Category: clouds

Australia · clouds · Mount Warning · native Australian birds · subtropical weather · summer · sunrise · Tweed Valley

A Beautiful Summer’s Morning

Joanne4 Comments

The sky had the slightest tinge of pink early this morning, (although it doesn’t show up in the photo) and as the day progressed and the low cloud cleared, Mount Warning stood beautiful and clear in all her blue-green glory. I must be growing used to seeing clouds over the mountain though, as I chose this photo over clearer sky photos I took later in the day due to the character clouds add to the early morning sky.

Joining me to enjoy the early morning view from the tibouchina tree was my little Butcher Bird friend, Hoppy (of gammy leg fame) …

… and joining Hoppy was one of the two new additions to the Butcher Bird family this year.

While I was eating breakfast, I heard the sound of something we don’t hear a lot of now in these covid days – a ‘plane. And I knew from the whiring of the ‘plane’s engine that this was not a passenger ‘plane. It was here to fly over the valley and dust the crops. I had to zoom in fully to take the photo, and the photo is severely cropped, but at least the ‘plane is in focus. 🙂

When I turned around from taking the photo of the crop-dusting ‘plane, I spotted Bubba Magpie. I’m not sure if he dropped by to say hello, or seeing my camera he decided to pose. Either way, the sun shining on his still-downie baby feathers lit up the black and white pattern which will progressively turn shiny black as he matures.

I have decided these two are an item now, so I will introduce them as Mr and Mrs Pee Wee. Although she is the newest addition to my regular feathered visitors, Mrs, on the left, seems quite dominent, and doesn’t hesitate to come right up close to me when I am feeding the birds their breakfast.

The weather felt warmer in temperature today than it has been, but the lower humidity made the warmth of the day very pleasant indeed.

I could get used to summer if every day felt as beautiful as today. ❤

Australia · birthdays · blessings · clouds · Mount Warning · pets · remembering · summer · Tweed Valley

Remembering Phoebe

Joanne8 Comments

Almost two years have passed by, and I can talk about her now with fond memories, rather than the raw saddness I felt the day she left us.

My indoors girl, fourteen year old Phoebe (2013)

 

One of the few times when Phoebe and Tabitha were on the same page, or in the same room! (2014)

 

Gazing outdoors, remembering carefree days of prancing around the garden chasing butterflies perhaps? (2015)

 

Phoebe’s last birthday. She made it to 20. (2019)

The 3rd of February will always be a day when I will pause and remember my Grand Queen Phoebe.

03-02-1999 ~ 29-04-2019

Today’s Misty Morning
Australia · clouds · family · history · Mount Warning · sunrise · Tweed Valley

Hattons Bluff ~ A Landmark of the Tweed Valley

Joanne5 Comments

There were a couple of showers of rain early this morning, so when I awoke at around 6:30 am, a few flimsy pockets of mist had formed in the valley.

My husband noticed mist surrounding Hattons Bluff, and suggested I take a photo. I had been complaining to husband that with all the rain we’ve had lately, I haven’t had a clear view of Huttons Bluff in ages. This morning, however, the mist circling the landmark accentuated its position next to Mount Warning.

Being interested in local history and family history, I had hoped that my husband would know something of the history of Hattons Bluff. Some time ago, I asked him what he knew about the area … “it’s next to Mount Warning” he told me. That was the extent of his knowledge! Being born and raised in this area, I had hoped he would know more, such as who the bluff was named after. Apparently not.

Now I have raised his curiosity, husband is curious about Hattons Bluff’s geographical position, so today, when business took him to the small town of Bray Park just outside of Murwillumbah, he took a closer photo of Hattons Bluff on his phone and sent it to me.

To the right of Hattons Bluff, Mount Warning can be seen peeking over the tops of the trees.

As for the history of Hattons Bluff, I have been doing some investigating, and have learned some information which I find intriguing! I will share my findings tomorrow. 🙂

Australia · birds · clouds · garden flowers · in my garden · Mount Warning · native Australian birds · subtropical weather · summer · Tweed Valley

Plenty of Ibis – but no mountain

Joanne11 Comments

One day during the week, when I spotted an Ibis in the front garden, I soon discovered it was not alone. There were ten! I kid you not, I counted ten of these massive birds pecking through the overgrown grass, which, when it is dry enough to mow, we like to call our lawn.

Today I saw just four Ibis peck, peck, pecking away. Most people call these birds ‘Bin-Chickens’ – they are scavengers who will eat just about anything edible.

So as I wouldn’t frighten them away, I took my camera, ever so quietly, out the back door, snuck around to the side of the house, and zoomed in on them. It didn’t take long for their keen hearing to pick up on the fact that they were being watched, so they headed up the driveway to the road, undoubtedly searching for longer, greener pastures.

While taking photos of the Ibis, it occurred to me that I rarely take photos of a whole section of my garden. I usually – hmm, perhaps always – zoom in on the beauty of each individual flowering plant. For a change, today I took a photo of the garden beside my driveway. In this photo, I see New South Wales Christmas Bush, Gerberas, white Gaura, (lots of Gaura!) Duranta, Hydrangea, white and purple Buddleia, Port Wine Magnolia, lilac Daisies, and Roses. I do have the (unfair) advantage of knowing my garden though! And it goes against the grain not to show a close up of individual plants, so I won’t show full garden photos often – I promise. 😉

We had hot, dry weather today, and cloud so low that Mount Warning didn’t have a hope of making an appearance. The crazy-cloud patterns continued, hiding the setting sun as well. The weather has been so changable lately.

I wonder what tomorrow’s weather will bring …