More in the flock

Have been working on the gourd birds and have added a few more to the collection  - some available for sale in store, and some that are commissioned. The flamingos were commissions and the other two are available online in my store at https://www.annrussellart.com/gourd-sculptures

Oh my gourd

Over the last few years, I have made a number of gourd birds for people's gardens. I start with the gourd (obviously) and add resin and polymer clay pieces for eyes, tails and beaks. At the end, I coat the whole thing in resin so they are pretty weather-proof and should last for quite a while. These are the latest ones I have made. If you would like a gourd, I will be selling them via my website starting at $50 for a single. I don't have any 'in stock' as yet, so if you'd like one or a pair, let me know.

Peacock

The other day when I got home, my daughter told me she had heard a bird call that sounded like a peacock. I admit that I dismissed it at first. But very shortly I heard the same call - definitely a peacock. Probably half an hour later what should stroll past the lounge room?  This beauty. He had obviously absconded from somewhere and was strolling around our estate. Haven't seen or heard of him since. Hope he got home okay.

Fairy Wrens

Today I noticed a pair of variegated fairy wrens playing outside the kitchen window and the little boy was resplendent in his breeding plumage. I was tempted to give in to the universal law that says as soon as you get your camera, the birds will disappear. But I decided to give it a go and when I had changed my lens and peeked outside the lounge room window, guess who was sitting right there on the pool fence? While I was snapping away at his nibs, his lady friend decided to join him. Lucky day to get picks like this! They are so cute.

Little birds...again

The other day I noticed some little finches jumping around in the grass. It needs mowing and so they were sometimes hard to pick out. I was surprised when I looked closer to see that there were two species: the red-browed firetails and the double barred finches, all hanging out together. Exquisite little things. Some picks:

An abundance of Birds

Have been a bit slack in keeping up with the blog, lately...apologies. Have been very busy, but not too busy to notice the abundance of little birds in residence here at the new digs (well newish). In the last few weeks alone, I have sighted scarlet honeyeaters, golden whistlers, yellow robins, red-browed fire tails and our resident family of variegated fairy wrens (the boys are dressed very brightly in their breeding plumage just now). And these guys...apparently they are white naped honey-eaters. I have never laid eyes on this species before, much less in my own back yard! Loving where I live! (photos taken on a phone, so not excellent quality).

Local Wildlife

Been having lots of encounters with the locals, particularly of the avian persuasian, although have officially sighted the first koala in one of the trees near the creek. There are so many  birds, particularly little ones: variegated fairy wrens (managed to get a pic below), yellow robins, treecreepers, spangled drongos, lewin's honeyeaters etc. The last couple of nights I have been joined at dusk by a couple of kingfishers catching insects in the lawn from their perch on the back fence. Delightful.

Morning Walks

After way too long, over these school holidays, I have restarted morning walks. I always try to take in some of the local lagoon which is a kind of oasis  tucked in behind a whole lot of houses. Yesterday, after numerous wild encounters, I decided to take my camera, with the following results. This week alone, I have encountered the usual pacific black and maned ducks, swamp hens, including one nesting out in the middle of the lagoon, eastern long-necked turtles, and water dragons, pied cormorants, shags and even the blue and bronze flash of a little azure kingfisher. Feel so lucky to live close to this little patch of wilderness and am sure there is at least one artwork lurking there somewhere.

Montville

Have just come back from a couple of days at Montville, just north of here on the Sunshine Coast Hinterland. Very relaxing and pleasant, although not quite as 'back to nature' as the Bunyas. I was surprised by the number of bird species around in the trees near our cabin, although to be fair, it was on the border of the Kondalilla National Park. Of course, a nocturnal encounter with a mother ring tail and her baby was the icing on the cake. Now, back to the real world.

Bunya Buzz

Been at the Bunya Mountains again, for what has become an annual pilgrimage. We were there for a week which was peaceful and blessed, but woefully short, I have to say. Not even close to being ready to re-enter the fray.

Anyway, lots of wildlife encounters as usual - pics below; including a bandicoot, countless different species of birds and one that I could have done without. I was reclining under a tree, struggling to care about the aesthetic philosophies I was reading, and I heard a noise behind me. Assuming it was a wallaby (which are everywhere all the time) I didn't investigate. When I did turn around it was to discover a pair of amorous brown snakes a few metres away - both of them a metre and a half at least. Fortunately for me, their minds were elsewhere, and I managed to control my urge to flee long enough to get a couple of good photos. On reflection, they are quite beautiful, really. When they had enough of each other, both went to ground.

I also got in a spot of painting. Nothing major, but below is something I dabbled with during the week. Now that I am back, it is right back into study and other less desirable tasks, so bird watching is pretty much off the agenda. Oh well.

Memories of the Coast

It is already 2 weeks since we got back from a week's holiday at Caloundra. Of course that was before the big wet and starting back at work, so it is quickly becoming a faded turquoise memory. So am posting a couple of photos that will no doubt inspire some art work at some stage. This is the osprey; its magnificence totally lost on itself, but not on me. I was able to observe the pair who are long time residents of the King's Beach area going about their daily business.

Pretty happy with this photo.

 

popping in for a bite to eat

gives a new meaning to a takeaway fish lunch



wading cousins



Back from the Bunyas (again)

Just returned from what has become a yearly trek to the Bunya Mountains. Well, actually it was a week ago, and in the ensuing week back at the grindstone, the trip has faded into a distant memory. I could swear it was at least a month ago. The break was heavenly as usual. I have put in some pics below and more will follow when I get my act together and get them off my hard disk. Can't say I am thrilled to be back. Still, it was a boost to the ailing batteries and I got to hang out with some of my favourite people - of the avian variety.

There's this gorgeous young man (Satin Bower Bird) - I also got some good pictures of his harem members:

The little fellas are hard to catch with a camera - they're little teases, actually, showing up and posing then flitting off just when you get your focus right. Anyway, managed to catch this Eastern Spinebill after his bath.

Meanwhile, blogger has a 'new look' - some more change for the sake of it. I'm all for progress, but can't they leave stuff alone for 5 minutes? If it ain't broke...

Spring has sprung

Friday week ago we had a 13 degree maximum, with a chilly wind that felt like it was coming off ice. One week later we had a max of 30 degrees. The signs of spring are definitely in the air, but I think that Spring will be short and we'll be pretty much summer from here on in.

Still it is good to be moving on from the winter doldrums - the freesias are poking their pretty little heads out and for once, thanks to all the earlier rain followed by a cold winter, they're looking pretty healthy. The brown honey-eaters have already fledged their little chicks and we have recently been visited by the elusive kingfisher. At school, the fairy martins have been allowed to finish construction of their nest above the men's toilet and furnished it with four cute little chicks that open their beaks wide and squawk at every glimpse of their parents who are run ragged all day bringing them food.

Life tends to start looking up at this time of the year in that perfect in-between-blue-sky-fragrant-breeze-weather. Soon we will be grumbling about the stinking heat and sweat dripping down our legs, but ain't it good to see the back of winter? On my birthday, William and I took a stroll along the waterfront at Redcliffe - just lovely. While we were there, parachuters dropped out of the sky in front of us. This has happened many times before but on this day, for the first time ever, I actually felt like I could see me possibly doing that one day - has to be a great sense of freedom. I am not an adrenalin junky in any way, so it is kind of odd, but I am left with the sound of the whooping of the passengers as they came down and, of course, the striking colours of the chutes.

Meanwhile, I have just turned a 'sample' project I did with the year 11s into a finished piece. Its called 'Inner Sanctum'. I am pretty happy with it. Pic below.