Wet and Aggressive Corella challenges Magpie

Wet and Aggressive Corella challenges Magpie

Sunday 19 January 2020

Sunday Selections #464




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 I am reverting to snippets from the week that was.


My air quality is finally improving (though the same is not true of Melbourne).  The smoke in the sky does produce some spectacular effects (though I will be glad to see it gone).  These photos are both of the sun and not the moon, and were taken in 'full' daylight.




Another of the night flowering cacti flowers came out.  It was starting to come out as the light faded one night.



When I headed out to look at it early the next morning the bees had already found it.






And of course, while I was up and out that early morning I had to take other photos.






It was lucky I did.  A few days later we got a little very, very welcome rain.  With the rain came hail, which shredded a lot of flowers, and stripped leaves from trees.  It was very localised and a few streets away they got neither rain nor hail.





And in other news, the King Parrots are back, months earlier than we expected to see them.





Were we happy to see them?  Yes.  And no.  They disappear each year into the nearby hills during breeding season and it is usually autumn (or early winter) before we see them again.

I suspect the fires drove them out of the hills early, and while it is lovely to see these ones at least survived, I suspect that this year few were able to breed successfully.

We have more rain promised over the next few days and I hope (so very much) that it arrives both here and on the nearby fires which are still burning (albeit not as ferociously as they were.


131 comments:

  1. It's always such a pleasure to be with you and to see your sights. So fun to see King parrots! Hang in there Dear

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  2. The photos are spectacular! Beautiful sun. The bees are also attracted to beauty!! The parrots... I think they are my favourite birds. I can tell they greeted you affably. :)
    Lo and behold... it rained!
    Be well.

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    1. Caterina: It did rain. In patches. Some places have had floods and some places have had dribbles. We still have rain forecast for today and tomorrow (yay) but the percentage chance and the estimated amount are dwindling.

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  3. Glad the air is getting better. Sorry the hail destroyed plants, but at least it probably cleared the air some. Nice to see you still get a lot of honeybees.

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    1. Alex J. Cavanaugh: The garden was very, very grateful for the moisture and a few smashed plants was a small price to pay. We are glad of the bees too. Very glad.

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  4. This makes me wonder what will be the result of people breathing in all of this smoke for all this time... :/ Glad to see your parrots made it. Glad to see the rain.

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    1. Sandi: The jury is still out on the effects of long term bushfire related smoke inhalation, but no one is saying it is a good thing. Some of the king parrots visiting at the moment are a bit 'scruffy' and they are all hungry and we are more than happy to feed them.

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  5. Continuing to pray for rain and fire-fighting safety and success in your part of the world. Glad to see your flowers feeling flirty in spite of the smoke. Oh that hail - I've never quite understood the whole deal with hail. So strange on a Summer's day. I know the explanation but still seems so mysterious.

    Big big hope that all of the wildlife and human life and plant life where you are will heal and be helped in every possible way needed. You are all so precious to us.

    - Jennifer

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    1. Jennifer Richardson: Many thanks. The recovery will be slow and possibly incomplete. The landscape and environment have changed. Dramatically. I continue to hope (and donate) for the recovery of all. And particularly for the flora and fauna.

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  6. When I click into your world, I see God! xxxx From MN

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  7. I imagine the natural order of things has been turned upside down for the animal world there. I do hope the parrots can make up for this year in the next breeding season.

    Your blooms are so beautiful. It's good that the bees can find a protected and bountiful place in your garden.

    So glad to hear you had *some* rain, at least, and hoping for more for all the areas that so desperately need it.

    Thank you for the lovely shots of your plants and your metal sun piece - very intriguing.

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    1. jenny_o: I was so pleased to see the bees, busy at first light AND finding things to be busy in. That metal sun hangs on the pergola outside the kitchen and swivells with the breeze.
      The rain was lovely and I continue to hope for more. Quite a lot more.

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  8. Good to hear your air quality is improving and hope the same can be said of Melbourne soon. Daylight? Goodness! Your night flowering cactus is a real beauty and I enjoyed seeing the happy pollinators :) Glad to see all your photos, the sun, the rain (interesting about the hail) and your beautiful King Parrots even way too early. Hoping they will be able to breed too. Hoping the rain will go where it is needed.

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    1. DeniseinVA: Thank you. I suspect that the king parrots will not breed this year but am very hopeful for next (and so very glad these ones at least survived). I echo your hope on the rain.

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  9. The sun shots are eerie, especially the second one. Glad the smoke and fires are easing a bit. I'm so glad to see the parrots! Hopefully they'll find new breeding habitats next year. Yay for a bit of rain!

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    1. River Fairchild: I was thrilled to see some rain and am hoping for more. Jazz is not. Tough.

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  10. Rain is always welcome here and always where you are.

    Your garden and flowers are always delightful.

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    1. Susan Kane: Having lived through more than one drought I am always glad to see rain. And hoping for more of it. Soon.

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  11. Hail! When it rains, it pours, The forecast for your place shows rain Monday when I look at it all the way from Denmark. Those flowers are so beautiful. And that sun ;) it is well done.

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    1. Charlotte: I hope that the promised rain does arrive. And that it falls everywhere it is needed (which is almost everywhere).

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  12. The blooms are such a beautiful sight right about now. Nothing but cold, wind and snow here. The birds must be thankful for some pampering EC.

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    1. Marie Smith: The birds are grateful for some pampering - and we are happy to give it. I am sorry that you are enduring cold, wind and snow (despite a part of me envying you).

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  13. Even though there are many reasons why you would hope not to see the King Parrots so early, Sue, thank goodness at least that they have survived the fires to visit your yard. I was so happy to read of the recent rains and even though there has been flash flooding in some areas I am sure that a collective sigh of relief from is reverberating throughout Australia now that the fire hazard has been seriously minimized. I have good friends in Melbourne, with whom I will be staying in July, and as you have reported they are dealing with poor air quality. Of course, in Canberra, you know what that has been like. The other day, I received in the mail the best talisman I can conceive of, a plume feather of a Sulphur-crested Cockatoo. It doesn't get much better than that.

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    1. David M. Gascoigne: Definitely mixed emotions about the return of the King Parrots but, as you say, we are very, very happy that they survived the inferno. The cooler weather has made continued water bombing of the fires near us possible. Most of yesterday we heard them going back and forth. Not so far today (perhaps cloud is hindering it). We hope fervently for more rain - and I am very glad that the crest feather made its way safely to you.

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  14. Lovely flower photos as always; and it's so nice to see the air clearing a bit for you. Fingers crossed that your rain is bountiful and that it arrives where it will do the most good.

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    1. Diane Henders: Thank you. Fingers crossed indeed, though so far today not a drop.

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  15. Fingers crossed for a LOT more rain! Less hail, though. You will be happy to see a clear blue sky, when one eventually appears.
    I hope that the air quality isn't affecting you too badly, and that your beautiful flowers (and birds) continue to make you smile.

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    1. Alexia: We really do need more rain. Most of the country needs more rain. And how I hope it arrives.
      The garden and the birds do make me smile. Of course.

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  16. We had a welcome rain here Friday night...beginning around 8.30 pm, right through the night until around 7.30 am Saturday morning. Lots and lots over very heavy rain began to fall around 3.30 am...and it didn't let up. It was wonderful to hear on the roof. We had a few showers through the day...and then a little more rain last night..not a lot. There was flash-floodind in some ares of the Gold Coast and other ares.

    It's been great to learn areas down south have received rain, too....every drop matters. I hope more comes to douse all the fires, but not cause further damage and deaths. Charred trees, already dangerous hazards, are even more in danger of falling causing further hurt.

    On goes the heartache...there is a hollowness inside I'm permanently feeling...and I know I'm not alone with these feelings...these emotions. The healing process for those immediately affected will be lengthy. For some...for many...the hurt, the loss will never heal...

    And, then one's thoughts turn to the innocent animals and birdlife caught in the raging, unforgiving furnaces...

    I hope your week brings you joy, EC...brings you relief from the past few weeks...take care...cuddles to Jazz. :)

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    1. Lee: The rain you received sounds wonderful. I am really hoping to get some of that. So far it is conspicuous by its absence.
      Oh yes, that hollow feeling.
      I hope that you and the overlords have a great (and rainfilled) week.

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  17. The cactus flower is a beauty. Hail....you didn't need that. I think there will be quite a bit of unusual animal and bird behaviour this years. Corellas have now arrived here but I am not sure if is the normal time of year or not. Not the usual number of bats flying past though.

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    1. Andrew: Sadly I am sure you are right about the animals. I have heard that a lot of bats have been lost. Some of ours have died due to heat stress without direct fire involvement.

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  18. Belle fotografie, il Pappagallo mi piace tantissimo.
    Buona domenica.

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    1. Giancarlo: Thank you. We are very fond of the King Parrots too. Have a wonderful weekend.

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  19. I'm glad your air quality is improving EC. The nearby hills are visible today but very hazy at my place. Using my birding lens I took a shot of the sun at sunset last week, I've never seen anything like it. I'd meant to share it in lirralirra but hit publish too quickly. I'll try to remember to share it next week. Beautiful flowers and birds.
    PS I've just signed in to comment with my fb page rather than my website, I'm not sure whether that'll let you see the sun pic

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    1. Kim: Thank you. I did manage to track down your sun photo. As you say, beautiful AND heartbreaking. Our air quality is still better than it was, but by no means back to its usual high standard.

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  20. hmmm I did something wrong with that link, I'll try again, but if this doesn't work either it's just "kim wormald - lirralirra"

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  21. Happy belated birthday to someone who's birthday is one day after mine (a fact I picked up from comments on another blog). I am glad your air quality is improving.

    www.thepulpitandthepen.com

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    1. sage: Welcome and thank you. The vagaries of the international time zone means our b'days are two days apart I think, but I am happy to welcome another Capricorn. Improved air quality is a decided plus.

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  22. Hooray for King parrots :)Perhaps they will use your garden for breeding, since you are handing out food. until their natural breeding ground recovers anyway. I love seeing bees at the flowers, they're such an important part of life. I love that metal sun you have hanging there.
    Happy Birthday for a couple of days ago.

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    1. River: I don't think there are suitably nesting spots for the King Parrots. I also like bees - a lot. My birthday was yesterday, and thank you.

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  23. Beautiful night flowering cactus. The King Parrots are lovely and good they at least have survived to get to you. Hope you get some more rain there, we haven't had much here, only a few drops really.

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    1. Rosie: We haven't had much rain either. A little, with more forecast (though the percentage chance of it raining and the predicted amounts are diminishing. I am very happy that these King Parrots survived - and that they knew to come to us.

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  24. Another post filled with great images--- and I thank you for your many visits and kind words about my blog!

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    1. Bill: Thank you. I love your images and look forward to your posts (which appear in my early evenings).

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  25. Hi EC - hope you enjoyed your time by the lake. The rains must be hugely helpful - yet as you say the fires are still raging, though one hopes not quite so badly. I think hail is good for the soil ... as it has nitrogen in it ... sorry it's not going to give you more rain (not the hail though) - lets hope there'll be a bit more of the steady variety.

    Lovely to see the cacti blooming and the bees still there ... also the King Parrots homing in on you ... I imagine the skies are full of ash and will blot out much of the world in the coming months - in varying forms ... as per Munch's The Scream painting ...

    I continue to think about you and all Aussies as you adapt to these awful fires ... take care - cheers Hilary

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    1. Hilary Melton-Butcher: Thank you. I always enjoy a trip to the lake. The rain (and even the hail) were welcome. We so badly need rain. We have had a teensy amount more rain, and I am hopeful that the predictions for later today come true.
      I like your reference to The Scream. I hadn't thought of it, and it is so very appropriate.
      Adaptation/recovery is going to take a very long time but I think we have started the journey now.

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  26. Great to see the flowers, they're such a bright spot -- and the bees. I was very relieved to see you had rain, though I wonder if the hail was a gift or a reminder to enjoy the bright things in life before they're gone.
    Anyway, stay safe.

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    1. Dragonquillica: At the moment I have focusing on the bright things in life, and hoping that they continue. Even in the midst of darkness and despair they are there. For which I am grateful.

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  27. That cacti flower is so beautiful,and the way it's been photographed, it almost doesn't seem real, and I love your skills. Thank goodness for some of the rain and the promise of more to come. Glad to hear that some of the air is improving after all that's been going on, and the bird closeups are brilliant. Hugs, RO

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    1. RO: The cactus is most definitely real - a short-lived wonder I look forward to each year. Lots of the country is getting rain (some areas too much) but it is very selective. I am hoping for more - and another bonus is that it clears the air.
      Hugs to you too - and thank you.

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  28. I do hope you get some gentle rain, love all the flowers, our landscape is thread bare here.

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    1. Linda Starr: Some gentle rain would be very nice. Is it the cold which has made your landscape threadbare? Is it in its usual state?

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  29. Lovely pictures ... as usual. And always interesting commentary to accompany them.

    Nature does its thing. Flowers blooming, bees buzzing, birds returning, sun rising etc. They do what they have done for thousands of years and probably will be doing for thousands more.

    And if we consider man to be a part of nature, is he doing what he has always done and will always be dong?
    ( I shudder to think so. :( )

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    1. nothoughtsnoprayersnonothing: I do hope that nature can continue for thousands more years. I worry though. I do think that our species greediness puts an undesirable stress on nature's ability to recuperate.

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  30. Love the photos. So glad to hear more rain is coming.

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    1. Mason Canyon: Thank you. I am still hoping for rain but despite the predictions it is bright and a clearer day than we have had for a while.

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  31. I love that cactus flower Sue. Never seen one before. All the flowers were pretty and the parrots were lovely too. I do hope more of them survived and that they are able to breed next year at least. Also delighted to hear the air is a little better and that you got some much needed rain, even if it was hail too, it's still water in the end. Do the parrots actually feed out of your hand?

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    1. Jo: We are very lucky and a number of birds DO feed from our hand. King parrots, a few cockatoos and a crimson rosella. Like you, I hope that the king parrots can breed again next year.

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  32. Dear EC
    Your plants are looking beautiful - the bees are loving them! I hope you continue to get some rain. It's good that the parrots have survived.
    Best wishes
    Ellie

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    1. Ellie Foster: I was so glad to see that the bees like our garden - and will continue to plant things for them and the birds. Fingers crossed on the rain front. Tightly crossed.

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  33. The birds and flowers are beautiful. We get a little hail at times but not that big usually to get a great picture of it.

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    1. Mary Kirkland: We get hail from time to time, but this was particularly heavy. I feared for the windows for a while (and we did lose a piece of gutter).

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  34. That is a huge amount of smoke to blot out the sun like that. Love those parrots but as you say they are only there so early because of the fires.

    XO
    WWW

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    1. Wisewebwoman: On other, smokier days, the sun could barely be seen. I loved seeing the king parrots, but worry for the others. A lot I worry.

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  35. I am glad that it has been raining over there. What a relief. Your photos of the flowers and the birds are beautiful.

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    1. gigi-hawaii: Thank you. The little bit of rain we have received has been a huge relief - and we are hoping for more.

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  36. I did wonder if all the prayers for rain from around the world had anything to do with that rainfall. I know I was so pleased to hear about it. Love the beautiful blossom and bee pictures. :-)

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    1. DJan: I am so very grateful for the thoughts of people around the world - and if they did bring rain even more grateful.

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  37. I love your King Parrots they are so beautiful. I like that purple flower with the bee and also the hanging down deep orange one.

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    1. Strayer: The King Parrots are spectacular. The purple flower is an agapanthus - and we have lots of them and the orange flower an asiatic lilium. The perfume from lots of lilies gives grief to sensitive noses but these are fragrance free.

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  38. My favorite is the white night cactus bloom and I am glad that some of your parrots escaped the inferno.

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    1. Sue in Italia/in the Land Of Cancer: I look forward to that cactus blooming every year. This year we got five blooms - which was a record. And yes, every healthy survivor is a cause for celebration.

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  39. I always enjoy the bird and flower photos. I wonder if there will be a shortage of spring babies due to the weather.

    It is good to learn you have air to breathe and the situation may be getting better with the much needed rain.

    Stay safe...

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    1. Truedessa: Sadly there WILL be a shortage of spring babies this year, and probably for several years to come. The fires are (mostly) under control which is a huge improvement, particularly as our fire season has months to run.

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  40. Laurie: Thank you. Postive thoughts and energies are very, very welcome. And yes, a lot of our hearts are heavy to breaking point too.

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  41. I love the sun, the pretty flowers and the King Parrots. Sorry about the fire, blame Trump.

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    1. Bob Bushell: Thank you. Sadly our own government has a part to play in the conditions which led to these destructive fires. I fear that the lessons learned are too late.

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  42. I am so happy you’re getting rain - hail, not so much. I need to see if those flowers will grow here in Alabama.
    I’m trying to add more flora and fauna that they feed on.
    Love thee pics.

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    1. Rick Watson: We have no native cactus here (which surprises me). I suspect they would thrive where you are, and yes, we are constantly trying to grow plants that the bees and the birds enjoy.

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  43. Chi inizia bene è a metà dell’opera.
    Buon Lunedì!

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    1. Giancarlo: Sometimes I don't feel like I am starting well - but thank you. I hope you have an excellent week.

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  44. Such beautiful flowers! How i pray for rain for you, but no more hail.

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    1. messymimi: Thank you. We got a little more rain today, and a little more hail. We were lucky. Some parts of town got golf-ball sized hail and windows were broken and cars destroyed. Still on a severe weather watch.

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  45. Such beautiful pictures. I like the parrots but worry about the reason for their early arrival. Each day I hope it rains on the fires.

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    1. Unkown: Thank you. I agree with you wholeheartedly. Do you have a blog I can visit?

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    1. peppylady (Dora): They are beautiful. Very beautiful.

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  47. Ack! I tried to comment the other day, but Wordpress was being awkward and then i got side-tracked. But, like others, I love the cactus and the honey bees.My little black natives are happily working their way through palm blossom.

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    1. dinahmow: We have native bees as well, but they are more interesting in other blooms. I welcome them all.

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  48. Heard about the hail storm over your way with many broken windows of cars etc. thought of you at the time and was hoping you were alright.
    The photos are really nice, great to see a few bees, the parrots are pretty as they always are..

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    1. Margaret-whiteangel: We were very lucky today. We had some rain and some hail but nothing like the amount (or size) of other suburbs close to us. A gutter was damaged in the previous hail storm, and cannot be fixed before tomorrow so we definitely dodged a bullet today.

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  49. The parrots are so cute! What a pleasure to look at them, they are so fun. Have a lovely week☺

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    1. natalia20041989: We have a few of them visiting us regularly at the moment, all will eat from our hands, and yes, they are beautiful.

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  50. We have been so happy to hear of the rain and that the fires are going out. I hope the rain that comes puts them all out.

    Hail can really do a lot of damage, but I am guessing any moisture is welcome at this point. So happy the air quality is getting better.

    Your flowers look beautiful and boy do those bees look happy. :) I hope the birds are a good sign.

    Have a wonderful and wet week!
    ~Jess

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    1. DMS ~Jess: Thank you. Sadly we now have fires burning out of control on the western side of my country. This has been a shocking year for fires, and the season is not over yet.
      You are right about the moisture in hail, but yesterday a storm caused a phenomenal amount of damage. Windows broken, cars written off...
      We had some rain with it, and the air is clearer. The birds, the garden and I are very happy about that.

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  51. Come on rain! I'm glad things are on the uptick.
    As always I loved strolling through your garden, enjoying the birds and flowers.
    Those pictures of the sun are downright scary.
    Hugs

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    1. Sandra Cox: We did get rain (though less than predicted). How is your brother doing?

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  52. lets hope 2020 is going to be a good year for birds, plants and animals on planet earth - I see you've been feeding them, hopefully now the weather will normalize. Climate change is causing havoc - we have to unite as nations to solve the climate problem.

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    1. Spacer Guy: You are so right. We really need to unite to work on climate issues. And our government needs to realise that the economy is NOT the most important issue.

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  53. I agree so much with your thoughts on climate change. In the US, I fear that the government is blind as to what is coming if we don't get to working on it now. Your photos are so beautiful. Love the parrots and hope the fires don't hurt them too much. I am grateful you had some rain, although I know it is a pittance when you have the fires. The photos of the sun hanging in all the smoke is awesome. I love your blog.

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    1. Glenda Beall: Sadly our government is avoiding climate change action. Which saddens and infuriates me. We did indeed have some welcome rain and will take what we can get, while longing for me. Thank you for you compliment. I appreciate it.

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  54. I certainly hope you have had more rain! Lovely shots.

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    1. Lady Fi: Thank you. We did get some more rain, but the whole of New South Wales is still in drought.

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  55. You have a wonderful blog! The topics you write about are very close to me. Thank you for sharing your thoughts!

    I follow you through GFC! If you want, go to my blog :)

    MY NEW POST: BLOG ISSUE♥

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    1. Nastya Deutsch: Welcome and thank you. I have visited your blog but cannot find any way to comment. Good luck with fixing your frustrating technical issuees.

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  56. Amazing sunmoon photos, also the flower n birdshots though it's sad as you say. Glad more rain is predicted.

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    1. Nilanjana Bose: Thank you. We got more rain. We also got a catastrophic hail storm - which destroyed cars and damaged homes (a bullet I personally dodged). There are still fires burning, but less than there were.

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  57. I am so glad your air quality is finally improving, and really hope your beautiful country soon has all the rain it needs to kill those destructive fires.
    Oh WOW, those floral and bird photos are absolutely stunning...such a tragedy so many birds, animals and plants have perished though...oh I do so feel for you all...:(

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    1. Ygraine: Thank you. More rain needed, but a start has been made. And yes, my heart aches for the lives lost. Tears continue to fall. Hugs.

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  58. So glad the air quality is improving.
    Love those bird shots!
    Hugs

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    1. Sandra Cox: Today the air is pretty clear - which is wonderful. It is just after first light and the first of the breakfast birds are at the feeder.

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  59. Glad you didn't get real bad hail at your place. The rain here was very welcome and like you only light hail damage. Our King Parrots must nest near by as they brought their babies here a few weeks ago. I hope yours were successful breeders in spite of the horrible weather. Perhaps their babies have found their own territory.

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    1. Anna: Our King Parrots nest in the hills and I fear they were fire affected. They are usually absent for months and when they return bring the babies with them.
      We were lucky when the next hail storm hit too, though three members of my family have significant damage to their cars.

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  60. Wonderful photos as always. I love the flowers and the parrot.

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  61. You have stunning flowers in your garden, and I'm glad that the parrots have made it - although I suspect as well that they have arrived so early because of the fires. We have heard of some very strong hail in your area with hail as big as baseballs. That sounds terrifying. However, I hope that this helps to get the fires under control, although I'm aware that your fire season is far from over. I suspect that just like here fall is the most dangerous fire season.

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    1. Carola Bartz: Thank you. Other years, when the King Parrots come back they bring the youngsters with them. Not this year.
      The hail which hit last Monday was horrendous. We were on the fringes and got virtually none. Three of my extended family have significant damage to their cars (and they are among the lucky ones). Homes and businessese were signficantly damanged and cars written off. Today is hot and very windy and there are again fires burning out of control. Terrifying.

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  62. Oh those parrots are just beautiful, we don't see those here!! The photos of the sun are stunning. And yes, I would have thought they were moon shots. Your flowers are beautiful with the bees!! How nice! Oh my that hail! I'm not a fan of that at all, we have rain, freezing rain and snow, but rarely do we get hail and I'm happy for that!

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    1. Rain: Thank you. Another (bigger) hail storm hit my city a few days later and did millions of dollars worth of damage.
      The King Parrots are ALWAYS welcome here, and we are so lucky that they trust us enough to eat from our hands.

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  63. I did enjoy seeing all of your photographs, a great selection here.
    So pleased that rain is coming, I just hope it continues where it is needed and gives you all a respite.

    By the way, Happy Belated Birthday Wishes to you :)

    All the best Jan

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    1. Lowcarb team member ~Jan: Thank you. Sadly the rain was brief. The fires continue though to a lesser extent. As the weather warms up again in the coming week I do hope the fires can continue to be controlled.

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  64. So happy to see the parrots and all your beautiful flowers, with the bees! Gorgeous moon photos!!! Please take care! Big Hugs!

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    1. Magic Love Crow: We are very happy to see the King Parrots too - and loved the cactus while they were out. Thank you - and hugs.

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