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. Not so much this week. I have been feeling a bit ground down and haven't done much. However at the end of this month and early next there are some treats in store - Enlighten AND the balloon festival. In my usual far from minimalist way there will be oodles of photos. This week is going to be a bit same old, same old (and I apologise).
We have had some rain. Not a lot of rain, but very welcome. Some areas have had buckets and floods. We have had much less. The fires nearest to us are not out, but are finally under control. I suspect that control is precarious because the water-bombing planes are still out in force.
However, there have been clear dawns. Blissfully clear, smoke free dawns.
It has been a long and hot summer (which is not over yet) and the garden has suffered.
The dandelions haven't though.
Other things are also hanging in.
The tuberous begonias are putting in a valiant effort too.
Finishing with some birdie joy.
Postscript: After predicting rain all week long, the predictions finally came true late yesterday and we had some absolutely blissful rain. And a goodly amount. We had just over 56.6 mm (2.2 inches).
Hooray for rain!
ReplyDeleteHooray for clear skies and hoyas and corellas.
I hope your ground down-ness soon departs
kylie: Definitely hooray for rain. I am really, really looking forward to going out (when it is light) and seeing the garden smiling in it.
DeleteJazz was not a fan (because it came with thunder) but he has now recoved his equanimity.
The ground down feeling will pass. And the rain is a mood lightener.
My prayers (along with many others, I'm sure) are answered, and you finally got that wonderful rain. And I also love that pretty hoya flower, along with all the rest. That is the weirdest spider web I've ever seen! :-)
ReplyDeleteDJan: Thank you. We were so lucky not to get the floods which beset other areas. And I am still smiling at the rain. Rather a lot. And itching to get into the garden.
DeleteWonderful news with the good amount of rain!
ReplyDeleteYou always have such great color in your garden - both flowers and birds. It's a pleasure to see each week and I look forward to it.
Loved the bird on the wire in silhouette.
Give Jazz a scritch from me (minus any thunder).
River Fairchild: Many thanks. I do worry that by continually reverting to type and posting the same types of photos I bore people.
DeleteThat bird on the wire was a watch currawong, waiting for the first time the feeder got replenished.
Jazz graciously accepted your scritch (and didn't slash at either of us).
Feels wonderful the 'normal' in your sweet shots. "a bit same old, same old" is just what I enjoy these days!
ReplyDeleteCloudia: Thank you. I am a creature of habit, and very grateful that others enjoy my reversion to type.
DeleteEC you just made my day by sharing the information on the rainfall. Lets go for another 2.2 inches. Did it put any of the fires out? Love the sky, bird and garden pics.
ReplyDeleteHugs
Sandra Cox: It really was lovely. I can't see any new updates on the fires nearest us, and am hoping that it has finally been extinguished. I haven't seen or heard any water bombing planes this morning which is positive.
DeleteI'm so pleased you received the rain, EC. As always, I've been keeping my eye on the weather charts, and predictions.
ReplyDeleteWe had lots during this past week, particularly on Wednesday, when it bucketed down from the very early hours of the morning through the day long. One section on up here on the hill flash-flooded, but here on this end of the mountain all was well.
Not all areas received it, but those that did are very thankful, even if some flooding and damage was caused.
"A land of flooding rains..."
May the coming week treat you kindly...and may the skies open again to finally put out any fires that are still simmering away. Take care...cuddles to Jazz. :)
Lee: We had rain predicted every day last week. Sometimes lots of rain. The most that fell was 2mm, which I think evaporated before it hit the ground. I was suprised and thrilled with the rain we got yesterday afternoon and evening.
DeleteI do hope that the fires have been put out. So very much.
I hope your week is lovely, for you and for the furry overlords.
You had me at smoke free dawns! Marvelous. Rain is ever so welcoming. Your sweet birds always an uplift for me, as are your other delightful and engaging photos of your surroundings. Just beautiful. Enjoy your week!
ReplyDelete21 Wits: The smoke free dawns have been truly lovely. Long may they continue. I am so glad you enjoyed this post.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteSince that's an Australian spider, I assume it is twenty meters tall and venomous?
DeleteSandi: Thank you for your sensitivity in removing the last comment - which didn't offend me at all. We do (of course) have venomous spiders around the house but they are small and sneaky. And this one was smaller and I suspect not even venomous.
DeleteHooray for rain! May you get plenty without too much. And thank you for the lovely photos.
ReplyDeletemessymimi: Isn't it wonderful. I hope we get more, but this is a truly lovely start. And thank you.
DeleteHi Elephant's Child! :) Oh my for once I'm actually commenting on your Sunday Selections ON THE SAME SUNDAY lol!!! :) Your sunrise photo with the crow is beautiful! And that closeup of the dandelion is amazing!! Begonias are one of my favourite flowers, yours are so pretty. And happy, SO happy you had some rain falling!!!
ReplyDeleteRain: Your comments are always welcome - no matter what day they arrive. I am very fond of our begonias and the front veranda is lined with them. Some were crispified in the heat so seeing these ones flower was/is lovely.
DeleteBlessed is the rain...
ReplyDeleteHave a great week.
Caterina: Thank you. This rain was most definitely a blessing.
DeleteI hope your week is wonderful.
Fantastic rain, the help whenever, it's a really wonderful. And, I love your shots of the birds.
ReplyDeleteBob Bushell: Many thanks.
DeleteRain!!! Can you send some of it over here, please? We have a drought situation over the whole North island, and have seen no appreciable moisture for months.
ReplyDeleteIt's wonderful to see that the smoke and haze have gone, and that your garden is still producing colour. I love the silhouette of the currawong.
Alexia: I view rain as a triple exclamation event too. I am so very grateful we finally got some and hope you do too. Is any predicted? Drought is a truly dreadful and destructive thing.
DeleteA number of species have 'watch birds' out checking out what is happening around the feeder and I was really chuffed to get a photo of the watch currawong.
Delighted about the rain and I love that crazy web, I adore spiders, they always kept my houses free of flies and their industry inspired me to craft.
ReplyDeleteYour flowers make me forget our very cold winter here.
XO
WWW
Wisewebwoman: I am fascinated by spiders, and their industry. I love to see the webs decorated with water too.
DeleteYour winter has been as brutal as our summer. I hope both end quickly.
Glad the rains have gotten the fires under control. You so desperately needed it.
ReplyDeleteAlex J. Cavanaugh: We did. And now some communities have been evacuated for flood fears...
DeleteHow good is the dandelion photo! It's an amazing spider web and I wonder why when simpler versions can do the same job. I'm very pleased to hear you finally received some decent rain, surely enough to put out remaining fires, if it was widespread or fell in the right place. Heavy rain here last week with some localised flooding but almost missed us completely.
ReplyDeleteAndrew: The rain has been very patchy here too. While we got almost nothing last week some other areas of the city were luckier. I do hope that the buckets we got last night fell on the fire grounds.
DeleteYay for the rain. Such welcome relief. It is great to hear the fires are under control. I can only imagine how people feel about it there as so many have to rebuild their lives!
ReplyDeleteThat’s quite a web for such a tiny creature.
Your blooms look glorious to me.
Marie Smith: Definitely yay for the rain. Some fires are now out (including some huge ones). I hope to hear later that the one nearest us has joined that list.
DeleteIt is an amazingly intricate web isn't it? There is a similar one nearby so it seems to be a species design.
I suspect the spider waits inside at the bottom of the tunnel for whatever is daring enough to crawl into it.
DeleteRiver: You are probably right though he/she was out when I took the photo.
DeleteWhat an amazing spider web - it looks more like a bird's nest than the webs I'm used to. I'm so glad you got more than a splat of rain and hope you get more. Your flower and bird photos are always welcome, especially at a time of year when we see no blooms and very few birds.
ReplyDeleteI expect even with the bit of rain you've had and the fires being under control that you and everyone else there will feel weighted down for some time to come. May this truly be the beginning of recovery from a terrible season for all of you.
jenny_o: Watching, waiting, worrying, and grieving are all emotionally draining and tiring. There is an element of suvivor guilt in there too (which doesn't help). And yes, we are definitely hoping for a gentler, restoration season to come. And more of them.
DeleteMy sister had a hoya that looked like yours in our foyer. It bloomed profusely, once or more a year, and tiny ants came in a stream into the foyer, up the stand, swarmed the plant and went out in reverse. We didn't bother them, and they never went farther than the hoya in the foyer.
ReplyDeleteJoanne Noragon: The ants on this hoya are bigger than tiny, but show no interest in anything else. Which is wonderful. Hoya specific taste buds?
DeleteHoyas release a sweet nectar, very occasionally the golden drops can be seen somewhere on the plant. Mine refuses to bloom at all, or someone is nicking the unopened heads again.
DeleteRiver: I am sorry that your hoya refuses to bloom - and even sorrier if people are pinching them.
DeleteThank you for sharing your good news. May the rains continue. Your lovely cards arrived yesterday and made me very happy. They are displayed atop the secretary in my front room. Lukas is fine but doesn't like that I've reduced his food ration per the vet because he needs to lose a bit. He has finished his pain medication and will start on some dental food to reduce plaque. Hopefully, we'll keep the remaining teeth.
ReplyDeletee: Thank you. I am so glad the card arrived. I do worry when I post things overseas, some have taken a HUGE amount of time to arrive. Of course Lukas resents you fiddling with his diet. Jazz does too. I hope the anti-placque food works and he doesn't classify it as poison.
DeleteLovely collection of photos.
ReplyDeleteParrots are lovely.
The tuberous begonias are beautiful, there is a lovely one called 'Margaret Davis' which is similar in colour to the 'Margaret Davis' camellia - no not named after me..
Thank goodness the fires are under control.
Margaret D: Thank you. How nice to have blooms 'nearly' named after you. The fire status has now been updated to 'under management'. Not out yet, but getting closer.
DeleteMuch relief all 'round this week. And I just saw an update that the whacking great boulders blocking Brown Mountain road have been broken and cleared so the highway's open again.
ReplyDeletedinahmow: Huge relief. As is the news that Brown Mountain is now open again. I have a friend who regularly travels that road.
DeleteHooray for smoke free dawns! and for the rain which I'm sure we all want more of. I love that spiderweb and your tuberous begonia is a real delight. I like the corellas grooming and the rainbow lorikeets all look freshly washed.
ReplyDeleteRiver: More rain would definitely be welcome. It is cockies grooming and I loved how attentive they were to each other. The lorikeets do look freshly washed don't they?
DeleteI love that first picture!!
ReplyDeleteBill: I am glad. Very glad.
DeleteLovely photos, always good to see Australiana! (is that a word?)
ReplyDeleteRosie: Australiana is certainly a word - and thank you.
DeleteCome sempre posti delle belle fotografie, mi piace la tela del ragno un grande lavoro per un piccolo ragno.
ReplyDeleteBuona domenica.
Giancarlo: Thank you. I was really impressed at that web, and will look out for more.
DeleteHave a wonderful week.
Dear EC
ReplyDeleteI'm so pleased that you have finally had some useful rain. Lovely plant, bird and sky photos to enjoy.
Best wishes
Ellie
Ellie Foster: I was pleased to learn that Dennis didn't wreak too much damage on your garden, and sorry that he was definitely a menace in other places. Have a great week.
DeleteThe best news of all all, Sue, is that you had rain, as you describe it, blissful rain, and those dreadful fires no longer threaten your daily existence. I have been seeing many images of regeneration in the forests already occurring, and we knew that would occur, but the loss of life including all the creatures that people never pay attention to, is still both staggering and heart-breaking. This year in Australia will be long remembered.
ReplyDeleteDavid M. Gascoigne: Blissful it was. We even had a smidge more last night. Yes, there are some very welcome signs of recovery in some places. Sadly some places and some creatures will not recover. I hope that this dreadful season kick starts some action. And that action does not include the coal mines our government is investigating.
DeleteThe toughness of a dandelion makes me think it could survive anything. The spider is amazing … it looks as if it’s knitting an afghan, not just weaving a web!
ReplyDeletePenelope Notes: Welcome and thank you. I like your afghan analogy. It fits.
DeleteHi EC - so pleased the rains, may have caused flooding, but at least most of the fires are put out - sorry that yours is not quite - lets hope it settles down and is put out soon.
ReplyDeleteLove the plants ... but that spider is amazing ... I was wondering if its web has been coated with ash dust ... quite extraordinary to see ... at least it's outside.
Cheers - Hilary
Hilary Melton-Butcher: Thank you. The fire closest to us is still not out, but hopefully it will be unable to rage again and CAN be put out.
DeleteI suspect that spider web is coated in ash - like everything else. I also hope it got a clean in the rain.
Yes ... thanks re the ash and the cleansing rain - lots here if you need any more! I do hope that the fires are all put out ... and won't rage again this summer ... take care - cheers Hilary
DeleteHilary Melton-Butcher: I would gladly take some of your rain off your hands. And yes, we have our fingers crossed that the fire season is done for the year. Tightly crossed. The water bombers were out again yesterday...
DeleteDelighted to hear about the rain. Enjoyed all your pix but especially the begonias, they are so lovely. That spider's web was fascinating. I wonder why it built such a complicated web.
ReplyDeleteJo: I am still smiling about the rain. I don't know quite why that spider's web is so intricate - but it would certainly be difficult to escape from.
DeleteSo glad you finally got a good rain. I am always delighted at the beauty of your garden. Such variety and beautiful colors. The spider web is intriguing.
ReplyDeleteMason Canyon: Thank you. The garden is always a work in progress. We have lost some things over this dreadful summer but bulb catalogues are starting to arrive (and tempt me).
DeleteYay for rain!!! You make me me want to plant begonias this summer here. And the birds. So sweet. I can never get close enough to take decent pics.
ReplyDeletemshatch: I do love begonias and to my shame I buy a few more each year. The birds which visit us are mostly used to the mad woman with the camera - which helps a lot.
DeleteI am glad to hear the skies are smoke free. Let's hope those planes don't have to fly soon. And hurrah for a good amount of rain!! I like your flowers and bird photos. I saw parrots in the wild last weekend and got so excited. I'd seen a couple years and years ago in my mother-in-law's backyard, but never anything like we did this time. It was awesome, and I thought of you. :)
ReplyDeletemail4rosey: I saw your green parrot post - and I would have been excited too. Very excited. Smoke free air is a decided treat and reminds me (again) just how lucky we are here. Mostly our air quality is excellent.
DeleteI'm glad to hear you got a good amount of rain. How close are you able to get to the birds to get those wonderful shots? Or do you just have a really good camera?
ReplyDeleteMary Kirkland: The rain was wonderful. I use a point and shoot camera but the birds are used to us and I can often get within a couple of feet from them. And sometimes closer than that.
DeleteGood that it rained so much. Your area needed it desperately. I love your beautiful flowers and the colorful birds.
ReplyDeletegigi-hawaii: Thank you. We did need it, and more would also be welcome. Very welcome.
DeleteI'm so glad things have improved over there, for all your sakes. Beautiful skies, beautiful flowers and beautiful birds. Thank you for sharing your part of the world :)
ReplyDeleteDeniseinVA: Thank you. It is my pleasure to share and I am glad you enjoy it.
DeleteGood news, good photos, I too love the spider one, and the clear dawns, and the dandelion, and those other flowers, and the white and colourful birds ... in short all of it! And so, so good to hear of rain in your place. I hope you felt it on your skin. It's such a lovely sensation afttre a dry spell. I'd send you some of my rain if I could, I bet you could use some more. Let's hope fthe woest is behind us now.
ReplyDeleteCharlotte (MotherOwl): I did indeed feel it on my skin and revelled in it. I love the smell of rain-washed air too. More would be very, very welcome and if you could only send your excess this way I would be incredibly grateful.l
DeleteI never tire of your pictures. Love the spider web, love them all. So glad you had significant rain. Hope you're feeling better.
ReplyDeleteMyrna R.: Thank you. I am so grateful to the wonderful people I have found here in the blogosphere. So very grateful.
DeleteFlowers and bird pictures are great and those sky pictures......WOW!! Me no likey spiders, they give the willies. So glad fires are under control, finally.
ReplyDeleteSandy: Not a problem. Spiders give a lot of people difficulties. I am thrilled that the fires are under control and hope (so much) that they can finally put it out.
DeleteYay to the rain, the beautiful birds and the clear smoke free skies. Long may they all continue. We are having awful storms here in the UK. Wind and flooding. Not fun.
ReplyDeleteLL Cool Joe: I have been watching reports. First Ciara and now Dennis (who is certainly a menace). I do hope you are safe, and feel for those who are not.
DeleteWonderful photos as always love the flowers and the birds. I am waiting for the spring here in Florida where it has been so cool but tonight is for dreaming as a heavy rain is falling.
ReplyDeleteRasmaSandra: I hope your spring (and our autumn) comes soon. This has been a dreadful summer.
DeleteI loved all your photos. Such details. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteAuthors with Advice: Welcome and thank you.
DeleteIt's good you had rain. I'm happy you had rain. You can have some more from Oregon. We've had way too much this winter, way way too much, no more please, would love you to have it down there. I love the begonias.
ReplyDeleteStrayer: I would very happily accept as much rain as you could send our way. The fire bombing helicopters are still making regular trips overhead and I would love for them to have a rest.
DeleteChe questa settimana abbia inizio con gioia e positività.
ReplyDeleteBuon lunedì
Giancarlo: Thank you. I hope it ends on a positive note too.
DeleteHave a wonderful week.
Oh She, these are definitely NOT "same old"!! They are as striking and extremely beautiful as your photos always are!😊😊
ReplyDeleteOh I am so happy to hear the fires are dying down a bit...am hoping and praying they will soon be gone completely.
So sorry to hear you have been feeling under the weather...and here's hoping you feel better soon 😊
Have a lovely day!
Love and hugs ❤❤❤
Ygraine: Many thanks. Some at least of the fires are now out. And yes, we are hoping fervently that soon all of them are - and that no new ones ignite.
Deletei am so happy that you got rain dear EC :)
ReplyDeletehope you feeling better now
your images are exquisite ,loved the delightful flowers and birds are so pretty
thank God your rain washed your skies
i really wish and pry may fires around your area put off asap,amen!
baili: Thank you. I am very, very happy about the rain too. And hope we get more. I am glad that me continuing to post flowers, skies and birds meets with your approval.
DeleteThose birds are so pretty and cute!
ReplyDeletenatalia20041989: We think so too. As they do.
DeleteFor some reason I couldn't work out the background for the web. I was going to ask you about it and now, several hours later and in the middle of the night, I see immediately that it's a screen door. I feel a bit silly
ReplyDeleteKim: It is indeed a screen door. The screen door for our kitchen door. And please, don't feel silly.
DeleteLindíssimas.
ReplyDeleteSorrisos de aplausos.
Megy Maia
Megy Maia: Welcome and thank you.
DeleteHi EC,
ReplyDeleteI like a good sunrise or sunset picture.
:o)
Cheers
PM
Plastic Mancunian: I am a big fan of skyscapes too.
Delete❤️
ReplyDeleteR's Rue: Thank you.
DeleteI’m so glad you can finally take a clean breath of air again and maybe go out in the rain. You probably wouldn’t be quite so happy about the rain if you were looking out of my window.
ReplyDeleteFriko: I did go out in the rain. Several times. I understand that you have had enough, but we badly need more.
DeleteI'm doing a happy dance for you … not that I'm a good dancer! LOL! BUT, I am so pleased that you have had a decent amount of rain. May the weather in the next few weeks continue to help.
ReplyDeleteLoved the silhouette in your first photograph and that spiders web is amazing.
In fact I enjoyed all of your photographs - birds, flowers, all so nice to see.
I hope this week will be a good one for you.
Take Care
All the best Jan
Lowcarb team member ~Jan: I am also a woeful dancer but have definitely been doing the happy dance jive.
DeleteThank you.
I hope your own weather isn't giving you grief and hope that you, Eddie and family have a wonderful week.
Yay for the rain! So glad that more came and a good amount too. That is wonderful news. Also- I am happy that you have had some smoke free mornings- that is a good sign as well.
ReplyDeleteLove the tuberous begonias- just so pretty. And that web is magnificent. I am always intrigued by spiders and their webs. Here is to a wonderful week!
~Jess
DMS ~Jess: It is wonderful news. The fires nearest us are not yet out - but seriously diminished. I am hoping for follow up rain. Lots of it.
DeleteThat is one magnificent spider web. It is natures work of art.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad to read that you have finally had some substantial rain. What a wonderful feeling of relief that had to be.
Starting Over, Accepting Changes - Maybe: Thank you. I am so very glad that lots of people share my appreciation of spiders and their webs. They fascinate me. Substantial rain was WONDERFUL.
DeleteYou have so beautiful photos.
ReplyDeleteKelly Steel: Many thanks. We live in a beautiful world.
DeleteLovely shots. And how wonderful to hear you have had smoke-free dawns!
ReplyDeleteLady Fi: Smoke free dawns (and days) are so very, very welcome. And a reminder just how much I had been taking them for granted.
DeleteMinimalist photos. Ha ha.
ReplyDeleteThat dandelion photograph is quite striking. Kudos.
I'm still doing a rain dance for ya.
Sandra Cox: Please keep on dancing. Often. I really don't do minimalism at all well. In anything.
DeleteThose parrot shots are marvelous.
ReplyDeleteHena Tayeb: Thank you. I spend a LOT of time watching the birds, and almost as much time photographing them.
DeleteGreat pics!
ReplyDeleteBjxxx
Ontem é só Memória | Facebook | Instagram | Youtube
Teresa Isabel Silva: Thank you.
DeleteThank goodness you're finally getting a respite from the fires and smoke! Whew, what a relief.
ReplyDeleteYour photos are beautiful as always. I'm surprised that you can grow begonias in that heat - they're tougher than I thought!
Diane Henders: It is a huge relief. I am surprised at how well the begonias coped with the heat, though they get very little direct sun.
DeleteHappy dance for the rain!!!
ReplyDeleteI always LOVE your photos! I truly do! They are beautiful! Seeing your birds are always a treat for me! Big Hugs!
Magic Love Crow: They are a treat for us too. Always. And we DID happy dance at the rain. Hugs to you too. Always.
DeleteYou have beautiful birds there!
ReplyDeleteSandi: We do, and I am very grateful for them.
Delete