Monday, 26 August 2024

Doing Well.

 A good week. A happy week.

I am very happy to report that life is getting back to normal, slowly but surely. The caring and support of friends, and the wonder of nature, have all contributed to my recovery.

Last Monday evening I joined Laurel to watch the all but full supermoon rise. There was much cloud on the horizon, but we finally spotted it, before it began to play hide 'n seek. I was using my camera and, at the time, felt my images would be poor.  This one is my favourite and I had no idea the ibis was in the frame.


Now you see it. Soon you won't.



A wonderful twilight.

 Last Friday I took my first morning walk. Two and half kilometres at a gentle pace. It was a beautiful morning to be out walking after a misty sunrise. The birds were in full song, trying to lessen the impact of the M1 roar of traffic. [Depending on the wind and atmospheric conditions, its noise can be either a roar, or not heard at all.]




A stunning Geralton Wax shrub, glowing in the early morning light. [native to Aus] 

We have few deciduous trees. This is a Leopard Tree and is semi deciduous. It caught my eye as, this year it has lost all its leaves. I had to smile when I saw it. It speaks of a stark winter, but all around me, I was seeing spring flowers. The temperature when I left to walk was 13C, but was already 18C and this week the maximum is 30C plus! Ugh, summer is here too soon.

Alas, I am unable to name this bird, but he and his mate were enjoying calling one another.

The heady perfume of my traditional freezias welcomed me home.


New growth on the bottlebrush.

Colour overload in our tiny southern facing courtyard.

Yesterday, Sunday, I managed a comfortable 5 kilometres. 
Nature again cheered me all the way.

Magpies calling to each other.



Further on, my favourite trees!



A weedy, but looking beautiful, 'meadow'.

And I can't believe that my 'heart' tree is still showing such a distinctive heart!

I fully expected these wonderful moments of morning joy would fill this week's blog. I hadn't counted on being wide awake at 4.30am this morning!  Pulling back the curtains at 5.30, a reddish glow beckoned me outside. It wasn't long before I was dressed and enjoying yet another magnificent sunrise by the golf ponds, before continuing on for a further 3 kilometre amble.













Continuing on.

Red Bottle Brush


Blue-faced Honey Eater 

My circuit complete. My happy metre full to over brimming!

I would love to read your comment.


19 comments:

  1. Gorgeous photos of the moon, the early morning mist, the birds and blooms. So good for the spirit.

    Glad to hear you’ve recovered so well.

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    1. Thank you, Marie. Nature's healing vibes certainly lift one's spirits. Packing for a certain holiday also makes one smile.

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  2. Glad to hear your recovery is going well. Looks like you are enjoying all the beauty around your neighborhood.

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    1. It is most definitely a beautiful time of year, if not quite as sensational as in your mountains, Linda.

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  3. I should have such poor images! The first one with the moon and the ibis is spectacular. I'm glad you're feeling better.

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    1. I was quite excited to find the ibis's timely flight, Bill.

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  4. It's so good to hear you are doing well, Helen!
    Your moon photos are always beautiful and the misty morning views and flowers look wonderful.
    Big hugs!

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    1. Big hugs back, Sara. Jan is now in Helsinki and has had a wonderful week exploring your forests and lakes.

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  5. The moon photos are terrific. The fog lent a beautiful texture to several of your photos. It sounds like your recovery is going remarkably! I'm so glad!

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    1. Thanks, Kim. I am so very grateful to have seen my specialist when I did. Our nights a re still cool but oour days have become abnormally hot so we are waking up to misty scenes almost daily. Very special.

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  6. Good to hear you are on the mend. Your photos as always are stunning. I do love misty morning views. B x

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    1. Thanks, Barbara. I'm glad you enjoy my photos as I do get carried away with sharing them.

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  7. Stunning photos. I especially like the opening photo of the moon with incidental ibis. Funny how sometimes the best photos are ones you anticipate to be bad.

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    1. Yes, Peter re anticipating poor images. The light seemed all wrong to me and the moon pics didn't look much through the viewfinder. The ibis certainly made that first image pop!

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  8. The spring flowers sure are out in your part of the world. It is mostly blossom trees here. Our fresias are only just beginning to unfurl.

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    1. I hope you aren't getting too much wind to spoil your spring arrivals, Joan. Tasmania sounds dreadful and it is all heading your way.

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  9. Nature sure does heal in so many ways! It's good to hear you are doing well! Your "heart" tree still amazes me, it's almost like a sign with a hidden meaning! It's September as I write this comment, your trip is so close I bet you can almost taste it!

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  10. The 'heart' tree is very, very special, Alexandra!
    Eight days and we will be flying to London for a week and then onwards to a wonderful month on the island! We are ready to go!

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  11. Glad to hear you are recovering. The misty mornings views are so beautiful! 

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