empty again.
      Here's to a kinder, compassionate and more charitable decade - for us all.
      Hugs.

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  50. You have most definitely been in my thoughts too. I have been looking at the news on those horrible fires you are all having to deal with over there. Hope there will be some relief soon. Hats go off to the emergency responders, heroes every last one of them.

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    1. DeniseinVA: Heroes indeed. Sadly their job is still in high demand, with no end in sight.

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  51. Well I have my turkey feathers but those sulfur crested ones are so much prettier.

    here's hoping that things will improve in Australia

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    1. Sue in Italia/In the Land of Cancer: Thank you. We all hope that things improve, but fear the opposite.

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  52. I hope you get some rain and a break from the heat soon. What a terrible time. I saw in the news last week that some of our firefighters have gone over there to help - I hope they are able to hold back the destruction.

    Your photos are wonderful, as always. The black swans were particularly interesting - we don't have them here. And the feathers were a bright spot despite the knowledge that they came from garden vandals. :-)

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    1. Diane Henders: We are very grateful for the assistance and need it in so many areas. Over the next few days the heat and winds are expected to increase. A very, very dangerous time.

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  53. Nice to see your photographs.
    I do hope some rain comes soon to help extinguish the fires.

    All the best Jan

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    1. Lowcarb team member ~Jan: Thank you. No significant rain yet. A cooler day today which has helped the firefighters. Tomorrow it ramps up again.

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  54. Your garden still looks beautiful! I love the animal pictures!! Those feathers are gorgeous! Big Hugs!

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    1. Magic Love Crow: Parts of the garden are lovely (and parts very sad). The animals are a joy and I do love that feather bouquet.
      Huge thanks.

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