Our World & World Bird Wednesday - Birds of a Feather . . .

I've had these up my sleeve for a while, it's getting a bit crowded

there so, here goes . . .

OK, OK Susannah, I'm listening already . . .

Lake Burrumbeet at Ballarat Victoria, where the Olympic rowing

was held in 1956. Luckily it has water in it for the birds to nest

this year. A couple of years ago, during the drought, it was

completely dry and people were walking across it.

The swans had obviously had numerous cygnets, in the

foreground, is one already changing to adult plumage while

the one in the rear is a much younger bird.

There are nesting islands for any number of waterbirds in the lake

as well as lawns for grazing, waterlilies for tubers and walkways

for people to admire, photograph and feed them.

Feed me, feed me, feed me . . .

hey, wait for me . . .

a family with small children tossed in loads of bread, everyone

was happy, including the tiny tots who were eye to eye with the

swans and just a tad overawed by it all.

The gulls moved in to clean up the leftovers while the cygnet

and waterhen looked on

and the grownups were at leisure to pose for photo opportunities.

If you like birds, you can enlarge them, if you are not a birdlover,

just disregard this post and and go check out someone else's world.

TODAY'S FLOWERS ~ Spring has Sprung at the Gardens

On the way back from Melbourne last week, we stopped in at

the Ballarat Botanical Gardens and what a sight met our eyes!

Even outside the gardens the grass was full of daisies

and once we got inside, I was quite surprises at the grand

spring plantations that had been brought into being.

Spring bulbs galore, thick as thieves between the azaleas

and beds planted around the birches in circles and arcs.

How can one resist such beauty?

I certainly could not and kept snapping away . . . can you see

the little statue in the background?

Another innovation since last we visited, is that immense glass

house. The lanterns are like old fashioned gaslights and there

are quite a number of marble statues and bronze busts of all

the Australian prime ministers lining an avenue of very old trees.

Here is a raised semi-circular bed of multi-coloured polyanthus.

All pictures enlarge with a click.

Join TODAY'S FLOWERS and show off the flowers around you.