Natural things

Have a Happy and safe Fence Friday, everyone. Keep warm (if you're above the equator) or cool (if you're down here with me). These are Australian Ibises, commonly (and derogatorily) called Tip Turkeys or Bin Chickens after their penchant for scavenging food in waste bins. It's a shame really, as they are very useful in gardens and farms, using their long curved beaks to forage for grubs in the soil. We (Mrs Owl and I) are visited daily by one we have named Libby who fossicks around the bushes and plants in our garden.

Stingray Wharf, Mandurah. Not the best photo, I'm afraid. The scene was some distance from me and I was shaky having run/walked some distance on an increasingly hot morning, plus my iPhone skills are rather rudimentary. The bird on the right is, of course, an Australian pelican; the one on the left is, I think, a Nankeen heron (sometimes called a night heron in these parts). I took this and walked on ... They were all still there, in more or less the same positions when I passed by 45 minutes later on my return journey. Now THAT is patience. I hope they were all rewarded by a feed from the estuary waters. Gosh, I love this land.

White-faced heron. Mandjar Bay, Mandurah.

Nankeen heron (AKA Night heron). Stingray Wharf, Mandurah WA.

Ants high on a grevillea bush. Jalbarragup WA. (I believe you can see the ants better if you press Z.)

One of the five dolphins feeding next to the path, moving so fast and twisting as it chased its breakfast.

HWW everyone. Tonight (21st June 2023) is the longest night for those of us in the Southern Hemisphere. I believe for those in the north it is the longest day. Whatever it is, enjoy every moment that you can (and stoically tolerate any bad ones that may peep their heads up). Love to all.

.

Oyster catcher. Mandjar Bay, Mandurah, WA.

She (Who Must Be Obeyed) tells me this looks appropriate for St Valentine's Day. Since she (obviously) must be obeyed I've acquiesced to her wishes, despite my habitual grumpiness when faced with such sentimental things. Far nicer than cut flowers or expensive tasteless chocolates, too. There are very many swans on the river and in the inlet at the moment, it being the very hot season of Bunuru when food in the lakes and rivers is plentiful. A few more weeks and the swans will mainly disperse to other waters as Djeran (autumn) arrives in late March, though for some reason the odd swan will remain.

Seine Bay, Hardy Inlet, Augusta WA.

May I wish a happy, productive and joyful Fence Friday to all. You'd think this flimsy looking fence would be pushed over by determined cattle, but obviously they are extremely well-behaved bovines who are on their way back home to have their evening meal and don't want to be distracted from their important journey. (By the way and apropos of nothing: Today (May 3rd) is World Press Freedom day. We may criticise those who work in the media and who don't always align with our views, but they should not be vilified or threatened just because we don't agree with them. Use argument and reason, not coercion and punishment. Truth dies in darkness.)

Seine Bay, Hardy Inlet, Augusta WA.

.