Sunday Selections #785

 

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.  It is still winter here.  We have had a grey winter but we have had very little rain (sigh) and our temperatures have been warmer than usual (no frozen bubbles and time is running out).  The garden is definitely preparing for spring.

So come wander through the presentable bits of our garden in the early morning with me.  I am excited, and so are the birds and insects.

The cymbidium orchid I showed you a few weeks back is still flowering beautifully and there are at least three more (different colours) in bud. There are plenty of other things emerging from the ground or in bloom too.

The camellias are starting to flower (and the king parrots and the sulphur crested vandals are plucking the blooms and dropping them to the ground).

Yesterday was the first sunny day in what seems like weeks.

I really like this Japanese iris.  It was given to me by a near neighbour who died a few years ago.  I think of him each year when the dainty flowers emerge.

 We have several grevilleas and the nectar loving birds delight in them.

The goldfish plant blooms for most of the year.

 

The drift of bluebells we planted over Jazz is thickening up nicely.

I loved the dewdrops bejewelling leaves too.

I hope your week is blooming lovely.
 

Sunday Selections #784

 

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.This week I am taking you with me to our National Art Gallery that is currently showing an exhibition of Paul Gauguin's work.  He is not one of my favourite artists.  I am also not comfortable with the fact that despite his wife in France he took many teenage brides.  However he is not the first or the last.

And the exhibition surprised me.  I was aware of his paintings but did not know he was also a ceramicist and sculptor.  Settle back with a beverage of your choice and come explore with me.

Temporary murals on the walls going into the gallery.  I am going to have to explore this exhibit too.  Later.

A self portrait.

This was a commissioned portrait.  The sitter didn't like it and refused to accept it.

On the whole I like his landscapes and his still life paintings more than I do than the work for which he is better known.  Just the same I am glad  we went.

As usual (and because the exhibition is set up that way) we emerged through the gift shop where I purchased a couple of cards and some book marks which I am happy to send to anyone who would like them.  Let me know in the comments if you want one - and tell me which one too please.

And on a very different note.  Isn't this a wonderful wine label.  Himself says the wine isn't bad either.

Sunday Selections #783

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. This week we are going back to see some more from the Warm Trees exhibition.

 

 I don't like bonsai, seeing it as the equivalent of foot binding for trees but we stopped in at the bonsai gallery to see their decorations as well.

This is a Prostrate Nepal Juniper and the dead branch was created for effect.

A Trident Maple.

A Japanese maple

Another Trident maple with its scarves in Chilean colours.

A Japanese maple

A European Beech

Then we went outside again.

I like these sunshades which are over garden beds showing what can be grown in the yards of homes in my city.

The condor is apparently depicted life size with its wings spread so you can see how big it is - and see whether your arm span is as wide as it's wing span.  Mine isn't.

And another glorious view.

Next week I will take you with us on a very different exhibition.