Wild Bird Wednesday - Common Bronzewing

Apologies for the quality of these shots, very fast reaction 

on my mart and rainy late afternoon light are not conducive

to startlingly good photography 

even so, I am very pleased I captured this incredibly shy 

and elusive bird

although I know it very well, since it is native to my Mt.Lofty garden

where I had one that was happy to forage in my vicinity,

it always kept in the densest shade.

The Common Bronzewing has a haunting daytime mating call

a protracted hoooot, like the San Francisco fog horn, 

followed by an interval . . .

then, another hoot with the intervals becoming progressively 

longer until you give up waiting for the next one and yep,

three seconds later, there it is.

It is always a pleasure to listen to, not only for the haunting 

quality of the hoot but also the surprise factor involved.

These two shots I managed to capture at the end of my pine 

plantation walk as I headed for my car and watched four 

Magpies squabbling, one flew into a tree across the road as I 

headed for my car. I dropped my eyes and there, within a 

couple of feet of my bumper, was the Bronzewing at he 

side of the road. 

It was in an 'alert' position so no time to check settings, just

lift camera and shoot (and pray).

The Bronzewing turned as the Magpie swooped and I clicked.

Moments later,  obscured my car, it had taken off.

Just when I was a little disappointed at not bagging any birds 

in the plantation, I was on the verge of ecstatic 

at this bird being handed to me on a platter

at the last moment.

Joining Stewart's 

Wild Bird Wednesday

and Michelle's

Nature Notes

OUR WORLD - The Secret Life of . . .

pine mushrooms that are happiest living on or 

around pine stumps.

Some are hermits but they are rare

some snuggle up like lovers and shun all others

others prefer suburban living

  

yet others crowd together in fear

there are those who find more elevated habitations

fearful of the rising waters of global warming

and caring mothers protecting their children

until the time comes to let go of this life and return 

back into the earth.

From a walk in a pine plantation. I was hoping for edible 

mushrooms but unfortunately the forest department, in it's wisdom?

had sprayed some dreadful poison last spring and killed not only

the habitat of all the little birds who spent their winters here and 

bred in spring, but also the dozens of varieties of mushrooms  that

used to grace the forest floor.

Next time I may post the forest itself.

TODAY'S FLOWERS - Tonight's Flowers Really!

'Joiks', I though.

I have no flowers to post . . .

grab camera, rush out into the dark with torch

and violà!

A flower I had noticed on a seedling geranium a few days ago.

Dah, when you shine the torch on the flower, you can't see

what setting the camera in on, ups . . .

soft focus by torchlight.

Madly winding fading torch and clinging on to camera,

my piece de resistance, a flower engulfed by grass.

Yep, not only has my weeding not been done, 

it hasn't even been started

here is the little darling in all it's moth eaten glory

and, the only other thing apart from my white rose that is in 

flower, ONE shy but perfumed violet.

With Lille Abner's grandma I say "when you got 'em, flaunt 'em!"

When you don't have much, it's best to enjoy what you DO have.

SkyWatch - Just a Little Afterglow

After the sun has disappeared over the hill without a fanfare, 

often, the clouds in the East show a touch of what 

could have been, just the tiniest 

breath of pink and 

the rising moon

Zoom in and capture what the eye picks out immediately,

at least mine does,

it too zooms in on the gentle interplay of pink and grey

and high up, the moon performs her dance with the last 

glow of the sun's magnificence.

Do click on the first and enjoy the show.

To see more skies, click on the SkyWatch Logo

on my side bar.

Wild Bird Wednesday and Nature Notes - Willie Wagtails

As soon as the first rain came, with it's accompanying drop of 

temperatures, the male birds went in for territorial posturing, 

chasing each other around in whole gangs and  making one 

heck of a ruckus.

They carried on as though it were spring not autumn.

Two of them in threatening poses in a cherry tree

quickly nipping down for a tasty insect snack

and back to the chase.

They were so intent on their purpose, they even darted around

in the grapevine next to the house.

It was really fun watching their antics.

Likning with Stewart's

Wild Bird Wednesday

and 

Michelle's Nature Notes

OUR WORLD - Autumn Past and Present

Driving to town today to visit my husband, I thought I would 

show you the main street through Verdun, a small settlement 

on my way.

Dense clouds and rain in the distance muted the autumn colours.

My 20 year old car is in the left hand corner of the shot.

The sun was doing it's best to break through

and finally did, to brighten the drenched colourful leaves

I am infinitely grateful for the rain.

Tips of trees over a hedge made a good contrast to the dark sky.

From our last trip together, this time last year,

Martindale Hall near Mintaro

which was the school for the film 'Picnic at Hanging Rock'.

Rather a grand pile in this sleepy rural district

it is sad no longer to have anyone to share trips, memories and old age with.

We never know what life will dish up,

we just hope we cope with whatever comes our way.

TODAY'S FLOWERS - Another Blooming Orchid

It is almost winter, only two weeks to go and still no 

autumn rains . . .

The garden yields nothing at all, just my orchids give me

a thrill now and again

although I have lost quite a few through our

long, hot summer.

The first photo was taken last week when it first opened and 

was more pinkish

the second, a few minutes ago when I noticed that the

colour had intensified and turned more magenta.

Flowers are there to enhance our lives, open your eyes and enjoy!