Sunday Selections #796

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. Sorry I still havn't succeeded in working out how to do a blog hop. Clicking on any of the photos will make them embiggen.

I usually run with a theme. This week I am being a little more random.  A little.  And there will be less photos.

On my way to physio last week (a regular torture session) I saw something I have seen in ages.  Sky writing/sign writing.

I think the signwriter was an amateur.  This was as we saw it.

Flipped the message is more readable.

I hope that Rene (I think it is Rene) saw and appreciated it.  It didn't last long.

Now I am going to revert to type and feature some of what is blooming (apart from the weeds) in our garden this week. Speaking of weeds, when it is light I am going into the garden to weed and weed some more.

Here are some of the things I won't be ripping out.

 

 This last photo of the blue plant is not good but if you embiggen you will see a jewelled flying thing (I am not sure whether it is a fly or a type of bee) hovering above it.  I know I said there would be less photos but there are still quite a few.  Oops.

I hope your week is beautiful - and productive.  I am hoping to eliminate several bags of weeds this morning.

 

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 #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.