Tag: cloud catcher

Australia · clouds · Mount Warning · native Australian birds · rain · spring · subtropical weather · Tweed Valley

The storms continue

Joanne6 Comments

The sky, valley, ranges and Mount Warning were all clear this morning for the first time in days. Just a small river of mist ran along the base of the ranges, and a couple of patches of mist danced across the sugar cane fields.

The sun shone brightly for such an early hour too. These photos were taken at 6:30 am daylight savings time.

I could also see the sugar mill steaming away at full speed in the valley, while on the roof, Father Magpie awaited breakfast.

So much for the bright and sunny start to the day though. By early afternoon the valley had turned black and distant thunder had a couple of the animals inside the house seeking comfort. Within minutes though, most of the black clouds had moved away, leaving a trail of strange, low white clouds behind.

We had barely enough rain to wet the ground here, but from nearby towns we heard reports of massive hail stones falling.

So once again, the day ends with Mount Warning in hiding.

It seems we should prepare for another long, subtropical, stormy summer ahead.

Australia · Changes · clouds · Mount Warning · native Australian birds · spring · Tweed Valley

A day of this and that

Joanne2 Comments

It feels strange not having a committment to do something specific every day since semester 2 ended two days ago. I still feel as if I am reintroducing myself to my “other life” – the uni free life!

Today I spent the day tidying, and cleaning, and sorting, and throwing things out, and cleaning the fridge …

I also looked outside a lot, to see if the weather had improved – it didn’t – so this is tonight’s sunset. The clouds are very different today, streaky rather than balls of cotton wool, which is nice for a change.

The birds were quieter today than they have been lately. I can always count on a visit from a noisy miner though, and my old faithful magpie mother. 🙂

Australia · clouds · family · Mount Warning · rain · spring · subtropical weather · Tweed Valley

Getting used to a new normal …

Joanne4 Comments

Being a creature of habit, today has felt a tad odd. I didn’t have to spend hours sitting at my desk, and I didn’t read or write a single word of academic writing.

Every time a semester ends, I’m happy it’s over because I need the rest! But last night, my dreams were filled with assignment writing. I need to get used to a new normal, again.

Knowing I missed seeing my family, all of my kids visited today. At one stage I had my four-year-old grandson, two-year-old granddaughter, and two-month-old grandson all sitting with me. Not far away on the next couch sat my 22 week pregnant daughter-in-law. And it was wonderful!

We finally had some rain today, not much, but enough to give the garden a good watering. I’m looking forward to spending more time in the garden now uni is over until next February.

Today’s photos, as you will see, are taken “where-Mount-Warning-should-be”! The cloud is so low that I haven’t seen the mountain all day, but I love the rich blueness of the ranges, and their blue reflections in the clouds. 🙂

Australia · in my garden · Mount Warning · native Australian birds · spring · Tweed Valley

A Short Love Story of Two Rainbow Lorikeets

Joanne6 Comments

There was no rain today, but the mountain and ranges were beautifully crisp and clear, as if they had been washed clean by yesterday morning’s downpour.

While standing at my kitchen window at breakfast time, two rainbow lorikeets crashed – gently, thank goodness – into my large glass door which leads into the garden. As strange as it seems, they both came back and did it again! It was as if they wanted to come inside the house.

I always have a dish of water on an old table out the back for the birds, and the other day I added a dish of bird seed too. One of the lorikeets, which I assume was the female, jumped up onto the table and investigated both dishes, taking a drink of water, while the other lorikeet bobbed around the table doing a strange sort of dance. This bird, I assume, was a male.

After a couple of minutes of seemingly ignoring her suitor’s advances, the female turned to him, they wrapped their heads around each others body – this is the last photo – then away they flew!

And now I’m back to essay writing. But I just had to pause and share my cute little story today. 🙂