Corellas and Australia Day

 

The scene above greeted me when I stepped out of the side door of our bedroom at 6 am yesterday morning, to turn our pool pump on. A tall, golden grevillea sits beside the fenceline to our neighbours. It is a shrub that beckons the lorikeets and honey eaters, but I have rarely seen a corella in it. What was also amazing was that they were feeding so quietly. No raucous squawking at all. I stood and watched and snapped photos for about half an hour. Mean while, our neighbours thought someone was trying to break into their home. Their bedroom is adjacent to the tree and with so many birds sitting on their colour
bond roof, [zinc and aluminium] their claws were making quite a racket.

I took myself to the pergola to watch them on the opposite side of the tree. Alas, my camera battery was flat so these images are from my Iphone.

They appeared very contented with the seed of the grevillea, but suddenly, en masse, they departed to visit our neighbours citrus and palm trees.

I would like to acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land where I live, and to pay my respects to the Elders past and present.

Monday 26 th January is Australia Day. Many call it Invasion Day as this was the date in 1778 that the first fleet arrived at Sydney Cove. 

Australia Day celebrations date back to 1808, but it only became an official public holiday in 1994. Many want a broader conversation about how - or when - Australia should commemorate its national identity. I am fully in favour of changing the date.

Several friends joined us for an Aussie cuppa / morning tea on Sunday. Anzac biscuits in the Gumnut Baby cake tin. My poor effort at making lamingtons. Iced, Vo Vo's - a traditonal Aussie bought biscuit, now ten times smaller and thinner. Vegemite flavoured crackers  in the shape of Australia with cheese and tomato. Note thow I placed my mini tomato to represent Tasmania.

Late afternoon my lovely friend Joc popped in, bringing a special bunch of native Australian flowers. Native flowers always last a long time in a vase, but as these are actually a cardboard arrangement, I will be enjoying them for quite some time.

I would love to read your comment.

Bush, Moon and Storm

Our Aussie summer has been steamy, hot, wet and stormy. Both my walking groups are looking for local walks with an early start.

The Gaiter Girls first walk of the year was at Buccan Conservation Park, only a short drive from here. Only 5 km long, but with its few steep ascents and descents, we managed to work up a sweat even with our 6.20am start. We all agreed though, that it was wonderful to be back in the Aussie bush.

The Gaiter Girls haven't been into 'posing' like the Hungry Hikers, but they are getting better.

I had woken early before this walk, and while browsing a hiking site, happened upon the image below, hence the above photo.

These 2 photos were taken to create my athleticsm.

The Hungry Hikers chose this same trail for their 2nd walk of the year. Same starting time, but a much hotter morning. Our plan to return to Hiker Jayne's swimming pool was very welcome.

Wallabies greeted us.

Back at Jayne's everyone was keen to jump in but on NOW, I was the only one to jump.

They did join me when Jayne produced a bottle of bubbles.

One of my gifts at Christmas was a large bag of rose fairy floss. It was delicate and unusual and quite a sizeable bag. I made the decision to share it with my friends at one of our outings.

Pink Velvet Cake and fairy floss.

Monday 13th January had been another day of deluges and stress. At 7pm I had to set the pool pump to release water onto the golf course. The pool was too full for the pump to work effectively. I was tired  and slow moving. I had to stand, wait and watch the level fall. It is far too easy to let too much out. Suddenly my spirits lifted. I had spied the full moon in the far north of the horizon beginning to show its face. I had no idea that this was full moon night.

Our temperature yesterday reached 36C. It is now 6am, 23rd January. This finds me happily sitting outside with a cooling breeze. A short sharp storm has passed over in just 5 minutes. The forecast states that this will drop today's temperatures but on Friday the mercurry will soar to 38C.

Saturday 18th saw a very dramatic storm slide passed us to the east. It was followed by a very impressive double rainbow and the Corellas looked amazing against the dark sky.

Another storm is approaching from a 250 km distance. We will most probably just get the edge of it. This is our summer.

I would love to read your comment.

Night Visitor

 My friend Janice is presently attending rehearsals for a play with our local theatre group, three times a week. Driving into her carport late last week, she was surprised but not worried, by the presence of this beautiful Carpet Python. Python's are non venonmous and if left alone harmless to humans. 

This link will quite simply explain why Janice was unconcerned. 

https://backyardbuddies.org.au/backyard-buddies/carpet-python/

He quite possibly lives under her roof. It is not uncommon, along with possums. We often have to walk around pythons sleeping in the sun on our bush trails. They don't worry me, but I'm happy that this fellow isn't habitating on our block, or is he? 

Snakes are another matter. Queensland is home to some of the most deadliest snakes in the world. Thankfully not seen often and they prefer to slither away rapidly unless they feel threatened. Over our 12 years of walking we have only seen 10 or so slithering away on our bush walks.

He slithered along to her screened outdoor area.

Half an hour later he was climbing higher. Was he headed back into her roof? It was now well past 10 pm, so Janice didn't hang around any longer to find out. It is not unusual for them to find a shedded snake skin in their garden.

Some snake facts.

I would love to read your comment.