I usually run with a theme. We celebrate the change of the seasons on the first of the relevant months rather than (as I think is more sensible) the solstice. So winter arrived this month. Entirely appropriately when I headed out that morning there was a dusting of snow on the nearby hills.
And the birds are remarkably unphased. Tying in with the dawn theme I have been photographing galahs lately.
What ever the season I hope you are finding beauty and fun.
PS: Blogger is currently sending many comments to Spam. I check the spam folder regularly (cursing them) and release the comments as soon as possible. If you are not certain whether it is affecting your posts I suggest checking your comments folder, clicking on the downward arrow, and seeing just which comments have been caught. Some of you blogger has taken a particular dislike to, and I hope this glitch is fixed soon. Yesterday would be good.
As for software/site updates, I think the rule of thumb is: if it's running smoothly, it must be time to change and break something again.
ReplyDeleteLove the snow shots! I don't like cold weather but I do appreciate the beauty of snow and other coldness factors... from a cozy, warm indoor setting where I can look through a window at it. ;)
Galahs have such a beautiful pastel look, quite different from either tropical colors or the drab brown varieties. They seem unique to my very limited knowledge of birds.
Hoping His Fuzzy Lordship is maintaining the status quo and that your week may have some rest and less pain attached to it. Hugs and scritches as always.
River Fairchild: I do like cold weather - but am alone in that in this house. Galahs are charming birds and we are seeing them a LOT at the moment. His high and spikiness thanks you, and says he is doing well at the moment. And that he will continue to scratch me.
DeleteVery nice photos. I like most nro 9 and 11 (the red parrot is wonderful). Hugs orvokki.
ReplyDeletePS. I'm still having trouble commenting. Sometimes I manage to comment anonymously, sometimes I don’t at all. Hugs orvokki.
Deleteorvokki: Thank you. I am sorry that blogger is making it difficult for you - and thank you for persevering.
DeleteThank you for the blogger update, because I knew something was up, and I shall check it after my comment. It's Saturday here for me, and my day out and about (being my weekend off) is beginning a bit later today but now I have all your lovely inspiration running along in my thoughts. I still have my Peacock and he's taken to showing off his lovely feathers for me more than he did. I'll approach with his food and there he is full spread and turning in circles. Your birds are lovely to see too, and I always enjoy your posting of them. Enjoy your day and week ahead, take care.
ReplyDelete21 Wits: A peacock in full display is quite a sight isn't it? I do love when they turn around to show off their beauty from every angle. Enjoy your weekend.
DeleteOur winter was barely a winter last season which is not good. We need to cold weather to kill the bugs.
ReplyDeleteMike: It is a bit of a mixed blessing here. Cold weather certainly kills off some (like the mosquitoes) but it encourages others to come indoors.
DeleteSo, so beautiful! I was sitting here getting a little overly warm and looking at the snow in the distance actually cooled me a bit .(Or maybe it was all in my mind, but at least for a few minutes I did not feel so hot.)
ReplyDeleteAnne in the kitchen: If it just in your mind, the same malady affects me. When we are deep in the sweaty season I turn to pictures from your side of the world to cool down.
DeleteBlogger certainly has been throwing hissy fits lately. Your pictures are beautiful and the birds always make me smile.
ReplyDeleteI have my bubbles sitting on the porch, but never quite get them outside;) I hope your day and days to come are filled with energy, joy and all things good.
Thinking of you. Hugs
Sandra Cox: Blogger has been having several hissy fits of late. It is difficult to post photos where you want them, and commenting is a minefield. Thank you for you lovely wishes - and I hope your weekend is wonderful.
DeleteIt looks very beautiful there, and the birds are always a delight. I look forward to more frozen bubbles in the near future!
ReplyDeleteDJan: It isn't cold enough to freeze bubbles yet, but I am hopeful. And they will certainly feature here.
DeleteA little snow, I didn't see anymore. Poor you EC. I love the Parrots.
ReplyDeleteBob Bushell: Nearby snowfields got quite a lot of snow. We got a dusting, which made me smile. I love the galahs too.
DeleteYour winter coming, grass pollen keep my nose running. ;-)
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed your photos, Sue, and hope there's a lovely week to come for you and those around you.
The peace of the night!
Sean Jeating: Pollen? Shudder. A test done years ago showed that of the most common allergens dog and cat hair were the only ones I didn't have a sensitivity to. I feel for you.
DeleteThank you - and I hope that your night is indeed peaceful and followed by matching days.
Dear EC
ReplyDeleteI always enjoy your lovely photos. I shall look forward to the frozen bubbles in due course.
I hope you have a better week - for all the family.
Best wishes
Ellie
Ellie Foster: Thank you. Freezing bubbles is some way off - but we won't get to double digit figures for the next few days.
DeleteThe dusting of snow looks gorgeous especially when the sun hits the spots. How beautiful to be able to see this from your house. We sometimes have this dusting of snow on top of the hills as well - that is cold for us, even accompanied by frost. Good for the garden as well. The galahs are stunning - I envy you for your beautiful birds.
ReplyDeleteI noticed that problem with blogger as well and always check the spam for comments. I have no idea why this is happening, but all this technology is pretty foreign to me anyway.
Carola Bartz: And blessed blogger decided that you were spam. Sigh.
DeleteWe often see snow on those hills - which is a decided improvement on the fires we saw on them one dark summer. We have had frosts here, but so far they have been mild. Mind you, I have paper white jonquils out, and a solitary anemone - at the start of winter. Definitely odd.
Brrr - the snowy photos are beautiful, but they certainly make me shiver! We have had a few small frosts already, but I don't mind them at all, as they usually mean a fine day will follow. Yesterday was beautiful - and really quite warm!
ReplyDeleteThe galahs are so pretty in their pink and grey/white outfits. Hope you have a bubble-freezing frost soon :)
Alexia: We have had some small frosts too. The tree dahlias are dead for the season and I have started chopping them down. A frost generally does mean a bright and sunny day. Something we don't have in our weather predictions for the coming week.
DeleteHi EC...it's been (and is) chilly up here, too...not as chilly as it is where you are, but our mornings here on the mountain have been around 4 and 5C. We're always cooler up here than down on the Gold Coast or Brisbane. I don't mind the chill..one can rug up to keep warm...it beats the heat and humidity of summer.
ReplyDeleteTake good care...I hope the coming is kind to you...and I hope Jazz is a lot better. Cuddles to Jazz. :)
Lee: It is cool here, but will get cooler yet. I agree, it is much easier to get warm and stay warm than it is to get cool.
DeleteJazz is doing a bit better at the moment, and I do hope I haven't jinxed him by typing that. I hope you and the furry overlords have a wonderful week.
This your favourite season!!
ReplyDeleteCaterina: One of them. I like all of our seasons - except summer.
DeleteIt is so unusual to see snow in your photos. I can understand you wanting it cooler after the heat you’ve had there already this year. Those galahs are so pretty!
ReplyDeleteMarie Smith: One of Australia's snow fields is about sixty miles away and we do see snow on the hills. The winter winds that beset my city certain come from that snow. Aren't the galahs lovely?
DeleteWow snow! Why am I so surprised? And that fluffy galah took my heart.
ReplyDeleteYes, I too hope they fix blogger, those updates are maddening. If it ain't broke don't fix it policy is alien to them
XO
WWW
Wisewebwoman: The galahs are lovely birds. More than a dozen of them are visiting at the moment - which makes us smile hugely. And yes, the updates are infuriating. I have already rescued several comments put in the spam folder today.
DeleteDusting of snow brings the cold down to the valley, it's been raining here and it's therefore rather dull and dreary. Yes, blogger isn't always behaving and I too can't always comment on some blogs, and I believe the same on my own for some people..take care, keep warm.
ReplyDeleteMargaret D: We have drizzle and rather a lot of wind at the moment. And that wind is definitely blowing off the snow. The commenting problems are infuriating aren't they?
DeleteWhen galahs, cockatoos etc fluff their feathers up around their beaks, I feel cold and of course I should be as it will be cold when they do that.
ReplyDeleteAndrew: It is indeed chilly and the cockatoos, the corellas and the galahs all have their feathers fluffed.
DeleteSnow! I like the look of snow, but not the temperatures that go with it. Mornings are chilly here too and I rarely get up before 8am and then only because I have to pee. Lola stays under the covers until she gets hungry around 2pm. My sheets are furry with cat hair.
ReplyDeleteRiver: Everything in our house has a patina of cat fur though Jazz doesn't get into the bed. I like the look of snow too - and would love to stay in bed until eight.
DeleteStunning in colours and photos, just love this, blogger only allows me a certain of comments a day! ♥
ReplyDeleteaussie aNNie: That is just plain weird. So far blogger hasn't limited my number of comments. And thank you.
DeleteOh yes! You're famous frozen bubbles! Cool is nice. Thank you for this post, and for being a friend
ReplyDeleteCloudia: I am endlessly grateful for the friends I have found here in the blogosphere - you included.
DeleteHi EC - oh I'm glad it's not cold here ... but your photos are gorgeous of those distant hills. The roseate galahs are so delightful to see ... and yes I look forward to frozen bubbles.
ReplyDeleteI keep looking at spam ... it's a nuisance, but not insurmountable ... yet people not being able to easily comment is really frustrating ... just glad I can be here to enjoy your posts and 'see down under'!! Cheers Hilary
Hilary Melton-Butcher: The commenting issues are a pain aren't they? aussie aNNie (above) says she is limited in the number of comments she can make each day.
DeleteToday has been grey, windy, chilly and damp. And there is still beauty in it.
Oh my! Your country is so beautiful. And as I have said before, I am so jealous of the amazing birds you have. Having moved from the Atlantic southeast US to the Pacific northwest, I now see birds that I have never seen before, but they still aren't as beautiful as the one's you take pictures of.
ReplyDeleteLisa: Thank you. I am envious of rather a lot of the birds you see - while loving the regular visitors here.
DeleteThe dusting of snow on the hills gives them added charm - from a suitable distance, such as half-way round the world! Summer has arrived here as can be seen from the dark clouds and heavy rain this morning. The Galahs are a lovely shade of pink.
ReplyDeleteJohn "By Stargoose And Hanglands": We are having rain this morning as well - though it isn't heavy. So no snow to be seen today. Galahs are delightful aren't they?
DeleteEnjoy the cooler months of the year, Sue. I know you enjoy that kind of weather, as do I. As for blogger, it is getting tiresome. I swear the whole system has been infected with malevolent trolls. I don't even know where to find a spam folder!
ReplyDeleteDavid M. Gascoigne: I am enjoying the cooler weather. And I agree with you about the tiresomeness of blogger. You moderate comments so perhaps your spam folder is in a different place. I find mine by clicking on the comments folder and then on the downward arrow at the top of the page. I have been doing a bit of hissing and spitting at blogger recently.
DeleteI would love cooler weather, how is the cat and how are the humans?
ReplyDeletee: I am enjoying the cooler weather. The cat (who is a bit better at the moment) and the other human in the house are not. How are you and Lukas?
DeleteThese photographs are beautiful! We are just in early summer here (Sacramento and Braga); I especially likes seeing the picture of the galahs. I've read about them, but didn't really know what they looked like. They are lovely birds.
ReplyDeleteElizabeth Varadan: Thank you. Galahs are lovely - and less vocal than many of our birds.
DeleteIt's almost summer here - the weather is improving. I prefer it to be warm - but not TOO warm.
ReplyDelete:o)
Cheers
PM
Plastic Mancunian: My sweet spot is around 14C - which my partner tells me is cold. Enjoy your summer.
DeleteIt’s always fun to see the colorful bird life in Australia. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a wild bird in such vivid pink plumage!
ReplyDeleteBest… mae at maefood.blogspot.com
Mae Travels: Welcome and thank you. My partner has seen flocks of wild flamingoes which would put our galahs to shame. I do like the galahs though.
DeleteSnow! Refreshing since it is so warm here.
ReplyDeleteAlex J. Cavanaugh: I much prefer our current weather to yours.
DeleteThe snowy hills are beautiful, and so are the galahs. They have such lovely muted colours. Looking forward to your bubbles when the weather cooperates. I saw bubbles drifting across the street when I was driving a few days ago. It made me smile and wonder who was blowing them and how far they had travelled.
ReplyDeleteHope you have a good week, my dear friend.
jenny_o: Bubbles don't usually travel far so I suspect your bubble blower was quite close by. They would have made me smile too. Bubbles always do.
DeleteNice that it's cool somewhere! Here's we're into full-blown hot and muggy! As for comments, I've been not blogging much (any?!) lately and have trouble now commenting on some blogs where it used to be simple. What changed?
ReplyDeleteSee what I mean? This is Molly not Anonymous!
ReplyDeleteAnonymous Molly: Big sigh at blogger. It seems to do that to quite a lot of people. Hot and muggy? Bleah, you can keep that - though I do envy your clean windows...
DeleteI'm with you on cooler weather. If I get cold, I can always add layers. If I'm hot, I can only remove so much and still be decent when I am outside.
ReplyDeleteLovely photos of the galahs. We don't have those beauties here, so I like when you show them.
We just got rid of snow not too long ago, so I am laughing that you are happy to see it in the mountains. I can't wait to see your freeze bubbles.
I was gone yesterday and came back to SEVEN spam messages, all dear friends of mine. Now I check at least three times a day for my spam folder. I even found one of your comments in spam! What a mess Blogger has created for us.
Bleubeard and Elizabeth: Having to constantly check the spam folder is a blight isn't it? I do hope that blogger gets its act together. Or relents. It is MUCH easier to get warm and stay warm than it is to stay cool isn't it? And a better temperature for working in too.
DeleteSnow isn't something I think of when I think of Australia, and I wish to file a complaint with the Australian government for letting its weather make me feel like a fool. Maybe Blogspot hates some of us for good reason and is just trying to protect you from our drivel. Having said that, I'm glad that my comments are intelligent and non-inflammatory.
ReplyDeleteSnowbrush: Some parts of Australia never see snow. Some parts (including my part) do. Blogger doesn't seem to be selective about which comments it throws to spam. And it lets real spam through. Big sigh.
DeleteSo beautiful photos. I love snowy mountains - we have no mountains here. And I like cold, even frost, but not the short and overcast days it brings (our days are now a bit over 17 hours long and it's never totally dark; around December we have barely seven hours of bleak daylight). I look forward to seeing frozen bubbles again.
ReplyDeleteThe Galahs are a wonderful pink colour!
And for the spam thingy ARGH! please fix it already!!!
Charlotte (MotherOwl): I think I would struggle with such long days. I know I did when I visited Antarctica. You would not like today here. It is not yet dawn but the forecast is for showers and grey days. For most of the week. No frost, no snow.
DeleteI love seeing the mountains with snow on them.
ReplyDeleteA lot of my comments go to spam and I have to do the same thing on my blog. Seems to be happening a lot more since Blogger made some changes.
Mary Kirkland: I hope that blogger is busy undoing the changes (which are definitely NOT improvements) it has made. I like seeing the mountains dusted with snow too. Rather a lot.
DeleteGorgeous shots of that mountain, EC!
ReplyDeleteBlogger is also bullying my comments section. It's quite frustrating. It seems Google is shifting everything around.
John Wiswell: Thank you. I am not certain what Blogger is doing - but wish they would stop.
DeleteLovely photos, as always. I particularly love the galahs. Are they fluffed up because of the chill, or is that their normal appearance?
ReplyDeleteDiane Henders: They are fluffed up because of the chill, but don't look very different to normal. Cute aren't they?
DeleteYes, many comments are going into spam.
ReplyDeleteWe will all be so pleased when blogger is sorted.
Lovely photographs on your post.
Enjoy the week ahead.
All the best Jan
Lowcarb team member ~Jan: I had to dig your comment out of spam this morning. For some reason blogger has taken a particular dislike to you.
DeleteThank you - and I hope you and Eddie have a wonderful week.
I love your photo of the parrot. ❤️
ReplyDelete-Quinley
Quinley: I will try and take better photos in the week to come. They are lovely birds and here often at the moment.
DeleteLike you, i go dig everyone out of the spam folder a couple of times a day. What really gets me is that people who comment all of the time get moved to spam on some days, and then today a spammer was allowed to pass through unmolested. Crazy system.
ReplyDeleteYou are having snow, and we've got our summer pattern of heat here. It's refreshing to see your dustings on the mountains, i hope you get as much as is needed to keep your ecosystems healthy there.
Love the photos!
My selections are over here.
messymimi: Snap. I am tired of digging the same people out of the spam folder while real spam comments land unhindered.
DeleteI thoroughly enjoyed your selections this week - as I always go.
Snow! Oh my giddy aunt, as my beautiful grandmother may have said at the sight of it. I agree re solstice timing for seasons, using the first of the month is quite peculiar.
ReplyDeleteKim: Definitely snow. We can't see it at the moment, but the wind we are experiencing is definitely blowing across it.
DeleteI'm having trouble with my comments not publishing. I don't know why. I can't wait to see your frozen bubbles. The snow dust is peaceful looking.
ReplyDeleteStrayer: Lots of people are having trouble with comments at the moment. I am glad that your comment here published at least.
DeleteIt is so interesting to see your snow when we are getting temps in the 80s now. Like you I prefer the cooler weather. I have fibromyalgia and the hot weather aggravates my pain. Those birds are precious. I love your birds there and your photos make them almost real to me. Stay well and enjoy the cooler weather.
ReplyDeleteGlenda C. Beall: Hot weather aggravates my pain and fatigue too. I really don't like summer and would much prefer our current temperatures to yours. I am glad that my photos bring our birds to you.
DeleteAh! those snow clad mountains are just so calming to look at :)
ReplyDeleteDamyanti Biswas: Thank you. I thought so too.
DeleteBeautiful birds! Love snow but NOT the cold. I have been checking my spam folder, too. Gigi Hawaii
ReplyDeletegigi-hawaii: You wouldn't like it here at the moment. For the next few months it will be decidedly chilly. Has Wordpress also gone crazy on the spam front?
DeleteYes. Gigi hawaii
Deletegigi-hawaii: I am sorry to hear that. I am getting very tired of rescuing perfectly reasonable comments from the spam folder - and of deleting ones that blogger has let through.
DeleteLovely snaps, as always. And the galah have a delightful color pattern.
ReplyDeleteBea: Thank you. It is amazing how well the galahs can disappear given their colouration.
DeleteIt's always fun seeing updates from the other side of the world. Out here, spring is in full swing and it's progressively getting hotter, so it's cool to see it so...cool. :P
ReplyDeleteAlso, your birds are prettier. :)
HRBennett87: Lovely to see you re-emerge, and with a fantastic piece of fiction too. I like spring, but would happily skip summer.
DeleteAquí en España, estamos en primavera y dentro de poco tiempo llegaremos a la estación de verano.
ReplyDeleteMuy buenas fotografías.
VENTANA DE FOTO: I hope you enjoy your spring and summer. Thank you.
DeleteIt has just started to get hot here.
ReplyDeleteI like the warmth and the cold.. everything in moderation. Which is why I enjoy living in a place with seasons. When I tire of one the other is right around the corner.
Hena Tayeb: I am very glad to live in a place with four seasons too - despite not liking summer.
DeleteGreat photos. The tropical weather is returning to Florida I hear thunder in the distance. I hope you have a great new week,
ReplyDeleteRasmaSandra: Thank you. I hope your storm does no damage.
DeleteAs you know, I'm not a fan of winter or snow or cold or ice etc. etc. But, your picutures are pretty. The pink birds are very cool. Thanks for the visit.
ReplyDeleteSandy: Thank you. I think it is a beautiful time of the year - and there is snow on the hills again today. Not much, but it is there.
DeleteDid any of your plants survive the frost? Are the birds enjoying the cool? Are you? Hugs
ReplyDeleteSandra Cox: The frost has killed some things. I have a lot of cutting down of tree dahlias to do for example. Other things are thriving. The birds are fluffed up but appear unphased. And I am revelling in cooler weather.
DeleteExcellent. Well, except for the frosting killing some things.
DeleteEnjoy the cool.
Hugs
Sandra Cox: They will be back next year. And spring flowers are already in bloom...
DeleteAs cheeky / playful / mischievous as a galah? What's the expression? I'd go with cheeky.
ReplyDeleteIt's cold aaaall the way down in NSW too, so I've been told, but not cold enough to make frozen bubbles. I can't wait to see the new bubbles.
neena maiya (guyana gyal): Sadly the most common phrase is as silly as a galah. Which I disagree with. They are definitely cheeky charmers.
DeleteChilly here, but no where near freezing bubbles. Yet.
I loved the snow-dusted hills, Sue! I do like winter, especially now when I'm not forced to go out and drive on icy, snowy roads. That said, I am very happy that the season of baby leaves is moving into the season of full-on leaves and summer! The galah is beautiful, so colorful and different from our birds. Thanks for the information on the spam. I'm going to check mine now. Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteFundy Blue: I hope you don't find a heap of spam - but fear you will. That said less has landed there today. I like winter, though driving on foggy icy roads can be challenging. Enjoy your summer.
DeleteI'm embarrassed to admit that I couldn't find the spam folder, and I was working up the courage to ask you how. Sometimes I feel so dumb with simple things on computers. Then I saw that Rain posted a photo of where the span folder is. I had 79 pieces, and that doesn't count the hundreds I've removed via comment moderation in recent months. Talk about mindless deleting! Argh! Anyway, 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼😂
DeleteFundy Blue: I am so glad that you could find (and clear) it. It seems to have died off a little now. Fingers crossed.
DeleteLoved the snow photos! winter and autumn are both so differently beautiful. I guess all seasons are but the differences are less marked in the tropical areas.
ReplyDeleteWhere I am from winter is definitely the more comfortable season. Though that is changing with global warming, unfortunately.
Nilanjana Bose: I am glad to live in an area with four distinct seasons, but I really don't like summer. And like it less each year.
DeleteLove those snow photos and the two birds. Such pretty coloring! I always look forward to your freeze bubbles.
ReplyDeleteDeniseinVA: Thank you. I am really looking forward to freezing bubbles too.
DeleteIt's always great to see your images of the nature you're surrounded with. And since we're into summer, love seeing the snowy mountains!
ReplyDeletecleemckenzie: Thank you. You can keep summer, I am very happy with our cooler temperatures.
DeleteOf course, here in sub-tropical Florida, summer is just beginning so it's difficult to think of snow!
ReplyDeleteI know you prefer the cool, so we hope you're doing well as winter begins on whatever date the bureaucrats think it should.
Wally Jones: Thank you. I am very happy with our winter which regardless of the calendar and the bureaucrats is here.
DeleteI love to look at the mountains. I do not love to drive in them. :) The bird is pretty. Is it a Parakeet? I've never seen one outside. Lucky for him (her?). Hope the comment shift goes back to normal soon. :)
ReplyDeletemail4rosey: Those mountains are the backdrop to all of my days. I love to watch the play of light on them - and the snow is a bonus. They are fairly wimpy mountains and driving over them is not a problem. The bird is a galah and it and its relatives live wild and free. From your mouth to blogger's ear.
DeleteI guess I didn't realize you had those beautiful hills near you ... where have I been??? And a pink parrot (Gahals) ... I love it. That too is a first for me. You are full of surprises this week, Sue. Like you, I prefer cooler weather, but unlike you, I don't love it when it gets cold ... really cold. Izzi loved winter and especially snow, so I learned to love it too, but bitter cold chills my bones and it takes me forever to get warm again. So that said, which month in Australia has 70's type weather ... that may have a baring on when we come for a visit :) I am forever apologizing for my infrequent visits. Somehow my life is out of hand and I seem not to have any time to myself. I do enjoy that I hear from you every week though ... you are a good person and I am glad to have you has a friend.
ReplyDeleteAndrea @ From the Sol
Andrea @From The Sol: It is always lovely to see you, and I hope that your life calms down a little. The dread disease means that while I do get cold, it takes a while and quite low temperatures. Which is a benefit.
DeleteSomewhere in Australia always has weather that suits you, but Spring and Autumn (both beautiful) would probably give you the widest choice. I do hope that you can make it over here.
The Galahs are so elegant. Your photos are superb.
ReplyDeleteSusan Kane: Thank you. Flattery will get you everywhere.
DeleteYour photos this week are full of subtle colours and gentle beauty.
ReplyDeleteIts pretty much the end of the week, I hope you had a good one
kylie: I am a big fan of beauty. And of gentleness. This week has been mostly good, as I hope yours was.
DeleteHave a glorious weekend, my friend. And enjoy your personal corner of paradise.
ReplyDeleteHugs
Sandra Cox: Thank you. It is not yet dawn on Saturday and I am looking forward to spending time in the garden. And my hands are showing the effects of yesterday's stint. You have a wonderful weekend too.
Delete