Winter Surprise

I won't be posting or visiting much for a while.

I have finally found someone to cut my lawns LOL on a 

regular basis.

This has given me courage to once more attack my neglected garden.

Since 2-3 hrs of gardening totally exhausts me to the point

of needing 12 hrs of sleep to recover, 

it does not leave much time for blogging since the exhaustion 

is not only physical.

Imagine putting your nose outside in mid-winter and instantly 

becoming the preferred perch of a Ladybug!

After sitting on my hand for some five minutes,

I coaxed it onto a stalk of grass .

What a joyful surprise, small wonder this blog is called garden delights.

Back on Line - Happy Days are here again . . .

Again, it has been some time since I posted.

There have been some health issues to sort out as 

well as a few emotional ones to take care of.

Hope I'm back again now without any more hitches.

A shot of my ex-garden last winter

although this is at the same time, it puts springtime 

into my heart again.

My pensive companion, still a little overweight in this early shot.

He has lost the chubbiness he accumulated from his soft hearted

previous owner and continuous snacking.

Kookie has also learned a few manners since that time and

sticks to me like glue.

It is rather nice to have his company and raised voice 

when anyone comes near my yard.

Hope all of you, my friends, are well and happy.

TODAY'S FLOWERS - Spring in Winter

A beautiful display of gleaming gold as the weeds thrive and flower 

in my garden.

 Almond blossom have been out since mid-winter

as have masses of Jonquils.

It is such a happy time when there is enough rain to make the flowers grow.

World Bird Wednesday - Female Flame Robin

A few days ago, this cute little female Flame Robin checked out 

our garden.

Isn't she a sweetheart? Some winters when we are lucky, a pair

of them brighten up our our gardens until late spring.

I do hope she brings a mate along . . .

TODAY'S FLOWERS - Primulas

When skies are grey and days are dreary,

it's good to have something bright and cheery.

Just a few of the primulas I have recently planted

and can see from both the kitchen sink and my bedroom.

I hope you all have flowers to enjoy!

TODAY'S FLOWERS ~ Memories of warmth

No, these are not from today. I needed some warmth on this cold,

wet winter's day so I am posting these that I took in February, in

the heat of our summer. They cover a large pergola shading our

carport.

Click on the Logo in my sidebar to see many more flowers around

the world and join in yourself.

SkyWatch ~ A Foggy Sunrise

Early winter morning valley fog blankets the landscape.

*

*

As the sun heralds the new day, the fog persists.

Apologies for the power lines, they invade even farms

to cause visual annoyance.

*

*

Slowly the sun gets the upper hand and the fog begins to

dissipate,

*

*

lifting as the effect of the sun makes itself felt.

*

*

The Logo lets you fly the skies or join in with your own entry.

*

Thanks to the great SkyWatch team we can all share and discover a

diversity of meteorological phenomina.

Nature Notes ~ Signs of Spring

Although the calendar says it is still winter, the garden has
other ideas. We have had some good rains lately though not
yet enough to be sure that the drought has broken. The dams
are still much less than half full.
*

*
The wallflowers give a nice splash of colour and the sugar snap
peas are begining to flower.
*

*
Likewise the broad beans. The tip growths of both peas and
beans are delicious in salads.
*

*
The very last rose, just a single bloom, on '4th of July'
*

*
and the first blossoms on the almond tree
*

*
and most importantly, the first three eggs of our beautiful
top knot grey goose . . . just delicious.

*
The duck and chickens think it is still too cold to share their

bounty with us.
*
Do wander over to Michelle at Rambling Woods to join in or see

more seasonal observations.

SkyWatch ~ Nothing Special

They look much better enlarged, just click on the picture!

*

A clear, cold winter's day adds luminescence to this simple

scene down our village street.

*

*

Any sky looks great once you get out of hospital.

*

A big thank you to all the gang at SkyWatch for hosting this meme.

The Logo lets you fly the skies.

Watery Wednesday ~ Ducks Dabbling at Dam

It is winter, it is cold but with a little water about, the ducks
are thinking of the mating season to come.

2sweetnsaxy hosts this (d)ripping meme, click on the Logo

and dive right in.

TODAY'S FLOWERS ~ Winter Wonders

Captured this afternoon on my walk with cat and camera.
Banksia flowering in the park.


*
Banksia seed pods, the brown one from last year, the grey from
previous years.
*

*
The ground littered with Eucalyptus flowers picked by naughty
parrots just for something to do.
*

*
The underside of a Eucalyptus flower
*

*
and held in my frozen, gloved hand so you could see it face on.
*

*
Flowers bloom in all seasons and all around the world, click

on the Logo and be surrounded by fields and bouquets of them.

TODAY'S FLOWERS ~ Pink Surprises

Ah, what it is to have two large gardens and not be able to keep
them up anymore . . . and yet, and yet, they keep rewarding me.
*

*

Above, a treasure from our garden on the mountain and below,

a present on the farm. Almost at the end of our first month of

winter and still they flower....

*

*

The Logo opens the door to flowers all over the world. Click to

join or just enjoy.

*

Thanks to Luiz Santilli Jr. for instigating this beautiful meme and

his great team who keep it running so smoothly.

TODAY'S FLOWERS ~ Transitions

Winter is here, the leaves have fallen and glow yet on the ground.
Some roses still have a few flowers, 'Bonica' has blushed a darker
pink in the cold weather.

*

The first Hyacinth bravely pops her head up to share her scent.

*

*

The purple leafed Geranium, though drenched with rain, is a

welcome touch of colour. The garden may not have a riot of

blooms at this season but there are always enough to be found

for a posy.
*

*
Thanks to all the kind people on the Flower Team who care for

and co-ordinate this meme.

TODAY'S FLOWERS ~ Winter Treasures

The first ray of hope in the cold of winter that Spring will come
again, the delicate Winter Iris shyly hiding amongst its leaves.

Do enlarge to see the sparkle.

*

The earliest of Jonquils, a clump of virginal white.

*

For more flowers, or to join the meme, click the Logo at right.

*

With thanks to the TODAY'S FLOWER Team for hosting this meme.

TODAY'S FLOWERS ~ Blue and Gold

With cold wet winter here our once blue skies have turned to
grey though smiling still in bright blue pots of Lobelia.



A stray gold Rose still blooms defiantly, hoping against hope to
be last in line for pruning.

The world is full of flowers, click the Logo and enjoy!

With thanks to Luiz Santilli Jr. and his team for providing and

co-ordinating this meme.

Winter gems

Oxalis glowing in its drab winter surroundings.

Lachenalia quadricolour welcoming at the garden gate

A neglected secret garden bright with Oxalis pes-caprae, Soursob in Austalia, Bermuda Buttercup in New Zealand and many other names in many other places.

A nudge and a wink in an otherwise dormant garden. A Geranium my grandson grew for me when he was 10. It has flowered year in year out through rain, snow and drought for 9 years.

Chaenomeles japonica on a fence behind a droplet covered Betula alba. In summer hidden behind a curtain of leaves, in winter glowing in morning light where we see it on first waking.




All the sparkling diamonds the faeries left behind after their nightly forays through my garden.

Crisp Winter Morning

Early morning, clear limpid light - sheer joy to be alive!
Finally managed to shoot some Adelaide Rosellas and one
White naped Honeyeater. Will post at later date.

Winter surprise

Mid winter and one perfect rose among 150 thorny bushes