Why I walk at night....one reason.

Tonight, on a little walk, I saw little stars with cloud halos, and trees full of birds, swaying with the rythm of the wind's silent song.
A silver part-disc moon threw her silver cloak over the damp earth, and kangaroos  were dark shadows half-hidden in the undergrowth...

I love.....

the colours and shapes which make up mallee/bluebush landscapes......   :)

Young blue doe in her perfect habitat 

Almost Evening

...and the cold air flows down the hills into our little valley, bringing with it the tiny sounds of newborn lambs, and the scent of small flowers, and drying foliage :)

Looking across the 'valley' to the neighbour's house .

opportunists!

Scrounging pig food .

The Apostlebirds are very much at home here- helping themselves to left over poultry feed, and demanding extra when I feed April the pig. :) They sit on our clothesline and scold when I hang out washing - they swoop and scold if one of the cats is outside ,and they also alert to feral cats/foxes .
They are generally sociable, but fight noisily when feeding! They play with each other, and preen each other - they perch right next to each other, and are unafraid of us mere, earthbound mortals .

The photo on the left was taken at dusk , using a flash . These were in April's pen .

(Struthidea cinerea) Apostlebird.

I like having them around- they make me smile :) :)

Trials&Tribulations-Upside Down.

..Walking with a pig has its moments..April sometimes is not  easy to keep track of , and other times is close by when inconvenient .

On Wed. night  we were returning from our walk, and as I have many times, decided to do the shorter walk home- which means climbing over the fence near our house.Our fence is just an old plain wire stock fence- no big deal. Anyhow- With walking stick firmly planted on the opposite side of the fence, I gripped the top wire, and straddled it- just getting ready to earth my topmost foot , when April pushed her way thru the fence underneath me!
Elegantly ( it must have been!) and in slow motion , I turned, still holding the top wire, and landed on my back right on top of a dry prickle bush! April thought this was wonderful- she now had easy access to the food treats in my pockets - and I had to clamber upright quickly, before she started her raid in earnest !

Luckily, apart from some sore muscles, and a stiff and sore neck, there were no real injuries . I have de-prickled my clothes....and I shall now be  more careful when climbing fences! :)

Under a Halo

Last night's walk was cold and calm -
Overhead, the moon was centered in an ice-halo , a glowing , perfect circle .The stars covered their faces with wispy clouds, and the birds of the night sent calls out across the dampness.
A lone frog croaked out into the night, as tiny spiders sat atop prickle bushes, their eyes glittering in the headlamp's light.

:)

Wedgetail Proud

Wedgetail Proud
Originally uploaded by binjy

The Wedgetails are a glorious sight . This one was very near the house - he had his eyes on a nearby rabbit warren - and allowed me to get within a reasonable distance.
Photo was taken in Summer- when food was scarce and 'our' wedgie family supplemented their diet with our free range Guinea fowl!