Update

[margaret_r]

It’s awhile since I did an update, not that much has been happening. We had plans for trips to see grandchildren, but of course they didn’t happen due to the closure of all state borders at one time or another. Daughter and grandsons were going to come to us in September, but again … closed borders because of a second wave in Victoria – just as things were looking quite good too.

Anywho, it’s now been 15 months since we saw the boys and 14 months since we saw our granddaughter. But! Borders have now opened and there is a planned family Christmas here with at least one daughter and grandsons. I’m not getting too overly excited – been there, done that before (damn COVID) but I’m sorting out the house in preparation, which is quite a lot of work as it has got very messy over the last twelve months or so, and getting the back in order. So, at least things will look a bit more shipshape whatever happens.

On another note, progress has been made on my Lewis fic, especially in the last month thanks to ushobwri  and the November writing challenge MiFuNoSo. It pushed things along and I’m near the end now, hopefully finishing off by early new year, which I'm sure will please my auction bidders. They have been very patient.

Other than that, photo taking has been my usual standby occupation and here’s a few from the last couple of months, this first batch taken on walks in the park over spring.

Mother duck and ducklings. 

The local koala was seen off and on, although I think there are at least two in the park so I'm never sure if I'm seeing the same one all the time.



A kookaburra in flight



This magpie could see itself in the car window and was going a bit crazy at its reflection



A New England honey eater





Rainbow lorikeets



In the meantime our callistemon came into flower



As did the photinia



We have a Willie wagtail that comes to visit every morning and I watch it from the window of the spare room. It's cheeky though and even if we are outside doesn't fly off until you're just about on top of it. According to Aboriginal folklore they are gossips and bad news bringers. I love watching ours, it's a real character.

 

A couple of weeks ago I spotted a galah pecking around on our front yard, dashed out with the camera and ended up with a whole collection of feathered friends enjoying both our grassy front and the street tree.

First there was one



Then there were two



Another one landed on the fence



They congregated in the tree



Got some nice shots of them flapping, flying off and landing on the overhead wires.







A rosella arrived too



then there was a bird I'd seen a couple of times around but had no idea what it was. When I managed to get a good photo of it and looked it up I discovered it's a white plumed honey eater

That's it for now. Hope everyone has been coping with our horror of a year, and fingers crossed for a better 2021

Comments

[moth2fic]

Yay for the comm pushing you to write!! But yes, we're patient. We're after quality, not speed! Besides, I probably wouldn't have time to read it till January!

I love your bird photos - I keep thinking you should produce some kind of book of them.

That koala - I wonder whether he's the one that turned up in a South Australian Christmas tree? I assume you've heard and seen the news - it's gone viral worldwide. And watch out if you put a tree on your deck...

[margaret_r]

The comm was very handy and worked amazingly well, now I just have to keep going with it.

I might do a book with some photos one day, through something like Snapfish. I've done calendars with photos of the grandkids and they came out quite well.

Yes, I know all about the koala in the house, it was in a suburb of Adelaide. I'm going to put a Christmas tree on the deck, but don't expect any koalas as there aren't any gum trees near enough to entice one. Birds however are a different matter.

[smallhobbit]

My best wishes to you for meeting the family over Christmas.

Those photos are wonderful - so many colourful birds.

[margaret_r]

Thank you! We really are hoping it comes off this time, there have been so many disappointments. Things are looking promising though.

Glad you like the photos, we have so many pretty birds it's hard to go wrong with photos:)

[sw33n3y]

Sorry to hear your plans for quality family time have been curtailed. Hopefully, next year will be more promising, for such things.

Ooh, looking forward to the new Lewis fic!

Lovely bird photos.

[margaret_r]

It's been a long haul for everyone, but yeah, next year should be better and we can all look to a bit more normality.

Glad you like the photos:) With luck the fic will be finished soonish, and about time too! *g*

[kat_lair]

Yay, good to hear from you. I'm only hear because LJ told me you had updated. Been very bad at even looking at DW lately. But wanted to come and leave a drive-by virtual hug. I hope your Christmas plans come to fruition. And oooh, yayay about the Lewis fic! You win. I've kind of given up on even trying to finish them on time so... Go you! And lovely photos :)

[margaret_r]

Virtual hug accepted and return with love:D It's starting to look like our Christmas just might happen! Two weeks today, baring new clusters of virus and sudden lockdowns, and the family will arrive. So, fingers crossed:)

It's been a marathon of a fic, but there is hope it will be finished in January, or close to, once I can get past the Christmas mayhem.

Glad you like the photos:)

[ci5mates]

What wonderful bird photos, especially with the birds in flight. Interesting fun facts and I loved the 'gathering' of birds in your yard, you must have a good supply of natural tasty bird treats *g* Your photography is truly impressive.

I am keeping everything crossed for your family reunion at Christmas and I am very much looking forward to reading the completed Lewis fic. xx

[margaret_r]

Glad you like the photos:) The birds do seem to like whatever it is they find at the front, insects or grass seeds, and of course the street tree is quite an attraction for the galahs. I put bird seed down at the back and that mainly attracts sparrows and pigeons. At least it makes for good photo opportunities:D

So far it's looking good for the family Christmas, no more cases etc. After the last SA debacle it's a bit hard to be entirely positive though, as you know!

You'll be the first to have the finished fic*g*

[eller]

Wow, those photos are amazing! Such pretty birds! :)
(I'm here via the Snowflake challenge.)

[margaret_r]

Hi there, glad you like the photos:) We have some amazing birdlife here and I love to photograph them. Feel free to stick around for more of my, admittedly, infrequent posts, just about all of them involve wildlife of one kind or another:)