Thursday, January 30, 2014

SkyWatch - A Few Clouds Last Night


Yesterday was cooler and quite pleasant, at least possible
 to sit outside after taking these pictures.

Today has been another scorcher with tomorrow and the 
weekend predicted to be much worse still and dangerous 
for the very young, the elderly and people with various heart 
and breathing difficulties.
My dog and I fall into the latter categories, so apart from 
going for a blood test, I will be incarcerated indoors with 
various cooling devices.

The few clouds we had last night at least lent some structure
to the sky


although, even zoomed in, the colour was minimal


as though the very sky was tired out with all the heat we have 
been suffering from.


Linking with 


Saturday, January 25, 2014

TODAY'S FLOWERS & I Heart Macro - Friends and Flowers


Yesterday, Saturday here, was a lovely day. 
A light breeze and perfect temps, a trip to the farmers' market
early in the morning, home around noon, whip up a 
flummery and pop it into the fridge to set, a brief sleep to banish 
the fatigue of driving, a quick tidy up and an even quicker prep 
of a leek and potato bake and my dear friends John and Bev
were welcomed by my dog while I washed my hands.

John and Bev are orchid growers extraordinaire. All the 
beauties in this post as well as previous ones are happy 
residents of their shade houses.

We had a lovely afternoon sitting like children on my garden 
swing in the shade with our coffees and enjoying the balmy
day.
The dog lay in the shade under the swinging seat and 
the chickens scratched around beyond the desolate rose garden
in the deep shade of my lovely oak.

Peace interspersed with gentle talk of rural matters and horticulture
and dinner that was preparing itself to follow.

A perfect day . . .


Last time I showed you a purple and white collection,


this time the accent is on yellow and orange to brighten the 
day of those caught in the polar vortex.



A charming, bubbly, carnivorous plant.
All those dark spots are tiny insect that I certainly could not see 
even with my glasses on.


Does it live on instance, does it think? Does it gloat over it's prey?
Surely a link between plants and animals.


Linking with


and


With heartfelt thanks to both meme co-ordinators.

Thursday, January 23, 2014

SkyWatch - Incoming Clouds


While crossing the street between shops and bank today,
I looked up to see these cirro-nimbus clouds coming in
like bubbling sea spray.


Linking with 


Do click on it and see the skies around the world.

Monday, January 20, 2014

OUR WORLD, Wild Bird Wednesday & Nature Notes - Arno Bay


The baked landscape around me makes me think of cooler,
happier times when the Prof and I went on short holidays.
Now, without a travelling companion, 
these long drives are out of my reach.

The Eyre Peninsula, in the west of our state has plenty of 
wonderful beaches and when heading further down the coast, 
we stopped for a couple of nights at the caravan park in 
Arno bay.

Looking back at the township.


We stayed in a charming little cottage right on the beach.


The only blemish to our stay was this young Pacific Gull
with a substantial lure dangling from it's nose.


Humans can piece their noses and hang bricks from them if they 
like but wildlife should not be endanger by our detritus.

Unfortunately I had not the means for catching this 
youngster to relieve it of it's burden.


 Discarded by the sea, something that looks like a 
collection of oddly shape eggs


and a lonely cormorants waiting for shoals of fish with little
hope on an outgoing tide.


I feel refreshed just thinking about it.

Linking with OUR WORLD



Saturday, January 18, 2014

TODAY'S FLOWERS & I Heart Macro - Wonders of the Orient


A wealth of Oriental lilies 
gracing my kitchen divider
saved from the 42+C/109F
temps outside that turned the garden
into a dried flower arrangement.


Charming with their mysterious shadows


or opening their gentle hearts to 
spread their perfume


laying bare the depth of their wonder


I am slowly recovering from the effects of a week 
of over 40C temps and the exertion of packing up
documents and precious items to flee the advancing 
fire front of a close by, wildly spreading fire that 
demolished three houses in our neighbouring 
settlement, burned cattle and sheep, destroyed 
fences, sheds and a year's supply of feed.

We had 9 mm of rain over night that helped the 
fire fighters but also increased the number of fires
through lightning strikes.
12 of the fires were lit by arsonists.

One of the fires is still a threat to us as it is very large
and uncontrolled but for today, if the wind does 
not suddenly change, we are safe.

Thank you all for your concern.

Linking with


and


Thursday, January 16, 2014

SkyWatch - Smoke Screen


Whichever way you look, there is smoke in the air. 
even overshadowing the moon in the East


all week we have had temperatures over 40 degrees C
that is well over 100 in the old scale


today we had the record for the hottest city in the world 


even the sunset was smoky.
There are dozens of fires burning in the state and tomorrow will
be even more dangerous with high winds and lightning.


I am in a quandary, do I stay and look after the farm and the 
animals or do I go to our house on Mt.Lofty and protect that.
It burned down once before.

This week has been too hot to think or post and 
much too hot for decision making.

Looks like I'll be playing it by ear . . .

Stay safe and be kind to each other.

Linking with


Saturday, January 11, 2014

TODAY's FLOWERS & I Heart Macro - The Wonder of Orchids


Such a tiny pot holds so much beauty 
brought forth by the experienced hand of 
the wise grower


My dear friend John certainly has the magic touch
his orchids flower all year round

dancing ladies in their Christmas finery


orchids are such diverse plants, these remind one 
of the delicate flowers of a tree begonia


any lady would look dressy with a sprig of these in her corsage


 I feel like cupping these delicately tinted petals in my hands


but the most splendid for me is this virginal white
with pure gold in it's heart


I can but sigh and wish to emulate John's prowess 
meanwhile . . .dream on . . .

Linking with Denise's


and Laura's


Tuesday, January 7, 2014

Wild Bird Wednesday & SkyWatch - Eastern Rosellas & Flying Galahs


On my rare visits to the metropolis, my feet always come to rest 
on greensward and a bonus of Eastern Rosellas
which we do not get on the farm 50km to the east


they are so much more colourful than our local
Adelaide Rosellas below.


and just for fun and SkyWatch,
a few Galahs taking some exercise.


Joining with 


and


Saturday, January 4, 2014

TODAY'S FLOWERS & I Heart Macro - Roses in all their glory


The sheer beauty of the rose cannot be denied


nor it's jewel like claws


but if either were missing, 
it would not be a true reflection of life.


Picked at dawn to protect them from  the scorching heat
yet shrivelled my lunch time, even in the house

but no less beautiful
like kind people in old age
the care lines cancelled out by 
the wrinkles of all those years of smiling.

Linking with


and 


Thursday, January 2, 2014

SkyWatch - and the sun still rises . . .


The sun awakens chasing the pale moon from the sky


colour blooms on scattered clouds


and tinges yonder hill


the birds awaken paying homage to another day


My New Year's resolution

to fly high like this bird.

Hope I make it and hang the consequences!

Joining with 


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