What a world of difference....

Over the last week I've become incredibly aware of the vast differences in both season, climates and weather conditions between the Northern and South Hemispheres.

Take for instance here in Melbourne, we've been experiencing quite a dry spell and although we personally nipped off to the Canadian winter for Christmas, I believe that there hasn't been any significant rainfall here; other than a few millimetres since the beginning of December. There was a time during last month that 'they' reported that Melbourne was having its driest January since records began...but then there were a few spits and spots and that tipped the balance thus the record was broken! Personally, I think it's far better to have the rain....but only in moderation. With the extreme high temperatures accompanied with hot winds, there is  the ever present threat of bush fires and the state of Victoria has been experiencing many of these fires during the last month. It's hard to take in the fact that these fires can burn for months. 

The CFA (Country Fire Authority) are incredible hero's and have been battling against incredible odds but thankfully their expertise and a cool change in the weather means the risks have been substantially reduced. 

Whilst on the other hand ex-cyclone Oswald has wrought destruction across Queensland bringing back bad memories of the state's devastating 2011 natural disaster. Some residents are dealing with catastrophic flooding for the second time in two years, which is unimaginable. 

That's just a brief variety of the weather experienced within Australia at the moment....

I should have a warning on the next few photos because they could cause distress to the green fingered gardeners amongst you...me included! 

Here is a Magnolia that I brought from our last property...I should add here that I'm hoping for a miracle but if anyone knows what I might be able to do to bring it back to life, other than watering then please let me know...I had thought to put it out of its misery but I still can't help hoping that once the cooler weather comes to call, it will suddenly burst into life!

 And brace yourself because it gets worse....this is my beautiful blueberry bush (SOB...SOB)

But look...help is at hand...thankfully we have an 11,000 litre rain water tank that has been kindly saving all the rain water over the winter months and it has to be said it was rather a wet winter. The tank was full but it has now reduced considerably to just below the writing on its side.You can tell the water level within just by knocking on the tank with your knuckles from the top downwards. The sound changes once you reach the water level. Also I've noticed that the shape of the tank changes.

But it's not all doom and gloom in the garden...there are some very happy plants stretching tall to meet the sunlight.

 

The Bird of Paradise Tree (Strelitzia Nicolai) is extremely happy.

We've also a vine which has obviously resided on the premises since time began....

It has a beautiful twisting trunk that wraps itself around the canopy of the al fresco area. 

There is a slight problem here too but not due to the lack of water...we are having invations of the feathered kind. Namely the blackbirds are visiting regularly throughout the day....in fact in the photograph below there are at least three young blackbirds feeding greedily on the grapes. 

It's a kind of game of where's Waldo?

The trouble being that our outside eating area is just below this lattice roof and we are having leaves and grapes drop constantly upon the table, loungers and us!
The birds never seem to tire of this feast and it's quite incredible to see them pick a grape, then pop it whole into their beaks before they swallow it whole. 

I'm looking down here from an upstairs bedroom window in this photo...trying to capture a decent shot of the flybys! 

I have yet again spared a thought to the BBC, National Geographic and wildlife photographers out there...they have untold patience to capture the shots they do.... I knelt until my knees were numb waiting for the little darlings, but each time I gave up and went to sit below...yep you guessed it...in they would swoop. I'm sure they were watching and having a giggle at the windup!

 

 Again a view from above the vine....not a bad crop eh? 

And then...AH HA...there gotcha!!! (Just slightly to the left just in case you missed him too)

 This is one of the overhangs and I just loved the way the light shone on both the leaves and grapes.

 This is a little peep hole...see I'm sure they were just toying with me!

Onto another success story....
I was thrilled when we returned from Canada to find that my avocado stone had sprouted. I've tried to grown one previously but without success. I have been so impressed with this one's progress, but alas I've just read that this plant probably won't fruit....ever!
I previously had a little success after following all the instructions on how to grow avocados but then nothing happened. But this time there's a big improvement and I was so hopeful.

 

 Hopeful...that was until I read an article that told me that the seedling needs to be grafted with a fruit producing tree in order to produce fruit...plus it would take 5+ years even if it had all the correct temperature and conditions. So basically I think I'll be getting my avocado from my local veggie shop for a few years to come! 

(The avocado (persea americana) is a tree native to Central Mexico, classified in the flowering plant family Lauraceae along with cinnamon, camphor and bay laurel. Avocado or alligator pear also refers to the fruit of the tree which alas I'll never see on this plant!)

 

....and it looks so healthy too... :-(

So on to a little success story now...don't you just love happy endings?

My strawberry plants are doing great, although I suspect that a few feathery boozy birds might have their eye on them. I'm going to need to bring in reinforcements....ie netting soon if I want to enjoy the fruits of my labour!

And finally....(as the BBC news broadcaster used to announce for the last item of the news) for everyone in the grip of winter and desperate to see some colour...here's a little something from my walk this morning!

Don't worry I hear that autumn is coming on 1st March which means you'll soon be into spring. 

 Just a thought after mentioning the winter chills...

We've all heard the latest reports of the severe snowstorms that hit parts of Canada and the America's north-eastern region in the last few days with hurricane force winds...I'd like to take a moment to pass on to everyone whom may have been affected, my sincere best wishes. Stay safe and warm.

And on a lighter note....finally finally.....

Today is the most important day of the traditional Chinese holidays....it is Chinese New Year

In China, it is also known as the Spring Festival.

This year it is the year of the snake, which is the sixth sign in the 12 year Chinese zodiac and stands for "steady progress and attention to detail".
A signifying feature of the year of the snake will be the need for attention, commitment and focus!

"Ancient Chinese wisdom says a snake in the house (which would be the last thing I'd want, quite frankly) is a good omen because it means that your family will not starve", 

祝大家新年快乐

 Jong xi fa cai

Who is it?....(Part 6 - The End) The Peck Family

Well its official....we're empty Nester's. I know sad but true.

I suspected the chicks flew the nest a day or so ago, but today when I went up close and personal there wasn't a sign. Not even a note to say thank you or we'll be back!

I did happen to hear a few taps on my window again this morning, so hopefully we're not going to have the whole family come a calling.....fingers crossed it was just Gregory.

Who is it?...(Part 5) The Peck Family

Just a quick update on the Peck family......

Mr and Mrs Peck are doing a grand job on keeping these hungry mouths fed.

At this rate I think they could be flying off soon.

Who is it?....(Part 4) The Peck Family

Here's an update on Gregory's family....
Aren't they doing well.

Mrs Peck was very accommodating when I took a peep shot. She just waited patiently on the fence until I moved away, then swooped back down onto the nest as soon as my back was turned. Maybe she's just thankful for the few tit bits I put out for her every afternoon. I know what its like to try and feed the hungry. My youngest is now 18 and nearly six foot!

Doesn't the saying go.....? "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder" Well Mrs Peck certainly thinks they're all beautiful and is incredibly attentive to their needs.

Who is it? (Part 3)

Look who's sitting pretty....

Mrs Peck is doing a wonderful job so far. I didn't want to disturb her but its rather inconvenient where she's built the nest. It's extremely close to my washing line, but she doesn't seem to mind me.

Maybe she knows its me that puts some little tit bits out for her on the decking.

So I nipped in a little nearer....

She had her eye on me though....and Gregory was chirping on a nearby tree.
In fact he's singing his heart out whilst I'm doing this post.
He's obviously such a proud Dad-to-be.

I'd much rather him sing than peck my windows!

'Who is it'? (Part 2)

CONGRATULATIONS ARE IN ORDER

Well, now we know why 'Gregory' has been singing his heart out at 4.45am every morning.....

He's going to be a Dad!

Look what my other half found this morning.

He was busy doing some chores (I know I was surprised too) when he walked past the hidden nest with a set of ladders. Not surprisingly the female flew off, so once we knew the nest was there, I quickly grabbed my camera to take a photo to show you.

I then waited tentatively thinking I may be the culprit of their demise causing her not to return to the nest....but after a while she sneeked back to them. Both her and the nest are so well concealed I never noticed either yesterday when I put all the bedding on the line.

Latest update: I left some cake crumbs on the decking for her, and she's just flown down for them. She'll need her sustenance ready for when they hatch....life will never be the same again.

So who would have thought, we are going to have 'Grand chicks' - how special....maybe I can forgive Greg for all his tapping's earlier in the year.

I just hope he doesn't pass on the habit!

“Who is it….?”

I thought my son was trying to wind me up and send me over the edge (which wouldn’t take much some days I have to admit) when I heard a knock at the front door… well, I thought it was at the front door.

Thinking he may have left his key at home, I went to let him in but when I got there – no-one was in sight. I peeped around the corner to see if he was in the process of jumping out but nothing. So I went back to my tasks and assumed I was hearing things. But then it started again… tap, tap, tap, tap….

This time I dashed to open it, nearly breaking my ankle on the stairs but once again zilch. So frowning I went to check the patio doors. Nada…

At this point if it had been my son I can assure you, he would have regretted wasting my time.

The poem ‘Someone’ came to mind:-

Someone came knocking at my wee, small door;
Someone came knocking; I'm sure-sure-sure;
I listened, I opened, I looked to left and right,
But nought there was a stirring in the still dark night;
Only the busy beetle tap-tapping in the wall,
Only from the forest the screech-owl's call,
Only the cricket whistling while the dewdrops fall,
So I know not who came knocking, at all, at all, at all.

Walter de la Mare

I just shrugged it off and again went about my business until later in the afternoon the taps came again. Now I really was intrigued and had to investigate. I rushed to all the doors and windows looking for clues. Was it some form of morse code and someone desperately needed help? The only thing I could see in close proximity was a male blackbird. Hmm…...could it be?

Here he is in all his finery…

Yes, it certainly was him. Guilty as charged.

Since that day I've watched him and he has been a regular caller both very early in the morning and late in the evenings. And he doesn’t seem to get the weekends off!

He spends enormous energy attacking his reflected image with gusto. He has at times even brought his ‘Birrrrrrrrrrrrd’ to watch his male prowess. I’m not sure if she’s impressed or just stunned by his stupidity. It’s hard to tell.

He has now been named ‘Gregory’ (you may well cringe here and rightly so – as in "Mr. Peck")

I hope you appreciate how long it has taken me to obtain this photo of ‘Gregory’ because once he’s fired up, he’s extremely observant and takes flight as soon as anyone gets near. I've been like an SAS commando crawling on all fours or hanging over the decking virtually absailing to catch him in the act.

Note to self: If I ever get an action shot I'll post it.

I’ve also heard what I assume are his taps on the garage window but maybe that’s the next generation on their turf. I do hope not. Heaven help us if ‘Greg’ has passed on this tradition… it’ll drive us all crazy….tap, tap, tap, tap, tap!

P.S. By the way apologies to my son for the false accusation!