awesome aves

Posted on March 12, 2016 by kathy

Being surrounded by forest means we are visited by a multitude of creatures, some of the most fascinating are the birds. The yellow-tailed black cockatoos usually stop by for a drink at the stock trough.

I don’t know how she was hanging on but this one found the bark of a tea tree very tasty.

I love their mournful call, unlike the hair raising screech of their sulphur-crested cousins.

One of my favourites is the kookaburra, they have so many different sounds.

Returning from the forest with Poppy one afternoon, she found this young fella in a predicament.

10.kookie in fence

He must have dived for a tasty morsel and ended up with his head stuck in the fence. It was a rare occasion when Michael wasn’t around. I ran home and grabbed the wire cutters (and my camera) and cut him free. He was unable to fly so I made him comfortable in the possum trap

11.kookie in cage

and called a friend experienced in wildlife rescue. She took him home for a couple of days while he recovered from exhaustion and dehydration, then, because kookaburras are territorial, he came home to be released.

The superb blue wrens continually bob around the garden

and are handsome even in their eclipse phase.

The New Holland honeyeaters,

18.new holland honeyeater

eastern spinebills

and black-headed honeyeaters

22.black headed honeyeater

enjoy feasting on the flowers. These three were deep in conversation.

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Bath time is always a delight to watch.

The scarlet robins are gorgeous. It’s always nice to see them and to know winter is on the way.

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This pair moved in last year, I hope they return.

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The green rosella is a regular guest

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but herons are rarely seen. This pair may have been staking out the fish pond.

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Masked lapwings are a common sight. Often mistakenly referred to as plovers, they are much prettier. Notorious for nesting in the open and being very protective parents, I was privileged to approach this nest in our paddock without being attacked.

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Here is my reward.

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This cheeky chap joined me in the sunroom the other day.

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The starlings are a bit of a nuisance but they look good in silhouette.

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It’s not easy photographing birds, but I shall keep trying.

Bagni Caldi

Posted on March 9, 2016 by kathy

One afternoon, while staying in Ponte a Serraglio, we walked up the narrow, winding road to Bagni Caldi. Famous for its healing waters and natural grottos, the thermal spa town has been a favourite since the 13th century. We didn’t actually make it to the town but the walk held some delightful surprises. This seemed a sensible way to get the groceries home.

1.lift

We crossed a tranquil, flowing stream

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and passed a long forgotten chapel.

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This building contrasted sharply with the verdant landscape.

6.high rise

As we climbed higher, the views became more breathtaking.

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We made it as far as the Hotel Pio X.

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The ominous clouds urged us to turn back.

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It was a lovely way to walk off lunch.

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discovering Darwin

Posted on March 5, 2016 by kathy

Our last day in Darwin before heading south, we arrived early for a lunch date with a friend and took the opportunity to explore the Botanic Gardens. Named after George Brown, under whose guiding hand they were restored after Cyclone Tracy, the gardens exude a lovely serenity.

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Some of the trees are works of art,

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others serving as nature’s plant pots.

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The tropical flowers are so delicate, I would love to have these in my garden.

There is colour everywhere.

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The orange-footed scrub fowls are lucky to call the gardens home.

19.orange footed scrub fowl

Lunch was calling and we were introduced to the Darwin Waterfront. Stokes Hill Wharf was there when we were last in Darwin in 2005,

25.Stokes Hill Wharf

but now the precinct is an impressive collection of eateries, accommodation and activity.

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We dined at Il Lido with views over the lagoon

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and Convention Centre.

20.convention centre

There were some interesting beverages on tap

and the quarter pounder & fries were delicious.

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We managed to ward off the heat with a few cold beers.

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Cheers! Thanks for a great afternoon, Nigel, it was lovely to see you again.

Arundel Castle

Posted on March 2, 2016 by kathy

We didn’t really have a plan when we visited Britain, other than starting in London then driving in a clockwise direction. After a couple of days in Kent, we decided to head for Chichester to see the cathedral. We didn’t get there. On the way, we espied an enormous castle rising majestically out of the landscape.

1.Arundel 2.Arundel

Built in 1067, Arundel Castle was damaged during the English Civil War, then restored in the 18th & 19th centuries.

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7.Arundel

It has been the home to the Duke of Norfolk for over 400 years.

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The grounds are magnificent, scattered with stunning outbuildings.

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The views across the South Downs are breathtaking.

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It’s easy to imagine the knights in shining armour clattering up the worn stone steps.

15.Arundel

The Fitzalan Chapel, founded in 1390, is still the burial place of the Dukes of Norfolk. The window is a little more impressive from inside.

16.Arundel 17.Arundel

We left Arundel a lot later than anticipated

19.Arundel

and continued westward. We detoured to enquire about the fares and timetable for the Isle of Wight ferry. Before we knew it, we were in the queue.

Leaving Portsmouth behind,

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with a locally brewed beverage in hand

24.Isle of W Ferry

we crossed the Solent

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and settled in at the Windmill Inn, Bembridge.

29.Windmill Inn Bembridge

wondrous walk

Posted on February 28, 2016 by kathy

My favourite walk with Poppy is one we call the river walk. The Blythe Conservation Area meets our property at the eastern boundary. Across the paddock and through a gate, we join a walking track. A short distance along, I look to my right and am awestruck at the realisation we live in our own patch of Tasmanian wilderness.

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