SkyWatch - A Few Clouds Last Night

Yesterday was cooler and quite pleasant, at least possible

 to sit outside after taking these pictures.

Today has been another scorcher with tomorrow and the 

weekend predicted to be much worse still and dangerous 

for the very young, the elderly and people with various heart 

and breathing difficulties.

My dog and I fall into the latter categories, so apart from 

going for a blood test, I will be incarcerated indoors with 

various cooling devices.

The few clouds we had last night at least lent some structure

to the sky

although, even zoomed in, the colour was minimal

as though the very sky was tired out with all the heat we have 

been suffering from.

Linking with 

SkyWatch

TODAY'S FLOWERS & I Heart Macro - Friends and Flowers

Yesterday, Saturday here, was a lovely day. 

A light breeze and perfect temps, a trip to the farmers' market

early in the morning, home around noon, whip up a 

flummery and pop it into the fridge to set, a brief sleep to banish 

the fatigue of driving, a quick tidy up and an even quicker prep 

of a leek and potato bake and my dear friends John and Bev

were welcomed by my dog while I washed my hands.

John and Bev are orchid growers extraordinaire. All the 

beauties in this post as well as previous ones are happy 

residents of their shade houses.

We had a lovely afternoon sitting like children on my garden 

swing in the shade with our coffees and enjoying the balmy

day.

The dog lay in the shade under the swinging seat and 

the chickens scratched around beyond the desolate rose garden

in the deep shade of my lovely oak.

Peace interspersed with gentle talk of rural matters and horticulture

and dinner that was preparing itself to follow.

A perfect day . . .

Last time I showed you a purple and white collection,

this time the accent is on yellow and orange to brighten the 

day of those caught in the polar vortex.

A charming, bubbly, carnivorous plant.

All those dark spots are tiny insect that I certainly could not see 

even with my glasses on.

Does it live on instance, does it think? Does it gloat over it's prey?

Surely a link between plants and animals.

Linking with

TODAY'S FLOWERS

and

I Heart Macro

With heartfelt thanks to both meme co-ordinators.

SkyWatch - Incoming Clouds

While crossing the street between shops and bank today,

I looked up to see these cirro-nimbus clouds coming in

like bubbling sea spray.

Linking with 

SkyWatch

Do click on it and see the skies around the world.

OUR WORLD, Wild Bird Wednesday & Nature Notes - Arno Bay

The baked landscape around me makes me think of cooler,

happier times when the Prof and I went on short holidays.

Now, without a travelling companion, 

these long drives are out of my reach.

The Eyre Peninsula, in the west of our state has plenty of 

wonderful beaches and when heading further down the coast, 

we stopped for a couple of nights at the caravan park in 

Arno bay.

Looking back at the township.

We stayed in a charming little cottage right on the beach.

The only blemish to our stay was this young Pacific Gull

with a substantial lure dangling from it's nose.

Humans can piece their noses and hang bricks from them if they 

like but wildlife should not be endanger by our detritus.

Unfortunately I had not the means for catching this 

youngster to relieve it of it's burden.

 Discarded by the sea, something that looks like a 

collection of oddly shape eggs

and a lonely cormorants waiting for shoals of fish with little

hope on an outgoing tide.

I feel refreshed just thinking about it.

Linking with OUR WORLD

Wild Bird Wednesday

and Nature Notes

TODAY'S FLOWERS & I Heart Macro - Wonders of the Orient

A wealth of Oriental lilies 

gracing my kitchen divider

saved from the 42+C/109F

temps outside that turned the garden

into a dried flower arrangement.

Charming with their mysterious shadows

or opening their gentle hearts to 

spread their perfume

laying bare the depth of their wonder

I am slowly recovering from the effects of a week 

of over 40C temps and the exertion of packing up

documents and precious items to flee the advancing 

fire front of a close by, wildly spreading fire that 

demolished three houses in our neighbouring 

settlement, burned cattle and sheep, destroyed 

fences, sheds and a year's supply of feed.

We had 9 mm of rain over night that helped the 

fire fighters but also increased the number of fires

through lightning strikes.

12 of the fires were lit by arsonists.

One of the fires is still a threat to us as it is very large

and uncontrolled but for today, if the wind does 

not suddenly change, we are safe.

Thank you all for your concern.

Linking with

TODAY'S FLOWERS

and

I Heart Macro

SkyWatch - Smoke Screen

Whichever way you look, there is smoke in the air. 

even overshadowing the moon in the East

all week we have had temperatures over 40 degrees C

that is well over 100 in the old scale

today we had the record for the hottest city in the world 

even the sunset was smoky.

There are dozens of fires burning in the state and tomorrow will

be even more dangerous with high winds and lightning.

I am in a quandary, do I stay and look after the farm and the 

animals or do I go to our house on Mt.Lofty and protect that.

It burned down once before.

This week has been too hot to think or post and 

much too hot for decision making.

Looks like I'll be playing it by ear . . .

Stay safe and be kind to each other.

Linking with

SkyWatch

TODAY's FLOWERS & I Heart Macro - The Wonder of Orchids

Such a tiny pot holds so much beauty 

brought forth by the experienced hand of 

the wise grower

My dear friend John certainly has the magic touch

his orchids flower all year round

dancing ladies in their Christmas finery

orchids are such diverse plants, these remind one 

of the delicate flowers of a tree begonia

any lady would look dressy with a sprig of these in her corsage

 I feel like cupping these delicately tinted petals in my hands

but the most splendid for me is this virginal white

with pure gold in it's heart

I can but sigh and wish to emulate John's prowess 

meanwhile . . .dream on . . .

Linking with Denise's

TODAY'S FLOWERS

and Laura's

I Heart Macro

Wild Bird Wednesday & SkyWatch - Eastern Rosellas & Flying Galahs

On my rare visits to the metropolis, my feet always come to rest 

on greensward and a bonus of Eastern Rosellas

which we do not get on the farm 50km to the east

they are so much more colourful than our local

Adelaide Rosellas below.

and just for fun and SkyWatch,

a few Galahs taking some exercise.

Joining with 

Wild Bird Wednesday 

and

SkyWatch Friday

TODAY'S FLOWERS & I Heart Macro - Roses in all their glory

The sheer beauty of the rose cannot be denied

nor it's jewel like claws

but if either were missing, 

it would not be a true reflection of life.

Picked at dawn to protect them from  the scorching heat

yet shrivelled my lunch time, even in the house

but no less beautiful

like kind people in old age

the care lines cancelled out by 

the wrinkles of all those years of smiling.

Linking with

TODAY'S FLOWERS

and 

I Heart Macro

SkyWatch - and the sun still rises . . .

The sun awakens chasing the pale moon from the sky

colour blooms on scattered clouds

and tinges yonder hill

the birds awaken paying homage to another day

My New Year's resolution

to fly high like this bird.

Hope I make it and hang the consequences!

Joining with 

SkyWatch