Sunday Selections #522

 

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 I am (mostly) staying close to home and sharing some of the things that have delighted me here.

There were of course visiting birds...

We are lucky enough to have both long and short beaked corellas visit on a regular basis.  Both of them enjoy the seed we put out and the long-beaks are also very fond of the apples we supply.  Sadly they both (like the sulphur crested vandals) enjoy ripping leaves and branches from the camellias.
 

 We often see Rainbow Lorikeets as well.  According to the bird books they are outside of their preferred territory.  They are obviously not literate.  Mind you I expect that climate change has something to do with the shift in their range - which does not make me happy.

The king parrots are also regulars - and also very welcome.

The garden also continues to give me joy.

I know that not all of you will be as intrigued by the zig-zag spider webs as I am.  They are built by the St Andrew's Cross Spider and apparently their webs often include a full or partial cross in the centre (which I didn't see).

Then to more traditional garden joy.

This cactus justifies its place on our veranda for one day every year.

The remarkably phallic bud bursts into bloom at dusk and lasts for twenty four hours before closing and falling off.  It is sweet scented and something I watch and wait for every year.  This year I trotted out with the camera several times documenting its progress.
 

I really enjoyed watching the sun setting as that spectacular cactus flowered too.  I am a very lucky woman.

These last photos are the exception to my 'at home' theme.  I saw the tear-off haiku on a public notice board and immediately thought of Kylie, of JC and of rather a lot of people who have mastered something which is beyond me.

I love that there was only one tear off left - and both Kylie and JC have certainly written haiku that I like more.  I will watch the notice board to see whether more are posted.  I hope so.  I really hope so.

 I hope that you all have wonderful, healthy, happy weeks.

Responses to Photo Prompt #3

The first photo I am responding to came from mybabyjohn/Delores at thefeatherednest.

Flash Fiction 50 words.

He was longed for and missed, that is clear.  Stone angels have never been cheap or quick to install.  He left the world at or before he came into it.  No name, no dates.  And now he is alone in the graveyard.  Leaving him alone must have hurt so much.

The second was from Susan Kane at thecontemplativecat (isn't that a brilliant blog name).

Old barns are romantic.  Old barns have charm.  People spend small fortunes converting old barns into homes for themselves rather than for the animals or fodder of the original design.  

How many of these old barns would have got a second look when they were strictly utilitarian?  It seems that the charm and the romance only begin when the door to the barn has been shut, and the horse has long since bolted. 

PS:  I am not immune to the charm of an old barn, with its mellow colours and the links to bygone days.

And the final one was prompted by this photo I put up.

'How could she!

I just don't believe it.

It was bad enough that she did it,

 it was worse that she had no shame and talked about it.

And now:

Now she has paid someone to put up a sign about it.

In a spot where my friends will walk every day.

I am so humiliated.

I will have to leave town.'