Sunday Selections 416

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.  River is taking a well-earned self care break.  She will be missed, but I will keep the meme warm for her.
Clicking on any of the photos will make them embiggen. 
 
Like River I usually run with a theme.  This week?  Several overlapping themes which include weather, extremes, summer and dreams.

Our heatwave continues.  We have not been as hot as some parts of Australia, but we have been considerably hotter than usual.  Since Christmas Day we have had only four days with a maximum temperature of less than 30C/86F.  Most have been considerably over that.  MS loves the heat (increased pain and fatigue and decreased mobility, dexterity and brain power) so I loathe it .  My sweetspot is about 14C/57F and I am very comfortable considerably below that spot too.

Andrew, River, JahTeh, CountryMum, Kim and not one but two of my brothers have endured some horrendous temperatures over the last few days.  Lee and dinahmow have had slightly lower temperatures and energy sapping vile humidity.  I was thinking of you all, and hope that you survived ok. 

Less talkwhinging, more photos.

The first come from Antarctica - in the summer of 2004.  My thoughts have been there a lot recently.  If either money or health allowed it I would be back in a heart beat.

 And then to photos from home in the summer of 2019.

Yes , it was hot.

The birds continue to give us joy.  And worry us, as they also deal with the heat (undoubtedly complaining less than I do).  I should add that the photos of the heat stressed birds were taken from inside so I didn't add to their stress. 

 

I have a soft spot for the bearded ravens.

The rainbow lorikeets are here shortly after dawn and at dusk.  The apple we put out appears to hit the spot (with them and other birds). 

The crested pigeon was ensconced in the shade of the camellias.  They are pretty birds.

A heat-stressed currawong, with its beak open and panting.

The King Parrots are not usually with us over summer, as they go into the nearby hills to breed.  This pair appeared late last week (perhaps because the on-going drought has made food scarce in their breeding territory).  They had obviously been here before and made it clear that they NEEDED food.  I loved the errant feather on the female (and was proud of that shot taken with one hand while I fed it from the other).

Gardening continues.  At a slower pace.  I drag hoses around at times when our restrictions allow it and have been weeding just after first light.

If you have made it this far in this very long post - thank you.  Stay cool or warm and have a pleasant week.

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 #114

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 generally run with a theme.  There was a very spectacular sunset the other night, and I was going to run with that.  And then I reviewed the photos of the galahs who have been visiting us this week.  All of these are much sleeker than the moth-eaten baby galah of last week.

Cheeky (and as the photos will show) greedy and not very patient.  Clicking on the photos will embiggen them for further detail.  The blurring of wings in many of these photos was galahs landing, galahs being evicted, galahs jockeying for position...