Wet and Aggressive Corella challenges Magpie

Wet and Aggressive Corella challenges Magpie

Sunday 10 October 2021

Sunday Selections #554 (reposting on Sunday).

 



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 taking you walking with me again this week.  Each year my city has a festival to welcome Spring - Floriade.  Last year Covid saw it cancelled.  This year it was going ahead, but a resurgence of the Delta Strain of Covid saw it cancelled at the eleventh hour.  Much of the planting had been done, but my city went into lockdown and the festival was cancelled.

However no-one told the plants that.  This last week some of our lockdown restrictions have been eased.  We can now go further from home (masked) and the time we can spend outside has been increased.

So we went to the Floriade you have when you are not having Floriade.  There were no shops.  No entertainment.  Much, much smaller crowds.  I did miss the quirky statues that are a usual feature but we spend a wonderful couple of hours on an absolutely beautiful day happily wandering.

Floriade is held in Commonwealth Park which is a short walk away from the city centre - and miles away from it in spirit.

Many photos follow (despite the fact that I am only showing a fraction of those I took).



This is a female Australian wood duck and her family.  I was impressed, but later we saw an even bigger family.  It has obviously been a very good year for ducks.



 

Do you see what I mean?  They certainly had their hands/beaks full with this brood.






I do like to see an 'aberrant' colour pop up in the displays.









I was pleased to see that I am not the only one to really like this statue (which is on permanent display).







Bluebells have naturalised very successfully here.


Another permanent statue.






It was a serene and lovely day and both of us felt much better after our outing.

I am reposting this.  I thought I had scheduled it to post today but instead had hit publish - which I didn't notice until the first comments arrived.  Oops.

I hope your week is happy, healthy and packed with beauty.


 

129 comments:

  1. I'm glad I am not the only one who thinks it is Sunday. It must be nice to have Floriade Light without the commercial aspect. I love the kangaroo sculpture, reminding me of similar in Perth. The bird in the water is good too. I've never seen so many ducklings together. I don't know, maybe two families?

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    1. Andrew: Thank you for your comment - without it I don't know how long it would have taken me to realise that I had jumped the gun. I really enjoyed Floriade Light. Newspaper reports suggest that other people did too. I did wonder whether I was seeing a duckling creche...

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    2. Then of course I completely forgot about this and wondered this Sunday morning why a post by you had not popped up in my list.

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    3. Andrew: I often struggle with what day it is, and am grateful that you revisited. Thank you.

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  2. Your photos are beautiful. I am running a day behind and it is Thursday in my mind. I have to reset my internal time piece!
    The tulips are just gorgeous and I love the occasional different color that appeared! Nature does not like perfection or symmetry! Thank goodness or I would be screwed!

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    1. Anne in the kitchen: Posting this yesterday is a clear sign that I don't know what day it is either. Nature does pretty well even without the obsession on perfection doesn't she?

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  3. Oops. I thought I had scheduled this for tomorrow. My bad.

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  4. I like the field of tulips. Tons of color. And today is Saturday. Just like tomorrow and the day after and so on. It's the day of the retired.

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    1. Mike: Today is definitely Sunday. It isn't dawn yet, but Sunday it is. Unlike yesterday when I first posted this.

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  5. How wonderful. And I loved the statue, I have been missing the roos. Give it a pat from me next time you pass it.

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    1. Charlotte (MotherOwl): I am missing the roos too. I am well overdue a roo fix. I will pat the statue for us both next time I am in the area.

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  6. I love the Wood Duck and chicks, and flowers, beautiful.

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    1. Bob Bushell: We loved the duck families too - but felt for them having such a BIG family to look after.

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  7. Tulips! Now?? We have to wait about six more months here. 🥲🌷

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    1. Sandi: Tulips now. We are firmly in Spring - and summer is making obvious advances.

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  8. The flowers are glorious and I love that there are no crowds, Y hope tou have a good week

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    1. e: No crowds was wonderful. The people we met were masked, and like us enjoying themselves...

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  9. OMG look at those tulips...and ducklets. How would you ever know when one was missing?
    YOU take special care.

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    1. Sandra Cox: I hope the ducks can count better than we can. I think there were over twenty ducklings in that family...

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  10. Dear EC
    Oh, that fabulous colour! Aren't tulips the most cheerful and vibrant of flowers. I just love to see them en masse like that. I also love the roo sculpture.
    Thank you for sharing the joy.
    Have a good week and take care of yourself and family
    Best wishes
    Ellie

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    1. Ellie Foster: Wasn't it a joy. Totally delightful, and in my eyes much better for the absence of shops and crowds.

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  11. Wow... that's a lot of ducklings!
    Despite missing a few quirky statues (which nonetheless are missed) it's a great tradeoff to be able to roam freely without the crowds. Like you say, The plants were blooming anyway, waiting to be admired. So you did, as is proper. :)
    Hugs to you and many thanks for sharing.

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    1. River Fairchild: I did miss the statues but as a trade off no statues/no crowds we got the best bargain. I really is a beautiful place...

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  12. It looks like the ducks and the plants are blooming under Covid. I've not seen our wood duck family around here yet, but no doubt they will make their appearance shortly.

    Take good care, EC...enjoy the week ahead...cuddles to Jazz. :)

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    1. Lee: I am so glad that our restrictions were loosened enough so that we could enjoy the display. Jazz is having a good morning so I will pass your cuddles on. I hope you and the furry overlords have a wonderful week.

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  13. Thanks for taking me with you on an duck- and flowerful excursion.

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    1. Sean Jeating: I am very glad to have to company.

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  14. "a serene and lovely day" - it definitely looks like that. What a treat! I love the ducks with their (huge!) broods of babies, and the tulips are stunning - that dark purple one in photo 5 gets the gold medal from me. And I really like the red and yellow ones in photo 11.
    Thank you - and have a lovely week.

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    1. Alexia: It really was beautiful. For a variety of reasons I was tired and frazzled when we set off - but I am very, very glad that we made the effort.

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  15. That's a lot of tulips.
    We have wood ducks here. What are the odds?

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    1. Alex J. Cavanaugh: Definitely a lot of tulips. And a lot of ducklings. Whoever is responsible for naming birds has a sad lack of imagination. Our wood ducks are not the same as yours.

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  16. This sounds like a neat event. Sorry to hear you're still in lockdown but glad you were able to get out to some extent and enjoy this.

    "been a good year for ducks" I would say so haha! I love seeing the little ones though... so adorable.

    Some of those pics- just gorgeous.

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    1. Greg: Thank you. Floriade is a must see even every year, and I think it was better this year. The ducklings melted my heart - and I felt for the parents.

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  17. So many beautiful pictures. I don't particularly care for tulips, but the meandering beds of so many colors are lovely. And the girl and her roo fix. All the ducks!

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    1. Joanne Noragon: Planted en masse I think that most flowers look lovely. The girl, the roo and the ducks and the ducklings were unexpected stars.

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  18. I love all the beautiful tulips and those blue flowers but I especially love seeing those ducks with their brood of ducklings. So precious. I like the kangaroo statues as well as the bird statue. Thanks for sharing your floriade.

    Hugs,
    Julia

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    1. Julia: Thank you. I hope to be able to share the full monty next year and its in my eyes better neighbour the Tulip Top Gardens.

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  19. Someone or someONES spent a LOT of time planting those tulips. I love how they meander through the garden area. What are the tiny flowers beneath the tulips that are the same color as each tulip family?

    Even though you were mostly in lockdown, this turned into a beautiful festival for the flowers. Much nicer for the flowers than having to share space with tents filled with wares to be hawked (in my humble opinion, of course).

    I love that Roos statue. The ducks have their hands full with their new brood. Thanks for taking us with you to this amazing floral festival.

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    1. Bleubeard and Elizabeth: A lot of work goes into the planning and planting for Floriade. While we were visiting there were Parks and Gardens staff clipping off the dead heads. I am with you about the absence of shops. All the way.
      Most of the underplantings were pansies and violas. In some beds bellis perennis took their place. They really add to the display don't they?

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  20. I love the permanent statues, the roos especially and I also love that "black" tulip. And the striped ones too. They all look so wonderful massed like that. A sea of colour. I pulled up my bluebells, they were in a spot where people taking shortcuts would trample them in the dark of night. a time which has me wondering who and why, especially now when there have been several attempted break-ins around here. I'll put them in a wide pot for next year.

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    1. River: A sea of colour it was. I am sorry that your garden has been trampled - that would send me bat shit crazy. I might even plant spiky things in their path.
      I hope your bluebells do well (mine are just coming out).

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  21. Bellas imagenes, te mando un beso

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  22. Gorgeous tulips, do really love that near black one.

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    1. Margaret D: That bed was underplanted with black pansies too - which I also really liked.

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  23. Stunning post, loving your flower display.x

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    1. aussie aNNie: Thank you. The city did us proud.

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  24. Stupendi tutti quei Tulipani.
    Buona domenica.

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    1. Giancarlo: They are lovely aren't they? Thank you - and to you.

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  25. Hooray for errant flowers! Being a bit of a misfit myself, I get a chuckle out of these pop-ups.

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    1. dinahmow: I am a big fan too. And also a misfit.

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  26. Love the tulips--- The Australian Wood Ducks have diminutive little beaks, and they sure do have large broods. Great pictures! Thanks for sharing your outing! Hugs from around the world.

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    1. Bill: Those broods were bigger than I have seen before. I hope they survive and thrive.

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  27. They are really cute mother duck with her kids ! I like the tulips too ! A very nice selection for a Sunday !

    https://gattinawritercramps.blogspot.com/2021/10/sunday-selection-fall.html

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    1. Gattina: Thank you. I am heading over to check out your post now.

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  28. No worries - just always happy to see your photos of Floridae ... gorgeous tulips. Then the girl hugging 'your statue' - do you do that?! You're right about the Wood Ducks - healthy broods ... sadly we're about to hit the ghastly winter, but all well here. Cheers Hilary

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    1. Hilary Melton-Butcher: Do I hug statues? Not usually when people are looking, but I did smile to see her obvious love for the roos.
      Those ducks had bigger broods than I can remember seeing before.
      I hope your winter isn't as vicious as it can be - and that you stay well.

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  29. Sad it wasn´t as fun as before Covid, but this is a beautiful start!
    I hope, kinda, for Christmas Markets opening again this year. I feels so sorry for the vendors who have nothing to sell in these times...

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    1. Iris Flavia: I like Floriade light - without the shops and the entertainment better, but do feel for those who have lost valuable business. I am also hoping that some of our markets can return. Time will tell.

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  30. I am happy that you are able to enjoy a little more freedom. COVID is really becoming tiring! We were chatting with our friends in Melbourne last evening and they were wondering whether lockdown has become more normal than what we used to know as normal! The statute of the kangaroos is fabulous!

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    1. David M. Gascoigne: Thank you. A little more freedom is wonderful but I feel no urge to rush back into the full gamut. That roo statue has been there as long as I can remember - and delights generations.

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  31. The Australian wood ducks' are a cute family, especially like the spotty (?) female. Thank Goodness, we humans have smaller broods, I cannot imagine handling all 20+ kiddies, I would really breakup with acne and go spotty! What is the colour of that dark purple (?) tulip? A black tulip? Like that white bird sculpture especially with its long legs above the pond.

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    1. kestrel: I couldn't imagine coping with all those babies either. And suspect I would fail.
      That very, very dark tulip is probably sold as black but I would class it as very deep purple. It is lovely though.

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  32. With such beautiful flowers you can't help but smile. Thanks for sharing the walk. Hope you have a wonderful and safe week my friend.

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    1. Mason Canyon: Thank you. You stay healthy and safe too please.

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  33. I love those saucy flower intruders! What a gorgeous walk, thank you, Floriade sounds so special and you made it happen without the official festival.

    We've had a myriad of ducks appear on our lakes this past spring and summer. I don't know how mummy copes with feeding these broods. And training them.

    XO
    WWW

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    1. Wisewebwoman: Floriade IS special, and I liked it much, much more without the commercial element which has taken over in recent years. I was pleased to see that the drakes also had a part to play in bringing up those huge broods - and it still wouldn't be easy.

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  34. Floriade - what a beautiful name for the time of blooming.
    I love Springtime through your lens. Thank you.
    And for loving the occasional "aberrant" color....gosh I love
    you for that:) Gives me joy:)
    Thanks for such a lovely walk through the park with you,
    Jennifer

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    1. SingingRiverSoulSpa: Of course I like the abberrant colours. I could often be categorised that way myself.

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  35. Your photos are so beautiful, I love the photos of the flowers.
    -Quinley

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    1. Quinley: Thank you. I am very glad to share the colours of my corner of the world.

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  36. I came here yesterday to rewalk with you and was totally confused because I couldnt find the lovely flowers. I just knew I was losing it. But thankfully, you explained what happened, so I am back in the living world now! LOL Anyway, I truly did enjoy the flowers and could imagine the sweet scent, and the mother duck, the one with 43 babies...;) better her than me! Happy Sunday.

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    1. J C: I am sorry to mess with your mind. Thank you for revisiting. I really cannot imagine coping with so many babies - all of whom seem to be thriving (which they would not in my care).

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  37. Well my post took forever today because my old lap top gave out so it was a whole lot of starting over, but I got it handled. These tulips are incredible, your spring is bursting with life, and the wood duck family is adorable. Thank you for such a breath of fresh beautifulness! Enjoy your week take care and yes mask up for safety, I am every single day in public and at work.

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    1. 21 Wits: Thank you - I am glad that you were able to handle the death of your laptop. Masks may well be the new normal - but there is still beauty about.

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  38. All those tulip displays are stunning! And the statues, especially the mother kangaroo with her joey. The wood duck and her family were a delight. Thank you and happy you are being allowed to venture a little further. Hope this continues in the right direction.

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    1. DeniseinVA: Thank you. Our numbers are not declining, so who knows what the week will bring. I was very glad to see the lake, the flowers and the ducks though.

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  39. Such a beautiful display. Even though the events had to be cancelled, i am so very glad the flowers were planted and can bring joy to the citizens of your city, and by picture, to us.

    My selections are over here.

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    1. messymimi: Thank you. I have already really enjoyed your Sunday Selections.

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  40. I saw an ad for Tulip Tops last week and immediately thought of you. For a moment I wondered why youhadn't shown photos of this years garden and of course then i remembered restrictions!

    Floriade sans people looks perfect! I'm so glad you could go and have a wander

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    1. kylie: I really, really miss Tulip Top Gardens and hope to get back next year. Floriade with significantly reduced crowds was WONDERFUL.

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  41. Tulips are so pretty. I enjoyed your pictures.

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  42. "No one told the plants that" made me smile. I'm glad you and the duckies got a good show!

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    1. John Wiswell: I was so very glad that the plants ignored the Health Directives - and that we could see them being ignored.

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  43. What a lovely day- so happy we got to enjoy it with you through all your pictures. Those flowers are just gorgeous. Love all the colors. Such a sweet image of the statue of the kangaroos being hugged. Love it! :)

    Hope you have a fantastic week!
    ~Jess

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    1. DMS ~Jess: Thank you. It was a truly delightful display from beginning to end.

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  44. So gorgeous! I especially like the variegated tulips and the perfectly-imperfect flower beds.

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    1. musicalsciencedoggies: I couldn't choose a favourite but revelled in it all.

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  45. I like your yearly posts about floridae. The ducks seem to be very happy, regardless if people are not. they might wish for longer human lockdowns or go aways. The flowers are beautiful and the hugaroo little girl, well I'd want to do that too, to that beautiful piece.

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    1. Strayer: I look forward to Floriade each year, and I am glad that you enjoy them too. Hugaroo girl is the perfect description - thank you.

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  46. The deep, delightful colors of the flowers are gorgeous. Every time I see Floriade, my brain automatically "corrects" it to Florida, but we do not have flowers that lovely--at least not in my city.

    Love,
    Janie

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    1. Janie Junebug: I am not sure that Florida gets cold enough for a tulip display. Some places even recommend putting the bulbs in the refrigerator for a week or two before planting them. I don't - I think the frost is enough. It is a lovely display though isn't it?

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  47. It's Autumn here so the lovely summer flowers aren't around any more. I'll have to wait until next year.

    :o)

    Cheers

    PM

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    1. Plastic Mancunian: I am a big fan of autumn and photos of it from your side of the world take my breath away.

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  48. Really lovely photos. I adore that statue. So cute! Love the tulips, too.

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  49. it's nice you could still enjoy the flowers even if the festival was cancelled - they look so beautiful in the photos, it's good you got to enjoy them :)


    Hope your week is going well so far :) It's a rainy one here!

    Away From The Blue

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    1. Mica: I am very glad that we were able to see them. Grey here today with rain forecast for later in the week.

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  50. Love the ducks and ducklings, and the lovely tulips. We had a reduced pumpkin fest here, no pumpkin catapult or pumpkin regatta, just painted pumpkins. Still quite a few people about and the weather has been a bit warmer than usual I think. Enjoy your spring :)

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    1. mshatch: I am enjoying spring - but not looking forward to summer. Do we get to see photos of the painted pumpkins? And yes that is a hint.

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  51. Me alegro mucho de que halláis disfrutado y relajado con este paseo que nos muestras; y no me extraña nada que haya sido así, porque con ta solo ver esos patos en el estanque y esos arriates de tulipanes, bien que merece la pena pasear por ahí.
    Y ojala que pronto baje el número de contagios covid, y podáis hacer una vida normal.
    Por España la cosa va bastante bien, con unas cifras de contagiados bastante baja y están desapareciendo las restricciones, gracias a Dios.
    Un abrazo, y cuídate mucho.

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    1. Manuel: Thank you. It really was a delightful walk, and I am so grateful that we had the opportunity. We will probably open us a little more at the end of the week - and hopefully infections won't skyrocket.

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  52. Once again, thank you for these wonderful Sunday Selections.

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    1. Granny Annie: It is my pleasure - and thank you.

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  53. Absolutely beautiful ...
    I did enjoy my walk with you through the flowers.
    Very nice to see the statues too and the ducks with their brood.

    I hope your week is going well and that it may be possible for a further easing of lockdown for you.

    All the best Jan

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    1. Lowcarb team member ~Jan: Thank you. I am glad that you enjoyed coming on my walk. So far it looks as if lockdown will be lightened (but not lifted) at the end of the week.

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  54. Tulips make me so happy! Love them!

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    1. Jemi Fraser: You would have been very happy if you could have been with us that day. Hundreds and hundreds of tulips.

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  55. So happy to see all those beautiful, sun dappled tulips as it is grey, rainy and cold here in the Pacific Northwest!

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    1. molly: It is grey and rainy here today too. And cool. The flowers will shine through anyway once it is light.

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  56. The ducklings are adorable! And it's so nice to see the beautiful flower displays - it's such a nice reminder that natures goes on about its business regardless of the upheavals in the human world. :-)

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    1. Diane Henders: It was lovely to see that nature was totally ignoring our 'woes'.

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  57. Loving all the beautiful colour and the ducklings are so precious! Love the statues too! Big Hugs EC!!! Hope you are well!

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    1. Magic Love Crow: Thank you. Weren't those big duck families a joy?

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  58. Beautiful flowers - I'm glad you got to Floriade even if Floriade didn't make it.

    Love that seventh photo - the water and the reflections you captured. And the ducks with their fuzzy ducklings :)

    Thanks for all the marvellous shots. And I hope Jazz is having a good share of comfortable days.

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    1. jenny_o: You will be totally unsurprised to learn that I liked Floriade light more than I do the much more commercial full bells and whistles event. The ducks and their families were a bonus.
      Jazz has had a bad day recently, but has bounced back. Which is wonderful.

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  59. I find peace when I am on your blog. Thank you.

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    1. Clippping Path Service: What a lovely thing to say. Thank you.

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  60. Tulips or politicians? Tulips! Love those pics.

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    1. Blue Grumpster: Thank you. You will got not arguments from me about which of those things I would rather see.

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  61. I was a bit upset that my favourite female singer Kylie Minogue is moving back to Australia having lived in the Uk for 3 decades, but when I see your photos I understand why!

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    1. LL Cool Joe: I didn't know she was moving back. I suspect she won't find it easy, physically or emotionally. I wonder what is bringing her home.

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  62. The weeks are definitely different at the moment, I had one with two Sundays and another with no Tuesday - very peculiar! Those tiny ducklings are absolutely delightful EC, I'm glad they live in Canberra

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    1. Kim: I have been struggling all week to know what day it is - or isn't. And I am very glad that the ducklings (and their parents) are thriving.

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  63. Heipsan,
    these are all beautiful, photos, everyone.
    Hugs

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  64. wow what a nice shoots of tulips
    the flower are blooming and various of colour make me happy

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