gull – bushboys world

This is April 2019

Published on May 2, 2019May 1, 2019 by bushboy15 Comments

Well hello and welcome to my world in April. What started out as an uninspired photography month suddenly came alive at the end. I was thinking that I would have to tell you that a quick flick and scroll was all that was needed earlier in April. I have included a number of photos of the same subject as I couldn’t pick the one that satisfied my desire to give you something that was a wow or hmmmm that’s interesting.

A lack of rain at the beginning of the month probably assisted my malaise and desire to get out and about. With a lack of rain also brings about a lack of insects, birds and the garden suffered. I did a bit of travelling around so there is some things I found from other parts of New South Wales.

I have put some of the April finds in other blogs. Some are repeated here but I have excluded others to make your checking out a bit less time consuming. So I do recommend a good cuppa or drink of choice as a lot of you are either sitting up late or just having breakfast. This is what makes blogging so good that you may be in any part of this world and I can show you a bit of mine. Enough blah blah blah, let’s get going if you are ready.

May as well start at sunrise

One foggy morning while at a friends place in Springwood, the sounds of a helicopter broke the morning silence.
We are going to stay in Springwood for a while. We went to the Norman Lindsay Gallery and studio. The grounds were full of sculptures including these ones. Norman Lindsay wrote a book called the Magic Pudding in 1918 The story is about a pudding no matter how often it is eaten, always reforms in order to be eaten again. This is Albert, the Magic Pudding.

Bunyip Bluegum, the Koala, and Benjamin Brandysnap plus Sam Sawnoff and other animals and people who own the pudding have to defend the pudding from being stolen by Pudding Thieves who want it for them selves

Part of one of the sculpture/fountains

My friends garden is quite spectacular. There were some butterflies like the Blue Triangle Butterfly who is a bit ragged resting on a Zinnia.
It did rain a bit while we were there putting water droplets on the Pelargonium
An Eastern Spinebill enjoyed the Grevilleas

So did the New Holland Honeyeater. A very striking bird.
Had to include a side view
I really like this capture so in it came.

The cooler weather of the mountains hadn’t quite began so the fungi were still about

I like Hydrangeas. This was a small flower head but has delicate colours.

Now for a bit of the flowers at my place as the sporadic rain over the past couple weeks bought out some Autumn flowers, like this Camellia

This red Hibiscus is from a cutting of my childhood home, one of my Mothers favourites.
All around the garden Impatiens self seed and they pop up in many places
Over at my besties place the Zinnias are a riot of colour
The Echinacea had it’s petals eaten by a grasshopper probably but the centre caught my eye.
A post with flowers would be the same without Pentas flowers and a Blue-banded Bee
Bees aren’t the only pollinator. A beautiful iridescent fly helps a Zinnia along
At The Channon Markets (a Which Way a while ago) a stall had Pitcher plants

in all manner of colour and shape

While on the way home from the markets, we stopped off at Rocky Creek Dam (a Silent Sunday post and the Featured Image taken with my phone) where the water lillies looked fabulous

I loved their reflections

While we are around the water, A Broad-palmed Rocket Frog likes to hang around the pot plants on my front verandah

I am not sure what this small flower is. It was growing on the small dune at the beach.
My besties Red Eucalypt is starting to flower possibly a Corymbia ficifolia.
While at the beach last weekend, yes a almost Summers day in Autumn around 28C, I came across some Small Grass Yellow Butterflies

While we are at the beach, here are some views. We climbed among the dunes to get to Broadwater Beach. In the distance, looking south, is Chinamans Beach where we often go.

The north view. The disappointing thing is the wheel tracks made by (*insert appropriate word) people who drive their stupid four wheel drive oversized pieces of junk along this beach. As you enter the walking track, there is a sign that tells you that there are protected birds who nest on the sand plus the other creatures who live in the sand, crabs plus other microscopic beings and that us walkers don’t disturb the ecology but these dickheads barge their way along the sand. Look how deep those wheel tracks are!!! Sorry please enjoy the view.
The seas were quite big. This rocky part of the headland at Boulder Beach is about 4-5 meters high.
Can you see it now!!!
One of my favourite photos is Pelicans on the light poles. The bridge has four sets of lights and every one has Pelicans. The best spot is on the light itself where a boss male sits. Further towards the bendy end is a juvenile Pelican.

Upstream of the bridge, a couple of Pied Oystercatchers sat on the sand bar.

A Silver Gull was keeping an eye on the picnickers in the park in case a chip dropped onto the ground
A White-faced Heron came to Chinamans Beach looking for a seafood dinner

I loved finding the Sooty Oystercatchers at the beach. A post with more photos of Sooty Oystercatchers here in case you missed it.

I am not sure if it was the same White-faced Heron at Boulder Beach too.

The White-faced Heron and Sooty Oystercatcher didn’t get along and avoided each other.

The cliff face at Boulder Beach has what could be Ironstone in it. It certainly looked rusty

Now for a bit of reflection. Still with me?

Speaking of rust, one of my favourite things to photograph. This old door had some wonderful rusty bits
Isn’t the sliding lock marvellous?

While at the Farmers Market, I wondered why there seemed to be more cars than usual. There was the Annual Lismore Poultry Show on. Of course because I love chooks I had to go and have a walk around. Here are some of the chooks I found, some of the more unusual ones to say the least. I don’t know all of the breeds as some I have never seen before like this one who looks like it just got out of bed.

A fabulous hat
Lace Wyandottes are one of my favourite chooks, ever so pretty.
I don’t think I have ever seen such a fat chook and purple to boot!!!
Some feathers seem to have a life of their own

So alien

A rooster who kept an eye on what was going on
Speaking a Roosters. Prehistoric is the only word that comes to mind. I couldn’t get the whole chook in the photo

Ducks always make me smile

One morning at my besties there was a cacophony of Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoos. The flock was around twenty who all were squawking as they flew about.

They all stopped in a tree on the hill a bit of a way away. The quality of the photos isn’t that good as it was early morning and the photos are hand held but I had to capture their antics in the trees.

I thought this one was going to do forward rolls.

OK it’s almost night time, our Moon is on the rise among the clouds
The Night Spider has spun it’s web near the light to catch an insects who come to the light.

The centre of the web is a bit ratty

Our Moon is looking lovely and shining a bright light so you can see your way home

I gotta go…..see you later I hope

This is February 2019

Published on March 4, 2019 by bushboy4 Comments

February didn’t see me taking many photos. I was feeling rather uninspired and a bit flat. A lot of things were happening and I think that a lack of rainfall was one of the reasons I didn’t get out and about finding new and wonderful things to share.

So this month it isn’t a case of getting a cuppa or snacks. I won’t take up too much of your time so scroll on folks

Perhaps this shopping cart sums up my month.

With the heat and lack of rain, the fire crews were doing their best to make sure everyone was safe. From my besties place near the airport, the fire crews and the spotting helicopter flew out every morning.

An angel of the sky, the Sky Crane does wonders in helping the ground crews put out the fires. We watched as it flew out in the mornings and back in late evening.

Enough of the gloom. Here’s a Koala climbing a tree. It looks like he has Koala shorts on too.

The ever present Australian Raven finding a snack in the garden outside the Art Gallery

I had to include the inquisitive Pacific Heron who was frog hunting on my dam.

The Bar-shouldered Dove doesn’t look all that impressed with the White-throated Honeyeaters sharing the bird bath

Up close a Bar-shouldered Dove looks quite pretty even if the wind is ruffling feathers.

Every morning and evening, the Ibis fly over the house either to feeding grounds or to their roosts.

A Silver Gull takes a walk along the beach

There is nothing better that laying under the shade of a Pandanus Tree on a hot day at the beach.

Remember the little Sand Crab. Well here he is again

The little Blue-banded Bees are buzzing around the garden checking out the Pentas flowers.

Despite the hot dry weather, the butterflies are returning to the garden. The Orchard Butterflies enjoy the Pentas too.
At night, the outside Velvet Geckos hang around getting their snacks from the insects hanging around the light that spills from the house onto the verandahs.

The Full Moon reflecting on the water with a rare rain shower at night.

I wonder if the mural or the lock on the door came first.

OK the sun is setting and here you are at the end already.

I hope you found a favourite

Tranquil

Published on December 5, 2018December 18, 2018 by bushboy17 Comments

The word prompt from Frank at Dutch goes the Photo: Tranquil

seagull_sunrise_named_ballina_feb-2017

On Reflection

Published on October 16, 2018November 1, 2018 by bushboy13 Comments

The word prompt from Frank at Dutch goes the Photo Tuesday Photo Challenge: Reflection

On reflection, perhaps I may not land there.
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The trawler headed out for the nights catch
181016_blog challenge_reflection_trawler_ballina

This is September 2018

Published on October 4, 2018October 3, 2018 by bushboy9 Comments

Well I have had a big September. So much is happening probably because it is Spring, although the temperatures haven’t changed much as Winter was warm. There are the birds that come here, flowers are blooming and the tadpoles are hatching. I have written some posts this month and have included some of those photos but not all as this is a large post.

Yes, get a cuppa, wine, beer and some snacks and off we go

There has been a bit of teasing by the clouds. Promising rain but either not delivering or just a few drops. I have had some good falls but no run-off to put water into the dams. The water tanks are full which is good. 59mls has kept the garden happy as well as supplementary watering from the dwindling dam.

I have put the flowers in early this post. Walking among the Mangroves stalking a White-faced Heron, I came across some Hibiscus flowers. There wasn’t a Hibiscus bush nearby so maybe had left a trail to find their way out.

My besties Gymea Lily has flowered. This flower is about two meters plus in the air.

Here is the whole photo. The plant is the strappy leaved one.

This year has been a fabulous year for Grevilleas. The first flowering of this Grevillea in my garden.

So many succulents are flowering too. This succulent is in a hanging pot on my verandah.

I have these flowers in my garden but not in mass like a garden in Grafton.

My Begonias are flowering well this year too.

The Iris that is a reminder of my mate who passed on last September. This was one of his plants.

The hanging Pelagoniums are a constant flower on my verandah.

I love this flower display on a stall at the Farmers Market in Lismore.

Flame Trees are spectacular when they flower. My poor struggling tree has started to flower even though it hasn’t had enough water.

I have garden borders of Dietes. They look great when they are in flower but they are spreading to places I don’t want them to go. Pity the Wallabies don’t eat them.

Bromiliads are flowering too. Some flowers are so wonderful aren’t they?

Banksias are a sight when they flower

Back to the Farmers Market. I spotted this bloke carrying a large dog. I have no idea why as the dog has a lead.

The Beetroot looked lovely

The old truck of the vegetable farmer is a great vantage point to see when people drop food.

Ah…look, an unattended fishers bucket.

Damn……I was spotted

I love Gulls as they fly along the shore

The wooden walk bridge over the estuary so you can walk to the beach.

The White-faced Heron stalking crabs in the Mangroves

Out to sea I spotted something breaking the water. I was hoping for a Whale and got a Dolphin.

In the mist a ghost ship appeared

The power company has been inspecting the power poles by helicopter. I think the pole at the front of my place will get replaced as they circled around for a while looking at the pole.

I guess the party is over. Found this on the track to the beach.,

The butterflies are starting to appear as well. The Line-blue Butterfly was rather shy.

The old swimming pool is a great place for the dragonflies. A bit of action is going on watched by a Bleating Tree Frog Tadpole.

There is quite a number of tadpoles who like to snack on the algae.

Thee are calves in a lot of the paddocks. Who could resist a little white calf?

The property next door is a miniature goat farm. On a walk a while ago I saw they had some little kids so next walk I took my camera. When I was at the fence I couldn’t see all of the little goats. And then I saw these two.
Another young animal. This foal was camera shy but I managed to get one photo.
Why fly when you can get a lift.
The Yellow-faced Honeyeaters have found an easy way of getting nesting material. When I have been walking on my place, I often come across nests that have fallen from the trees. Not only has the Yellow-faced Honeyeater been gathering material but the White-throated Treecreeper from last months post is also getting in on the act.

They were quite quick to get some nesting material and get back again. I found this lovely little nest in a Paperbark just outside of the sun room. They used some air fern to help bind the nest.

Remember the post about the Welcome Swallows. Well the babies are starting to learn to fly but still like to get back in the nest for a feeding.
Spring also heralds Magpie swooping season. Not many people don’t get a swoop or two. Even a Wedge-tailed Eagle was getting the Magpie treatment.

A farm near my besties has Sulpher-crested Cockatoos. I hope they don’t come to her place. They are quite destructive and squawk quite loudly when they get into a bunch.

Little Friarbirds are timid but enjoy the nectar of the Honey Gem Grevillea in my garden.

King Parrots have set up their breeding pairs. This couple have taken up residence in the garden.

I had to include the Satin Bowerbird. Such a spectacular bird to have in the garden.

Here is the Great Cormorant who caught a fish from the Clarence River in Grafton. Scroll back a few posts and see the story if you like.
The Intermediate Egret has to have the longest neck I have ever seen.
I think the horse may be in for a surprise!

A small flock of Galahs are hanging around the farms near my besties. They sometimes come to her place to get a drink of water.

The Figbird didn’t know I was under the tree.
Spring brings the Blue-faced Honeyeaters back to my place.
My arty Pelican photo
The best arrival has been the Grey Shrike Thrush. Their lovely song fills the garden in the morning and afternoon. They too are nesting. I have them “knocking” on the windows in search for spiders webs and any insect who happens to be around the windows. It’s a constant tap tap tap most of the day.

Thanks for taking the time to wade through my rather large This is September post. If you would like to know more or have a comment, please leave me a note in the comments.

Here are the twos

Published on April 27, 2018May 24, 2018 by bushboy18 Comments

Cee’s Black and White Photo Challenge: 2 Different Things or the Number 2

I often see two different birds at the bird bath. (search on here bird bath to see more in colour) This post isn’t all about two birds and the bird bath, some other twos for your enjoyment as well.

Despite the Spangled Drongos death stare, the Noisy Miner remained oblivious

Sometimes you have to defend your territory even if the other bird is much bigger. The Noisy Friarbird kept harassing the Square-tailed Kite

“Hey Bobbin, what did he write down there?”

There is always somewhere good to perch to see if anyone has any chips.

I thought I really should include some flowers for Cee

A favourite song

This is January

Published on February 6, 2018March 6, 2018 by bushboy35 Comments

January has been a month of hot weather a bit of rain but most of all the butterflies are around. The hot days have made the birds a bit scarce. Now the Summer flowers are out they’ll return. The rain over the past 5 days has seen a lot more smaller birds in the garden.

Ok lets get going. Another huge lot of photos so maybe your favourite drink you enjoy while looking at blogs may be in order again.

Perhaps some flowers and plants to get going. Isn’t the bark on this Australian Native Fig Tree wonderful

The Red Tower Ginger flowers are looking after the garden

More red flowers are emerging

The Blue Ginger buds are ready to burst

I did find a bit of wood fungi in the forest

I have never seem Macaranga flowers before. I am still not sure if they are flowers or buds

The flower buds are high in the canopy. When they open they are tubular white flowers which drop to the garden floor.

A mixture of weeds. A Camphor Laurel leaf on a Cobblers Peg plant

The Cunji are growing so well on the banks of the spring

The spring is a lovely place to be on a hot day.

I discovered this Australian Native plant when I was mowing the front of my place. It is almost two meters tall, covered in white flowers which ants love.

Some bits and pieces
Holding the cattle yards together

The trawler setting off in the afternoon to fish through the night

The rusty seat on the old tractor

Reptiles I have found
The Geckos live in my house. This is the Gecko who lives in the hallway.

You never know who is sleeping on the verandah rafters.

Such pretty markings

Time for some birds
I didn’t know this bird as it flew about me. I have taken photos of Jacky Winter birds before. This is a young bird

The Lewins Honeyeaters are always on the look out for the grubs in the Poinciana tree

Late afternoon and the Pelicans are ready to sleep

The Gulls are ready to annoy them.

The lovely Eastern Yellow Robin happy to be in the garden.

Found these native snails in the garden having a snooze.

The Cricket was happy to be taken outside

What would Summer be like without Dragonflies

I love their wing patterns

A grub in the Paperbark tree making track and holes all over the tree

There was a migration of moths. We called this one a Fox Moth

The outside wings of the Meadow Argus are quite muted

Inside is a different story

The Wanderers are slowly coming back

Common Crows are everywhere at the moment

A Common Ringlet about to take off

There are so many butterflies with the word Common in front of their name. The Common Eggfly is a name that doesn’t do this butterfly justice.

Remember The Quest to photograph a Blue Triangle Butterfly. Well now I have two Blue Triangles. Aren’t their faces great

The Moon is up and about in the clouds

The Sun is almost setting

So it is time for me to finish off. Hope you have enjoyed my January.

Tuesday Photo Challenge: Bird – The Gull

Published on October 17, 2017November 8, 2017 by bushboy16 Comments

When Frank proposed the topic of Bird I said I was only going to do one but I had to add another. This is the photo that came to mind from Franks Gull prompt photo.

The Gull in Venice
171017_blog challenge_bird_gull

There are more Bird photos here

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