Fairies again

In addition to the lodgings in our back yard, the fairies have expanded their settlement beyond the back fence. There is a walking path that runs behind our house next to the reserve and they seem to have set up an outpost out there. They have turned an old burnt out stump in to some kind of castle - maybe I was wrong about the Queens's house, because surely she lives in the castle, not in the grand house in the yard. There is also some other building that seems to be under construction...maybe a gatehouse?

Anyway, now that they are getting good at their constructions, they have let me know that they are happy to start building for other fairies, for a fee, of course. If you'd like some kind of fairy house for your garden, let me know. And keep an eye out for some in the online shop.

Fairy Village Expands

Another fairy house has been added ro the mix, not far from the entrance to the first one. The thing I like about fairy architecture is that the make use of all sorts of things at hand like pebbles, sticks and moss. What I’m not so impressed with is that despite the fairy population increasing, there hasn’t been an increase in things done ‘by the fairies’ like magical cleaning or gardening.

Turf War.

Apparently, the fairy settlement is not going down well with the wildlife. I found the Queen's house removed from the tree it was located on. My guess is that a possum decided it was in the way of its nightly tree run and kicked it out of the way. I can't say I blame the possum really, it is just like the attempt currently being made by developers to replace local forest with high density housing in the Warner area. Anyway, I have relocated the fairy house to another location that will hopefully not interfere with the wildlife pathways and still work for the fairies. The fairies are keen to look after the wildlife, so I think that they will be fine with the relocation.

Fairies II

Looks like the fairy house construction is continuing. This new place is in the fork of a tree just near the washing line and faces the bird bath. Judging from the portico at the front, my guess is that it belongs to the Fairy Queen - she can stand on the balcony and address the rest of the fairies. There are probably more houses out in the forest that surrounds the property, but I haven't gone looking.

Taking a moment

Last week I was taking the back roads to get to an appointment and was stopped in my tracks by this beauty. I had to stop to avoid running her over, and decided to stay until she had completely crossed the road safely, just in case someone came from the other direction. The weather is cooling and she was moving pretty slowly, so the road crossing took about 5 minutes. So nice to take 5 and be in the moment with this beautiful creature.

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.

Koala spotting

A bit hard to see due to fading light, but this koala was in one of our trees at the front of the property this evening. Koalas are very vulnerable due to indiscriminate land clearing, particularly around here, so it is good to know that our little patch is sustaining some individuals.

Spring

Spring has sprung, and I have been inspired to photograph some flowers. These ones are just from plants under my patio the other day...orchids (yes, I have orchids - they are alive and everything!), a slightly out of season zygocactus and the weird and wonderful broms). The hot weather has convinced them to all pop out, although today it is wet and cool. Not that there is any such thing as climate change, mind!

Local wildlife

Today I went for a 'wildlife' walk instigated by my son who had previously discovered this little gem in the next suburb that I didn't even know about. I am discovering that Moreton Bay Region is home to many of these little reserves of nature that defy the built up areas around them. This one is Mungarra Reserve on the North Pine River down stream from Young's Crossing. Here are some of the creatures we encountered today, including an impressive shag and a mum and baby koala combo.

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.

Mixed Media Updates

Last year when I did the mixed media Webinar, I started a number of works on paper, and I posted them at the time. I have finished a couple of them and here are the end results.

Koala Politics

Looks like butter wouldn't melt in his mouth, right? Well, a few metres away is a very unhappy female who, according to the internet, was telling him in no uncertain terms to take a long walk off a short branch. These two were arguing the toss in the front yard on and off for hours last weekend. The female sounded like a baby crying, but apparently she was just saying 'no'.

Lace Monitor

Look who dropped in and took a stroll through the back yard this morning. Big fella. Impressive.

Art on the Edge

As I last mentioned, I spent the weekend up at Cedar Creek Retreat, enjoying a fantastic weekend with a dozen or so fellow weirdos looking at how we can grow our arts businesses. Awesome place (see some of the pics below), awesome food, awesome people. Thanks again, Michael and Ludmilla; and Amy and MBRC for the opportunity. The consequences will be significant and you will start to see some of the effects here and other places online. Watch this space!

Summer Beauties

Love it when these little beauties pop their heads out.

Blinky

Yesterday when I got home I was beckoned by the dulcet tones of this little chap over the back fence. It took me a few minutes to find him, but eventually he was discovered high up in a tree probably 30 metres from the house. Don't see them often, but it is good to know they are here.

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).