Last Friday we had occasion to drive 100 miles
up river to visit friends in South Australia's prime
citrus growing area. The drive was delightfully green
after the late winter rains we have lately had.
Their water allocation has been drastically cut
because of the lack of water in the river. Most orchards
we passed had greatly reduced fruit size, a lot showed
drought stress. Yields in consequence had been low and
of much poorer quality than other years.
Above is their tame Galah who kept insisting on calling
me 'Charlie', did he know something I didn't?
My friend Meredith in her garden which is normally skirted
by glowing golden oranges but now nowhere near as lush as
I remember it, even the large Jacaranda shading the
verandah had a lot of die back.
Even in this sandy dryland soil there were many
beautiful flowers
and a little water to keep it all viably growing.
It is amazing what a little water can do, the Carnation
certainly enjoyed her shower.
All photos enlarge by a simple click on them.
Both the dogs and cats were matched - dressed in
black and white, two Jack Russells and two cats and
all good friends.
A birdhouse the size of a normal lounge room housed
two pairs of singing Canaries and a cooing dove that
had thought this a good place to stay.
Barbary Dove,
Streptopelia 'risoria', native of the
south western corner of Western Australia but a
favourite aviary bird in the East.
In the front yard the butter-yellow Banksia Roses were
draping themselves over the trees.
Our friend Mike, the best citrus grower I know,
exports all over the world, growing a great variety
of fruit as well as researching others.
A peek into the shade house with Orchids, Fuchsias
as well as many other delicate flowers.
These beautiful White Cedars show off their golden
seed berries against the blue of the sky.
I will be posting the Guinea Fowl roaming the orchard
in Bird Photography Weekly.
We had a lovely day being spoiled rotten with a delicious
lunch, afternoon tea as well as a car full of Oranges,
Mandarins, Blood Oranges and Pomelos as a parting gift..
For the World other people live in, click on the Logo and enjoy.
To Klaus and the MY WORLD team, my thanks as always.
