Wet and Aggressive Corella challenges Magpie

Wet and Aggressive Corella challenges Magpie

Sunday 12 April 2020

Sunday Selections #476




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, like most of the world, I am still at home.  I am endlessly grateful to be able to go into the garden, and for the sky.  My usual myriad of photos come from both those places.


First the skyscapes - almost all taken at first light.





Some of you will remember me posting photos of what the vandal birds had done to a neighbour's tree.  They have stopped attacking it now - because there are virtually no leaves left to attack.






Then to the garden.  We are definitely moving into autumn now, but there is still colour and beauty.




 We had some totally blissful and much needed rain this week.  The garden and I revelled in it.  Jazz did not.





I really like the goldfish plant (Columnea gloriosa). 
 

 I wasn't the only one taking advantage of a brief patch without rain.  The bee blended into the dahlia very happily indeed.


Whatever you celebrate or don't, Stay safe, Stay well - and have a very happy weekend.






140 comments:

  1. Ahhh, I'm glad you got rain. The plants certainly look happy about it.
    I love your holiday meme. Hope yours is wondrous.

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    1. Sandra Cox: The rain was blissful. I do hope we get more too. I hope that you and your family are hunkered down safely and have a wonderful Easter.

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  2. Those after the rain photos are great.

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    1. Charlotte (MotherOwl): Thank you. I do hope you are starting to feel better.

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    2. Thank you for your well wishes. Unfortunately no. I'm suttering from a cronic inflammation of the gall bladder, an operation will cure me. So I wait until corona has gone or I am getting so ill, an operation is a life saving measure, until then ... suffer and pray.

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    3. Charlotte (MotherOwl): I am so sorry. I believe that is very painful too - I hope that you can cope and do hope that an operation is not required as a life saving measure. I would be very, very anxious about being in a hospital at the moment. Sending healing wishes your way.

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  3. You have some catchy photos here! It is always soothing for me - I know I'm repeating myself - to look at that gorgeous sky and beautiful flowers.
    Be well. Be safe.
    :)

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    1. Caterina: Thank you. I so often turn to nature for solace - and she rarely disappoints.
      Stay well, stay safe.

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  4. Glad you are enjoying the rain. We have had enough to start to smell like a lake...ground all squishy and toadstools having a heyday. It seems so strange when you talk about your seasons. I always forget you are on the opposite side of the world. Hope you and yours are doing well.

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    1. Terri: We so rarely get enough rain that I always welcome it. I can remember talking to a recent arrival from the UK who commented about just how hard the ground was here (his son had just broken his arm). And told me that falling over at home meant that his boy got muddy but didn't damage himself. It was a perspective I had never considered before that conversation.
      Stay safe, stay well.

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  5. I bet you are enjoying the rain, just as we are enjoying the sun here in the UK. It's about the only good thing happening here at the moment. That last meme made me grin even though I'm a Bible Basher!

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    1. LL Cool Joe: It is clear and cool here today, but the rain was lovely. And I am very glad you enjoyed the meme - I thought it was both clever and funny.

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  6. Always wonderful to glimpse the beauty of your backyard. Wishing you a safe and blessed weekend.

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  7. We had a couple of drops of moisture here a couple of days ago. The fog was thick and heavy yesterday morning, but it cleared away pretty quickly. A clear, blue sky this morning heralding a lovely day ahead by the looks at it.

    Continue taking good care, EC...I hope the week ahead treats you and He Who Shall Remain Unnamed kindly. Cuddles to Jazz from me and my two furry mates. :)

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    1. Lee: It is cool here at the moment. Less than 5 degrees, but sunny. And windless. The unnamed one is asleep. Jazz is also asleep. I may go out into the garden (but will pass on the eating worms front). I hope you and the furry overlords have a wonderful week.

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    2. Less than 5? We're yet to get under 11 and that's at night.

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    3. River: It was just under 2 when I let Jazz out this morning. He stayed out for forty minutes which surprised me.

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  8. The water droplet shots are excellent.
    Sorry about your neighbor's tree.

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    1. Alex J. Cavanaugh: Thank you. I hope the neighbours tree recovers. Time will tell. Happy Easter to you - as I know you celebrate it.

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  9. Enjoying your skies EC - here in Melbourne haven't had any 'decent skies' for a while, yesterday was cold cloudy and wet - today is going to be the same.
    I've had my brekkie and am now allowed some chocolate!

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    1. Cathy: Yesterday was cold (even I noticed it) and windy. Today is chilly by most people's standards but sunny and still. I have spent a couple of hours in the garden and have come inside. For a bit. Enjoy your chocolate.

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  10. Hate to agree with Alex, but you *do* take the most wonderful closeups, Sue and I'd forgotten how much I enjoyed the simplicity of the Sunday Selections (mainly because it meant my lazy, Irish arse didn't have to actually do anything like write weird stories from weird written words :)

    Wishing you and yours a happy, and!! if you're staying home (sorry, couldn't help it) a great/relaxing Easter holiday weekend. :)

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    1. Mark Koopmans: Agreeing with Alex is often a very good thing (though I might be saying that because he was being complementary). Whatever gave you the idea that we might be staying home? Hugs.

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  11. Very nice grounding photos with nothing in the photos taken away from us.

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    1. Andrew: You are right, which I hadn't really considered. Perhaps I am coping a little better than many with our currently restricted world because I often turn to these things anyway.

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  12. Those water droplet shots are amazingly good, EC - and the skies are glorious, as usual; I particularly like the one with the moon. We have had a run of gorgeous weather, lovely warm autumn days and virtually no wind (unusual for our part of the country), but of course we need rain, and the forecasters have promised us lots of it over the next few days.
    The goldfish plant is new to me - when I googled it, I saw no photos of plants which look as nice as yours; nearly all of the flowers were not opened out like your lovely yellow one, but instead were tubular in form.

    ...I just had to rush outside to rescue Sammy, who was hanging by her claws from the spouting outside the kitchen windows and screeching for help - see what can happen if you chase birds on the roof!!!
    I hope you and yours have a pleasant Easter, and a good week.

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    1. Alexia: I hear you on the wind front. We had a LOT yesterday and it was decidedly a lazy wind and knifed through rather than round you. I really like the goldfish plant. It grows happily from cuttings and I now have two pots hanging on the back deck - and they do look like goldfish when the flowers open.
      Poor Sammy. Jazz is now too lazy to chase the birds and simply walks through them as they gobble seed on the lawn.
      I hope your Easter and the week(s) to come are healthy and happy.

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  13. Love all the beautiful raindrop pictures.

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    1. Joanne Noragon: Thank you. I really, really loved the rain. The garden did too. Mind you, I have been weeding this morning and the moisture hasn't penetrated nearly far enough.

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  14. Oh, those photos are sublime. Mine will pale in comparison, especially my sunrise photos, always with too many wires and poles in the way.

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    1. messymimi: I think you are being too hard on yourself. I often include street lights in my sunrise shots and sometimes wires. They don't diminish from the colour.
      Have a truly wonderful Easter weekend.

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  15. Raindrops on flowers make a beautiful picture. So glad you got the very needed rain.

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    1. Starting Over, Accepting Changes - Maybe: The air smelt delicious too. It was such a welcome gift.

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  16. Love the pictures as always. Great closeup shots of the raindrops. and the holiday meme was fun.

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  17. Sky is excellent, the flowers are beautiful too. Rain drops hold a new dimension to photos.

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    1. Margaret D: I really like it when rain bejewells the garden.

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  18. I'm such a sunrise fan along with sunsets too. I love your pics as it heads into pre-dawn hours here. I should get to bed, an anxious kind of day. Went behind the curtain to surreal. It is.

    XO
    WWW

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    1. Wisewebwoman: Thank you. I hope you can sleep. And yet the world is making Salvatore Dali seem tame at the moment.

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  19. Those clouds are stunning! And you always such gorgeous flowers.
    Doesn't Jazz understand that a bit of rain is needed... at his personal expense? ;)
    Take care, stay safe, don't work too hard in the garden (advice I know you will ignore)

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    1. River Fairchild: I hope I am never, ever too jaded to marvel at clouds. And no, Jazz didn't accept that rain was necessary. Not at all. I paid for it too. And yes, I did do too much in the garden, and will probably repeat the sin tomorrow.

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  20. Happy Easter to you too. I love the goldfish plant and will look up more information about it later, maybe I can grow one, ha ha. The raindrops on the rose branch is a lovely photo. Love the storm clouds, we get them here, but then they disappear :( We have 30C predicted for Wednesday, just a heads-up for you in the east. I'll be getting my sheets washed and other bedding on the line for a last airing before winter sets in.

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    1. River: I think 25 is the hottest temperature forecast for next week. Cool mornings and sunny days in the low twenties sound pretty good to me. There is something wonderful about bedding aired in the sun isn't it.
      The goldfish plant seems fairly hardy, and I do hope you can grow it.

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  21. Your garden pics always lift my spirits. Here, the garden has become more of a jungle after late-but-welcome rains.Hopefully, another week or so will see a concerted pruning effort...

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    1. dinahmow: I hope you can get into the garden - but don't push yourself. Please don't push yourself. Shingles is a totally sucky beast as you know only too well.

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  22. We call it a popcorn sky here, with clouds like you have in your first few photos. I like the droplets on the thorned stem photo.

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    1. Strayer: Thank you - I knew there was a name for that sort of sky, but it escaped me. And I much prefer a popcorn sky to popcorn the snack.

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  23. Hi EC - your skies are wonderful ... while the autumn plants are just inspiring. The stripped tree looks so sad ... but so pleased you've had some rain - despite Jazz not being a fan! No satisfying some!! Take care and all the best as the days go forward - Hilary

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    1. Hilary Melton-Butcher: Thank you. Poor victimised Jazz recovered with an application of breakfast and some attention.
      I hope you too can look after yourself.

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  24. Another marvelous Sunday post. Loved these.

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  25. Like Alex, I thought the droplets were beautiful.
    Like you, am reduced to sunrises, sunsets, the moon, flowers, birds, lizards, the cat, the kids, the light falling on the furniture .... I should be in the Dordogne taking pictures of my meadow. Good thing I take all these pictures every year, so have my stash to look at. Spring is my month. The Early bird catches the Worm. Take care, stay safe and enjoy your garden and the going ons next door ....

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    1. Susan B: My life is almost always filled with these things - so our soft lockdown as less impact on me than it does on many. I hope you can get to the Dorgogne sooner rather than later. Stay safe, stay well. And thank you.

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  26. Beautiful skyscapes you have over there EC. And plants, moist in the morning.

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    1. Bob Bushell: Thank you - and the plants were a little more than moist that day - which was lovely.

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  27. Dear EC
    The garden is proving to be a huge comfort for those of us lucky enough to have one. Being able to hear more birdsong is also wonderful. I'm pleased you have had rain - I have started watering my pots more frequently now.
    Best wishes and stay safe
    Ellie

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    1. Ellie Foster: The garden is a wonderful place to escape to isn't it? I suspect your birds are much more 'musical' than most of the Australian natives. I hope that you get just enough rain and can reduce your watering - one of my least favourite jobs.
      I hope that you too can stay safe and well.

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  28. Gorgeous shots. That last image made me chuckle. :-)

    Greetings from London.

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    1. A Cuban in London: Thank you. I am glad you chuckled - I did too. I thought it was clever.

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  29. I keep saying this, but never seem to follow through - I need to pay more attention to the sky. Even when I am looking up I am following a hawk through binoculars, or something similar, and I overlook the detail in the sky. As your pictures reveal, Sue, I am missing a good deal of natural beauty.

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    1. David M. Gascoigne: I suspect you absorb that beauty even when you aren't focussing on it.

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  30. Your sky photos are always so beautiful and your garden is amazing. Such colors. Stay well and safe and have a wonderful and happy weekend.

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    1. Mason Canyon: I never ever tire of skyscapes. It is almost first light here now, and I have already been looking out the windows. I hope your weekend too is lovely (and safe and healthy too).

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  31. I keep mentally comparing those sky pictures with what you were posting a month ago. All smokey.

    Flowers are lovely. I particularly like the bright red one.

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    1. Jo: I am always a fan of skyscapes and have been so very conscious of how wonderful it is not to see the air that I breathe. The smoky skies gave me some 'interesting' photos but...

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  32. I love the 3rd and 4th cloud pics. Very cool. And your flowers are to die for, especially the goldfish plant :)

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    1. mshatch: The goldfish plant isn't fashionable, but I am so glad I found it - and that it is a hardy beast.

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  33. That He is Risen/He is not picture made me lough out loud!!!! Your flowers are so colourful. No flowers here yet, in fact the last few days have been very cold and windy. I don't blame the flowers at all for staying hidden. Enjoy your Easter. I am ordering an Easter dinner from a nearby restaurant. No big family dinner this year!!!!!!!

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    1. Shammickite: Our Easter dinner was very low key, but both of us enjoyed a tasty (albeit not particularly festive) meal. We are moving into cold and windy mode too - though our cold is wimpy in comparison to yours.

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  34. Oh what beautiful images of the raindrops on the flowers and foliage. Happy Easter my friend. I trust you keep safe. Jo

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    1. Jo: A very happy Easter to you and all of your furry friends.

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  35. Good morning and a most Happy Easter to you! I just know that bee was way too busy to notice you catching it in action. Lovely shot. I do remember all your photos of birds as exceptional and beautiful, I just don't always recall their names. But I'm learning from you. Enjoy your week ahead too!

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    1. 21 Wits: Thank you. That bee was indeed far too busy to notice me. Which is rare. I have rather a lot of 'failed' bee photos.
      I hope your week and the weeks to come are lovely.

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  36. Beautiful. Your pictures (so professionally taken and developed) always bring me a little joy. I appreciate that, especially in these times of home confinement. Hope you enjoy happy days, and stay safe.

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    1. Myrna R.: I am so glad that the things which bring me joy do so for you too. Stay safe, stay well.

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  37. Such beautiful blossoms! I am enchanted by the rose with raindrops. I hope you also have a fine day today, dear friend. :-)

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    1. DJan: I am enchanted with that rose too. I have just been out taking photographs of the dawn - and took another photo of that rose as well. It is now fully out and beautiful.

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  38. Your pictures are beautiful. First light is a special time of day.
    It took me a second to catch on to your last graphic:)

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    1. Rick Watson: It is indeed special - and I just stopped responding to comments while I took yet more photos. Given the absence of yeast in our stores at the moment any bread I make at the moment will have to be unleavened - and a nod to my Jewish father.

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  39. Replies
    1. Plastic Mancunian: Thank you. I do love the sky.

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  40. The sky pictures are beautiful but so are the flowers.

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    1. Mary Kirkland: Many thanks. I hope Ken is doing better.

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  41. Your posts are a refuge anytime, and especially now, EC. Thank you.

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    1. jenny_o: Thank you. Nature is solace and heartbalm isn't she?

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    2. Yes, and so is kindness, which is just as evident in your space here.

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    3. jenny_o: Thank you. Very much.

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  42. Replies
    1. gigi-hawaii: And to you and yours. I hope it is lovely.

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  43. I always love your photos. I've said that before. I can't choose between the flowers and the sky. Both are so great. I thought of you this week as we are edging into spring and you are getting into autumn.

    Teresa

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    1. T. Powell Coltrin: Thank you. After the summer we had (a foretaste of hell) Autumn is particularly welcome this year. I hope your spring is bright and beautiful.

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  44. WOW, your sky photos are always a real pleasure to behold, as are the gorgeous flowers.😊😊
    It seems strange to think you are into autumn now...while we have just entered into spring!
    I do hope your neighbour's poor tree recovers. We have two box shrubs, one at either side of our conservatory. Last year they were attacked by caterpillars, who stripped them back to bare branches in a single day!😕
    Now spring is here, one is recovering well, while the other is looking very sick...it is so annoying!😬

    Have a super day...and stay safe, my dear friend!

    Much love and hugs ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

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    1. Ygraine: It is definitely autumn here - but I am planning and working for spring. Caterpillars can wreak an amazing amount of damage can't they? I hope your sick shrub recovers too.
      I hope your day is filled with sunshine. As always love is flowing your way.

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  45. Your pictures always make me so happy! You're a talented photographer with a great eye!!
    Love the purple flower! I doubt it could handle the short growing season we have here but I'd love a garden of those!!

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    1. Jemi Fraser: The purple flower is a cape daisy, and they thrive here despite our harsh conditions. It may be worth checking them out in your area. And hooray for happiness - we all need it each and every day.
      Stay safe.

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    2. Thanks - I'm going to check it out! Daisies are my favourite flowers so I shouldn't be surprised :) You stay safe too!!

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    3. Jemi Fraser: I hope they do grow in your area - they come in a really good range of colours too.

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  46. The sky looks so beautiful, stunning pictures!

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    1. Natalia: Thank you. I am a huge fan of skyscapes.

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  47. I too love taking pictures of the sky and the many cloud formations. Such beauty. Loved the comic! LOL Glad the bee let you snap his pic without protesting.

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    1. Yolanda Renee: Clouds are endlessly fascinating aren't they? It is still early here but I have already been taking yet more photographs of them.

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  48. I love the clouds in your first photo set! They look like a fluffy blanket draped across Heaven.

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    1. John Wiswell: They were a particularly snuggly blanket that morning.

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  49. Boa tarde tudo bem? Procuro novos seguidores para o meu blog. Posso te seguir também. https://viagenspelobrasilerio.blogspot.com/?m=1

    Se você me seguir manda o link para o meu blog que eu te sigo de volta.

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    1. Luiz Gomes: Welcome and thank you. I loved the garden photographs in your latest post.

      Delete
  50. Good night, how are you? I started to follow you on your blog, can you follow me too? https://viagenspelobrasilerio.blogspot.com/?m=1

    If you follow me, send the link to my blog.

    ReplyDelete
  51. Your garden still looks very vibrant. :)

    Happy Belated Easter! x

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    1. Bea: Some of the garden is vibrant. Some is not.
      I hope your Easter had some highlights. Ours was quiet, peaceful and lovely.

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  52. My goodness, I still can't help but marvel at your photo taking skills! So phenomenal, and kudos for getting in the Passover and Easter message so perfectly! Hugs and more hugs, RO

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    1. RO: You are a shameless flatterer - for which I thank you. Hugs to you too.

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  53. My oh my... These photos are just stunning! The sky, and the flowers. Amazing! :)

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    1. Hot guys: Thank you. They are but two of my many obsessions and they feature here a lot.

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  54. The view of the clouds is really beautiful ..

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    1. Himawan Sant: Thank you. It is nearly dawn now and I am itching to take more photos.

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  55. Your sky photo's are awesome, as are your flowers. I think my favorite is the rain on the flowers where you can see the actual droplets........really pretty. Thank you for your visit and you're always sweet comments, they are always appreciated. Stay well.

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    1. Sandy: Thank you. I am always awed by your creativity and love that so much of your work goes to support disadvantaged people.

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  56. That bee certainly does blend!
    Stay safe. Be healthy.
    Elbow bump.

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    1. Sandra Cox: I am not certain I would have seen the bee if it hadn't moved.
      Elbow bumps and healthy wishes to you and yours too.

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  57. I do love those sky photos and I'm glad you've had both rain and nice weather. Cheers and hugs from afar!

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    1. e: Autumn is definitely here now, and we are getting some blissfully cool nights and days. The rain was a bonus. A much appreciated bonus.
      Hugs to you and to Lukas too.

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  58. Amazing photographs. I love all the colorful flowers. Hope all is well with you and stay safe.

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    1. RasmaSandra: Thank you. We are fine - and I hope you are too.

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  59. Sue, your photos are magnificent. I love the raindrops. Autumn is slow coming to Queensland. We've been having 30C days, but nights are a little cooler.
    Hope you're doing well.

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    1. Denise Covey: My partner's family live in Brisbane. They look at our temperatures and shudder - and I shudder looking at theirs.
      I am muddling along and hope that you and your family are doing well.

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  60. Oh wow, those skies are glorious and I loved your flowers, gorgeous! So the vandals are stripping the trees? Gosh, that's very naughty of them :) Enjoy the rest of your week and do hope everything is okay over there with you, your loved ones and everyone who is dealing with the same things we are. Just mind boggling isn't it?

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    1. DeniseinVA: Thank you. It is indeed mind boggling. The virus laughs at the borders doesn't it? We are all in this together.
      I do hope that you and Gregg are safe.

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  61. Hey Beautiful Soul! Thank you for the gorgeous sky photos! WOW!!! I feel sorry for the tree! I hope it will be ok! Love your flower photos too! So Gorgeous! Your Pilsbury Doe Boy made me laugh! LOL! Big Hugs!

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    1. Magic Love Crow: You are the beautiful soul. Today and every day. I really hope the tree will survive, and that the birds will leave it alone next year. Massive hugs to you too.

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  62. Beautiful photos as always! It's so nice to see your clear skies after your horrible smoky summer.

    Is that gorgeous red flower a Christmas cactus? I can only grow them indoors here...

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    1. Diane Henders: It is indeed a confused Christmas cactus. They live on our front veranda and back deck the year round.
      And a big hooray for clear skies. Each and every day I am grateful to no longer see the air that I breathe.

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  63. Lovely photos. I see the moon in one of them, either that or Venus, which has certainly been bright enough here to be noteworthy. One year, I was landing my small plane when I mistook the bright light coming at me as the landing lights of another plane, but it was Venus.

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    1. Snowbrush: How nice to see you. I was wondering how you and Peggy are. It was the moon. How wonderful for you to have seen Venus so brightly. I don't think I ever have.

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