A project on hold ... for now... :)

I'm getting my new blog ready. Real soon, new posts will abound - on OPCAD and other things.

Thanks for your patience!

Stella becomes a Scribe

OPCAD - One Photo Chronicle A Day ~ 365 Day 20

Two exotic ferns 'nesting' with a Tradescantia called 'Blushing Bride' ... my favourite container from last year.

I just wrote a six-paragraph entry with this very photo, and Blogger just... deleted it. No warning, no time for me to copy it, just ... gone.

This is not right. Colin and I are working on getting another type of Blog interface going on our website and I will continue my One Photo Chronicle a Day then. For now, it's just too frustrating to do this here. I am so tired of fighting with blogger.

no more
Sorry - I don't really feel like trying to remember all I 'tried' to post before. Too tired.
Must be my biorhythms - my emotional is way below the line and it sure feels like it!

I'll come back SOON with a link to OUR NEW BLOGS!

OPCAD - One Photo Chronicle A Day ~ 365 Day 19

Catching The Rainbow



Peaceful Memories

My dh and I went to Kings Park in Perth, a Botanic Garden perched on the edge of the city, a charming place, about a month before we came back to Canada. I'd just gotten my new Panasonic camera and I was thrilled to be able to use it. After a lot of walking, we came upon this side where the fountains entertained the afternoon crowd, and Colin decided to sit this one out. He stayed in the car with a book whilst I meandered between rows of Kangaroo Paws, important aboriginal historic sites that were actually trees, and whole sections dedicated to unique Australian plant life.



I had a ball that afternoon just exploring this natural beauty set in the hills above the Kwinana Freeway that spans the Swan River. These photos remind me of the pure joy I felt watching the Australian Wood Ducks and the Pacific Black Ducks cavorting in the splashing waters. The people near the pond had fun, too. The fountain had a random setting so that you never knew when a twenty-foot high jet of water would rise in the sky and spray everyone near the shore. The wind was just right that day for a massive spray from the fountain to fall quite a ways up on the lawn. It was fun to watch as people approached and took the chance that they'd be going home having just showered... in the park. Children especially loved this game, and the little dogs who couldn't understand why they couldn't catch the water in their tiny jaws.

A day well spent in Kings Park, Perth, Western Australia.

OPCAD - One Photo Chronicle A Day ~ 365 Day 18

The Pink Gallah

There's an Aussie expression, 'as crazy as a Galah,' and I heard it many times. The thing is, I can't see why or how they are... well, crazy. They are beautiful birds, with a soft gray and pink plumage, and they are quite gregarious. This one was in the same cage as the Parrot, and it loved to be fed first. It did have a mean temper, I guess, but I suspect it was for being caged up as it was. Who likes that?

Flocks of Galahs would fly overhead, and this one, whom the owner called George, would answer back, screeching away. I felt very sorry for the poor guy, and once or twice actually contemplated setting it free. But I didn't.

Getting ready for work now, but just a word on my weekend toil and trouble. We're almost ready to launch our brand-new website, and I am so thrilled! Colin has worked very hard on it for two solid days. I'm so pleased with how it looks. I've just a few more kits to put in my store and then, the big announcement. Can't wait!

Have a great Monday!
Stella

OPCAD - One Photo Chronicle A Day - 365! Day 17

The Mountain Ash branches laden with fruit, beside a Birch

There has been an abnormally large crop in Mountain Ash, (Sorbus acuparia), also called Rowan, berries this past season, and that's what I suspect is the main sustenance food for Robins that stayed in this area instead of going South last fall. Everywhere you look, these shocking-red berries light up the forest's drab winter garb, making you think it was Christmas again.

I reported a flock of over 45 Robins that I saw in the Cocagne area at the end of December, and my sister told me last night that just yesterday, she spotted a flock of 25 Robins devouring Ash berries up in the Bouctouche area.



Seeing Robins in the Winter ~ as my mother-in-law would say, "Fancy That!"

Cheerio!

OPCAD - One Photo Chronicle A Day - 365! Day 16

Parrot & Plumbago

When Colin and I were house-sitting in East Fremantle last year, I took care of five different parrots in cages. This one was my favourite because he was more shy than the others - that Sulphur-Crested Cockatoo was mean! - and his colours were absolutely gorgeous! I would come into the cage twice a day, early morning and late afternoon, put water and food for them, then I'd leave. But this day, I brought my camera in with me.

It was in January last year and the Plumbago - that blue-flowered shrub behind him - was in full, awesome bloom. Is there a more beautiful blue in the plant kingdom? I don't think so. The Parrot didn't know what to make of me as I stood there with the black thing in my hands, making clicking noises. He finally approached me slowly, inching his way along the branch with his clawed feet, eyeing me suspiciously along the way. You see, his feeding bowl was closer to me than it was to him, so if he wanted to eat, he had to approach me as I stood there, quietly still.

His red back feathers were like sunset and his green plumage like the leaves of the Eucalypts above him. I've looked many times in my "Field Guide to Birds of Australia" and I can't find him. If anyone seeing these photos knows what name this bird has, could you please tell me?



This unknown parrot was one of the most beautiful birds I have seen. And, besides, I want to put him on my Bird Life List. :)

Cheers!
Stella dreaming of Australia and birds

One Photo Chronicle A Day ~ 365! ~ Day 15

Tableau in White

My sister has fed the birds around her home for years now and the feathered friends come to see her offerings daily. I love to go there with my camera and see what will show up. This photo is of a birdfeeder, or several in fact, that she has set up around a pollared cherry tree. Each year she prunes the tree to keep it from growing too big and around it you can see a chair, a table and, on top of the chopped off trunk, the feeder.

This is one of the things I missed a lot when I was in Australia. Dollops of snow on fir and spruce trees, feathers of frost on window panes, feet-high drifts in the Acadian forest every Winter. You can take the girl out of the country, but you can't take the country out of the girl.

Have a Fun Day!
Stella