CONNIKA

FROM THE VERANDAH IN MACKAY

"Feed me Mama!"  Actually, I think it's Daddy that's feeding this chick.  Isn't he just beautiful?  I shall look the bird book up tomorrow to see what type of honeyeater this is - it's getting late here...heading off to ma wee white bed...zzzz    It's a Blue Face Honeyeater.

RAINBOW LORIKEET

 

While we were at the Gold Coast at the weekend, this wee fella came down to the verandah where we were eating breakfast. 

IN THE GARDEN THIS WEEK

 

I was sitting at the dining-room table having breakfast the other morning when these two came to the bird-feeder.  I got up as carefully as I could to get the camera but they were aware of me and flew away.  Thankfully they came back and I managed to get this great shot of them.  For anyone overseas, these are galahs. 

WOUNDED WINGS...

 

This wee bird (a honey-eater I think) crashed into the window when I was down at Charis' last week.  In this photo it has managed to get to its feet with the help of its mate.  Charis, Neil, Anne and I watched in amazement as its mate chirped, and chirped and chirped and jumped up and down;  wildly trying to get its mate into recovery mode.  Unfortunately I was unable to get the mate into a photograph - at this point it had moved off to watch.  The other bird also moved behind its mate and prodded it with its beak trying to help it.  It was an amazing sight.  While I was watching it I remembered a poem I had tucked away somewhere.  Found it - not sure what it's called but it's written by Joy Crawford.

We were learning to fly together,

     currawongs, magpies, rosellas,

              tiny pardalotes, a few galahs,

And it was fun

      practising taking off together,

                 landing

Even having a go at formation flights...

Then Bang!

     a shotgun blast

             wounded wings, quivering

Scattering us from the Holy Place

Limping together in a circle to weep, take stock

      be open to each other,

         to forgive

And in a new and honest way, through the pain,

     receive the broken bread

          the poured out wine...

And now a new spirit is here this morning!

     growing up, strong,

            not to be denied.

Feel as though we're changing shape-

   One Bird

         learning to fly with wounded wings.

IT'S ALL BLOWED AWAY

 

This photo is a few weeks old and the blossom has since blown away but I thought it too lovely not to put up on the blog.  Think the bird is a rainbow lorikeet.  Will confirm with David! 

IN THE GARDEN TODAY

 

As the sun was rising the other morning, I noticed a group of these gorgeous little double-barred finches having a gay old time.  Soon realized that they had just left the nest with Mumma.  As I watched, I noticed one little one in particular who seemed to not have quite the same energy as the others as it would sidle up to its mother and just lean on her.  I think this may be that little one still with her mother. 

Time for ma mornin' snooze!

IN THE GARDEN TODAY

 

Pale headed rosella trying to eat the little finches' food!