Sunday, 27 December 2020

Sunday Selections #513

 


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. You might remember about two weeks ago I said there was nothing much blooming in the garden.  I turned around last week and realised how wrong I was.  There are lots and lots of lilies out - and more coming out each day.












 

Those white ones glow in the very early morning light don't they?


 




 

The honesty seed pods are starting to peel away to reveal the 'silver dollar' within.



And some corellas for those of you who don't share my obsession with the garden.


 

And the gentle light of a soft and welcoming dawn.




I hope the holiday season was/is treating you well.  Take care.

114 comments:

  1. Your gardens and birds are breathtaking.
    Hope your Christmas was wondrous.

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    1. Sandra Cox: Our Christmas was low key and lovely. I hope yours was everything you could have hoped for.

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  2. Awesome photos! Your post gives me some great ideas regarding my own pictures. Like everyone else in this modern digital era, I have thousands on my phone that are just sitting there. Thanks again!

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    1. jasonmcgathey: Welcome and thank you. We would love you to join us for Sunday Selections. Another perspective is more than welcome.

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  3. The flowers and birds are so pretty.

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  4. My corellas! You must have known I would stop over for a visit.

    Those Lilies are stunning.

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    1. Susan Kane: I think of you often when they visit. They are noisy, destructive - and welcome.

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  5. Your lilies are just gorgeous. Birds and sunrises cap off a wonderful Christmas post/present for me. I hope you are having a serene and gentle holiday.

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    1. DJan: Thank you. I knew that we had planted a lot of lilies - but the display is wonderful. Our Christmas was low key and lovely. I hope yours was wonderful too.

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  6. When I need to see some colour and exotic birds I know where to go.. ; )

    This is/was a treat. Thank you!!

    Take care.

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    1. Caterina: That is a truly lovely thing to say. Thank you.

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  7. Beautiful lilies...beautiful birds..a beautiful start to a day.

    I hope you are enjoying the Christmas weekend, EC...and I hope the coming week treats you well. Take good care...cuddles to Jazz. :)

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    1. Lee: I am a beauty addict.
      I hope that you are your furry overlords are blissfully comfortable this weekend (and the year to come).

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  8. Lovely lilies, magical dawn shots, and corellas - a gentle and calming start to the day.

    I wish you a safe and happy week (and year) to come.

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    1. Alexia: I am a big, big fan of gentle calm.
      I hope your week and your year are wonderful, healthy and happy.

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  9. It certainly was a gentle dawn.
    The honesty seed pods are intriguing.
    That's a lovely deep deep shade of red lily.

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    1. Andrew: Many of our dawns ARE gentle. The vibrant colours are much more often at the end of the day.
      The deep red lily is new to us, and I am glad to say that we seem to have several. With luck they will thicken up over time.

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  10. I gaze in wonder at your garden. Ours is shrivelled up already.
    Whatever flowers are fascinating- I had a friend with a ‘white section’ who used sit outside to enjoy them in the glow of the moon on summer nights.
    I’ve added a SS post today.

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    1. That should be ‘white flowers’.....where the whatever came from only my iPad knows

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    2. Cathy: Predictive text?
      We had a white garden too. It was lovely, but colours invaded it quickly. Our garden has usually been crispified by this time but we have had more rain (and cooler temperatures) than usual.

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  11. I love your flowers. It's quite cold here in North Florida. I haven't even gone outside to check on my rose bushes. They usually bloom at this time of year.

    Love,
    Janie

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    1. Janie Junebug: Our summer has been cooler than usual - which suits me fine. Our roses are just about done, but I brought one in for himself a little while ago.

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  12. I wish I liked lilies more. Yours are lovely. I'm glad you're having a decent summer, so far.

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    1. Joanne Noragon: You don't have to like lilies. At all. We have had more rain this summer than I can remember in a lot of years. The garden loves it, and I am grateful.

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  13. You have a most beautiful garden!

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    1. messymimi: Thank you. I am very pleased with parts of it.

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  14. I am so enjoying seeing your lilies in bloom and can't wait for the summer when my lilies are blooming too. I love the intoxicating fragrance in the backyard.

    Many years ago I grew some silver dollar plants like yours, from seeds but I never got rich, lol...

    Of course I also love seeing your beautiful winged visitor. I hope that they leave your flowers alone.

    Like yours, our Christmas was low key but lovely. I didn't take any pictures of all the food I prepared but it's the same as I usually do when the kids are here for Christmas. I shared baking and food with the family.

    Stay safe and well.
    Hugs, Julia

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    1. Julia: Not everyone likes (or can cope with) that intoxicating scent. Fortunately my partner and I can - and we grow lilies without scent too.
      Honesty was the name I knew the plant by, and it appeared in my mother's garden every year (and now mine).
      You stay safe and well too please.

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  15. White flowers really do seem to glow in low light, don't they? Your lilies are gorgeous. And that is a wonderful close up of the corella.

    Peace and love, my dear friend. Thank you for your unwavering support. It means a lot to me.

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    1. jenny_o: Thank you (so much) for stopping by. I am very, very glad to offer you support and wish that I could do more. How I wish it.

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  16. They are very pretty and I love how white flowers glow in the near dusk or dawn. In my previous home I had a bed of white evening primroses, I used to love looking at them as the sun went down. love the Corellas.

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    1. River: I am a big fan of that glow too. We used to have a 'white garden' and it was a treat at the beginning and end of every day.

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  17. Laurie: Three thumbs up and a heart? Wow. And thank you.

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  18. Lilly is my granddaughters name.

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    1. Mike: I am sure she is every bit as lovely as the flowers whose name she bears.

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  19. Beautiful flowers nice to see here in the dark winter time !
    https://gattinawritercramps.blogspot.com/2020/12/boxing-day-misunderstanding.html

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    1. Gattina: Thank you. I love your story - and can so understand it happening. English is a weird language.

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  20. Huh? What? Sunday? I'm so confused! I thought Saturday was Sunday most of the day. I always enjoy your flowers, but I especially enjoy the critters you put on from time to time.

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    1. Bill: Thank you. There will be critters again, but probably not next week. And yes, I have been really struggling to know what day of the week it is recently.

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  21. Hi EC - wonderfully cheering to see ... delightful in a gloomy day. Thanks for letting us see your beautiful flowers - especially the lilies - and yes the light does glow ... as too on the corella. Have a happy week with your garden, birds and I hope a visit to the 'roos' ... take care and with thoughts from here - Hilary

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    1. Hilary Melton-Butcher: Thank you. I am hoping for some rain later this week (really hoping) but will watch the garden drink deeply if it does arrive. Stay well and take care please.

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    1. J Cosmo Newbery: Thank you. I find the garden soothing heart balm often - when it isn't the source of guilt about work which needs to be done.

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  23. Lovely lilies this morning, thank you for sharing them. I have snow. Want some?

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    1. Dragonquillca: Of course I would like some of your snow. Need you ask? We are moving deep into the sweaty season here.

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  24. The garden and the Corellas are both in stark and wonderful contrast to the snowy landscape here. The birds are emptying my feeders at a record pace!

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    1. David M. Gascoigne: Thank you for putting out sustenance for your birds. Ours are here at first light and dusk predominantly, though some shelter in the shade near the feeders in the hottest parts of the day.

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  25. I share all your obsessions. The gardens, the birds and the waking dawn.

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    1. Grannie Annie: I am so glad to know that my obsessions are shared.

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  26. How utterly delightful!!😊😊
    Those lillie's are SO beautiful, and I love how the white ones glow with an almost ethereal light. So very stunning!
    The corellas are amazing too, such gorgeous birds. I had never seen any before I discovered your lovely blog!
    And as for the dawn photos...well, what can I say...they really took my breath away!
    A truly magical post, thank you so so much.😊😊

    Happy New Year, my dear friend...may 2021 bring all you could wish for...and much, much more...

    All my love and hugs ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

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    1. Ygraine: Many thanks. I really, really like corellas but they are rarely featured when our often weird wildlife is discussed. I particularly like the way that they rock blue eyeshadow.
      A very happy and healthy New Year to you dear friend. And to the world.

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  27. I cannot wait for spring now and start planting again! I love your lilies! And the birds. And the sky... and all your photos always!

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    1. Cindi: Planting and planning for planting is always exciting. Would you believe that I am already thinking about what I would like to add/change next year? And thank you.

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  28. Beautiful pictures, Happy New Year!

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    1. Natalia: Thank you so much. A Happy New Year to you too.

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  29. Dear EC
    Beautiful lilies, birds and skies. What a lovely post celebrating the many joys of natures.
    Have a good week, a very Happy New Year and stay safe.
    Best wishes
    Ellie

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    1. Ellie Foster: Nature is a truly wonderful (and generous) artist isn't she?
      You stay safe too please.

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  30. Lovely flowers. Thank you for bringing sunshine and colour into my murky days. White flowers are at theirr best at dawn and dusk. BNut I love them all!

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    1. Charlotte (MotherOwl): Thank you. I do too (love them all I mean).

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  31. Your lovely flowers really brighten up the gloom!

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    1. Lady Fi: I find that they brighten literal and metaphoric gloom really, really well.

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  32. Your lilies are gorgeous! I always appreciate your willingness to share your obsessions with the rest of us. :)
    The corellas look as if they are waiting for a hand-fed brunch to commence.
    Here's hoping for a smooth transition into the new year and kicking 2020 to the curb!

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    1. River Fairchild: Many thanks. I often feel guilty about returning to my obsessions so often. And yes, a smooth transition would be very, very welcome. This year has tested too many of us hard.

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  33. LOVE all the flowers, they made me smile; as we're covered with snow and it's been so cold I haven't walked in several days. Was 14 yesterday, but has warmed up today to 29; so going to bundle up and make myself get out there. Thanks for the visit. Stay safe.

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    1. Sandy: Enjoy your walk. I would much prefer your temperatures to ours (but could be in the minority).

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  34. I love seeing your garden in full bloom. We're in winter here and have had several nights of temperatures in the teens so nothing is growing except my impatience for spring. Hope your holiday was healthy and happy. Have a great week my friend and stay safe.

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    1. Mason Canyon: I so understand your impatience for Spring. I suffer from it - despite being a fan of winter. Our holiday period has been low key and lovely. I hope yours was everything you wished for.

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  35. I am jealous of the flowers and birds. I do have birds too just not as colorful.

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    1. Sue in Italia/In the Land Of Cancer: I envy some of your birds rather a lot. I hope that your winter (NOT your favourite season I know) is gentle to you.

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  36. Hello i am following your blog please click advertisement on my blog. Google adsense advertisement

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  37. Those lilies are FANTASTIC. I like the 'silver dollar' as well. :)

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    1. Bea: The lilies (like most of the rest of the garden) have really enjoyed the rare and welcome rain we had this year. I think I will prepare a bunch of the silver dollars to go in a vase a little later.

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  38. I love those lilies. I was thinking of planting some in my yard, but they don't exist at Home Depot over here.

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    1. gigi-hawaii: We love them too - and buy them from all over the place, including through mail order.

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  39. Does the silver dollar lose its colour? I'd want to keep them in a jar if they didn't.

    Your garden is delightful. *sigh*

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    1. neena maiya (guyana gyal): The silver dollar does retain its colour - and can be treated like an everlasting. Thanks to your reminder I have picked a bunch and put them in a vase. I will post a photo next week (if I remember).

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  40. Simply glorious! A happy and healthy new year to you.

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    1. e: Thank you. I hope that we ALL have a happy and healthy new year. I hope it a lot.

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    1. Cloudia: You are a shameless flatterer - and thank you.

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  42. The first and third pixs of white lilies are the flowers both my mum and I chose for our wedding bouquets. Sweet memories. The second pink ones are imported as we cannot grow these here. Your garden is always so lovely

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    1. kestrel: They would make a fine wedding bouquet - once those stain producing stamens were removed. I am grateful that most lilies seem to thrive here. And after a much wetter than usual spring ours are putting on a fine display.

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  43. Gorgeous flower shots. The red in the eleventh really struck me. Is that a particular breed?

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    1. John Wiswell: It undoubtedly does have a name of its own but we bought them as a mixed collection of bulbs so I cannot tell you what it is.

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  44. Thank you. All your photos invariably lift my day. Beautiful.

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    1. Nilanjana Bose: As your comments lift my day. Always. Thank you too.

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  45. "Honesty" seeds pods with a silver dollar inside. I love these plant names! The birds look like they may be planning something. I'd watch your back.

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    1. Strayer: The plant is Lunaria annua, but I grew up knowing it as honesty. Some North American readers know it as the money plant - for the silver dollar on display.
      And of course the birds are planning things.

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  46. If I'm ever in your neck of the woods, I want to stroll through your garden.
    Hope your holidays were wondrous.

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    1. Sandra Cox: If ever you are in our neck of the woods I would be very, very happy to stroll through the garden with you. Jazz wouldn't like it - but tough. Our holidays were mostly quiet and lovely.

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  47. Your flowers and birds are so colorful. I like to look them because we can see only gray.
    Hope you happy new year, my dear.
    A big hug.

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    1. orvokki: Thank you. I do love the garden and delight in its colour - and I am very happy to share it.

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  48. I hope your holiday celebrations were as wonderful as your amazing beautiful flowers from your own garden! They are such a delight during my grey winter season. Hardly does are sunshine arrive lately, sunless days are so bleak! But I know just around the corner spring will push ahead right?! Almost forgot your corellas are just adorable too, great captures.

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    1. 21 Wits: Our holidays were low key and lovely. I hope your celebrations were wonderful too. We are having some grey days here too (but little rain) and the colour in the garden helps. A lot.

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  49. What gorgeous lilies! Hubby and I are both big fans of lilies, and we have lots in our garden (and we can always find room for more). If only they'd bloom for a little longer... but we love them anyway. :-)

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    1. Diane Henders: We love them too. At the moment we are watching the 'sumo' lilies. They stand over eight foot tall and the buds are swelling more each day...

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  50. Such a pretty bird. I love the flower pictures.

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    1. Mary Kirkland: Thank you. We love the birds and our garden too.

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  51. Very lovely and colorful flowers and loved the bird. Wishing you a Happy New Year! Let's hope for better times ahead.

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    1. RasmaSandra: Better, healthier, happier times ahead sounds wonderful. And I hope this dream comes true for us all.

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  52. Always so wonderful to see such beauty on display. Hope you had an awesome Christmas, and a safe and wonderful New Year! I also hope you're pain free. Hugs, RO

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    1. RO: Many thanks. It is New Years Eve here, and I am hoping to see positive changes as 2021 settles in. Take care dear friend.

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  53. Beautiful flowers.
    Nice to see the corellas.
    Wonderful skies.

    Sending my good wishes - here's to a better 2021.

    All the best Jan

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    1. Lowcarb team member ~Jan: Thank you. Here's to a much better year - for the world.

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  54. Your lilies are quite spectacular. They seem to like your climate. Do you have to water them a lot or are they kind of drought tolerant? Maybe this is a stupid question...

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    1. Carola Bartz: The lilies have thrived this year - perhaps because we have had a lot more rain than usual. They survive in our normal conditions but have loved the rain. Which makes me feel a bit guilty - I obviously don't water enough.

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  55. I love your flowers and I love your birds! Love you too! Big Hugs!

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    1. Magic Love Crow: Many, many thanks. You are very dear to me - and to a LOT of other people here too. Stay well.

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  56. I have seen your name and icon before, but never visited. However, I was talking on the phone with my friend RO this morning and she told me what an amazing photographer you are. I had to come visit. Since you are in Australia, you have already celebrated the new year. I hope it is wonderful, because I have to agree with Ro. You take magnificent photos, including these. Happy new year.

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    1. Bleubeard and Elizabeth: Welcome and thank you - and big thanks to RO too. How lucky you are to be able to talk to her.
      Our New Year is indeed here, and has started quietly. I hope yours is delightful.

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  57. Wonderful flowers and birds. Such smile bringers :) Happy New Year!

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    1. DeniseinVA: Thank you - and a very happy and healthy New Year to you too.

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