Nothing new.

Nothing new or really exciting to report.

The weather is still very hot, quite a contrast to the weather events happening in the Northern Hemisphere. No snow here just long spells of temperatures in the very high 30's, low 40's. We seem to spend most of our time watering the plants each morning and evening. We have given up on trying to keep the grass looking good. We did get a sudden overnight downpour of rain a couple of weeks ago which made the garden perk up a little but unfortunately no rain since.

Our lovely Black Cockatoos visiting again. I'm wondering if we are on a migratory path as their visits only last for a few weeks each year. Its great to have these big black birds visit any time.

Their cousins, the Sulphur Crested Cockatoo are more frequent visitors. Not quite as big but still great and entertaining to have a round.

 

A couple doing a bit of billing and cooing in the late afternoon sunshine, No really cooing, more of a loud screech.

 

 I had a unusual experience last week, not long after our last rain. Our constant bird companions in the garden, other than a pair of Blackbirds, are the Rainbow Lorikeets. The Lorikeets have become quite tame when I put out seed for them and I can generally get within a metre of them. Anyway, there was quite a commotion on the feeder one morning and I realized that they couldn't get to the seeds. Looking closer I could see that the feeder was blocked, probably from when the seed had got wet from the rain. I slowly walked towards the feeder and of course the Lorikeets flew away, all except two who were still trying to get at the seed. Talking to them quietly and moving slowly I got very close and started to free the seed with a stick and had a lovely surprise when one of these beautiful little birds jumped onto my hand and stayed there until the seed was flowing again. A truly magical moment but no photos.

 

Sitting having coffee one morning I looked across the garden and noticed something shining on a succulent plant.

 

Walking over I found a tiny, very delicate group of flowers, just the one head on the whole plant.

A beautiful bit of nature, so tiny and delicate. The picture doesn't do them justice as the whole group  were just 30mm from top to bottom. 

On this huge succulent plant, these are the only flowers we have ever seen.

Wonderful Mother Nature.