Song of Life ~Bettina Maureen Ji

Almost Perfectly...

Almost perfectly camouflaged against the foliage this bronzewing was almost hidden. These are very timid birds and tend to take flight at the slightest of sounds. I have a small flock that has taken up residence in the garden and they don't always fly off now when I approach. The shady nooks and canopies the garden offers are helpful in keeping them safe against predators, and sadly the bronzewings are a target for larger predators. They also tend to like to stay near a water source so the garden again provides them with many bowls and baths with fresh water all around the garden. Often they will bathe in pairs which is really cute.......

 

Greeting Me......

Greeting me as I set on a walk today was a rose-breasted cockatoo screeching to make sure I didn't come too close to it's nest and chicks.  Given that I would have needed a ladder to reach the nest the family was pretty safe.

Moving on I encountered many interesting things as usual. A massive nest perched high on top of dead tree did seem like a pretty barren place for a nest, no shelter from the weather. Being a apex predator I guess being exposed like this isn't an issue. 

The highlight of the day was encountering a tiny peacock spider. I am assuming a female due to the drab colours. I have never seen one before so was thrilled to see it on the railing. It did tend to hop about robotically so it was difficult to capture a clear image.

Other fascinating finds was what looked like a fairy door at the bottom of a tree, with my imagination I tend to see all sorts of faces in the trees and foliage. Also a small  fairy ring of mushrooms, depending on what myth or folklore one has been told a fairy rings can be a blessing, not a curse. 

I had not walked this path before and was fascinated with a few of the trees, varied barks and strange postures, one of the most impressive was a tree growing out of another burnt stump.  I noted a native bee hive high up in a tree as I neared the end of my walk and managed a few shots of the bees buzzing in and out. 

I left feeling light and invigorated at the same time, the power of my beloved Nature Mother having worked her healing magic as I lost myself as I walked in her beauty.....