Wet and Aggressive Corella challenges Magpie

Wet and Aggressive Corella challenges Magpie

Sunday 9 February 2020

Sunday Selections #467




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.  I am again focussing on snippets from the preceding week.
 
The fire nearest to us continues to burn out of control.  It has spawned other fires which are also out of control.  We can still often see fires from our veranda.  Shots of the sun are beautiful and horrific.







Some parts of Australia have had buckets of rain.  We have had insignificant dribbles.  We had 2.8 mm yesterday (0.10 of an inch).  More is predicted and my fingers and toes are tightly crossed in the hopes that the forecast is truthful.  I am also aware that some parts of New South Wales are expecting dangerous amounts of rain and wind.  This really hasn't been a gentle season for anyone.

We have however had less smoke (most days) and some lovely hopeful dawns.


I continue to revel in the birds at home.  Corellas this time (for Susan Kane).



Of course we have been down the lake again.  




That curved fence above shows just how dry we have been, and for how long.  Ordinarily that curve is the outside edge of children's swimming area!!!   While the firefighter's have probably been loading the water bombers from the lake I can never remember seeing the level diminished so far.  Our Captain Cook Memorial jet has had to be turned off because the lake cannot sustain it.


That is one big bird's nest.


I do love our galahs.

This old man roo could do with rather more feed too.

Lifeline had a bookfair this weekend.  And of course I felt 'obligated' to go and spend up big to support it.


Mostly non-fiction but with some lighter reads thrown in.  


And speaking of books, this one landed in my letter box with no attribution this week.

If any of you sent it to me, many, many thanks.  Wizards (some decidedly second rate) exploding artificial green dragons and carnivorous giant slugs are a welcome distraction from reality at the moment.







162 comments:

  1. Dear EC
    We are still all wishing for rain for you all. I always enjoy seeing your lovely photos of nature.
    Best wishes
    Ellie

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    1. Ellie Foster: Thank you. Despite the forecast we are still only getting occasional and small dribbles of rain.

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  2. It's wonderful to see a few scattered peeks of clear sky in your shots. Hope for some significant rain and gentle to none in the wind department.
    Lovely to see that life continues on for the birds, roos, and other creatures. I'm glad you're there to welcome and help them-both in the garden and giving them nods of admiration while out and about. I hope Jazz is somewhat mollified by less smoke in the air.

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    1. River Fairchild: Still hoping for rain. And rather less wind. Several pot plants have been blown over, and I refuse to pick them up until the wind has stopped. Jazz is VERY happy about less smoke. He is less happy about the occasional dribbles of rain and will be totally pissed off if we get the rain I hope for and we need.

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  3. I am safely home from work and now crossing everything I've got for some good steady rain for you, EC . . . there is still clearly a dangerous situation in your area there. The continual stress must be very hard on everyone, human and otherwise. Is that the edge of the sun in the third photo (upper right corner of photo)? Scary.

    I love your description of the "old man roo" and, like you, think he could use a bit of a feed. He looks like he would have been a powerfully big fellow in his youth.

    Thank you for the photos, keeping us up to date with both fire-related and non-fire events. I'm glad you got such an interesting lot of books to read. Many of those titles are intriguing to me also.

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    1. jenny o: Thank you. Some good steady rain would be more than welcome (except to Jazz). I 'think' that was an extraneous leaf in that photo, but sadly it could also be smoke obscured sun.
      I am really looking forward to delving into that pile of books. I could have bought rather a lot more but sanity (and my inability to carry them) stopped me.

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  4. Are you finished with terrific fire EC, I feel no good would come at. The birds, Roos, waiting simply rainings.

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    1. Bob Bushell: I wish we were finished with the fires. The latest update on the one closest to us is 'being controlled'. Which is a step in the right direction. Sadly it has burnt over 80% of Namadgi National Park. And my heart aches yet again/still for the destruction of habitat and wildlife.

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  5. The rain never eventuated here either - it will come 'they' say. Even though we need it, there are others who need it far more, just maybe not in quite the same flood size quantities as others have received....if you follow my meaning

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    1. Cathy: Some weather moderation would be nice. We do need rain. Quite a lot of it. And this morning despite the predictions it continues to dribble. And yes, I understood you only too well. Himself's sister (in Brisbane) received more rain on Friday than we have had for the last six months combined. Quite a lot more.

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  6. It’s your turn for rain now! The extremes are becoming normal. I fear for the generations behind us.

    Take care, EC.

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  7. Dear EC I so want to send you some of my rain. Our ground is soggy, and would not burn if you put a blowtorch to it. Tomorrow more rain is foreseen here. And us having to bike through it. Well I have no reason to complain, as nothing dangerous is happening here. Wet is not lethal. Poor Roo, he sure looks lean and lank.
    Wishing you all the best.

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    1. Charlotte (MotherOwl): I would be very glad to take some of your excess rain off your hands. I did feel sorry for that roo. And was completely unsurprised that neither he nor his harem has the energy to move.

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  8. We've been receiving some very good rainfals here over the past couple or so days...very welcome the rain has been, and will continue being. We, here on the mountain, are solely dependent upon rain...and some, as this property on which I dwell is...bores...drawing water from the mountain aquifer.

    I hope you receive similar to what we have been receiving here, EC.

    I also hope the coming week treats you kindly in every way...with lots of water to douse the first and fill the dams, bringing hope and peace of mind to everyone. Cuddles to Jazz. :)

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    1. Lee: The rain has been very patchy hasn't it? Despite predictions of bounteous rain we are getting very little. It is barely dampening the ground, let alone restoring reserves. I am glad that you have been getting good rain and wish that it could be spread more evenly.
      I hope you and the furry overlords enjoy the week(s) to come.

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  9. Nice to see dawn through the smoke. I love your photos of animals in Australia. Awesome!

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    1. gigi-hawaii: Thank you. It was nice to see a relatively clear dawn, and I do love our birds and animals.

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  10. A gorgeous galah, and cute corellas - you could publish a book of your bird photos, EC!
    We are in the middle of a severe drought now - no rain, not even any dribbles, for such a long time. There is a total ban on watering gardens and lawns, so our lovely vegetable garden is giving up the ghost completely. We do have zillions of cherry tomatoes, however!

    I hope your dribbles turn into showers and give your wildlife and you some relief. No deluges, though.
    Enjoy your haul of books - the Lions have a book sale here every year on Queen's Birthday weekend, and I always come away with a number of goodies.
    Have a pleasant, not-too-hot week.

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    1. Alexia: Drought is an insidious destroyer. In its quiet drawn out way it kills as many plants and animals as floods or fires. Our water restrictions should be stronger than they are (much as I would mourn them).
      It is still dribbling. And the forecasters are still predicting bigger falls. Later.
      I do hope your drought breaks. Soon.
      And yes, I will enjoy my treasure trove of books.

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  11. wizard's brew looks intriguing, oh how I wish you got more rain there to put out all the fires, knowing of all the people and animals suffering is almost unbearable to think of, we are the opposite of you with 6 inches of snow, mother nature has her own schedule

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    1. Linda Starr: Wizard's Brew was fun. Not literature by any standards, but fun.
      You are so right about the birds/animals/habitat suffering. It makes my heart ache.

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  12. I read that you might be getting that rain you hoped for (and that Jazz detests). That is one enormous kangaroo! And thank you for the lovely birds. :-)

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    1. DJan: Thank you. So far the rain falls into the 'might' category. The little we have had is a teaser. We need soooo much more.

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  13. Best wishes from me to you. : )

    Yes, the roo looks underweight.

    Hugs

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    1. Caterina: Thank you for your wishes. The roo does look underweight. Sadly he is one of the lucky ones. No fires near to him, and there is some food. Just not enough.

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  14. Quite a stack of books to get through. Corellas should arrive here soon for the liquidambar seed pods. There is some beauty in the horror photos.

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    1. Andrew: Our corellas completely ignore the liquidamber seed pods. They fall to the ground and I tread on them (ocasionally I tread on them while my feet are bare). Yes to the beauty in the horror and to the books.

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  15. From the looks of that pile, you'll certainly have plenty to distract you. I hope you enjoy them. Your photos are beautiful as always, even those of fires. Do you have a favorite author from your homeland?

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    1. e: My favourite author is a flexible thing, but I can't off hand think of an Australian who regularly heads the list. Michael Leunig (and Australian cartoonist) perhaps...

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  16. Interesting pictures, but so sorry about the fires. I hope things can be controlled soon! Sounds like there's been lots of damage and destruction. So sad. The birds are so colorful. I have a "thing" about trees, so particularly liked the shot between the V of the tree.

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    1. Sandy: The death and destruction this fire season has been almost unimaginable. I too have a thing about trees.
      We are, at the moment, enjoying a very little gentle rain. Long may it continue. I can also hear the firefighting aircraft overhead.

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  17. Those dreadful fires continue to command the world's attention, Sue, and I think that everyone is hoping for rain for you. I know that I am. I would have been right there supporting the book sale with you!

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    1. David M. Gascoigne: It is mid morning now and we have had a little gentle soaking rain. Not much, but it fell in the perfect way. I hope to see more later in the day.
      Lifeline Canberra gets the bulk of its funding each year from the bookfairs. I went to them before I became a volunteer and continue to go to them now (with less guilt). I suspect that you, like me, would have had troubles in limiting your purchases. I have started FDrinking Arak off an Ayatollah's Beard' and am finding it fascinating.

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  18. I like a stack of books. I probably need a stack of books to tether me.

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    1. Joanne Noragon: I am a big, big fan of book stacks. I read for education, I read for comfort, for amusement and so much more...

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  19. You got Wizard's Brew! I loved it, especially the footnotes which are rather funny. The stack you bought from Life Line looks interesting.
    I love the split tree and wonder what bird could have made that large nest? Perhaps a crow or a hawk? I love galahs too and Mr Roo certainly does need a good feed, I can almost see his ribs.
    I've been wishing so hard for the fires to be out already, but some of them are in places inaccessible to on the ground fire fighters and the water bombers can only do so much. The winds aren't helping either. Love the Corella all puffed out to release some heat.

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    1. River: Did you send me Wizard's Brew? And yes, the footnotes are fun. Reminiscent of Terry Pratchett's footnotes which I also loved.
      I suspect that only 'good' rain will see the end of some of the fires. Good rain or the fuel running out. We had a little today - but less than a quarter of what was predicted. And it is windy.

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  20. Oh my, that poor roo, not much feed around I expect.
    Bushfires still burning in your area, oh gosh and no rain of note - let's hope some falls very soon.
    Love your photos, always a pleasure to see.

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    1. Margaret D: Very little feed around. A lot of the area has been dust for a while now.
      Thank you re the photos.

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  21. Imagine waking up in that nest! Swinging in the wind, or being pelted with rain, or softly swaying with a light breeze that brings sweet smells... If it's not a raptor my guess would be magpies, especially if it's about 20m high. Your 'halo' fire image is mesmerising EC, I couldn't stop looking at it.

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    1. Kim: I was thinking magpies or perhaps Bearded Ravens which have a prescence there.
      I stood and looked at the halo image for quite a while before I remembered I was carrying a camera. Beautiful and horrific (like much of this season).

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  22. I hope these terrible things pass soon. The nest resembles what our bald eagles would build.

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    1. Bill: I am hoping with you. Big time. I loved that giant nest and hope that many a successful brood is raised in that amazing vantage point.

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  23. Hi EC - I do hope that rain comes, the gentle thorough sort would be ideal ... looks like you should get some through the week. Interesting and horrifying to see the lake ... love the birds - hope they're safe and the 'old boy' doesn't suffer.

    Your book pile is excellent - lots of them ... Eric Newby's book caught my eye ... I saw the one about the beard ... but must peruse the image to check out some others. I do note that you've put them on the oven - is that to burn them??!! (perhaps not the best suggestion with the fires around ... but a sort of questionable fun note).

    I do hope the fires near you are able to be brought under control ... take care and all the best for the coming week. Cheers Hilary

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    1. Hilary Melton-Butcher: We have had some gentle rain today. More is needed (a lot more) but it was so very welcome.
      I hope that the firegrounds got more than we did, and that the lake received at least as much. I am always amazed at how quickly new growth appears, and those kangaroobies could do with it.
      smiling at your crack about the book pile on the hot plate.
      I am going to have a heap of fun delving into different cultures, different times in the weeks to come. The 'beard' one is excellent but slow going. Lots of footnotes, lots to consider.

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  24. I'm with you on the wish for good rain. Our storm last night was "useful" but, once again, it was followed by high temps and buffeting winds. However, I am not suffering smoke and ash and the danger of falling trees whose roots may still be burning.
    I see you bought a Derek Tangye book-you'll enjoy that!And a Ronald Searle! Oooh! ditto. And do see if your library can get his "Goodnight,Mrs Mole" (Any cancer people out there will probably also like that one.)
    And now, after a day constantly scanning the skies for rain...it's bedtime!

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    1. dinahmow: The Derek Tangye and the Ronald Searle are both revisits. And yes, I am looking forward to renewing our acquaintance.
      Last night/very early this morning we finally got some real rain. And it is raining still. I am smiling. The garden is smiling. I expect the firies are smiling. Jazz is not.

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  25. Oh I am praying you all have significant rain soon. Sorry about the devastation of the fires. I, too LOVE books. My Kindle gave up the ghost in mid-2019. I have been reading hardcover books bought second hand wherever I can. I am also re-reading books brought down with my furniture in November, Two nights ago we had our first Probus meeting of the year. A retired vet , a successful author and a serious mountaineer, did a presentation on two expeditions which he had researched. Very interesting and absolutely nothing to do with his career. Afterwards he had autobiographical books for sale. And some animal short stories in a collective book. We women all dashed up to buy and have one or more books signed by him. Have a great week. Jo

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    1. Jo: Thank you. We finally do have some rain. Real rain rather than the dampness we had yesterday. I adore books and am a confirmed reader. And rereader. I suspect I would have joined the queue to buy those books at your Probus meeting.

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  26. Oh I do so hope the fires die down soon...it is such a concern to see them raging out of control like this.
    Please do keep safe, my Friend...
    I do love your beautiful pictures though, and the book looks really fascinating :))

    Much love and hugs xxxxxxx

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    1. Ygraine: Many, many thanks. We are finally getting some rain. I hope Ciara is treating you and yours gently.
      Hugs always, and hopes that your health is improving.

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  27. At least your pix are not as smokey as before. I am sorry you still haven't had some useful rain. Fingers crossed for you. Always enjoy the bird pix. Galahs make me think of one of my favourite movies - The Dish. Assume you have seen it.

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    1. Jo: I have never seen The Dish, though I know of it. And today we have rain!!!!

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  28. Boy that swimming pool tells a big story. I can never resist books but I force myself now due to space limitations. Love that bird and the poor roo.

    XO
    WWW

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    1. Wisewebwoman: Space is an issue here too. I do recycle books (but not enough). The amount of evaporation/water use to move the lakes edge by several feet is mind blowing.

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  29. The water really is down in that swimming area. I hope you get some rain in your area.

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    1. Mary Kirkland: The children's swimming area is just gone. Completely. Which horrified us. We are at least (and at last) getting some rain.

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  30. I've heard that the big fire, the one lasting 74 or 75 days, is officially out. That made me extremely happy. I hope the drought ends everywhere, and there isn't any really bad flooding.

    These photos with the sun on fire are something else, wow.

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    1. neena maiya (guyana gyal): Hearing of any of the fires being extinguished is wonderful news. We still have more than 50 burning Australia wide. Sigh.
      We are finally getting some rain. Perhaps not drought breaking yet, but so very welcome. And, as I type the state next to us is experiencing floods and power outages...
      This has been a scary season. A very scary (and heartbreaking) season.

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  31. Lovely photos, E.C. I hope you have rain soon and the season becomes kinder to you. Take care my friend.

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    1. Mason Canyon: Thank you. We are currently getting lots and lots of very welcome rain. Some places are flooding. We are not. This has been such a vicious season.

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  32. I am so grateful you are getting rain. I know that makes you feel there is a light at the end of a tunnel. And I adore the pics of the birds. Your birds there are so cute and intriguing. I have had some very interesting woodpeckers here, but can never get a good photo.

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    1. Glenda Beall: The rain has stopped here (hopefully to start up again). You are right, it cleared the air in many ways and does make me feel a bit more hopeful. Believe me, many of the photos of birds I take are woeful. Please keep on trying to capture your woodpeckers, because I would love to see them.

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  33. How my heart aches when i think of Australia right now. We'd send you our rain if we could.

    Lovely birds, and all the photos.

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    1. messymimi: Thank you. Our hearts are aching too. We have got some rain today, and some parts of the country have got way too much. At least one life has been lost.

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  34. Why is there a fence for the children's swimming area? I am guessing it is to keep the wildlife separate from the kids. I imagine Australia as the land of monsters, you know.

    I am glad to hear there is rain in some areas. Maybe it will spread.

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    1. Sandi: When I said children's swimming area I meant toddlers. This area is fenced off so that they don't get out of their depth. There are no monsters in our lake (if you don't count leeches and the occasional yabbie).
      We did get some very welcome rain and not too much. Sadly that isn't a universal truth.

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  35. Love the photos as always. Glad you got some rain and I hope you can enjoy the summer. As usual in Florida I miss the snow but it has been unusually cold and I am waiting for spring.

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    1. RasmaSandra: Thank you. I cannot wait for this summer to end. The sooner the better.

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  36. That nest is huge. I've seen the presence of small birds increase gradually in our neighborhood. It's evidence that we're getting the feral cat situation under control. Too many people were "helping" the cats by feeding them. The best way to help them is to trap them, take them to a local charity to be spayed or neutered, and release them again. The first five or six years that I was here I never heard a bird sing. It's not too difficult to support a book sale, is it?

    Love,
    Janie

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    1. Janie Junebug: I was impressed at the size of that nest too. I agree with you about the best way to help feral cats. Spay them, neuter them and then feed them.
      I do love a book sale, and this one supports a cause very dear to my heart.

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  37. Una bella giornata non dipende da quanto sole c’è fuori
    Ma da quanta luce abbiamo dentro.
    Buon Lunedì

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    1. Giancarlo: You are right. Our attitude can change a lot of things. Have a wonderful week.

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  38. What a nest! Thank you for the call out on my Corellas!

    Keep well.

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    1. Susan Kane: My pleasure. I often think of you when I admire them.

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  39. I am always delighted to see the bird photos. I hope you get the much needed rain in your area. It certainly has been difficult your way I am glad to know you are still safe.

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    1. Truedessa: Thank you. I am glad to hear that you welcome my bird photos. I worry that I bore people with my obsession with them. We have had some very welcome rain. Sadly not enough to extinguish the fire nearest us. More rain is expected and I am hoping. So much I am hoping.

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  40. How awful to be able to see the flames from your home! I'm hoping hard that your dribbles of rain turn into more.

    And as always, I enjoy your bird photos! It's so odd for me to realize that the birds we only see in zoos here are your friends and neighbours (and occasionally your garden vandals)!

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    1. Diane Henders: Starting in the very early hours of this morning we did get real rain. Which continued for several blissful hours. Sadly it was not enough to put out the nearby fire, but it has to have slowed down its advance. More rain is predicted and I continue to hope. Hard.
      I love our birds too but will admit to some world-wide avian envy. Cardinals, woodpeckers, rather a lot of owls, hummingbirds... And more.

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  41. Wish you gentle seasons. Always.

    Old man roo is handsome, even without adequate dinners. The birds are magnificent as usual. Sad and anxious times for all creatures everywhere.

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    1. Nilanjana Bose: Thank you. I am wishing gentleness for the world right now. We need it. In so many arenas.

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  42. I hope the rains finally brought relief. We saw Australia burning and the death of so many creatures and the loss of homes for so many people broke my heart.
    Stay safe and well.

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    1. Friko: Some of the rains finally extinguished some of the fires. Not ours. Not yet. And yes, the incredible losses this fire season (which is not over yet) break my heart too.

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  43. One day those fires will end down there I hope and the lake will replenish.

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  44. Replies
    1. natalia20041989: Thank you. Which bird took your fancy?

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  45. I do hope the rains put out all the fires, but too much isn't good either. There's a lot of that too much is a bad thing, going around these days. Lovely photos!

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    1. Yolanda Renee: I hear you on the a lot of too much. Some fires have been extinguised. Finally. Ours has not. Yet.

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  46. I'm glad you're juggling less smoke, EC. The rain has to be a little relief with all those terrible fires. Please stay safe and enjoy the birds!

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    1. John Wiswell: Less smoke is blissful. I could finally see a familar landmark which has bee obscured by smoke for months a few days ago. I am safe and WILL enjoy the birds.

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  47. The birds are our friends and everyone drinks water. We're all Gods living creatures eager to survive on planet earth.

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    1. Spacer Guy: How I wish that our species didn't make it so hard for other species to survive. And yes, we do need water. All of us (though perhaps not all at once).

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  48. Really hope you get rain soon - that fire is too close!

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    1. Alex J. Cavanaugh: Thank you. We did get rain. Not enough to extinguish that fire, but a start has been made. I am hoping that over the coming days we get more.

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  49. I love birds. I know I say that a lot, but I do. Your birds are more exotic than the ones here, but I love our birds too.
    I saw a yellow finch yesterday so I put on the finch feeders. They will only be here a little while before moving on.
    R

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    1. Rick Watson: Exotic is in the eye of the beholder. A yellow finch sounds pretty damn exotic to me - and I would love to see one.

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  50. I continue to think of you all out there and hope you get more rain, and not too much as I know that can cause havoc also. Lovely shots. I especially love your birds and roos, though the scenery is pretty special too.

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    1. DeniseinVA: Thank you. I am still hoping for more rain, while other areas are hoping for less.

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  51. Crossing my fingers and toes as well.. may you get lot of rain.

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    1. Hena Tayeb: Thank you. We got more rain that we have done in months (and months). Sadly it wasn't enough to extinguish the fire nearest to us. More rain is predicted and I hope it arrives - and kills that fire dead.

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  52. Hope some of that Sydney rain finds its way to you! Very nice shots of the birds and that roo. (Looks very big!)

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    1. Lady Fi: Some of the rain did make its way to us. Not enough to put out the fires, but it was very welcome. And yes, that roo was on the large side.

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  53. I had hoped that the fires had stopped but it seems that it is just the press that has moved on due to the coronavirus now and the news of the fires is no longer sensational news. I was sorry to read this and hope you get the needed rain soon.

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    1. Starting Over, Accepting Changes - Maybe: Some at least of the fires have stopped. Which is lovely. Sadly, last time I checked more than fifty continue to burn.
      We did get some rain. It wasn't enough to put out the fire closest to us but was enough to discourage it spreading further. An excellent start.

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  54. Replies
    1. Author R. Mac Wheeler: I do. I hope you are feeling much, much better and that your battered and broken self is well on the way to complete recovery.

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  55. Let's hear it for book fairs!
    The eyes have it on the corellas.
    Wishing you buckets and buckets of rain.

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    1. Sandra Cox: Bookfairs are excellent, and the corellas rock their eyeshadow.
      Waterbombing planes are still out this morning. And rain was predicted and didn't fall.

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  56. Well you know you always have my full attention with your captures, and all your animals and birds. They are so enjoyable to see. Your read looks rather interesting too! Enjoy your week.

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    1. 21 Wits: Thank you. The books will keep me entertained (and even learning things) for quite some time.

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  57. I love all your photos. Thanks for sharing!

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  58. Replies
    1. Giancarlo: Thank you. I have a busy day ahead, but hope yours is lovely.

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  59. I loved the selection.
    Beautiful and curious images to see.
    Continuation of a good week.

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    1. A Casa Madeira: Thank you. I hope your week is excellent.

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  60. Good shot of the V in the tree.

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    1. Sandra Cox: There are several V trees very close together and I do love peeking through them.

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  61. Your second photo top to bottom is unbelievably beautiful.

    Greetings from London.

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    1. A Cuban in London: Thank you. The smoke which filled our air for weeks produced some amazing photos. Beauty in the horror.

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  62. Fabulous animals, nature is so inspiring <3

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    1. Kinga K.: I hope that nature inspires rather more of us to treat her well. I do love her creations.

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  63. The dawn snap does look very hopeful.

    Good-looking birds you have there. :)

    May your area receive a bit more rain and may those areas threatened with a deluge receive a reprieve!

    It's almost hard to mentally process that you are able to see such fire from your verandah. May you continue to be safe! x

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    1. Bea: We have received some more rain. The nearest fires are not out yet, but we can no longer see them - though we hear the water bombers going back and forth, back and forth. Sadly other places did get a deluge. Lives have been lost.
      This has been a dreadful summer.
      And yes, the birds bring me joy. Every day.

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  64. Replies
    1. Giancarlo: Thank you. It is early morning here (shortly before dawn). I hope your day is delightful.

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  65. Praying that you receive lots of rain soon. Having lived in the Great Basin of the US for much of my adult life. those types of photos are familiar and scary. Stay safe.

    www.thepulpitandthepen.com

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    1. Jeff: Welcome and thank you. Some of us have received lots of rain. At the moment the fires in the state nearest me are all under control (and some are actually out). Which is truly wonderful. I am hoping that the rest of our 'fire season' is much, much kinder.

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  66. I'm hopeful for rain for your area soon. It's so heartbreaking to see what you've been through.

    I'm going to participate in Sunday Selections....but it will be on a different day. Hopefully, that's okay :)

    Elsie
    (new domain)

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    1. Elsie Amata: Any day you join in is just fine. I look forward to your selections. This has been a truly brutal year and I hope the worst is over.

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  67. I'm crossing fingers that you get some decent rain. That lake is dangerously low! I'm with you that the sight of the sun is beautiful and terrible at the same time - that's what I always think when there are fires in our area. We hope for rain as well. Out winter rain hasn't been that much which doesn't bode well for the warm season.

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    1. Carola Bartz: We get most of our rain in winter. And didn't. I do hope that your reduced rain over the winter months isn't a hint to a nasty dangerous summer to come. We have had 'some rain'. And more is predicted. I have my fingers crossed too. Sadly, other areas have had too much, and there have been deaths.

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  68. Replies
    1. Sandra Cox: Thank you. They are delightful birds and our dawns often come in galah colours.

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  69. Sending love and encouragement to vote at my blog.
    Smiles.
    xo

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  70. I continue to keep praying that things look up and improve. Your display of books is so cool. I often forget that you're a book nerd like me, and I love it so much! Hugs, RO

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    1. RO: I am indeed a book nerd. And feel no shame. We are (again) hoping for rain today. The weather boffins have been fibbing to us. They predict the temperature with almost pinpoint accuracy. Rain? Often an epic fail.
      Hugs to you too.

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  71. You're right about those pics of the fire-enhanced sky & sun being both beautiful and terrifying. I pray you get some much-needed rain. We've had some bad droughts here before, too, but now, we've had so much rain, there's been a lot of flooding. The largest lake near us is at it's highest level ever, and the water coming over the dam looks like Niagara Falls. If only we were smart enough to divert the overabundance of rain some parts of the world are getting to the other places that so desperately need it. Maybe some day.

    Have a wonderful weekend!

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    1. Susan: We have had a little rain. Other areas have have buckets and floods. I do hope that your some day wishes come true. Soon.
      I hope you and Smarticus have a truly wonderful weekend.

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  72. The birds are beautiful Elephant's Child! And the photo of that Roo made my day! How lovely. I hope you get plenty more rain soon!

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    1. Rain: Thank you. We have had dribbles (tiny dribbles) this week but nothing which deserves the name rain. Some is forecast and my fingers are crossed.

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  73. I always enjoy book fairs, and visiting second hand-book shops. The variety available is usually wonderful.

    I think it will be world book day soon, I know the grandchildren have been talking about it … they too love books, which I think is wonderful.

    I enjoyed seeing your photographs, and am keeping you and all of Australia in my thoughts and prayers for some 'decent' weather that will help you all out.

    All the best Jan

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    1. Lowcarb team member ~Jan: Thank you. I am so glad that your grandchildren love books. A love of reading was probably the best present I was given.
      Your own country is also in need of 'decent' weather. I hope that neither Ciara nor Dennis have caused you problems.

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  74. Your country has been through so much!
    Everything you capture in your pictures tells a story EC! Thank you!
    The bird photos are so beautiful! I can't believe all the water gone from the lake! Wow! That is sad! You will be busy reading! The one you got in the mail, looks like fun! Big Hugs!

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    1. Magic Love Crow: We were amazed at how much water has gone from the lake too. We have had rain since, but I suspect the level is still down from what it should be.
      I am always busy reading - It is part of who I am. Thank you - and huge hugs to you too.

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