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. My body is behaving badly at the moment. In addition to the usual issues my hands and legs are shaking badly. I struggle to turn the pages of a book and spill and drop things (including myself). It will be at least a week and probably longer before I get an answer about what is going on. Frustrated, I demanded a roo fix, and we headed down to the lake.
From the road we could see a pair of black swans so we walked (in my case wobbled) down to the water.
Our swans are very used to people and associate them with food. They speeded across the water to us.
The water in our lake is not blue, but it was a beautiful cloudless day and the sky was reflected in the water. I liked the swan reflections too.
Already feeling much better we headed off to where we usually see kangaroos.
And were lucky.
I struggle to take and process photos at the moment, but it was worth the effort.
I hope you find a fix for anything that ails you this week too.
Those are handsome crowd, the Black Swans and Kangaroos,
ReplyDeleteBob Bushell: I totally agree.
DeleteI'm so sorry to hear you're having such medical problems. I hope they can figure out what's going on and help with the shaking and make you feel better.
ReplyDeleteI love the swans, always have. We're allowed to feed the birds at ponds and lakes here but there are signs all over the place as to what they are allowed to eat. They will come right up to you to get some bird feed. Seeing the kangaroos would be so cool.
Mary Kirkland: Thank you. Signs up saying what foods would be healthy for the birds would be very welcome. Sadly the swans gobble a lot of things that are not good for them at all.
Deletei LOVE YOUR DATK SWANS.In Poland white are very common .
ReplyDeleteGosia: White swans are very rare here. And almost always in captivity - unless they have managed to escape.
DeleteOh! EC....I'm so sorry to learn you're battling at present. I do hope you get answers soon...and your problems are eased. Take very good care, my dear...my best wishes and thoughts go out to you.
ReplyDeleteLee: Thank you. I am hoping for answers too. Sadly two of the options I have been given mean management rather than easing. Fingers crossed - something I struggle to do at the moment.
DeleteI will cross my fingers for you since yours are misbehaving.
DeleteRiver: Thank you.
DeleteHello, Roos. A swan once attacked my son, when he was 3 years old. The swan seemed to want to take the buttons off the boy's shirt. Perhaps they resembled small bits of food. I'm so sorry about the problems you're having. I have not been feeling well, and I drop things, too. Last night I dropped some of my evening medication as I was taking it. I couldn't find it so I didn't know what had made it into my mouth and what was missing. I seem to have survived the night without it since I am here, typing.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
Janie Junebug: I feel for you. My worst medication mishap was when I mistakenly consumed Jazz's instead of my own. Fortunately I didn't give him mine. I am glad you have survived the night. Very glad.
DeleteI drop my medication fairly often. Then I crawl around the floor on hands and knees sometimes with a flashlight in my teeth. Not an impressive or pretty sight.
DeleteFrances: Snap. On lucky nights I only drop it on the kitchen benchtop.
DeleteWhat lovely photos! The black swans are beautiful - we don't have them here. The only ones we have are the big trumpeter swans, which are quite spectacular, too. And it was fun to see the kangaroos. :-)
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry to hear you're under attack health-wise - I hope you soon get the answers you're seeking. Take care!
Diane Henders: Are your Trumpeter Swans as stroppy as our black ones? Beautiful birds, but bullies. Some answers will be good - even if I don't like them. I don't do uncertainty well..
DeleteI hate uncertainty, too. Any ability to plan is better than uncertainty, even if "the plan" has to change minute-by-minute.
DeleteI'm not sure how vicious the trumpeter swans are. I wouldn't want to take one on, though - apparently they're the largest of all swan species in the world. They can grow to 6 feet long with a 10-foot wingspan, and weigh nearly 40 pounds. At that size, I wouldn't get close enough to find out whether that behemoth was vicious into the bargain. ;-)
Diane Henders: I checked. The trumpeter swans are MUCH bigger than ours (though ours have longer necks). Not challenging them seems sensible. Not knowing outsucks Dyson.
DeleteWhat beautiful photos! Excellent and made even more special knowing you are struggling. I hope you get some answers and relief soon in dealing with this escalation. I will continue to cross all my fingers and do the hiss and spit dance for you, my awesome friend. Hugs always.
ReplyDeleteRiver Fairchild
River Fairchild: Thank for for dancing up a hiss and spit storm for me. And for crossing your fingers. As I said above, that is another thing I struggle with at the moment.
DeleteDid I already mention that sometimes I wish I were a magician?
ReplyDeleteMy good thoughts are with you, dear Sue.
Sean Jeating: Thank you. Though if you were a magician there are plenty of things that would need your attention before my wobbly bits.
DeleteThe swans are looking so elegant. The reflections are fantastic too
ReplyDeleteroentare: They are indeed elegant, and I loved seeing such clear reflections.
DeleteSorry you have to wait that long for answers!
ReplyDeleteAlex J. Cavanaugh: Thank you. Mind you, there is a good chance I won't like any of them.
DeleteThe Canadian geese around here can be aggressive like that. It's best to give them a wide birth.
ReplyDeleteGet well soon. That's an order!
Mike: Our swans can be very aggressive - and beautiful with it. I hope my body is listening to your orders.
DeleteLovely photos. Must have been a surprise to find black swans when the early explorers found them. Needed a new theory about swans. A few Black Swans in my life recently too, alas.
ReplyDeleteJ. Cosmo Newbery: So many of our birds and animals must have surprised the early explorer. At least one of your black swans makes mine look like sparrows. Hugs.
DeleteI had to look up "bolshy", though I could guess as I did so. I loved it. Thank you to someone who admires swans. Do yours belong to the Queen, too?
ReplyDeleteJoanne Noragon: Bolshy is a wonderful description isn't it? As far as I am aware Royalty doesn't own our swans. I wonder whether King Charles now owns those in the UK? I assume he does.
DeleteThey are beautiful creatures, even if they are a bit "bolshy," as you say. And I am hoping your own mysterious ailments will be getting better with time. I hope you were able to get yourself off the floor after the comment about my being a normal old person, You sure made me laugh. :-)
ReplyDeleteDJan: Thank you. A normal old person you are not. I am glad to have made you laugh though.
DeleteBeautiful photos of beautiful creatures (the swans). We have a wildlife park in our province where there are swans also, and one has to be careful around them too. I'm glad you got your roo fix and shared those pictures with us.
ReplyDeleteAnd I really, REALLY hope you get some answers soon. I don't like to think of you wobbling and dropping things (especially yourself). Big hugs, dear friend. And as you so often say to everyone else, oceans of caring to you. xx
jenny_o: The swans were after all here first - though the kangaroos would have beaten them to that particular spot which is a man made lake. Thank you. With luck I will get answers this week, but I suspect it will be next week or the one after.
DeleteSwans can be entertaining to watch.
ReplyDeleteKangaroos can be very lazy when you want some action.
Sorry you aren't in a great state and something more positive happens soon. Sometimes it can take me a minute to separate two sheets of paper but I don't give up.
Andrew: We always find the swans entertaining. And the roos - except when they bound in front of the car. The turning pages thing is a blight isn't it. Sadly when the shakes are at their worst it takes longer than a minute. I too don't give up. And have a rubber thimble thing which helps.
DeleteBeing on the floor can be scary if getting up is difficult...Those swans are beautiful, bad manners aside and I always love to see kangaroos. I hope you have a good week and I am sorry you are struggling. Hugs.
ReplyDeletee: Getting up is quite difficult at the moment - which you will well understand. So far I have succeeded. We love the swans and the roos. Always. Hugs to you too.
DeleteThank you!
DeleteI always love seeing black swans because we don't have them here. Even our zoo only has one. Even with their bad manners, these photos were as wonderful for me as the roo photos were for you. I just hope you learn something useful about your health this week. Unable to control your movements doesn't sound good. You are definitely in my thoughts and prayers.
ReplyDeleteBleubeard and Elizabeth: Seeing the swans sailing across the lake to us lifts our spirits. Seeing the roos afterwards was a bonus. I would like answers too and hope to get them soon(ish).
DeleteI didn’t know the word bolshy. Great one. Perfect for the swans for sure. Love the roos of course!
ReplyDeleteI pray you feel better soon, EC.
Marie Smith: Anyone who has spent much time around the swans would smile at the bolshy description. They don't give a hoot what you would like them to do. And thank you too.
DeleteThe swan reflections! The heart :) And those magnificent roos. All things which make my heart happy.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry to hear about the shaking and wobbliness, might I suggest a couple of walking sticks to help steady you? any help is better than none, as my mum used to say. I hope you get answers and more answers. Is there a home help option available to you?
River: Those things make my heart happy too. At the moment my hands/arms are not steady enough to support me using a walking stick. I am being vewy, vewy careful. When I have a diagnosis I will investigate home help.
DeleteI hope the doctor can figure out what is going on. I"m so sorry you have to go through these things. I love those swans. They're more beautiful I think than white swans.
ReplyDeleteStrayer: Doctors plural, and yes I hope they can work it out too. Mind you, plenty of people have more to deal with.
DeleteI really like our black swans and we very, very rarely see the white ones. Swans are black to me.
I do hope you find a fix for yourself, it must be so frustrating EC, do take care and thinking of you.
ReplyDeleteI love the kangaroo photos and the swans, they are all beautiful creatures. I had a black swan chase after me once, wasn't funny at the time but I laugh now...yes, I was taking a photo and it didn't like it..lol
Margaret D: It is indeed frustrating. Black swans deserve the reputation of being bolshy beasts don't they? And no, it wouldn't have been at all funny being chased by one. They are quite big birds.
DeleteFor such glorious looking creatures, I've never heard of a swan with a good reputation.
ReplyDeletei hope you have a good/ ok/ tolerable week!
kylie: Perhaps they think that because they are beautiful their bad behaviour will be forgiven. It probably is. And thank you.
DeleteI adore these reflections too! Such a lovely post. I enjoy your narration of what you show us. But being with you is the best part. Thank you so much! I appreciate your companionship through the weeks. Aloha!
ReplyDeleteCloudia: Thank you. I really, really like how supportive the blogosphere is.
DeleteEspero y deseo que esos temblores sean algo pasajero, y que se solucionen pronto.
ReplyDeleteY muchas gracias por el esfuerzo que has hecho para poder regalarnos estas lindas fotografías.
Un cordial saludo, y por favor, cuídate mucho, que lo primero es la salud.
Manuel: Thank you very much. I am so glad that I was able to capture the swans and the roos on camera. It lifted my spirits.
DeleteHopefully, your health issues get soon solved.
ReplyDeleteSwans are graceful creatures, and always remind me of ballet dancing.
DUTA: Thank you. Resolution (or even identification) of my medical issues would be nice. I think that lots of people associate swans with ballet.
DeleteIt distresses me greatly that you are suffering so much, Sue. MS is a terrible, relentless enemy. For someone with my outlook on life it is encouraging that Black Swans and kangaroos are able to provide some momentary relief from the tragedy of it all. I am glad that nature’s balm continues to work for you.
ReplyDeleteDavid M. Gascoigne: I am sorry to distress you. As far as incurable diseases go, there are worse ones about than MS. It is not yet certain whether it is MS or yet another incurable condition that are causing my current issues. I hope to know soon. And of course I get solace and heart balm from nature's beauty.
DeleteI love the swan pics. I also love the fact you can pop out to get a "roo fix".
ReplyDelete:o)
Cheers
PM
Plastic Mancunian: We love that we can pop out for a roo (and swan) fix too.
DeleteBeautiful photos! I'm glad you got out and about. I sure hope they figure out a proper treatment.
ReplyDeleteJenn Jilks: Thank you. You have no idea how much that cheered me up. My shaky hands meant I deleted a LOT of swan photos.
DeleteOh, these pics cheered me up, too. I have never seen a black swan until now. I didn't even know they existed. Beautiful!!! And those roos, so sweet. I hope you use a walker. They help me and David a lot. Take care!
ReplyDeletegigi-hawaii: Aren't our black swans lovely? And the roos too. I am waiting to find a diagnosis before I invest in yet more disability aids. Fingers crossed I can get on top of the shakes and the wobbles.
DeleteDear EC
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry to hear you are struggling with your health and I hope that things improve for you soon. At least you managed to get out for a roo fix. The swans look lovely even if they are rather pushy.
Hoping that you get some answers for you helath
Take care and have a gentle week.
Best wishes
Ellie
Grr...arrgh! That should have been ' for your health'!
DeleteEllie Foster: Not to worry. I suffer from dyslexic fingers myself even at the best of times. The swans are lovely and getting out into the natural world always picks me up.
DeleteThere is something so peaceful about watching swans gliding across the water.
ReplyDeleteFun60: There is. They are incredibly graceful birds aren't they?
DeleteBolshy or not, those swans, and your photos of them, are beautiful!
ReplyDeleteMolly: We think they are beautiful too. Very.
DeleteI have never even heard of black swans- just seeing that is amazing to me...and you get kangaroos to top it off !!! Lucky you! We have some plain old canadian geese that get rather feisty at campgrounds near here...they make a big mess too, so there are signs up to please don't feed the geese. Have a great Sunday!
ReplyDeleteColoring Outside the Lines: Australia seems to have more than its fair share of unusual birds and animals. It is a real treat for us to have them so close to home. I would like to see your plain old canadian geese - though I would give them plenty of room.
DeleteYou have beautiful photos, thank you. Of course I'm happy about the kangaroos and the black swans are great... I saw one in Sardinia once.
ReplyDeleteI keep my fingers crossed for your health and hope everything goes well... a big hug to you from Viola
Barwitzki: A black swan in Sardinia: That was a long, long way from home. Thank you.
DeleteSo sorry to read that you are struggling with your health and I hope that things improve for you soon once the diagnosis has been confirmed. Sending lots of positive thoughts to you.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your photographs, nice to see the black swans and Kangaroos, thank you.
All the best Jan
Lowcarb team member ~Jan: Thank you. The swans and the roos are real mood lifters for me.
DeleteThe swans and roos are balm for a difficult day. I'm keeping you in my prayers, my friend.
ReplyDeletemessymimi: I have just rescued you from the spam folder. The swans and roos are indeed very welcome balm, and thank you.
DeleteLove those swan pictures.
ReplyDeleteHena Tayeb: They are beautiful birds aren't they?
DeleteHow beautiful you photos are. I think swans are so beautiful and regal looking on the water. On the land? not such a big fan of them. A couple live in a small lake near me and they are definitely the bullies of the lake. The ducks and geese need to beware if the swans catch sight on anyone feeding the,
ReplyDeleteAnne in the kitchen: Beautiful, but with less than sterling characters sums up ours as well.
DeleteI love black swans and you captured them so beautifully, swans can be so aggressive even when a person is trying to help them. They are savage on attacks, particularly if you go near a nest.
ReplyDeleteSo very sorry everything is such an effort and challenge at the moment. Hiss and spit and damnation,
XO
WWW
Wisewebwoman: They are beautiful birds despite their feisty nature. I love them, but give them plenty of space. Hiss and spit and damnation sums it up well. As you know. Thank you.
DeleteMe encantan, esos cisnes negros.
ReplyDeleteUn abrazo
VENTANA DE FOTO: We do too. Thank you.
DeleteLove the black swans and their perfect reflections. Hope you get useful answers for your health problems
ReplyDeleteSue from escape from Cancerland
Sue: Thank you. Some useful answers would be welcome.
DeleteWhat beautiful swans. I love the kangaroos too. I hope you have a great new week. BTW How is Batty?
ReplyDeleteRasmaSandra: Thank you. Batty is still in the one step forward, one step back dance. We will go back to the vet at the end of this week I suspect.
DeleteOh my goodness. You found the garden of Eden. Aren't those swans wondrous? I hope you get answers soon, Sue. Thinking of you. Hugs. Sandra sandracox.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteSandra Cox: That is a truly lovely place we visit often, and always come away feeling better. No answers yet. More tests and another appointment with the neurologist next month.
DeleteThose swans have foodie issues, don't they?
ReplyDeleteHope today is a good one for you and that the tests show the best of results. Thinking of you, my friend.
Sandra sandracox.blogspot.com
Sandra Cox: Foodie issues and territory issues too. I have had one test (a blood test) but it will be the end of the month before I can have the other. And mid September before I get answers.
DeleteToes-crossed,Sue. Always thinking of you.
DeleteSandra sandracox.blogspot.com
Sandra Cox: Thank you dear friend.
DeleteI am very sorry and I hope it will not be too long before they sort this out for you. Those black swans are gorgeous! So striking. There was a town near where I lived in the UK, where many years before an Australian Ambassador gave them several black swans. We used to take a trip to the town which was many miles away, just to see their descendants, not thinking as children how far away they were from their real home. I also remember seeing more walking around a temple in Hawaii several years ago now. Far away from their natural habitat but I was grateful to see them. As for the Roos, oh my goodness, just love them. Thank you for sharing all these super photos, especially appreciated knowing it was more difficult for you. I hope these painful issues are helped quickly.
ReplyDeleteDeniseinVA: How interesting that our black swans have made it to Hawaii. A Hawaiian blogger commented that she had never even heard of them. We do love them - and the roos. Thank you for your kind thoughts and hopes.
DeleteI wish I could send you one of Susan's potions for your helath issues. Those black swans make me think of her, as the only place I ever saw black swans was in her (and my) home city Elsinoer, where they swam in the moat of the castle Kronborg (yes the one from Hamlet ;) ) Trey were imported from somewhere (Australia, actually - I just looked it up), as normally swans here are white, but just as aggressive / dangerous as the black ones. I was scared of them as a child even though they were majestic an beautiful and the stuff adventures are made of.
ReplyDeleteI love your kangaroos. And would like to see real wild ones some day.
Sorry about all the typos here, I hope it is readable anyway.
DeleteCharlotte (MotherOwl): Your comment was perfectly readable. Thank you. And thank you for your kind wishes. I wonder what makes swans so feisty? I am not scared of ours, but certainly give them room. And yes, I would love one of Susan's potions.
DeleteSwans and Roos! A great way to make any day better.
ReplyDeleteJust as you have done for us.
Wally Jones: The natural world is an EXCELLENT way to make a person feel better isn't it?
DeleteI love your swans and hope that you feel much better soon with answers. Hugs to you.
ReplyDeleteCindi: Thank you. Some answers, more questions, no diagnosis for at least a month.
DeleteMy teen was minding his own business and got one all riled up for no reason and she bit at him. Probably eggs somewhere nearby. I hope you're feeling better and find answers soon!
ReplyDeletemail4rosey: It seems that swans are bolshy beasts the world over. And thank you.
DeleteThose swans are rather reminiscent of our son's dog when it comes to trying to steal food right out of your hands.
ReplyDeleteSandra sandracox.blogspot.com
Sandra Cox: They are. I do hope your son's dog doesn't bite the hand that feeds it. The swans do.
DeleteBad swans. Bad.
DeleteHope you have a weekend filled with joy and good health.Sandra sandracox.blogspot.com
Sandra Cox: But beautiful - and we seem to forgive beautiful people and animals a lot.
DeleteI feel like it's my first time to see a black swan. They are stunning.
ReplyDeleteLux G They are beautiful birds aren't they?
DeleteHi EC - apologies I haven't been over ... I hadn't realised the hassles you'd been having and I do hope 'things' have eased - certainly sounds a frustrating time (to put it mildly) ...
ReplyDeleteSo pleased the lake gave you some comfort - those swans look beautiful don't they ... especially in the reflected sky.
With thoughts - and hugs to help - Hilary
Hilary Melton-Butcher: Apologies not necessary. You are welcome whenever you stop by. No answers yet. More tests. I hope to get some answers (and treatment) by the middle of next month. The lake is always a mood lifter for me, and seeing roos and the swans was a treat.
DeleteBeautiful photos and love this post x
ReplyDeleteaussie aNNie: Thank you.
DeleteThese are beautiful photos! I think time in nature is always rewarding, and I hope that it helped wase your struggles a little. I'm really sorry you are having health problems and I hope that they can get to the bottom of it for you and come up with a speedy solution!
ReplyDeleteMica: Thank you. Time in nature does help. Immensely. Investigations into my health woes continue.
DeleteGirl! You dont know how pleased I was to see your post here. I absolutely love love swans (for their grace and beauty, not their pecks). In a nearby community (Lakeland, FL) they are all about swans and protect them fiercely. They have many...many...and it all started many years ago when Queen Elizabeth presented the city with a swan...I think a pair...and I dont know the whole story without looking it up, but I know they all love swans as I do. Your black ones are beautiful. Last year I made a paper mache swan. Life size. I painted her gold and gave her a pearl necklace and named her Goldie the Swan Princess. Husband says mean things to her (jokingly) but I love her.
ReplyDeleteI wish, so much, that I had a magic wand that I could wave and make you all better and free of the web that holds you tight. Your upbeat attitude is amazing. You are loved.
J C: Many, many thanks. I would love to see Goldie the Swan Princess. Do you have a photo you are willing to share? I do love our swans, and the roos, and nature generally. I so often find solace and heart balm in focusing on things which are not me. And there is a lot of beauty about.
Delete