Yesterday, it was blowing a hooley (a phrase I learnt from a blogger in Cornwall)
We have many very big Eucalyptus trees all around Canberra, and it is nerve wrecking watching the wind blowing through the trees. Today, apart from plenty of fallen branches and leaves, everyone but me is out raking leaves!
On a lighter note, we always know spring has arrived, when we see the bright yellow blossoms of the Wattle tree (Acacia family), all over Canberra.
These flowers herald the beginning of spring, and sunshine, they provide food for birds and insects, and they can re-generate after bushfires. For this reason Wattle trees are often seen as a symbol of renewal, hope and resilience.
Many years ago we planted daffodils along the path to our house. They have endured windy cold days and they continue to blossom cheerfully.
Spring is also time when birds appear from everywhere..
This tiny bird is an Eastern Spinebill and he flies into the Pineapple Sage shrub as soon as it begins to flower. He has been visiting us for a long time now, and we call him Spiny.
Despite his acrobatics, he is always on the alert and disappears as soon as he sees another bird.
The King Parrots are having a wonderful time because the Camellia bushes and flowers are in abundance….
This year many birds have been nesting early, and some even have young chicks, (way too early!)
These young parrots, are making their way into the world, they all have a Juvenile look about them I think..
For many years, the local birds have been flying to the high electrical post in the corner of our back garden.
This juvenile cockatoo was watching us as we were gardening, and I wondered if it was the fledgling cockatoo that found its way into our garden before it could fly. (just before Christmas) Hopefully so. Despite not flying, his mother was very diligent in feeding him daily. He looks well and he did manage to fly to the highest post in the garden.
As spring continues we will be able to see some of the growing plants from our windows and the deck. Two of my favourites in this part of the garden are, the bright yellow flowers called Bulbinella …it is a haven for the bees and turns bright yellow in the morning light.
A fellow blogger, Anne ( Something Over Tea) has mentioned the Bulbinella, and its healing qualities..
Another favourite plant of mine is a Leucadendron. It is part of the Proteaceae family and tolerates drought and frost! Perfect for our garden!
We live in a quiet street, and know most of our neighbours. Our close neighbour, Lois, and I often find ourselves chatting as we stand in our quiet road. As time goes on we move a little towards Lois’s garden as she has such good views of the sun setting over the mountains. We always find reasons to talk about the mountains….they change colour in accordance with the weather, and the time of day. If a bird flies across the landscape we guess which one it is , the distant cockatoos look like shiny silver trails in the sky.
This photo was taken at sunset….time to get cracking and catch up again another time!
Best wishes to everyone, and may the sun shine where ever you are in the world…