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 #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.

Sunday Selections 375

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. I am returning to my avian obsessed ways, with pictures of some of our feathered visitors.

I adore the bearded ravens and feel privileged that they visit us.  I treat them with respect though.
As do the other birds.

This young corella is a regular visitor.  And very, very noisy.  It is only quiet when food is being stuffed into that gaping maw. 

The crimson rosellas are much quieter.  And always welcome.

We can now hand feed king parrots, cockatoos and corellas.  Which makes for some problems.  We have insufficient arms and cannot minister to their needs/wants simultaneously. 

It is incredibly trusting of the corella to bury its head in the food bucket so close to the feeder and the photographer.

That whinging youngster again.  It goes on and on and on.  And on.  And is very far from musical.

I wish I had been quicker/more accurate with this photo.  The whinger was just about to be fed.

I really like the 'chevrons' under the King Parrot's tails - though you may have to embiggen the photos to see them.

The cockatoo behind the King Parrot got tired of waiting 'patiently' and marched up and menaced the King Parrot off himself's hand.  And was itself bounced by yet another cockatoo.  Pecking order isn't an empty phrase.

Sunday Selections #352

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.  River is having some computer issues so I do hope she can join us today.  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. For the next few weeks I am reverting to the theme I was using this time last year - Home and Away.

Starting with home.

The progression of a  sunset.

A splash of colour from the garden.

And some of the birds which have been visiting.

The king parrot (like most birds) is sadly lacking in patience.  While I was hanging the apple for them she perched on the dish I carry seed out in, and shortly afterwards dived right in.

The Eastern Rosellas are also very partial to apple.

I adore Bearded Ravens and feel very privileged when they visit.  They are skittish and hard to photograph but I think the final shot shows the 'beard' really well.

Photobombed...

A grubby corella.

A much sprucer version.

Then to more exciting places.  HImself is still loving his trip.  He is in Urumqi  (link attached) at the moment before heading to Kirghistan and the Silk Road in a few days.

Knowing my love of street art he is very good and takes photos of statues on his travels.

I do love dragons. 

This one surprised me a little - but made me smile.  I am not a Maccas fan, and wonder whether the food is the same here as it is in other venues.  And how it is received by the locals.

This is the very luxurious bed (or Kang) he was given at one of the Youth Hostels he stayed at.
He tells me it was firm but very comfortable.

And finishing with the air quality in his current location.  Sigh.