Protected By...

Protected by a canopy of dense dried leaves and wedged in-between the thorny branches of my native finger lime plant was a really great place for a nest.

I uncovered so many used nests last weekend when I began the task of clearing the dead black coral pea vine. This one though is staying where it is as the thorns are incredibly sharp...

 

The Sky...

The sky yesterday morning was so dramatic it was difficult to keep my eyes on the road. The promise of glorious rain held up in the clouds.

I stopped for fuel partway down to the suburbs, the clouds were incredibly dark lingering silently above the petrol station.

I was waiting for a thunderclap to break the eerie silence, it was like everything was holding its breath, waiting for a thunderous explosion to quench the thirst of a parched land. 

Yet the closer I got to the bottom of hills and down to the flat of the sea of rooftops and tarmac, the rain had already been and I only caught the tail end of it...

 

Those Who Really Know...

Those who really know me, also know that every year around this time I become very excited for the flowering of my pincushion hakea. 

When these particular buds begin to swell it's a sign that the season is about to change. 

The buds on this particular hakea are like no other flower buds I have ever seen. 

The closer they get to flowering, the bigger the buds become.

 Then the outer shell protecting the flowers slowly begins to fall off as the flowers begin to unfold.

These blooms are perhaps one of the most otherworldly of all of Western Australia's native flowers. 

And one of my favourites.

And it is one of the highlights of my year, watching this extraordinary blossoming of such unique flowers year after year...

 

I Am Not...

I am not one for wandering around shopping malls but yesterday I found myself in Ellenbrook Central.

I was very impressed with the artwork at the upper carpark entrance of the complex, very striking indeed.

 I did wonder how many people actually stop to really look at this stunning mural...

 

While Passing...

While passing through Midland I noticed that there were some of the Land For Wildlife banners at The Midland Junction Arts Centre.

They similar to those I posted about recently in Mundaring.

I didn't go inside as they were in the middle of setting up for the next exhibition which opened a couple of days ago.

I do hope these banners turn many eyes, and people pause in thought, as the message they carry is an important one...

 

They Are Not...

They are not the clearest photos as I was rushing to get photos with my mobile phone when I noticed this man striding past with two blue macaws on his shoulders.

Absolutely not something that I see everyday.

I hurriedly parked and had my phone camera on zoom hoping to capture this rare moment...

 

A Tiny Quenda...

A tiny quenda enjoying some watermelon before it's all gone. The chickens love watermelon as I have mentioned before, it also draws in the honeyeaters. This is the first time I've seen a quenda having some though...

 

Day Two...

Day two of trying to clear the dead coral pea vine from the fence and other vegetation is proving an epic task. 

Thankfully, the chickens are there to help. 

Being out of action for six months really has seen the garden go feral. 

I have just spent four hours bagging all the dried leaves and vine litter up and taking it to the refuge station. 

Four hours later I am exhausted and yet there's still so much more to go...

 

Noongar Artist...

Noongar artist Justin Martin with the assistance of year 4 and 5 students from Clayton View Primary School have created these astounding murals at the wastewater pump station in Bellevue.

I love seeing art decorating normally drab buildings, and I also like seeing more indigenous artists displaying their talents publicly...

 

Tackling...

 

Tackling a garden chore which is well overdue to be dealt with, I spent two hours and only achieved maybe half of what needs doing.

I am really sad that this vine has died, as it provided homes for lots of the gardens little birds. I found loads of empty nests and really pray there's no babies in nests at the moment.

 I ended up covered in leaves with twigs wedged in my boots.

 Two hours was enough for one day as I still have to bag it all up and take it to the rubbish tip...