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!

SkyWatch - Wind and Eye Candy

Just a few interesting visible wind phenomena,

a contrail twisted by an upper atmosphere wind stream

oops, this is a bit of a ring-in, I saw some crows flying overhead,

did a fast reaction body twist and snap . . . gotcha!

A layer of cloud sweeping in,

can you see the associated wind turbulence that is whipping up 

the clouds into a frothing surf?

When the wind does that at ground level where you cannot 

see it, it can toss and topple a plane on landing,

not pleasant for anyone. Airports at some locations are closed

and all traffic diverted under such conditions.

Enough of the lesson in meteorology, here is some gentle 

eye candy, just some cumulo-nimbus at sunset.

Don't you just love watching the sky?

I do.

Wild Bird Wednesday and Nature Notes - Ducks, Ducks and more Ducks

Yesterday I had a long drive to Mt. Barker and on the way back

stopped at this little pond, really a sump for a hillside subdivision.

The run off from so many roofs, sealed driveways and roads

gathers here and because of the fountain aerating the water, 

many waterfowl tend to gather. It has taken some 20 years to 

come into it's own but is now a happy hunting ground for many.

There is a lot of activity of coming and going and changing places.

Pacific Black Duck, left forefront, Eurasian Coot with white 

beak, and my best shot yet of our Australian Wood Duck. 

This is the first time I have captured and indeed 

seen that green flash 

on it's wing.

These three ladies I need Stewart's help in identifying, are they a 

specific breed or a cross?

A couple of Northern Mallards with their iridescent green heads

and their little lady following

she obviously found following them around boring so 

decided to go bottoms up.

And a ring-in, probably my best shot to date of an Eurasian Coot

with it's prominently white beak, face and red eye.

From now on, I will stop at this little pond instead of just passing it by.

Who knows what it may offer next time.

Linking with Stewart's

Wild Bird Wednesday

and
Michelle's Nature Notes (Logo on side bar)

OUR WORLD Tuesday - Autumn on the Farm and Elsewhere

Before our first autumn rain, the calves were dropping like 

the rain should have.

A recent baby making tentative friends with our last remaining

steer that, for the second time running, jumped out of the stockyards

not to be sent to market.

Ya gotta give it to him for spunk!

Togetherness, two mommas and their babies. 

No need to cover up, these girls believe in letting it all hang out.

On my way to town, I pass this beautiful farm

with two Golden Ash, Fraxinus excelsior 'Aurea' , flanked by

two beautiful Claret Ash, Fraxinus raywoodii.

The Claret Ash comes from a property not far from our Mt.Lofty house.

A gardener noticed a red sport on a Golden Ash and propagated from

it. It was a rather grand house with lots of visitors who, in a few

years time, marvelled at the depth of colour and the rest is history.

Claret Ash against one of my favourite shade trees, the Golden Elm

in our village.

We all are mirror images of each other,

some enjoying autumn and others, spring.

Whichever you are in, take pleasure in what it offers.

TODAY'S FLOWERS - Savour the Day

Got up early this morning and went to the country market.

That was a joy in itself -

after getting all the greens for the piglets and some provisions 

for myself,

I also treated myself to a pot of chrysanthemums in this

lovely bright and joyful shade of red.

Although the sun had hidden, they still glowed

and brandished their golden centres like beacons.

My one and only flowering rose had bestirred itself and was

catching up on lost time over our too dry summer.

Two bright spots in my heart and garden.

Hope there are some in yours too!

SkyWatch - Fog

Early morning, I wondered why the sun was still abed,

one look out the window and I levitated out of bed snatching

at my camera 

the paddocks softened by the scattered light

down the hill, the houses were fading away

but up the hill, the blanket of grey grew ever thicker

until it gobbled up the trees and shrubs and ground and 

indiscriminately hid the sheep and kangaroos . . .

as well of course, the sky.

Wild Bird Wednesday and Nature Notes - A big Thrill in Home Birds

With our inch of rain last week, the birds are fighting 

over food sources that aren't even there yet.

A very noisy flock of New Holland Honeyeater were

squabbling in my side garden where I grow Grevilleas

for their delectation. They are nowhere near to 

flowering.

 A moment before this, there were three of the little 

darlings sitting in close proximity. By the

time I pulled the trigger, this was all that was left.

The House Sparrow flock still haunts my garden, 

probably because of it's unkempt state it still has

seed heads for them to feed on.

I rather like this gentle shot in mild fog.

The Yellow-rumped Thornbills are very active, noisy,

pretty as a picture and stay clear of my camera for 

the most part.

In case you haven't been bored to tears yet, here is

some eye candy, my piece de resistance,
the Red-cap Robin, newly arrived

and I am crossing my fingers, holding my thumbs

and praying he has brought a mate and will deign

to grace our gardens for the season.

Sorry he is not quite in focus but that is the best I 

could do with my hand held 500mm lens.

I got nine shots in and this was the only vaguely

keeper.

Sometimes they stay and sometimes they move on 

to the pine forests not too far away.

Linking to 

Stewart's Wild Bird Wednesday

and 

Michelle's Nature Notes (Logo on side bar)