Sunday Selections #593

 

 

 

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.  Snippets again this week.

 

One day we got buckets of rain.  Most of the birds seem to be quite well weatherproofed.  This galah was not.

 

It was a grey day literally and metaphorically.  Himself had another appointment with his dermatologist who removed what he described as a very ugly cancer from his forehead.  I doubt he was talking about the growth's appearance.  One appointment down, several more to go.

Jazz has been having a flare up of his pancreatitis.  It wasn't responding to the medication so we got an emergency vet appointment.  They confirmed that his pancreas was acting up but also told us that he has a mass in his abdomen - strongly suspected to be cancer.  As I type we are waiting for the biopsy results.  The punk pussy (he has been shaved in a number of places) is home and very glad of it.  He is also eating well again, and does not appear to be in any pain.  Next steps will depend on the diagnosis, prognosis and how he is feeling.

There was still beauty about - for which I am thankful.

Beauty on grey days.

 

And there is beauty in the garden too.

 

Our Cootamundra wattles are bursting into bloom.

Daisies continue to flower.

There are grevilleas (much loved by many small birds and insects) coming out.

A neighbour (now deceased) gave me this Japanese Iris some years ago.  I welcome it each year and think of him.

I hope that you also find beauty, colour and balance in your week.

 

Sunday Selections #584

 

 

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 celebrate the change of the seasons on the first of the relevant months rather than (as I think is more sensible) the solstice.  So winter arrived this month.  Entirely appropriately when I headed out that morning there was a dusting of snow on the nearby hills.

There was snow the next day too.  It has gone now (but will no doubt return).  Dawns are chilly here at the moment, but still beautiful.

And the birds are remarkably unphased.  Tying in with the dawn theme I have been photographing galahs lately.  

I like the cooler weather (which many don't) and am looking forward to it getting colder yet - so I can freeze bubbles.

What ever the season I hope you are finding beauty and fun.

PS:  Blogger is currently sending many comments to Spam.  I check the spam folder regularly (cursing them) and release the comments as soon as possible.  If you are not certain whether it is affecting your posts I suggest checking your comments folder, clicking on the downward arrow, and seeing just which comments have been caught.  Some of you blogger has taken a particular dislike to, and I hope this glitch is fixed soon.  Yesterday would be good.

Sunday Selections #378

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 busy week, and the next couple will be too.  So I am reverting to type.

A less than stellar shot (pun intentional) of the moon over a neighbour's home.

Then the following day's dawn starting from the same angle.

It was a much more dramatic display than we usually see.  The next photo is a much more common sight.  And also very welcome.

The rainbow lorikeets are here so often we have started referring to them as Piggy and Grunter.  Not only do they claim the apples for themselves (evicting much bigger birds) they sometimes demand the feeders as well, with some classic 'dog in the manger' behaviour.  They evict other birds from the feeders and then realise that leaves the apples free.  So they rush back to the apples.  And the feeder.  And the apples...

The other birds also give us immense pleasure.

 A galah.

And a corella.

I am in full on gardening mode at the moment, planting hundreds of bulbs (and weeding) in the hopes of a spectacular spring display.  Lifeline is busy and demanding more than their usual pound of flesh.  Himself has several specialist appointments scheduled.  And not next week but the week after our gutters and downpipes will be replaced, with (hopefully) roof restoration to follow.  In between some insane busyness next week we hope to get to the National Museum (a fascinating building) to see a special exhibition.  Cross your fingers, and watch this space.

Sunday Selections #259

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 week for something completely different I am returning to some of my obsessions.

We have had a fledgling galah visiting this week.  A whinging, complaining, fledgling galah.  He/she is perfectly well able to eat but complains at length to the adults.

The young ones have very much more muted colours than the adult (presumably as camouflage).

First the young 'un.

And now the much more vivid adult.

On Friday we were visited by a pair of Rainbow Lorikeets.  They are well away from their natural territory - but very welcome.

We have had some hot weather lately.  Too hot.  Much of the garden has baked, but the tiger lilies (and the weeds) are loving it.

The hoya which we picked up cheaply from the markets a few years ago because the owner was tired of waiting for it to flower is also doing well.

The blooms always remind me of cake decorations...

And the obligatory sunset.  And yes, mad woman with camera dances were involved.  

Next week an elderly uncle of the smaller portion is coming to stay with us.  I expect to be kept too busy to spend much time in the blogosphere so will be largely absent from Tuesday on for about ten days.  Have fun, and I will see you when I return.  Or if I can sneak a few moments to myself.