Australia · Australiana · in my garden · native Australian birds · native Australian mammals · Tweed Valley

Koala in the Lemon-Scented Gum

It’s worth coming out of blogging hybernation to share the spectacular sight I have just seen in my garden.

I’ve heard that people living in countries other than Australia assume that we see koalas, kangaroos and emus in our gardens frequently – we don’t! This is such a thrill for me to see this beauty in the lemon-scented gum tree a few minutes ago, so I just had to share him.

My resident magpies alerted me. They sound extremely distressed, so I went outside to see what the fuss was about. They are swooping the koala! That will be on account of the magpies having a nest in the next tree, but I am sure this beautiful koala doesn’t pose any kind of threat to them.

Australia · autumn · Changes · garden flowers · in my garden · native Australian plants · rain · subtropical weather

Feels Like Autumn

Magnolia ‘Little Gem’.

We had 15 mm of rain – 0.6 of an inch – yesterday, and so far today we have had double that. The temperature has dropped substantially as well, today reaching only 23 degrees Celsius – or 73 Fahrenheit.

Finally, it feels like autumn is in the air!

The wet garden looked so pretty, so I took my camera out to the front veranda and took a couple of photos, nothing spectacular, just “feel good” photos of my garden soaking up the refreshing rain and cooler weather.

Just the other day, I dead-headed the summer-tired flowers on the Magnolia ‘Little Gem’, leaving just new buds on the shrub. Today, the pure white flowers have opened – shown in the first photo. I was sorry I couldn’t take my camera out into the rain for a closer look! So zooming in on the flowers from the protected veranda gave me a clearer view.

A Jade plant, of sorts.

The second photo is of a plant my mother always called a Jade. I’m not convinced that’s it’s actual name, as I have seen Jade plants that look different to mine, but to me, it will always be Jade.

Salvia and Hydrangea.

This Salvia is looking lovely right now, although it has been, at times, a tad frazzled over summer. The Hydrangea next to it provides some protection from the hot afternoon sun. As for the Hydrangea, I am amazed that it is still covered in so many lush green leaves at this time of year! It is really enjoying the rainy weather.

Gardenia.

The Gardenia is beginning to flower again now, after a quiet summer of dormancy. It’s a shame these flowers do not last for long looking this soft and velvety or I would bring them indoors for a vase.

Chameleon Roses.

Yesterday morning, when choosing flowers for my vase, I didn’t pick any Chameleon Roses as I can see they will drop their petal soon. Today, however, they are still hanging on, possibly due to a new lease on life with the rain. The lilac bud in the top-left of the photo is a new Society Garlic flower.

An opened Finger Lime.

And finally, I promised I would share a photo of a Finger Lime fruit – and here it is. Those tiny caviar-like balls are so full of limey taste; I am surprised there isn’t a Finger Lime tree growing in every garden in Australia!

Who knows if this lovely autumn weather will continue, but for today, I am enjoying every cool minute of it. ❤