Sunday, 9 January 2022

Sunday Selections #567

 

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. Sorry, I am reverting to type a bit here.  Nothing new, nothing exciting.  It has been warmer and stickier here than I like, I am tired to the bone and I have not done a lot.  So you get some shots of the sky, shots from the garden and some visiting birds.

Skyscapes to begin with.



We have had a LOT of grey days.  Sometimes it has rained, sometimes it hasn't.  The rain, despite having more than usual, is always welcome.

Then to the gardenjungle.  The rain I mentioned in the last paragraph means that a lot of things (including weeds) are going gang busters.











This lilium had come down and was lying across the path so I had to pick it and a few others.  How we suffer.  Not.

Here is a vase with some of the liliums which have had to be picked because the wind/rain had brought them down.

 


 


Yes, feathers bloom in our garden too.





Finishing up with some birds.  They have been totally unphased by our hot or our wet weather.




I am going to finish with some damp, but still beautiful galahs.
 

 

 
I hope that your week brings you joy and beauty.

110 comments:

  1. How I know all too well that with lots of rain and heat, the weeds takes over. But your flowers are not undone in beauty. I so love all the colorful lilies and wish I could smell their fragrance. We have snow on the ground but I can't wait till my lilies bloom again.

    I love seeing your native birds. Of course for us, they are exotic birds. I'm glad that the birds have left you some lilies to enjoy.

    Wishing you some sunny days to cheer the heart.

    Hugs, Julia

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    1. Julia: Thank you. While the birds often wreak havoc in the garden for some reason they leave the lilies (all of them) alone. For which I am grateful.

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  2. I thoroughly enjoyed a walk through your jungle garden, but the birds always totally amaze me. I would enjoy having birds like that around here in the wild. I hope you have been doing well. I've missed visiting on a regular basis but will be back soon. Happy New Year!

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    1. Martha: I would love to see some of your native birds too. You are welcome whenever you drop by. And thank you.

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  3. Such pretty flowers! And birds, too. And skies. So nice to see you are coping with it all just fine. :-)

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    1. DJan: I really don't have any alternative but to cope - and to hunt down and celebrate the beauty.

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  4. What are those white hair-looking flowers? I've never seen anything like them!

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    1. Sandi: They are flowers on the Albizia julibrissin (also known as a silk tree). I believe they are called mimosa in your part of the world too. I really like them, but the trees are subject to borer attach and we have lost several over the years. The birds like (and rip apart) the buds, the flowers and the seeds (if they allow any to develop) too.

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  5. Such beauty of sky, bloom and feather here, EC. Those Galahs are exceptionally beautiful, wet or not.

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    1. Marie Smith: I have a soft spot for galahs. There is a story that some of our early white colonists decided to cook them and the recipe goes 'boil galah with a stone until the stone goes soft. At that point throw away the galah and eat the stone'. I have no sympathies for the colonists.

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  6. I have a mimosa in my backyard. A lot of people don't like them as they can be quite invasive. Just like I didn't plant mine. It just appeared and I let it grow.

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    1. Mike: Attacks by borers ensure that they don't have a chance to become invasive here. The birds and I like them.

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    2. Is there a treatment or preventative treatment for the borers?

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    3. River: There is a spray but I am reluctant to use them. They so often kill things which eat the sprayed pest.

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  7. Now that's a pink chested bird.
    Even if things are going a little wild in the garden, it still looks inviting.

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    1. Alex J. Cavanaugh: They are beautiful little birds aren't they? And the garden is going VERY wild. I spent a few hours in it weeding yesterday. You can barely see where I have been.

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  8. So beautiful. I had to look up the weather prognosis for your place, hot and lots of rain - I would not be likeing it either, too many clouds and too little sunshine for my taste. My garden would be growing wild in that weather too - but my flowers are not as pretty and my birds not half as big or colourful as yours. Thank you so much for these pictures from your beautiful place!

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    1. Charlotte (MotherOwl): The next few days are going to be cooler (though out of my comfort zone). They are also going to be damp rather than wet - until mid week when the wet returns. I do like colour in the garden and plant for it. And adore the visiting birds.

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    2. Hot and rainy, almost tropical, we could pretend we are in Queensland, but without the cyclones.

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    3. River: For the last few days at least our heat has been down a bit, but the humidity is still nasty.

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  9. The galahs are beautiful, the cockatiels look cocky and assured. I could use with a little less rain here. At least we're not cooking. That comes in the summer now, but you are in summer so your wet one confuses me.

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    1. Strayer: The corellas are assured, and punch well above their weight. They are smaller than the cockatoos but it is not uncommon to see them challenge the cockies in a beak off. They sometimes win too. We are having a MUCH wetter summer than usual - which will hopefully keep the fires at bay.

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    2. Well I got those birds wrong. I can't keep them straight.

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    3. Strayer: Not a problem. I am ashamed to say that for a long time I often called pelicans albatrosses - knowing it was wrong as soon as it came out of my mouth.

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  10. I can only imagine how hot and humid it must be. Should I say I'm glad you're having rain to keep the forest fires at bay?

    Your skyscapes and birds and flowers are beautiful as always. We haven't seen anything but white here for the past several weeks, but apparently our rains are due to return this week and turn everything back to green. We'll see... :-)

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    1. Diane Henders: It isn't as hot as usual here, but definitely more humid. With more rain on the horizon. Like you I am very, very happy that here at least the fire risk has been diminished. Which isn't true for all of Oz.

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  11. There is always your beautiful garden and the exotic birds and the dramatic sky.
    : )

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  12. Fantastic skyscapes, love them. Another beauty of the birds EC.

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    1. Bob Bushell: How I would love to see how you photographed our beautiful birds...

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  13. We've been having lots and lots of rain up this way. Here where I live, there has been no flooding, but elsewhere others have been affected badly from the visit of Cyclone Seth off the Queensland coast.

    Love the beauty...take care, EC...I hope the coming week treats you well. Cuddles to Jazz. :)

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    1. Lee: Thank you. Today we have had no rain. Tomorrow is a different matter. Thank you, and I hope that you and the furry overlords have a wonderful week. Shortly I will wake up Jazz for his afternoon tablet.

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  14. They are interesting clouds in the second photo.
    I always thought those pink arum? lilies were dyed. It seems not.
    No matter how many times I've seen cockies with their crests up, I still find them so funny.

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    1. Andrew: You have pink, yellow, green and white arum lilies (though the yellow have not yet flowered). Definitely not died. Cockatoos raise their crest each time they land, as well as out of interest. I love to see it and treasure our collection of crest feather.

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  15. We may/may not/ may/may not get some precipitation if the rumoured cyclone unloads its wetness.Meanwhile, we turn on a tap. I do have flowers on the Golden Penda.Strangely, only on the side facing the road, so can't see the golden blooms from the house.I suspect it really needed pruning last year.No! The year before that...Ye gods, if I still had a cheque book I'd be correcting cheques all January!No wonder I have to surf the web for floral balm. Thank you.

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    1. dinahmow: The Golden Penda was new to me until you showed it on your blog. Floral (and birdy) balm across the blogosphere is wonderful isn't it?

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  16. I wonder where the red roofs behind the lilium vase are thought to be.
    As for the days to come: Sending a refreshing cool breeze your way.

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    1. Sean Jeating: Peru I expect. Himself brought that tapestry home after his first trip there. Thank you for the cool breeze wish. May it be so.

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  17. Your amazing flower and sky photos always bring a smile to my face. Thank you for that. Such beauty that you share. Sorry to hear you're feeling tired, hope you're feeling better soon. Take care and be safe my friend.

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  18. I love the galahs, damp or not - they are so beautiful. We have had some badly needed rain (not enough!), but are struggling with the heat: 30 degrees is unusual here , or was...
    I really enjoy the skyscapes, and of course your lovely garden; I hope you are managing to keep cool, at least some of the time.

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    1. Alexia: Galahs are cheeky charmers. I hope you get more rain (but not too much) and that your heat subsides.

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  19. I'm so sorry you're feeling tired. Oh, your photos make me look forward to summer or at least spring here, when it's not too dark and gloomy for me to take pictures outdoors. Thank you for sharing.

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    1. Astrid: Thank you. Tired/exhausted goes with our summer. You are longing for warmer weather and I am looking to photos from your side of the world for cooling relief.

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  20. What is that very pretty weed in the first two photos? I love all the rest, the roses made me smile and the birds had me grinning. We have a few sulphur crested squawkers here, the fly overhead morning and evening. screeching out directions to each other.

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    1. River: Those are the flowers from the Persian silk tree. More are coming out each day. Which is wonderful. The Sulphur Crested vandals are here every day - which I love.

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  21. Your pictures bring me joy. It is cold and snowy here in Maine, months away from anything approaching warm, but I can imagine it through your pics. Thank you.

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    1. mshatch: I am so glad to hear that. Thank you.

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  22. Your jungle is a blessing to us up here in the clutches of winter. Many thousand thanks.

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    1. Joanne Noragon: There will be more jungle shots later. I am glad (and grateful) that you enjoy them.

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  23. You've shared joy and beauty in these pictures.

    My selections will be over here.

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    1. messymimi: Beauty and joy SHOULD be shared. I look forward to your Selections.

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  24. Your captures of the birdos are just wonderful! How I love the parrots.
    I'm with you on the heat and humidity, it saps all enjoyment.

    I hope you get some cool breezes and happy days this week :)

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    1. kylie: I don't like either heat OR humidity, but in tandem they are even worse. More of the same this week, but there will be happy days.

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  25. How lovely to see colorful flowers and read that it is hot while in my part of the world its cold ans grey and rainy. The parrots look so funny ! https://gattinawritercramps.blogspot.com/2022/01/sunday-selections_0488990276.html?m=1

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    1. Gattina: We have had a lot of hot grey and rainy days lately. Heading over to see your Sunday Selections now.

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  26. I love to see your birds; so different from what we see here. Not much heat on this side of the world, though it is damp.

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    1. John "By Stargoose And Hanglands": I love to see your birds and animals too. And much prefer your current temperatures to ours.

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  27. More wonderful flowers, fabulous birds--- Again I thankyou for your wonderful Sunday Selections, and for the heartwarming comments you make when you stop by my blog. Stay safe, and thanks.

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    1. Bill: Thank you. I worried when you didn't comment on my last Sunday Selections - and it is no hardship to applaud your wonderful photos.

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  28. Hi EC - lovely to see the photos of 'home' ... your 'jungle' looks wonderfully alive ... lots going on. Thankfully we've seen more sun recently ... the grey was getting to me ... but the days are minutely longer = bliss! Cheers - and always love your Sunday Selections - Hilary

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    1. Hilary Melton-Butcher: The jungle most decidedly is alive. As well as the birds it is also home to lizards and a myriad of insects. The Ginger interlopers consider it home too.
      Enjoy your longer days.

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  29. Sorry I'm late visiting. I've had no internet or phone since Monday, but stopped by to say I love seeing your beautiful home and the birds that visit you there. Summer in your world is just as beautiful as is your spring. Hope all is well and thanks for visiting, even when I had no way to reciprocate.

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    1. Bleubeard and Elizabeth: It is never a problem to visit your creative and lovely posts. I do hope that your internet stays 'up'.

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  30. The birds are beautiful!!! Is that a lovely yellow rose? Your flowers are gorgeous!! :)

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    1. Rain: That is indeed a yellow rose. It has a beautiful scent too.

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  31. Dear EC
    Gorgeous blooms in your garden - a wonderful splash of colour. The skies and birds are rather lovely too.
    Have a good week
    Best wishes
    Ellie

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    1. Ellie Foster: As I am sure you understand, more and different things come out in the garden every day. The hoyas and the tuberous begonias are about to put on their display. You have a lovely week too.

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  32. I am sure it will come as no surprise to you, Sue, that I am enchanted by the cockatoos - to say nothing of the garden.

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    1. David M. Gascoigne: It doesn't come as a surprise. I thought of you when I posted the cockatoos - as I often do when they come visiting.

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  33. Oh the flowers! Love them all, but am immediately drawn to the pink lilly. Had one like that in my backyard. Was a real favorite with such a nice aroma, but the damn chipmunks and or squirrels kept digging it up. Lost track how many times I replanted it...even moved it a few times, til finally nothing left of it.

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    1. Sandy: I really like that pink lily and am pleased that it seems to be thickening up. I do wonder where the yellow ones are this year though. No chipmunks here - for which I am grateful.

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  34. The birds and flowers are beautiful as always. I love the gray days. I wish we had more of them.

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    1. Mary Kirkland: I like grey days that bring rain. I am less fond of those that don't.

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    1. John Wiswell: For whom? Those with allergies to lilies, definitely. I hope everyone else can walk on by.

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  36. Your sky photos are always so beautiful, and it's nice seeing all the colours in your garden! thank you for sharing these photos :)

    Hope that you had a lovely weekend :)

    Away From The Blue

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    1. Mica: Thank you. I hope you and your family are well.

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  37. Thanks for popping by to check the Monday Murals :)
    Beautiful photos of your flowers and the birds. We have been having very hot, (luckily dry) weather in Perth and I leave a lot of water dishes in the garden and even in the park across the road for all the birds.
    Our weeds seem to grow better than any plant!

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    1. Sami: Seeing your mural was a pleasure. Hot and dry is better in my eyes than hot and humid (though I have been shuddering at your temperatures). Thank you for putting out water for the birds. I am sure they appreciate it.

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  38. I am amazed at how your garden is always in bloom be it spring, summer, autumn or winter! You have flowers for every season. The pink breast of the galah is so natural, nothing too bright or dull - just perfect

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    1. kestrel: I do try and have something blooming all year round - and fortunately our winters are mild enough to make that achieveable. Aren't the galahs lovely?

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  39. Your flowers are much more bigger than ours (in summer:). I love the birds..

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    1. orvokki: Our flowers are bigger than usual this year - the warm wet spring and summer I think.

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  40. So sorry to read about the hot weather. Love those exotic birds! We anticipate the Australian Open coming up.

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    1. gigi-hawaii: I know how hard it is for you to comment at the moment and really appreciate the effort you put in. Thank you. I hope the Open goes ahead with no more drama. I really hope that.

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    1. Sue in Italia/In the Land of Cancer: We see galahs every day at the moment - and welcome them.

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  42. Just a couple of months and then we will be all sticky and hot and you can enjoy the marvelous autumn weather.

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    1. Hena Tayeb: I hope you are right. Sometimes our summers seem to last forever. I don't wish sticky and hot on anyone though.

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  43. The photos are wonderful EC - each is more beautiful than the last!!! I love your cats too! I am now following! Thanks for visiting my blog and commenting! Have a great week! HUGS

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    1. Annsterw: Thank you so much. Jewel, the smaller of the cats, left us some time ago. I still mourn. Jazz is the ruler of the house - and he knows it.

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  44. Loving your flowers and birds, all wonderful photos! Thanks for spreading the joy :)

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    1. DeniseinVA: I am so very glad that you could see/feel my joy.

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  45. I love that second sky photo; it reminds me of hammered copper. Thank you for all the beautiful flower and bird photos, too. I wish I could feel the plumage on the birds; they look so soft. I suppose they would probably nip a person, though - rightfully so :)

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    1. jenny_o: I am sure that the birds are very soft. We also wonder about most of them, though fallen feathers confirm their softness. And yes, I suspect they would nip. And don't begrudge that.

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  46. I am back and commenting after a short break, lovely to see your gorgeous work again. xx

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    1. aussie aNNie: I hope your break was good - and thank you.

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  47. I love your photos of the parrots, they're so beautiful.💙
    -Quinley

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    1. Quinley: Thank you. We think they are beautiful too. Noisy and often destructive, but beautiful.

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  48. It is always a delight to come and visit your beautiful spot in the world. Glad to hear you are getting some rain. I love seeing those beautiful exotic birds of yours....well exotic for me!

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    1. Donna: Lovely to see you here. One of the joys of the blogosphere for me is the invitation to see other people's parts of the world and marvel at their 'commonplace' which is definitely exotica to me.

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  49. So lovely to see those beautiful birds and clouds and blossoms, just what I needed to see before sleep tonight, thank you!

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    1. Kim: These things make my life better and I am very happy that you enjoy them too. I hope you slept/are sleeping well.

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  50. We've had quite a mix of weather this week, some wonderful cold but sunny days and also some horrible damp, foggy days!
    Eddie and I just made the best of what was on offer ...

    I enjoyed seeing your Skyscapes, and you have a nice lot of colour in the garden which is always nice to see.

    Hope the weekend ahead will be a good one for you, hard to believe that it's mid-January already!

    All the best Jan

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    1. Lowcarb team member ~Jan: Thank you. You and Eddie have the right attitude. Something I need to work hard on.

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  51. What is the name of those purple flowers? They look so elegant!

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    1. Cristina: Which purple flowers do you mean? The first is the bloom of the Persian Silk Tree - something I look forward to each and every year. Later in the post are purple cape daisies, which I also love.

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