Sunday, 7 November 2021

Sunday Selections #558

 


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. We had a very wet few days here.  I loved it, and the garden will benefit, but not everyone feels the same way.

Jazz loathes wet weather and punishes me for it.  That said, he didn't suffer too badly - though he would dispute that.

 

He used to have one white whisker, and now has several.

The garden has or will benefit from the rain - though some plants took a battering.  It was far too wet to work in the garden, but I did go out with the camera when it wasn't raining very much.


I do love seeing rain-bejewelled leaves.







Our white bottle brush is thriving.

However the birds had no escape from the rain, and many of them looked miserable.
 

The king parrots, like the crimson rosellas are low in the pecking order that on those wet days circumvented both the queue at the feeders and, briefly, the rain.








I hope that whatever the weather you find beauty, comfort and joy in the week to come.
 

120 comments:

  1. Oh my the what a lovely tour around your lovely world, and the raindrops add more magic to their beauty and the Parrots well they're always happy aren't they really no matter what, as life is wonderful. Enjoy your weekend and the upcoming week. Take care.

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    1. 21 Wits: I am not sure that the birds were enjoying the weather - but they are back this morning (slightly less damp) and enjoying breakfast.

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  2. Ahhh, Jazz. Looking so handsome and distinguished. Who would guess he has a savage side? :)
    The yellow and purple (iris?) is particularly beautiful. The white (corella?) seems to be Misery Incarnate. Thank you for sharing your gorgeous bounty. Your photos always brighten my existence. Hugs to you, my faraway friend.

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    1. River Fairchild: Jazz DOES have a savage side. A very well honed savage side. I have only bled a little bit this morning.
      I like that iris too (which I think is a hybrid of the ones I remember planting nearby. And felt for the birds.

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  3. Jazz reminds me so much of our cat named Kitty. The only visual difference between the two, she had a tiny white patch on her throat. I don't blame him to want to stay inside during the rain.

    I love Irises and you have some beauties. I'm sure they love the rain although, the birds are looking a bit miserable and are waiting for the sun to dry them of.

    Enjoy the new week my friend and thanks for sharing a part of your world.

    Hugs, Julia

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    1. Julia: Thank you. Jazz's white whiskers are the only white on him. He really doesn't like the rain - but does want to go out. (He goes out very briefly in the early morning most days).

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    2. Actually white whiskers match the Jazz very much. Our pets (we have parrots) dont like the Rain like jazz.

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    3. bread&salt: His white whiskers are new - but he does them well doesn't he?

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  4. Jazz looks like he rules the root! These birds look like "drown rats" as they would say in Northern Ireland. Your Iris are exquisite Sue. Have a good week ahead

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    1. Margaret Birding For Pleasure: Of course Jazz rules the roost. We have the drowned rat expression here too.

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  5. Oh poor flowers and Parrots, all wet and miserable. I feel for them.

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    1. Bob Bushell: The rain is expected to continue for a lot of this week. I do feel for the birds - and will put out extra apple for them.

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  6. Definitely an ‘I am not amused’ look on Jazz’s face……as well as some of your avian visitors.

    I went for a walk and Sunday Selections came to mind - when you have time pop over and see what I saw

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    1. Cathy: I often pay in blood when Jazz IS amused. I thoroughly enjoyed your much sunnier Sunday Selections. Thank you for joining us.

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  7. I miss the irises. Yours are beautiful.
    Apparently, the birds couldn't figure out how to turn the shower off:)

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    1. Sandra Cox: We have lots of different varieties of iris, in lots of colours. I love them too.
      The birds did look as if they would like to be able to turn off the heavy showers didn't they?

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  8. The birds do look grumpy. The blooms don't!

    The rain fell lightly throughout the night here...with more promised throughout the coming week. I don't mind at all. I love the rain.

    I hope the week ahead treats you kindly, EC...take care. Cuddles to Jazz. :)

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    1. Lee: I love the rain too. Others do not.
      I hope that you and your furry overlords have a much better week.

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  9. As usual, I am overcome by the bounty of your flora and fauna snaps. -just wonderful.

    Jazz is such a regal-looking feline, btw.

    White bottle brush?! Yay! I have not seen that variety here, but we've plenty of the reds. I grew up with the bottle brush & didn't learn until much later in life that they were not endemic to this area.

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    1. Bea: Jazz appreciates your comment. He considers himself regal too - when he doesn't lay claim to divinity.
      I do try and limit the number of photos I put up each week - but fail.
      Isn't the white bottle brush a charmer? There are other colours too.

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  10. I like the fog of a morning after a rainy day or night. I'm digging out a new flower bed and I plan to move my irises to that location. I love irises I think the most. But the fall wildflowers of October call my name loudly.

    Have a good week too Elephant's Child.

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    1. Ann Bennett: I also love fog. And rain. I hope your irises thrive after their move. I am unable to choose favourites. My fickle self changes with the season.

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  11. I think your irises look beautiful, and your white bottle brush plant is doing so well.
    Oh, those poor wet birds, they do look rather bedraggled.

    We've had some cooler Autumn days recently ...
    Have a good week.

    All the best Jan

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    1. Lowcarb team member ~Jan: They did look bedraggled didn't they? It is now lunchtime on Sunday and the sun had come out again. I don't know how long for, but there are no wet birds in sight.

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  12. Gosh, the birds really do look so miserable, the corellas perhaps the worst. I heard a bird expert describe how birds take shelter in stormy or wild weather. I think some of the birds in your post missed that basic school lesson.

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    1. Andrew: You are right, the corellas mostly did look the wettest and obviously were not paying attention when that lesson was on.

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  13. Our weather here is trying to turn to winter but fall keeps coming back. It was 65f today and supposed to be 70f tomorrow.

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    1. Mike: I hope our weather doesn't turn to summer anytime soon.

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  14. I looked a lot like those birds this morning, when I walked five miles in what I thought was going to be a sprinkle, and then turned into actual rain. I was soaked and miserable, but when I dried off, I was very happy I'd gone anyway. Sending you lots of gratitude for those gorgeous bejewelled flowers. :-)

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    1. DJan: Of course you were happy that you went. I am glad to give you flowers too.

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  15. Wow, you can really see the driving rain in that one shot.
    Tell Jazz he's a handsome fellow with those white whiskers.

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    1. Alex J. Cavanaugh: He knows - but thank you. That driving rain went on for hours. And hours.

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  16. Dear EC
    Jazz is such a handsome boy (and I think he knows it!). You have some lovely irises in your garden. The birds do look a little sorry for themselves - hopefully they cheered up when the rain stopped!
    Have a good week
    Best wishes
    Ellie

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    1. Ellie Foster: Of course he knows it. How could he not? The rain has stopped (for the moment) and the birds do look happier.

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  17. What is a nice little soft Australian rain compared to being spoiled by two kind bipeds.
    The peace of the night.

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    1. Sean Jeating: The peace of the night to you too (and hopefully here when it comes round again). Spoiled? Jazz tells us it is only his due...

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  18. The birds do look a little bedraggled, but I'm sure they will deal with the rain without much difficulty - and they will appreciate extra apples too!

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    1. David M. Gascoigne: There was a steady stream of requests for apples with the steady stream of rain. And of course we complied.

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  19. Beautiful rain photos!

    I hope the birds are just fine. They look a little droopy, but maybe in their hearts they are singing.

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    1. Sandi: The most bedraggled of the birds (the corellas) aren't songsters, but continued to shriek. They look much better now the rain has stopped, though some are still muddy.

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  20. Love seeing all your beautiful spring pics. Your garden looks like such a happy place. I especially love the bottle brush.

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    1. mshatch: Thank you. The garden IS my happy place and I was thrilled to see how well that bottle brush is doing this very wet spring - it has many more flowers than its more common red cousin.

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  21. Raindrops on plants always change their look entirely and I love to see pictures like these. The birds do look miserable, though, poor things.

    Jazz is very sleek and handsome. Tell him that is no excuse for his combative behavior, though :)

    I have just found your WEP essay and left a comment there. Big hugs, EC.

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    1. jenny_o: Thank you - and thank you for commenting on my very dark WEP piece. Jazz tells me he needs no excuse. He has been benign today. I have only bled twice and not much.
      Raindrops on flowers (including on roses) are some of my favourite things...

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  22. It is so unusual for you to feature rain in a post. It must be a treat!

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    1. Marie Smith: We very rarely get enough rain. This year has been the exception. The very welcome exception. We are expecting more over the next few days too.

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  23. I saw a small green parrot a couple of days ago, when it flew away the back parts covered by the wings were a pale orange. would that be a female king parrot? I've never seen one before, she must have come along with the rainbow lorikeets that I am hearing everywhere but can't see them through the foliage.
    I have never seen a green lily before and the purple&yellow iris is gorgeous.

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    1. River: It doesn't sound like a king parrot. A red-rumped parrot perhaps. The green lily is a calla lily and its name is Green Goddess. I planted quite a lot a few years ago and they are thriving.

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  24. May you have rain enough, but not a drop too much. That's my hope and prayer for all of us.

    Lovely photos, and yes, the poor birds do look unhappy about it all.

    My selections will be over here.

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    1. messymimi: Thank you. Jazz would tell you we have already have had too much rain. He is not a truth teller.
      I look forward to your selections. As I always do.

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  25. Bello gato y lindas flores. Te mando un beso

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  26. Such pretty flowers but then I've never seen one that isn't. Your pudding cat is beautiful just love black cats...the parrots posed well for you.

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    1. Margaret D: I feel pretty much as you do about flowers. And black cats. The birds were just hanging in the trees outside the window, enduring the rain.

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  27. The flowers handle the rain better than the birds-- It must be a real squawk fest around your house sometimes. Seriously, a great post-- with open eyes, mind, and heart!

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    1. Bill: Some of the flowers have been beaten down by the rain and may or may not recover. We had a dry interlude yesterday and the birds HAVE recovered - though some of them are quite grubby. And yes, it is a squawk fest here some days. Quite often.

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  28. Hi EC – wonderful you've had some plant-life giving rain … let alone for all nature. Raindrops on glossy leaves are gorgeous. That white bottle brush looks amazing … and Jazz looks in pretty good order – lucky lad being on the sofa ... comforted while it rains!!

    Poor weather-sodden parrots! - still they'll enjoy the fruits and treats the rain brings forth – and your caring feeders.

    You too have a peaceful week – cheers Hilary

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    1. Hilary Melton-Butcher: LOTS of life giving rain - with more on the way. Thank you.

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  29. Thanks for the lovely images as our world on the other side of the globe grow colder and darker.

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    1. Marty: I hope that our days don't get hotter too soon. I suspect that quite quickly I will be looking to photos of your side of the world for cool relief.

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  30. You did such an amazing job of capturing the rain on the leaves, and it's quite beautiful. I'm not a serious fan of rain either, but I do know it's needed for plants, flowers and the earth, and it give me a chance to watch movies.(lol) Hope you are well, and sending hugs, RO

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    1. RO: Thank you. I am a huge fan of wet weather - we very rarely have enough rain - and it is the perfect excuse (as if I needed one) to hunker down with a book. Hugs gratefully received and reciprocated.

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  31. beautiful post..loved all your clicks!

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  32. I really enjoyed your interview with Lee.

    I was taken by the irises, the bottle brush tree, and the roses. They and those leaves look simply stunning in the rain. Raindrops are magic when captured in a photo.

    Those poor birds. Some of them looked really bedraggled. Seems a few may have found their way to a bit of shelter at your home, though.

    I hope your Sunday is marvelous, dear. Nice to see Jazz is doing better. I learned something, too. I thought all cat whiskers were white!

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    1. Bleubeard and Elizabeth: Thank you for you kind words. All of Jazz's whiskers were black until a few years ago. Age is creeping up. Today he is not in a good place, and when himself gets up we will have to poke a pill down his reluctant throat.

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  33. The birds are so pretty even though I doubt they enjoy the rain. We haven't had rain in a while but the flowers sure look nice with the rain droplets on them.

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    1. Mary Kirkland: I don't think the birds enjoyed the rain either - but they are stoics. The garden (mostly) looks better for it.

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  34. Your garden is beautiful such vivid colors and the variety is awesome. Give Jazz a hug and tell him he is gorgeous no matter how many white whiskers he has. Have a wonderful week my friend.

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    1. Mason Canyon: He is very beautiful - and knows it. I will hug him for you - and thank you.

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  35. The bejeweled flowers are so special. My husband made a lovely photo of a rose with one drop of rain on a petal. I have it framed in my living room. I have birds coming to my feeders but seldom see them so "drowned" with rain as those beautiful birds in your photos. Once again, thanks for taking me on your tour today.

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    1. Glenda Beall: I am sure that photograph is very special to you. Very, very special. We rarely see birds quite as drowned as these were either.

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  36. I especially loved the flower photos. Our tuxedo lady has all white whiskers, but I never realized that whiskers could turn white. Do you have any knowledge as to whether it is age-related?

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    1. Snowbrush: Jazz always had all black whiskers until a few years ago when he developed one white one. He has now developed two chronic illnesses and his white whiskers have multiplied. I assume that it is either age or health related but don't know. Next time we take him to the vet I will ask. At the moment at least when his whiskers drop out they are replaced by white ones.

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    2. "He has now developed two chronic illnesses and his white whiskers have multiplied. I assume that it is either age or health related..."

      I googled the question and found the following at: https://www.care.com/c/why-do-cats-have-whiskers-7-fun-facts-about

      "Most cats have white whiskers because the thicker hair does not usually retain melanin, the substance responsible for skin and hair color, but sometimes cats can have colorful whiskers as well. Most whiskers will eventually turn white as cats age."

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  37. These are all so beautiful, I love the last photo of the bird. :)
    -Quinley

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    1. Quinley: Thank you. The last corella had somehow managed to stay a bit drier...

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  38. Aww poor little wet soggy birdies. But they are tough. They will survive and be flying about happily when the sun returns and feathers dry. I have never seen a white bottle brush tree, only red. Didnt even know they existed. Absolutely lovely flowers, especially with the rain jewels.

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    1. J C: The soggy birds look much better today (though some are still grubby). We have a heap more rain predicted for later in the week though.
      Bottlebrush flowers can come in red, white, yellow and pink. Some day we will add the yellow and pink ones to our garden.

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  39. I feel for those poor birds. Nice to see Jazz. even if he's grumpy.

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    1. e: I felt for them too - though they seem to have recovered. Grumpy Jazz had a bad start to the day but seems happy now.

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  40. Please tell Jazz I'm getting white whiskers, too, but my whiskers are on my head.

    Love,
    Janie

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    1. Janie Junebug: So am I. Lots of white whiskers.

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  41. I love those multi-coloured flowers, what are they? Gorgeous. And those poor wee wet birds, they do look quite wretched.

    XO
    WWW

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    1. Wisewebwoman: Bearded iris - which are thriving in this year's garden. The birds did look sad didn't they?

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  42. The iris look droopy and miserable and so do the birds!

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    1. Strayer: They don't visit us here, but we had a few days that were definitely nice weather for ducks...

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  43. Love your nature garden animals and birds of prey....great post...x

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    1. aussie aNNie: Thank you - though none of the birds featured are birds of prey - unless the prey is an apple or seed.

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  44. Rain is wonderful once it has stopped. I feel with Jazz and the wet - but still beautiful - birds.

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    1. Charlotte (MotherOwl): While I felt for the birds and Jazz I liked the rain. The air smells delicious after a downpour.

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  45. Weather is so cold, Cloudy but not rainy here. We really need it. Bye the way, flower and bird photos you sgared in this post look great. Especially flowers with Rain droplets look amazing. Have a great new week to you Dear E,C.!

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    1. bread&salt: Thank you. It is warming up here. Fast.

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  46. Nothing prettier than raindrops on flowers! But, those poor birds. They look so wet and bedraggled! LOL.

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    1. gigi-hawaii: I do love rain bejewelled plants. The cat and the birds weren't as happy as I was.

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  47. Not a fan of the rain myself but we need all the rain. I try to keep my errands to the minimum when it starts to pour.

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    1. Hena Tayeb: We very rarely have enough rain. I welcome it when it falls - though will admit it can be inconvenient - and I would rather not be on the road.

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  48. It rains a lot here in Florida. I look forward to having a drenched garden someday. The birds are so beautiful even when they’re not so happy.

    Have a great week!

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    1. Myrna R.: We very rarely get enough rain - though it is raining again now with more predicted over the coming days. The birds are lovely aren't they?

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  49. Lovely snapshots as usual. It is always a joy to visit these posts :)

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    1. Damyanti Biswas: That is a lovely thing to say. Thank you.

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  50. Those poor corellas look miserable but I do love the way the rain freshens everything and it looks pretty on a leaf or flower as well.

    Enjoy your week!

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    1. kylie: I particularly like the scent of rain washed air. And we are getting a lot of that at the moment.

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  51. Jazzes whiskers add distinction :) that’s what I say about my grey hairs anyhow! Those raindrops add beauty to already beautiful flowers and greenery. I also like the rain. Poor bedraggled birds, loved the variety of photos as always. Happy week to you.

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    1. DeniseinVA: I have a lot of distinction - and more each day. Thank you.

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  52. Like you I love the raindrops on the leaves and flowers, though they don't do the roses much good. I have rather more white whiskers every day too!

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    1. John "By Stargoose And Hanglands": The blooms that were out/nearly out don't survive the rain but it seems to bring on more. We have more flooding rain predicted for later today and tomorrow. I will see what happens but enjoy the jewels. And a big yes on the white whiskers here too.

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  53. Thank you for the collection of birds. Some do look so pitiful and disheveled after the rains, poor birdies. I always wonder where they go for shelter cos there is not much protection in the foliage during a storm. But the flowers are fresh and sparkling with jewels

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    1. kestrel: I wonder where they go too. The trees don't offer them a lot of shelter when the rain is heavy. I do love the rain drops on the garden though.

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  54. Oh, the poor wet birds! They don't look happy at all. And Jazz is a very handsome fellow.

    Around here, I've been watching the bald eagles and golden eagles - a couple of pairs must be nesting near our place because I see them every morning. The rain doesn't seem to affect them as much - maybe their feathers are oilier...?

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    1. Diane Henders: You see eagles on a regular basis? Lucky you. Some of our birds seem to stay relatively dry. Many do not.

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  55. The birdies are beautiful even being miserable. Rain bejewelled is such an evocative term. Even concrete jungles are made kinder, more acceptable to the eye when they are rinsed out.

    I hope your week is going well.

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    1. Nilanjana Bose: Thank you. I love the scent of rain washed air, and cherish the diamonds that rain adorns the garden with.

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  56. Even when birds might be unhappy they still look beautiful to me. Loved the pictures. The flowers look gorgeous!
    ~Jess

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    1. DMS ~Jess: Thank you. I think the birds are beautiful too.

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