Sunday Selections #475

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, like most of the world, I have been largely confined to home.  That is where most of my photos come from too - with a brief divergence down to the lake to admire (old) kangaroo photos.

Starting with kangaroos.  I took these photos in 2012.

This first poor mama has a VERY full pouch.  Looking at the size of it I think it is time that the pouch potato was evicted.

This next kangaroo (which may or may not be the same as the first) is being very patient while her big baby has a drink.  At that size he is more than capable of feeding himself, but obviously felt the need for the comforts of home.

Then to our garden.

I took this photo of the red rose bud not long after first light and loved the way the colour of the rose is echoed by the light on the hills behind it.

Another, rich, red, heavily scented rose - also taken just after first light.

I *think* that this incredibly delicate (and fragile) funghi is Coprinus plicatilis which is also known as Japanese parasol or Japanese Umbrella mushroom - and I can see where it got the name.  It is a tiny thing, and lasted only a few hours.

I really like this emerging dahlia with its burgundy stripes and splashes on a cream background.

 We have only just entered Autumn but the anenomes are already starting to poke through the ground in a number of beds.  I hope they survive the winter.

The Christmas cactus is similarly confused.

And then to some of the tuberous begonias which live on our front veranda.  I thoroughly enjoy both the foliage and the blooms and the birds (mostly) leave them alone.

I am going to finish this post with visiting birds too.

Starting with corellas.  As you can see this youngster is very nearly as big as its parent.  Which doesn't stop it demanding to be fed.  Noisily demanding to be fed.

These next three photos of the youngster in full voice were taken looking outside from our loungeroom window.  It drowned out the television and we missed an incoming phone call when it was in full screech too.

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Then to the rainbow lorikeets.  Who knew that purple, green, orange and yellow could look so good together.   I really liked the second photo of it playing 'peek-a-boo' with me.  That piece on its beak comes from the green apple (it has to be green) that we hang for them and some of the other birds.

This female king parrot was wondering whether she dared land on my hand for some seed.  She did, but one handed I simply couldn't take her photo.

The sky was been a joy too, but with so many photos already it can wait for another time.

Stay well, and stay safe.

Sunday Selections #466

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.  The fires still burn and a State of Emergency has been declared for my city.  I am probably safe unless there is a dramatic wind change but we are on constant watch for ember attack.  In a direct line I think the nearest fires are about ten to fifteen kilometres (six to nine miles) away. 

The following photos were taken from my veranda and my driveway over a couple of days.

Sadly this fire (which is raging out of control) was started accidentally by a Defence Force helicopter.  Its landing lights were hot enough to ignite the tinder dry grass and once started it was off and running.  That said, I don't blame them and have been very, very grateful to hear (and sometimes see though the smoke) the waterbombers going back and forth, back and forth...

The colour in those plumes of smoke is flames and reflected flames rather than sun.

My anxiety levels are high so I have been looking for distractions.  And finding them.

Any day is improved by a rainbow - even if it is produced by sun shining through glass onto our carpet.

The birds continue to give me joy.

Pretty as the rainbow lorikeets are (and they are very pretty) they are shameful bullies.  This one was defending apple we had put out against all comers.  It was so busy shooing other birds off it barely got a mouthful itself.

The metal owl is a relatively new addition to our back pergola.  I like it - and the birds ignore it.

I headed into town one day last week to do my shift (a very very busy and challenging shift) with Lifeline.

It was smokey and nasty when I headed off.

When I got into town my mood was lightened by some delightful installations celebrating Chinese New Year.

The first featured the rat... Musical rats no less.

And the second trees and lanterns.

 I really liked both installations.

I am still hoping for a week with no climatic extremes.  World wide.

Sunday Selections #389

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.
 
The meme is now continued by River at Drifting through life.  The rules are so simple as to be almost non-existent.  Post some photos under the title Sunday Selections and link back to River.  Clicking on any of the photos will make them embiggen. 
 
Like River I usually run with a theme.  This has been a grey week, both literally and metaphorically.

However, heading out the door early to go to Lifeline one morning this week I was stopped in my tracks by a truly spectacular dawn.  I HAD to rush inside for my camera and nearly missed the bus.  And it would have been worth it if I had.

This is a more normal dawn for us.  Pretty, but understated.

And these images will explain why I rushed inside for my camera.

Sadly those red skies didn't warn us of ANY moisture falling from the skies.

There were other patches of colour and drama in my grey week too.

 

This King Parrot has got quite clever, and comes to the back yard rather than the front.  He and his female companion can be fed there without being menaced by other birds.

The Bearded Ravens are such majestic birds.  Sadly they too give way to the bully boy antics of the much smaller Rainbow Lorikeets featuring in the next photos.

 Finally, please send some good wishes.  The eldest of my brothers has a health crisis and we are all worried.