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. One night last week after I had gone to bed we had a visitor. The kittens (who are mostly doing better now) alerted himself to its presence. He didn't invite the visitor in, but did take multiple photos.
Our visitor was a brushtail possum. They are native to Australia but have been exported to New Zealand as well - where they are NOT welcome.
Our possums have adapted well to urban living and delight in vegetable gardens and fruit trees. They also quite commonly make their homes in the roof of houses. I well remember visiting a friend's house after a possum related catastrophe. The possum had designated a particular area of their roof as a latrine and the weight of possum piddle and pooh caused their ceiling to collapse - onto their sofa.
They are protected animals and if they do set up residence in your roof you are required to call in the professionals to remove and rehome them.
And of course I am going to finish with some garden shots. Our Epiphyllum/orchid cactus/Christmas cactus is bursting into bloom. Perfectly timed, showy blooms.
I hope that all of your visitors this week are welcome.
I have seen this beautiful animal and was enraptured by it. I understand fully, however, why it is unwelcome in New Zealand.
ReplyDeleteDavid M. Gascoigne: I understand why it is unwelcome in New Zealand too - though the possum didn't ask to be exported.
Delete"onto their sofa"
ReplyDeleteI would have rehomed that little sucker. I hope insurance paid for their new sofa, clean up, and repairs.
Mike: That was decades ago. We were all students and had no insurance. The house was rented and I cannot remember who did/was responsible for the repairs.
DeleteYour brushtail possum is such a sweet little animal. Thanks for sharing your night visitor with us, and yikes on your friend’s catastrophe. That sounds awful! I have heard of raccoons and squirrels making their home in attics here but fortunately, and touching wood, never had a problem that way. Thank you also for sharing your Christmas cactus. It’s gorgeous! Happy week to you :)
ReplyDeleteDeniseinVA: They are gorgeous but as many a dog and cat can attest they have impressive claws. I don't think our possum visitor could get into our roof space - for which I am thankful.
DeleteHe's a cute little guy, but a roof collapse might cause me to say unkind words about him. About how much do they weigh? He doesn't look very big, but I understand it was his "toilet" that overflowed and caused the collapse.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
Janie Junebug: A roof collapse and being showered by possum piddle and pooh would certainly cause me to say unkind things. Loudly. They are about as big as a large house cat. I suspect they would weight 8-10 kilos (a bit under 20 pounds?)
DeleteHaving had a family of raccoons established residence last winter in the ceiling of our attached garage because my husband left a hole under the soffit when he worked on the carport. He meant to finish his job later and he forgot. We had to leave them be until spring after which the hole was covered. The previous year, we had a family of noisy squirrels which damaged the insulation over the soffit and caused me sleepless nights. The damage was fixed but cost a lot to repair.
ReplyDeleteYour brushtail possum is very cute but he would be unwelcome here. How on earth could the kitten take all those picture, unless you have a camera installed?
Thanks for sharing your beautiful Christmas cacti blossoms. Mine are also in bloom which I'm so grateful for.
Take care and be well.
Hugs,
Julia
Julia: Sorry I was unclear. The himself who took the photos was my partner, after the kittens alerted him to the possums presence. I am sorry that you had animal damage to repair and not surprised it was expensive. I am fascinated that Christmas cacti bloom on opposite sides of the world simultaneously. Lovely things aren't they?
DeleteBeautiful blooms! The possum is very cute in the photo; but like all cute furry wild animals, I wouldn't want him in or near my home. I can only imagine the mess and expense of the possum-caused ceiling collapse!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad to hear the kittens are finally doing better - I hope you are, too. :-)
Diane Henders: I don't mind the possum near our home, but certainly don't want him or his relatives in it. The mess and the stench of that collapse was spectacular.
DeleteWe are thrilled that the kittens are finally improving - and we are getting better too, though I am still tired to the bone.
Cute guy. Cuter than our opossums.
ReplyDeleteTwo weeks away - have a wonderful Christmas!
Alex J. Cavanaugh: They are cute - but need to be treated with respect. I hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas - I know it is an important celebration for you.
DeleteWhat a great post today!
ReplyDeleteCloudia: Thank you - but what makes this post so good?
DeleteThe possum is kind of cute hugging the column.
ReplyDeleteroentare: Outside they are very cute.
DeletePossums often scamper across my roof at night.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to hear the kittens' health is improving. I hope the progress continues. Have a good week, EC. Give them cuddles from me.
Lee: We knew that we had a possum (or possums) nearby. Outside they are very welcome. Fingers crossed that the kittens continue to improve. Hugs to you and Shama.
DeleteYour cactus blossoms look like tropical flowers! Very beautiful.
ReplyDeleteOh my. I never thought about an animal causing the roof to collapse from its poo habits! What a mess...
I'm so glad the kittens are finally recovering. It certainly took a lot of tries at different medications to get there. You need to rest more, you know. Not that you'll actually do it, but I thought I'd throw that out there.
Wishing you a speedier recovery, with hugs and gratitude for all you do to liven up our days.
River Fairchild: We have several of that particular cactus in different colours and with different coloured stamens. They are set and forget plants and I love them.
DeleteThe collapsed roof was an incredible sight and smell.
And thank you. I do mean to rest more - but have a woeful memory.
Hi EC - gorgeous Christmas cactus - beautiful. While the possum - great photos ... and I hope they stay outside. I had raccoon in the space over the garage and my bathroom when I was in Canada - trouble was it was next door to where I was living ... it was fixed before it became disastrous ... the smells elsewhere were also there ... an aged lady with her aged dog and cat ... oh well - there were benefits.
ReplyDeleteSo glad the kittens seem to be improving - and are aware enough of potential possum attacks/intrusions! Cheers have a good few days ... Hilary
Hilary Melton-Butcher: Aging people (and other animals) have an aroma all of their own don't they? I am glad that you didn't experience a raccoon related disaster.
DeleteWe are thrilled for the kittens and hope their recovery continues.
I was somewhat in awe the couple of times I saw brush tail possums in nature. It is exciting when a cactus blooms. We once had one for several years and one day, it finally burst into stunning blooms.
ReplyDeleteAndrew: I am always awed and delighted when I see our native critters. We have multiple cactus plants and when they bloom it is always a treat. I hope the night flowering one graces us with blooms this year - but so far there are no signs.
DeleteDear EC
ReplyDeleteThe possum looks sweet, but obviously is not so welcome if it ruins your roof! In the UK, Bats are protected in the same way, but I remember a visit to a church (The Collegiate Church of the Holy Trinity, Tattershall, Lincolnshire) which had a colony of bats and their droppings were all over the interior, where plastic had to be draped to protect the furniture. The cactus flowers are stunning.
I'm pleased to hear that the kitten are recovering.
Take care and I hope you all have a better week
Best wishes
Ellie
Ellie Foster: I have read about protected bat colonies (fact and ficiton). They do need to be protected, but their leavings we could usually do without. That cactus is a beauty isn't it? And it has multiple blooms on each plant. Hooray for the kittens. I am hoping that this recovery continues.
DeleteYou have a great week too.
The cactus flowers are really lovely - very good timing on your/their part! Mine (I have 4) always flower at the end of winter; clearly they are not the same variety as yours.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad to hear that the kittens are getting better, and I do hope that you will continue to improve too, and that you all enjoy the last few weeks of the year.
I am not going to comment on the possum situation, apart from saying they are hated here, because they do so much damage to our beautiful native trees and shrubs. And they smell terrible.
(sorry, that's a comment isn't it?)
Alexia: Ours often flower at the end of winter too. This year they have changed their ways. I know and understand how you feel about possums. It isn't their fault, but they do work incredible damage in your country. As introduced species so often do.
DeleteSuper cute, but would prefer that they hang in trees or forests😏 Great pics as always. Hugs 🤗 RO
ReplyDeleteRO: I am quite happy to see him on the veranda, and don't mind him scampering over the roof. He/she is NOT welcome in the roof cavity. I hope you are doing well.
DeleteThankfully, the martens under our roof moved out again a few years ago. It's easier to sleep since then.
ReplyDeleteGood to read that the four of you are feeling better again.
The peace of the night.
Sean Jeating: The peace of the night to you too. I am very pleased that the days that this house could be described as plague central are diminishing. Very, very pleased.
DeleteYour bushtail possum is such a cute little creature. The Christmas Cactus is a lovely flower. My dad treasured the one he nursed along for 25 years.
ReplyDeleteJoanne Noragon: He is cute - outside. One at least on my Christmas cacti I inherited from my father. I hope to keep it going for a good many years yet.
DeleteThe cactus blooms are beautiful. our possums don't have brush tails and are about the same size as Lola, so probably 8 or 10 pounds, and not at all welcome although no one seems to do anything about getting them caught. It gets annoying hearing the rough scratchy very loud "bark" of the males late at night and walking outside means dodging the possum poo as well as the rat poo. The possums will hang around less once the fruits on various trees are finished. The worst part for me is going into the garden and seeing and smelling the possum pee on the leaves of my philodendrons.
ReplyDeleteRiver: What sort of possums do you get? I agree that possum piddle stinks. Badly.
DeleteI'm sure the situation with the possum is about like ours with the nutria. We are lucky in that the alligators are starting to catch on to the fact that nutria are edible.
ReplyDeleteYour cactus is beautiful.
My selections will be over here.
messymimi: I have just seen (and enjoyed) your selections. Our possums, unlike the nutria are natives. I don't know what natural predators (if any) they have.
DeleteI'm happy to hear the kittens are mostly better. I cannot believe your story about the possum poop and pee, with subsequent collapse onto couch. I mean, its hysterical, unless its you it happens to. That is one cute possum. Ours here are not so pretty but eat ticks, that can make you so sick if you get Lyme disease, by the score, so we should call them hero!
ReplyDeleteStrayer: I believe that your possums may also challenge rats and some snakes. Ours are definite vegetarians. And yes, it is a funny story - unless it is your house.
DeleteOh dear those possums, they are sweet creature but!
ReplyDeleteThe cacti are nice...hope you are doing ok and your cats are improving EC.
Margaret D: Sweet but... sums it up well. And definitely not sweet inside a home. Thank you re the cactus and Batty and Odie.
DeleteAlthough your possum is adorable, I can understand how you would NOT want it around your home. You may remember a possum took up residence in my free standing shed and caused quite a mess. After learning how it got in, the side of the shed was repaired. One day after all my herbs were safely inside, I was outside and saw what i thought was a dead cat in my rain barrel After all the water was removed, I saw it was the possum that had taken up residence in my little shed. I felt bad, because I have no idea how it got into the rain barrel and why it died there. There wasn't enough water in the barrel for it to drown. I'm just glad MY possum wasn't a protected species!
ReplyDeleteYour Christmas cactus is beautiful. And it is right on time, too.
I was delighted to read the kitties are on the mend, At least there is now hope on the horizon.
Bleubeard and Elizabeth: I wonder what happened to your possum - and hope its end was quick. It is wonderful that the kittens are getting better. We were getting very worried indeed. With luck I will have a lot more of those cacti coming out in the next few weeks.
DeleteI imagine that the threat of unwanted squatters in one's roof would make people seal up every possible opening. Our little bungalow is very close to 100 years old now, and our non urban location does make for visitors in the inner parts, but as long as they don't smell bad or come out to say hello, I really don't mind so much.
ReplyDeleteBill: Possums can get into incredibly small spaces. And believe me their piddle DOES smell bad. It was lovely to know that they cruise our veranda though.
DeleteLovely to see the possum as long as it stays within sight! I cannot imagine the scene you described in someone’s house. Good grief!
ReplyDeleteOn a more pleasant note…the blooms…gorgeous!
Marie Smith: Outside the possum is very welcome. And I am glad you like our orchid cactus blooms.
DeleteIs this little guy living in your roof or merely visiting your gorgeous garden? I'd be a bit wary of your sofa...and bad smells...I'm glad the kittens are healing, How about you?
ReplyDeletee: Just visiting (for which I am thankful). I/we are still very tired, but getting better. And the kittens continue to improve which is lovely.
DeleteGlad to hear the kittens are doing better, poor little guys. And yes, those blooms are gorgeous, and that possum does look a little scary to me! :-)
ReplyDeleteDJan: Batty and Odie were sick for far too long. They are finally starting to feel much better which is lovely. Fingers crossed we will have no more setbacks. Scary? I think the possum was more scared of people than we are of it. Sadly with reason.
DeleteI am glad that we don't have possums in Hawaii. Cute but what a nuisance! Beautiful red flowers!
ReplyDeletegigi-hawaii: I am glad that we do have possums - so long as they stay outside.
DeleteThe possum looks a little nervous doesn't he? I'm so happy to hear they are protected, wish all wild animals were! Your Christmas Cactus is lovely!
ReplyDeleteRain: Many of our native animals are protected. And I am with you and wish they all were.
DeleteWe don't see possums here...cute animal. Look tense here..
ReplyDeleteashok: He undoubtedly was tense, and would have much preferred to come and go without being seen.
DeleteThe Possum is beautiful, I love our can't like Squirrel.
ReplyDeleteBob Bushell: I would really like to see your squirrels too. They are incredibly agile beasties.
DeleteI love your possums. Our possums do not look like that but I still think they're cute.
ReplyDeleteMary Kirkland: They are cute aren't they?
DeleteYes they are.
DeleteWhat a gorgeous possum! And stunning blossoms too. So pleased to hear about the kittens. It's raining here, again, roof is leaking, again, fixers here, again... hopefully it'll be sorted soon. In the meantime I have an indoor water feature to 'enjoy'
ReplyDeleteKim: I hope that by the time I am typing my response your water feature is a thing of the past. It is raining here - but like the possum it is staying outside.
DeletePerhaps I shouldn't say it but I think the possum looks cute!
ReplyDeleteIt's like our squirrels I love to see them but not everybody does!
Your Christmas cactus is beautiful, lovely blooms.
We are in the middle of some very cold wintry weather ... after all it is December.
Pleased that the kitties seem to be doing better.
I wish you a good week ahead.
All the best Jan
Lowcarb team member ~Jan: I think the possum is cute too - so long as he stays outside. It is wonderful that the kittens are finally doing better. Stay as warm as you can.
DeleteHow cute! Rudolph the red nosed possum:) Though, he's accompanied by a nightmarish story. Yikes.
ReplyDeleteSandra Cox: This is a good possum who has caused no damage. Or none here anyway.
DeleteHe's pretty cute!
ReplyDeleteWe had a possum in the wall cavity when I was still at my parents house, said possum had made a hole in the wall so we could reach in behind the dresser and touch a possum through the hole.
The possum was evicted but as far as I know, the hole is still there
kylie: He is cute isn't he? I am smiling at your possum story. They tend not to go far, so perhaps he moved in with one of your neighbours...
DeleteParece un simpático animal. Las flores del jardín son preciosas.
ReplyDeleteVENTANA DE FOTO: He is a cute animal - and we delight in those blooms. There are more coming out each day.
DeleteOh god that sounds hilariously horrific.
ReplyDeleteHena Tayeb: It was horrific - and hilarious in hindsight.
DeleteThe possum looks so smart and looks very cute in the photo. And i loved the beautiful blossoms alot. Happy December to you dear E.C.!
ReplyDeletebread&salt: Thank you. And a very happy December to you and your family too.
DeleteI'm glad to read that the kittens are mostly better. Critters on the rough, busting through are not my idea of fun. We have squirrels here and they are in walls, under homes, on roofs. Destructive critters.
ReplyDeleteThe Happy Whisk: I am happy to live and let live with critters, but not usually ready to share our home with them (unless they have a specific invitation - like Batty and Odie).
DeleteCute little critters but then again akin to the raccoons of Toronto that did that kind of damage in roofs, etc. But yes, adorable until it's your ceiling or wiring being destroyed. Wild animals are the victims of endless suburban expansion with their territories obliterated. I see it in the *imported* moose here who are out of control along the highways. Huge animals and multiple deadly accidents. I've been lucky a few times as they leap out of nowhere.
ReplyDeleteXO
WWW
Wisewebwoman: We have indeed taken over their territories and shouldn't be surprised when they try and move in on 'ours'. And yes, it is kangaroos rather than moose which have caused many an accident and a fast beating heart...
DeleteCute little creatures - as long as they are not in your roof space!
ReplyDeleteJohn "By Stargoose and Hanglands": Very cute, and fortunately this one is NOT in our roof space.
DeleteAll animals are cute until they start destroying your home and garden. We'd had squirrels in our loft and they cause havoc. I probably shouldn't, but I just lay out bowls of rat poison.
ReplyDeleteLL Cool Joe: Our possums are protected so that is not an option. Poison worries me. It is so indiscriminate. I am glad that (so far) the possum is happy outside.
DeleteAbsolutely stunning and beautiful photos ♥
ReplyDeleteaussie aNNie: Thank you.
DeleteThe possum looks very cute, however, I don't think I would like it to have its pooh corner under my roof. They do sound a bit like our raccoons who have become so used to urban living and sometimes reside under the roof of homes as well. This summer we had two raccoon families who visited our yard regularly.
ReplyDeleteCarola Bartz: The possum is cute - and while it stays outside is very welcome.
DeleteYour possums are so much cuter than ours, Sue. Australia has the coolest animals. I've shared many a house with wild critters, especially up North, but I prefer wildlife to live outside ~ lol! Right now we have rabbits under the front steps and sheltering somewhere on the backside of our house. I'm working backwards, so I'm happy to hear that Batty and Odie are doing better. Your Christmas cactus is vibrant and cheerful. Enjoy your weekend!
ReplyDeleteFundy Blue: We do have some amazing animals here. I love them. Outside. I hope your weekend is wonderful too.
DeleteNot my favourite garden beast: ate half the blossoms of my blood plum and all the flower buds off my wisteria. :-(
ReplyDeleteJ Cosmo Newbery: I totally understand. I would be miffed too - but 'our' possum has done no damage that I can see.
DeleteIf a possum ate all my garden produce, I wouldn't be pleased. Of if they peed and pooed on my roof until it fell in. eeeek. But they are so adorable. Those eyes. But at least the re-homing people would come for them.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the flowers. I'm getting over a cold, and they are a reminder of what's out there. :-)
neena maiya (guyana gyal): I don't think that possums are happy to be rehomed. I believe they are territorial. However if one moved in here it would happen.
DeleteI hope your cold disappears quickly.
I know the possums we have here in the states do an amazing job eating lots of bugs like ticks and keeping rodents away. I don't know much about this type of possum. I hope this one has a lot of benefits too. :) ~Jess
ReplyDeleteDMS ~Jess: Our possums are vegetarian. We have invaded their space and shouldn't be surprised that they are not going easily - and are finding some benefits to our invasion.
Delete