Sunsets

I often take a break to witness a beautiful sunset. In just a few minutes the range of colour seen can be amazing. As the oranges turn pink and then purple I am often stunned.
I especially like it when you get sun rays along with some parts of the sky that are still crystal blue. Most often this occurs when some cloud is present.



I have snapped a few sunsets over the past few weeks.





Yesterday I noticed two Yellow Tail Black Cockatoo's sitting on the top branch of a tree outside our kitchen window. The whole family saw the two cockatoo's snuggle up to each other as the sun set.




The big birds just sat there until the very last of the days light. They continued just looking west and kept snuggling and preening each other.

Could it be that these great long lived birds also take time out to witness a great sunset?

A Splash of Colour!

Crimson Rosellas (Platycercus elegans elegans)

During the day the flock of Crimson Rosellas feed on the shoots of the grass on our lawn. They also feed on the Gum tree seed pods. It is amazing that such brightly coloured birds can survive. At first these birds would take to the wing at the slightest sound or moment like a door opening.


We have a flock of eleven who are really just starting to get used to us.
Now they see us as no threat.


Yesterday as I was cooking the Sunday evening BBQ the birds continued to chat to one another just pausing to look up at me every now and again. They are still smart enough to remain continually out of reach of Miss Toddler K (Girl 1) much to her frustration!



It was so nice just standing on the veranda cooking the home grown potato and pumpkin chips on the BBQ while watching these noisy energetic birds go about their business.
I feel that there is a lot of squabbling to be had in a flock of these birds.

The two links below contain more information on the Australian Crimson Rosella:

http://www.austmus.gov.au/factsheets/crimson_rosella.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crimson_Rosella

Rusty Gum Trees

Around this time of year the Rusty Gum Trees, (also known as Sydney Red Gums, or Rose Gums) are shedding last years bark in large strips.
The newly exposed bark underneath is a beautiful rusty salmon colour.



In the early morning or afternoon light these magnificent contorted beauties are really a sight to see.


This soft light causes the new bark to almost glow against the soft morning and evening light.



These trees drop branches as they age and the wounds heal over creating all measures of bumps and lumps. As the trees age, they take on a shape and character all of their own.




The Rusty Gum Tree's scientific name is Angophora costata, they seem to grow on sandstone or any little crack in the sandstone. The trees grow to around 25m in very poor sandy soils.




When we were looking for our patch on the must have list was:
Sandstone,
Bell birds,
Angophoras,
more trees than I could count,
and that we should border either National Park, Crown or Forestry land.

I am very happy to share a patch of this great land with these amazing trees. The brilliant display that these trees put on, at this time of year, is always worth the wait.
As the year continues the rusty salmon coloured bark slowly fades. Faint purples appear as the bark eventually becomes a smooth cool grey.
The bark on the trunk is always very smooth and cold to touch.

I am sure I am not the only one that is guilty of hugging an Angophora!

For more info on this beautiful tree see
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angophora_costata

Also visit the following link for the sounds of Bell birds (Manoria melanophrys):
http://home.iprimus.com.au/punkclown/Punkclown/Bellbird.htm

Pie anyone?

The hot days have been unkind to the pumpkins some have suffered sunburn!
The Boys and I decided to pick some of them as Boy5 decided it would be great to make Pumpkin Pie which is one of their favorite desserts.
We harvested 3 ironbarks and a Queensland blue.





The boys quickly got to work with their Mum who has amazing patience. It wasn't too long and the Boys were eagerly waiting for the pie to cool.





We have also enjoyed roasted pumpkin and pumpkin slices on the BBQ. When the power fails like it did the other day a BBQ is a must.

The vines despite being heat stressed are still producing more flowers and are setting a few fruit.





Now that Boy5 is at school during the day, the DW is spending more time with Boy3.
They have been doing lots of craft, gardening and cooking. The Berry Muffins are a delight. Boy3 really enjoys a strange show on SBS called "Iron Chef". It is a Japanese show which has been voiced over by some Americans who seem to have no idea about food. I did say it was a strange show. Anyway Boy3 who has finally conquered toilet training stripped off his shirt and undies and declared to his Mum that he is the Naked Ironing Chef! We all had a few giggles over that statement.

During the past weekend we traveled down to Sydney to attend an Aunts birthday party.
This trip involved us taking the Sydney Harbour Tunnel. I explained to the boys that we were driving under the water and they were very keen to see the fishes. I told them that there are no windows. Boy5 was very disappointed and instantly said "Daddy I will get Barack Obama to call them". Apparently the President can get windows installed on the Harbour Tunnel if only he would call!

This summer has been a very hot one. We haven't received our usual rainfall.

Our dam is close to empty. It is now below the level needed to submerse the 50mm pipes that we use to water the gardens. Things are really drying out. February is meant to be the month in which we receive the most rainfall of any month. I am hoping we at least get our average of 180mm.

Thoughts on the Fires

I am really struggling with the fact that most of the fires that are ragging across Australia at the moment have been lit by people.

I can cope with the tragedy of an accidental ignition such as from workman or electrical wires arcing but how can anyone "get off" on causing such destruction and misery? Even if their twisted minds hated fellow humans how can they visit such pain and death on the local flora and fauna?

I usually pride myself on being logical and applying logic to most events in my life but when I see the results from arson, I could, oh so easily, be part of a lynching gang.

There is smoke all around today in the distance. Not so close that you can smell it which is good.

We drove through the Peats Ridge Fire on the way back home on Saturday. We saw other
firefighters hard at it and the choppers along with the sky crane water bombing. The RFS are fellow citizens laying their life on the line to try to contain the fire.

I find it difficult to express my feelings about the fact that a fellow human would light a fire there during that weather.

It is very easy for me to become illogical and want to
string them up instantly. This thought disturbs me even more.

At least they caught the *&^%##% 31 yo that lit the Peats Ridge fire, he faces court today.
What sentence is adequate?

Our local RFS contacted all the members last week and told us to be on standby/ on call, which I have been since last Thursday. I haven't been called in as of yet.

The TV coverage on the Victorian fires has been just too confronting and almost American in the type of coverage.
Even the ABC had footage of fire, exploding houses and burnt out cars on endless loop.
Dear ABC have a hard look at your coverage.
I think this in your face coverage has traumatized many Aussies all over the place.
I am sure that it isn't only my kids that are scared and don't understand.

Boy do we need rain!


Photos of the Victorian and New South Wales can be found at
http://www.abc.net.au/news/events/bushfires/