The hazy valley today, rather than being caused by nearby bush fires or dust-storms, was the result of a few good ole sugar cane fires. They seemed to be burning in all directions and filled the valley with smoke.
The thick tuft of smoke toward the top-right in the photo above is near the sugar mill. Which reminds me, I must take a drive down there and take a few close-ups one day.
Usually when I take photos of kookaburras sitting on this branch, the green cane fields form a backdrop for the photo. Today, it was just smoke. The kookaburra didn’t seem to mind though.
Earlier today I had a visit from Larry and Shilo, my two regular kookaburras who have been visiting for years. This is Shilo, hinting that it’s time for breakfast, I imagine, because she didn’t leave until after I had fed her and Larry.
We had other visitors for breakfast this morning too. Six sulphur-crested cockatoos landed in the palm trees near to the house and watched as I fed Larry and Shilo. They must have decided that minced meat wasn’t to their liking though, and soon flew down to the pecan tree. I didn’t realise there were any nuts left on the branches, but those observant cockatoos knew they were there.
I’m pretty excited about this rose bush. I transplanted it during the colder part of winter – although it is still pretty cool even now – and it has several buds on the bush. This is the second bud to open and I love the velvet texture of the petals. I felt I could be taking a chance transplanting three rose bushes that had lived in the same position for about ten years, but now I’m so glad I did. All three look much healthier than they ever have before, and being closer to the house now I can admire them more often.
One of the most photogenic flowers in my garden each year is the grevillea. The whole tree is covered in buds and blooms, and the native honey eating birds are loving it!
I’m working on a uni assignment again, so I don’t know how much time I’ll have for blogging and taking photos this week. At the very least, I’ll take one each day of Mount Warning. 🙂
In My World 
Do they burn the sugar cane all year round? Love the portrait of Shilo! It was interesting and wonderful to see a cockatoo in a natural setting, rather than in a cage or in someone’s living room. That’s a great shot of the grevillea! Hope you do well on your assignment.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Barbara.
The cane season is mainly during the winter months, but I’m not sure exactly when the season will end. I think it depends on how much cane goes to the mill each year.
We have both white and black cockatoos here! I often see black cockatoos flying overhead but they rarely come too close to people. Those cheeky white ones though, they sit in the surrounding trees and chatter away to each other for hours some days. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, good luck on your assignment, Joanne. Enjoying your photos and thoughts.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Kathy. I’ll let you know how I go. 🙂
LikeLike