Monday, 27 November 2023

The Morning After the Storm

 Tuesday 28 November

The temperature rose to 32 C yesterday. At 6pm a storm came through with little rain, but bringing a cool change for today.

This morning the Gaiter Girls met at Janice's at 6 am for a local walk. Janice lives in a neighbouring suburb from me. Driving over Mt Warren Hill into her valley, I was soon mesmerised by the drifting low cloud covering the small hills surrounding Windaroo. It's not just a winter phenomenom. 

Just beautiful. Photos were taken, delaying my arrival.




You may notice that 'the green' has returned! In the 3 months prior to November, we had only received 75mm. November, thankfully, has so far seen a total of 90 mm from regular falls.

There was a serene atmosphere as we walked. The light emphasied the beauty of the gardens and trees that we passed, and it was lovely to see a variety of birds taking breakfast.

Correllas

Pink and Grey Galahs

Ducks

Albert River view


After coffee with Janice, I joined my husband at a friend's garden. We mowed and pruned shrubs for a couple of hours. As I pruned the hibiscus, I spotted an aggregation of the Hibiscus Harlequin Bug. Thankfully, they proved to be intelligent, and quickly marched down their stem to safety. Their numbers were small, so hopefully they won't cause too much damage to this bush.




In an adjacent shrub was an empty bird's nest. I believe it might be that of the Superior Blue Wren, which is often seen in this garden.

More rain/thunderstorms are forecast for later today, which will be lovely. The return to high temperatures later in the week not so. A tad early in our summer for 35C!

I would love to read your comment.

24 comments:

  1. So glad you are having some rain, Helen. I especially love that eighth photo. How quickly the green returns after the rain. Amazing to see a gathering of bugs moving together like that.

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  2. I'm glad we got the gardening done this morning, Marie. It is bucketing down now. Such a wondeeful sound. Even better is that we know that it is widespread and bring ing hope back to the farmers.

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  3. Interesting bugs! Some really nice images here, Helen!

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  4. Those photos you captured delaying your arrival have that "atmospheric" look that I love so much! Good to hear you are getting some rain! The greens look lush. \We could use moisture here in the city, rain, snow anything wet would work, the ground is so very dry and brown.

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    1. Alexandra, I am so surprised that you are suffering drought conditions. How unusual is that for you?

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    2. It is very unusual! There is a 40% chance for 1 cm of snow Wed into Thurs. The forecast for Tuesday is +13C, I might put shorts on!

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    3. That is a worry. Everywhere else seems to be getting falls. UK, Graz, PEI.

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  5. Glad to hear you are getting rain! I love all the colorful birds in your country.

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    1. Our birds are so much noisier than yours.

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  6. Glad to hear it was raining at last. The bugs are interesting!

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    1. Very welcome rain, Marji.
      I just hope the bugs don't do too much damage.

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  7. The view along the Albert River looks incredible!

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    1. It is a lovely view and taken from a small park on its bank. Such a lovely spot to relax.

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  8. Lovely photos of the misty hills. The bugs are interesting. Its great to see everything greening up. Don't like the heat today though.

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    1. I am loving the green but this heat can leave now. My sons living OS are sending me photos of snow!

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  9. All of a sudden it's so green! I'm glad you're getting rain. Those misty scenes are wonderful. I love seeing the different species of birds. Those bugs are sticking together!

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    1. The misty scenes were a delight, Barb. Since then, we have had more storms that have only brought steamier weather. The bugs were fascinating to watch.

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  10. It's amazing how quickly the green comes back once the rain falls. But it must be very steamy up your way now.

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  11. Horribly steamy! Our view across the golf course is so lush green again.

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  12. Lovely photos of the misty hills.

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  13. Wonderful grey clouds and the greenness returned.

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  14. A wonderful, lush greeness, Sara

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