Australia – Page 47

Flowers – pink to red

December 8, 2020

Some images from my garden as we head into summer.

Turtle

December 7, 2020

I was focused on a bird, when I noticed what I thought was a stick move in the water. He looked at me and I quickly swung the camera around and ‘klicked’ just before he disappeared again.

This might be a friend of his. It was about a month ago. It was just starting to rain a little when my husband spotted him by the edge of the water.

I didn’t have my ‘big’ lens but managed to get quite close to him before he shrank back into his shell.

At least he stayed dry inside his shell.

I tried to grow Canna Lilies once and gave up. They might have been too dry. Last year I planted them in a spot where I couldn’t forget that they existed. They got plenty of water and did very well. I took seed and am growing some more in my glass house. This orange flower with the striking leaves is my favorite this week.

The flower is also very bright and eye catching.

I also have some red ones flowering at the moment. Perhaps I should have separated them. They may be growing too close together. The bronze leaves below are the orange variety. My grape is benefitting from the extra care the Cannas are getting.

Friendly Friday – Red and Green

December 5, 2020

For the Friendly Friday Challenge

A flowering gum from Australia, in Christmas colors. I think it’s smiling!!!

Darter babies feeding

December 5, 2020

These are the three Darter babies I’ve been watching. Here they are sharing the meal their parents served up to them.

Find their family here.

The Darter Family

December 4, 2020

A family of Australasian Darters has a nest on the water’s edge very close to our house. I spent some time watching their behaviour and was lucky enough to get close enough to get some detailed photographs.

I’m only guessing that the dark bird might be the dad. He took his turn feeding the young and looking after the nest.

Here’s mum, at least I think it’s mum, taking her turn to look after the nest. There are three chicks, two much more active than the third.

And here’s the family portrait. There are three very downy chicks in the nest. The parent birds had their mouths full and fed the chicks. You can see the chicks with full mouths in the pic above.