Sunday Selections #653

 

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 is a bit of a hotch-potch of things that have taken my eye.

I really like this acknowledgement of our first people.  These photos were taken at a bus interchange and some of the buses are also decorated with the same art work.

Closer to home.

A Sulphur-Crested cockatoo who was not (for a change) being a vandal.

And then to the garden.  Again.

I am continuing to make room for the sumo lilies.  Himself has now planted about half of them.  With another day (or so) we will have the rest of them in.

The orchids are still thriving.  These dainty purple ones have started to spread - which I am very happy about.

Just one more photo.

This was taken at sunset on Friday night.  What is special about it?  It was raining at the time.  I don't think I have ever seen a 'sun-shower' so late in the day.

I hope your week brings you joy and wonder.

 

Sunday Selections #481

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.  We are still mostly at home. With one exception all of my photos are from home this week.

Starting with the exception.  On my last Sunday Selections post Snowbrush commented that he couldn't see what made our bearded ravens different to any other raven.  So I dug out a photo which shows its beard better.

Back to home, but still with birds.  These are some of the birds which we have been lucky enough to see at home.  It is noticeably cooling down now, and the sulphur crested cockatoo is fluffed up to stay warm in the early morning.

Then a series of preening corella shots - for Susan Kane who loves them.

The king parrots are very low on the pecking order and don't get a chance on the feeders if there are other birds about.  They have (I think cleverly) worked out that their chances are better if they eat from our hands and the seed bucket.  However at least one pigeon has learned from them and bounces them off our hands.  So they go around the back and look in through the kitchen window until I weaken and take them out some seed.  So far none of the other birds have followed them... 

And back to the corellas.
I loved the peek-a-boo effect from the one on the roof.
And the very noisy youngster making his demands clear.

I have (of course) been out with the camera at dawn and dusk again.

I hope your week(s) to come is safe, happy, healthy and generously splashed with beauty.

Sunday Selections #349

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 weeks images are from home.

Most of you know I love the cat, the visiting birds and the garden.  Sadly my loves don't always play nicely together.

I was watching the spring bulbs emerge from the ground.  One area was filled with daffodils (doubles), tulips and iris.  And each morning when I went outside I was greeted with uprooted plants, shredded leaves and beheaded flowers.  And I am talking dozens and dozens of plants.  Hiss and spit.  So I watched.  And found the culprit.  Sulphur-crested cockatoos (and the air around me was sulphurous too).

Not one tulip in that area bloomed.  And the few daffodils which were allowed to bloom were beheaded and shredded. As were the grape hyacinths and the tritellia and, and, and... It wasn't about food, it was all about destruction. 

Trees weren't safe either.

So I resorted to violence.  A pump-action water pistol.  Which now lives permanently on the front veranda.  And remains loaded.

The mad woman with a camera became a mad woman with a gun and took to going out at first light and gunning errant birds.  With relish.  It seems to be working. 

Luckily they (mostly) limited their depreciations to one area.  Other parts of the garden have been allowed to bloom.

 And yes, the vandals are still welcome. 

Sunday Selections #161

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.


Like River I usually run with a theme. And this week I am going back to my birdy obsession.  Early one morning this week this cockatoo was sitting in the camellia outside the front door obviously as interested in me as I was in him.  As always, click to embiggen.

And, because I am nothing if not consistent, another begonia.  This one flowered for the first time this year, and I love it.