Springtime in the Bush
I haven't posted for a few days because I've been outdoors enjoying what is probably the best Spring I can remember. There are signs of new life everywhere, and I can't help but feel enthusiastic about it. One of my greatest joys of course, are the birds that we see breeding in close proximity to our house. At last count we notched up six different species, with a possible one to come yet. The magpies seem to have babies already, the noisy minors are still waiting, as are the butcher birds, mudlarks, crested pigeons and plovers. Yesterday I was so pleased to see the Tawny Frogmouth sitting quietly in one of the trees in our houseyard. We haven't seen them for quite some time, and hoped they'd return for their nesting/breeding time. Here she is trying to be 'invisible'.
The bottlebrush is flowering well, and being enjoyed by numerous birds and butterflies. It won't be long and it will be literally covered in red. It's almost impossible to get a good photo of the butterflies, they just keep flitting here, there and everywhere. This one sat for a little while, the sun almost shining through it's wings.
After the most recent fall of rain, we spotted this little guy sauntering quietly across our backyard. Echidnas are such cute little creatures, and I never tire of watching them waddling along minding their own business. I also managed quite a good shot of this lizard making his way up one of the trees in the houseyard. He didn't seem to mind me at all.
We've also noticed a spur-winged plover has a nest not much more than 60 metres from our house, just out in the open paddock. It's really strange to see her sitting out there in the open, not an ounce of protection whatsoever. I must confess to having to disturb her for this photo, but she was back in no time at all. For some reason she doesn't seem to dive-bomb us, perhaps because she's so used the movement around the houses.
And, now, last but not least, more new life. This little fellow was born over a week ago but I didn't have a moment to post his photo. He will be a stable mate for little Zara, and is her half brother. His stable name will be Zac.
It is such a privilege to live in a place where we can see and appreciate all that Nature has to offer. I am constantly reminded of life's pleasures here, and thankful that my life is relatively safe. As the world remembers Sept 11, and lives are lost in today's conflicts, what better place is there to be thankful for life.
7 comments:
Linda, thanks so much for the pictures and words about the new life in your part of our country. The frogmouth is doing a good job of hiding.
The echidna must be my favourite little animal.
Little Zac looks a likely lad. Hope he is lucky for the family.
We have some possums in the trees and they come down to feed if we leave something for them. I noticed a mother & baby the other night. So cute.
Thank you, Linda, for such beautiful pictures. I am always learning from your blog, and now I have a chance to "see" spring in Australia!
Thank you Linda from me too. Spring is a wonderful time everywhere with all the new life emerging. I am getting so much pleasure from all the activity of the plants birds and animals. You do write so well.
Me again. I recognised the plovers eggs right away the ones we had were more turquoise and aqua type greens. Our :parents" weren't so kind and I had to have either a cushion on my head or an umbrella if we went to that area.
Then one day we say a big goanna along the fence and when we looked the eggs were gone. So the plovers have never been back, but we hear them in the paddocks next door.
Linda, your pictures are beautiful, I especially like the bottlebrush, even thought I don't know what it is, and the butterfly, we do have those in the south. I love spring and fall,my 2 fave. seasons,it's still pretty warm here, really ready for fall now.I also agree, you write quite well.
Oh Linda,I love little Zac..he's so cute....do you need a stable hand or housekeeper or something...would be gald to pop over and help out??
Anney x
Linda, this is a gorgeous post with all the new life, plants and wonderful creatures our land is blessed with. Shirley is right, you write it so well. Dianne.
Post a Comment