First Ever Blood Lily Bloom ... The Year In Photographs ... November 11, 2013

It seems rather appropriate that my one and only Scadoxus multiflorus or Blood Lily, given to me as a pass-along plant earlier this year, should show off its first ever fully open bloom on Remembrance Day. 

The eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month has special significance around the world, including here in Australia.  We observe one minute's silence at 11.00 am every Remembrance Day, to remember all those in the armed services who have died or suffered whilst serving for their country.

This spectacular fiery red flowerhead is a fitting reminder about the sacrifices made by so many in the past.

Lest we forget!

What the .... Who Knew Pythons Love A Bath! ... The Year In Photographs ... October 29,2013

So, yesterday afternoon I wandered out into the courtyard to start my watering job.  You know what it's like, you're on automatic pilot after a long day at work and you're not really paying all that much attention to your surroundings.  You've just reached across to grab the watering can from behind the water plant container and then suddenly ....


... you notice something most unexpected!  "What's that?" you're think quietly while you screech loudly and perform some awesome aerobatic actions to help propel you as far away as possible from where you've just been standing!!!

Yes folks.  That's a dirty great big Python wrapped up nicely and snoozing away in my water plant container.

My heart was set all a-flutter, but no because of the beauty of this creature, but because I'm not all the keen on snakes.

I'm not an expert on Pythons, and I'm not sure what sort it is, but I do know it seems to have rather a wide girth, so I'm guessing it's probably quite long as well.

I am however, not the slightest bit interested in trying to move it along despite the fact it's crushing my one and only Water Lily plant that's growing in that container.

I cam home from work today, and Mr Python is still looking as if it's feeling quite at home and very comfy in that spot.  I had no idea Pythons loved the water so much. 

Back From The South ... The Year In Photographs ... October 3, 2013

So I'm back from visiting with my son and grandchildren, and have finally found some time for posting.  It's been a lovely break, and I'm looking forward to the coming long weekend before the last term of the year begins.

Down in Brisbane, I managed to visit my favourite garden once again.  The Roma Street Parklands is a spot I love spending time at, and even more so if I'm lucky enough to take my grandchildren with me.

We got to spend a few hours there this time and we all had a thoroughly lovely morning.  In the photo above, you can see them enjoying a delicious drink of Russelia flower nectar.  That's something I told them about when we first visited the Parklands a few years ago.  Now, every time we visit, they have to stop and take a little taste!  It's become a bit of a tradition.

Anyway, as usual, I took loads of photos of various corners and plants at the Parklands, and I just had to share a few in this slideshow.

What Is It? ... The Year In Photographs ... September 2nd, 2013

I ordered a Mexican Spider Lily from a reputable online nursery with whom I've placed many orders before.  I must say I've never had any trouble with any plant they've sent me before, well until now that is.

This gorgeous thing is definitely not a Mexican Spider Lily.  It has an orange bloom for a start, and the bloom looks nothing like a Spider Lily.

It grows from a bulb and has dainty little bell-shaped blooms that dangle from the ends of a long arching stem.  Is there anyone out there who might have an idea what this pretty little thing is?   I'm definitely going to keep it, as I think it's simply gorgeous, but I'd love to have an I.D. so I know what conditions it needs to flourish.

The Hills Are Alight .... The Year In Photographs ... August 21, 2013

This was the view that greeted me from our verandah this morning. 

It's dry season here, and we often see bushfires blazing in the ranges around this time of year. 

August is not only the last month of our winter, but it is usually the time when the bush fire season is in full swing.  We have been seeing lots of smoke around our rural suburb for around two weeks now, as the flames make their way slowly along the ranges in the distance.

Thankfully the flames are a long way off, and we're quite happy to just put up with the smoke.

Unexpected Visitors ... The Year In Photographs ... August 3, 2013

Our next door neighbour's goats wandered into our bush paddock this afternoon.   That's something that hasn't happened before.

The kid was quite adventurous, looking around for new places to explore.

The older nanny was keeping an eye on me,



and an eye on the little one.

I've Got My Eye On You ... The Year In Photographs ... July 23, 2013

Pheasant coucal, our native ground dwelling cuckoo.

Just Let Me Sunbake! ... The Year In Photographs ... July 13, 2013

Common Tree Snakes are a common sight around here. They are harmless, non-venomous and usually slither away when they're approached or hear us coming. 

This particular one though didn't want to move from its sunny spot.  It was enjoying the sun's rays and was quite content to stay exactly where it was and sunbake.

It seemed to be giving us a look as if to say "Just move along please, I don't want to be disturbed!"

Another Interesting Spider ... The Year In Photographs ... June 27, 2013

O.K. so I've spotted another very interesting spider out in my courtyard garden this morning. I didn't notice it at all until I looked at one of my photos.  Can you see it lucking behind the Angelonia flower stalk?  Once I saw it in the photo, I rushed out to take some closer shots.

Take a closer look ... here it is. 

I think it might be a White Flower Spider, also known as a White Crab Spider ... Thomisus spectabilis.


Can anyone I.D. this one for me?

Early Winter Morning Sunrise ... The Year In Photographs ... June 18, 2013

We seem to witness a lot of fabulous sunrises during our wintertime here.  The colours have been stunning lately.

It's A ? ... The Year In Photographs ... June 16, 2013.

There's an enormous web hanging out in the courtyard.  Right in the middle is the strangest sight.

I'm not exactly sure what it is.  Is it predator or prey?

Spider, captured insect or egg sac?  Thoughts anyone?

A Pick-Me-Up ... The Year In Photographs ... June 12, 2013

I've been a little under-the-weather and off work over the last couple of days.  It's been lovely listening to the bird song around my place though, and that has cheered me up no end.

There has been a pair of little Sunbirds flitting around the courtyard, singing their hearts out ... but I only managed to get a shot of the beautiful little female.

The song of the Spangled Drongo has also been filling the air, and it's always a fantastic soundtrack to the day.

In The Clear Blue Sky ... The Year In Photographs ... June 2, 2013.

It's an absolutely stunning early Winter's day here in the tropics.  The skies are blue, the temp is just right and there's soft breeze blowing through the trees.

There was a pair of Whistling Kites enjoying the thermals up high this morning.

One of them obligingly came down and rested on a branch for a few moments, so I could get a closer shot.  They are magnificent birds and they do indeed have a loud whistling call.

Swarming ... The Year In Photographs ... May 27, 2013

There are two huge wasps' nests in the side garden.  They've both been built on my Serissa foetida plants, so obviously these plants must have some attraction for the wasps.

I think the wasps are the Paper Wasp, Ropalidia revolutionalis.

The swarm of wasps have built a long thin paper nest hanging down from the Serissa branches.  An egg is laid in each cell, but I'm not game enough to try and take a look.  These wasps can give quite a painful sting if you disturb their nest. 

I've also found another next hanging from a branch of the Mussaenda glabra in one of the front garden beds.  These little fellows have been very busy!!

Little One ... The Year In Photographs ... May 25, 2013

It's been an absolutely glorious end-of-Autumn day here in the north-east.  Conditions were perfect for lazing around on the verandah watching the Agile Wallaby show out in the yard.

I became enamoured with this little joey that was trying to get back into his mother's pouch.

"Aw, come on Mum!"

"I can get in.  I know I can."    Going ....

going ....

gone!

They're Back! ... The Year In Photographs ... May 23, 2013

The Agile Wallabies have returned to our yard, and there's been quite a large group of them grazing on the grass out there.

A couple of them have now resorted to not only eating the grasses growing above the ground, but they've begun to dig out the rootstock.

This particular mother is giving a life-long lesson to her tiny joey about where to find the really delicious treats!