Walking Squares #21 – A shed, swans and a flower

Becky’s #WalkingSquares

Today I went to have a look at the block of land my daughter bought downriver at Lawrence. It was lovely to spend some time. I didn’t think I would see any of the ski boats and skiers today. I saw a few boats as I drove along side of the Clarence River pelting along dragging their skiers. No photos today though.

On the way back I stopped at the spot where the Black Swans were last time I went to Lawrence. They were there so the walk was short but a walk never the less.

Lets get on the swan and go

A bit before where I could stop and get a few Black Swan photos is an old shed, possibly part of dairy bails as the lower river area was mainly dairying country. I had to walk back to get this photo

Oh no, you are not getting my photo. I’m heading over the other side of the river.

That’s OK, we don’t mind the occasional photo shoot

What are you doing there?
gmmmph urble smmmmrk bleeem glub glub

Oh sorry, I was just having a look to see if there were any snacks

If that Swan thinks there is food down there, I’d better have a look too

In the garden, just near where I parked, they had a lovely display of Bird of Paradise flowers

Yes I know this one isn’t square.
For those following along on the gate building project, these are a similar design to the ones I am making. Being on level ground and sturdy fencing either side, this gate is one big gate and able to open easily. I took the photo as I may have to redesign my gates as I originally only had one bracing board on one side. Luckily I have enough leftover timber to add another diagonal bracing board.

Cee’s FOTD

Walking Squares #16 – Timber, a shed and the future

Becky’s #WalkingSquares

Today was a doing day, so most of the walking was done between the shed and the house. Insert – cups of tea, lunch and water stops.
I have been storing this timber for a while. When I bought it, the timber was newly cut from a tree, so I let it dry out before using it. Plus the rain over a lot of the year has delayed the gate project.

Anyway it’s time to turn turn turn

So what was I doing for good part of the day. I was turning this timber into my new front gates

Who is in my shed

Ragtag Daily Prompt Friday: Spook

Looking through the window
staring through the glass
a face, a skull, a creature
taunting me to pass.
I want to go inside
my hand upon the lock
I shake and tremor
I fear I may in for a shock.
Who could it be
what could it be
should I be scared
will it harm me.
Who is at the window
staring through the glass
I am not scared
but still I might pass.

Life of an Orange Trumpet flower

Another in my series of “In the life of…..” This time it is the Orange Trumpet vine or Brazilian Flame Vine (Pyrostegia venusta) whose flowers are out in force at this time of the year around the North Coast of NSW.

This one is on my shed and it almost covers the roof and hangs down the walls so the display is seen from all angles.

When the flowers are just starting out they are a lovely lime green bud that gradually turns yellow before bursting forth into the brilliant orange flower. Even at this stage, tiny spiders set up home with delicate webs strung between the buds.

The flowers are in large groups which can range from a new bud, unopened flowers to some that are open and ready for visitors, giving a warming look to a winters garden.

Flame vine is the perfect name, because when it’s in bloom, the plant comes alive with a fiery hue of bright orange. Looking closer at the individual flowers, you’ll see the small yet bold orange trumpet-like blooms that smother the vine.

Once the flowers are open the insects gather to collect the nectar and pollen. When I went down the garden as the flowers started to open, there was a definite buzz happening.

One of the winter butterflies in the garden is the Meadow Argus who love flitting from one flower trumpet to another. I was waiting for the Meadow Argus to sit with its wings open, as it does frequently, but on this day they were too intent of getting nourishment. Their “eye spots” on the wings are a wonderful orange as well.

A tiny Stingless Native Bee makes a beeline for an open trumpet to add more to its pollen sacks.

The flowers last for a few weeks but there is always new buds appearing to take there place.

Even as they are in their final days, I love the texture.

I couldn’t not go without leaving a Meadow Argus showing its patterns and colours.

I hoped you enjoyed a look into the life of an Orange Trumpet Flower.
Also for Cee’s FOTD

I have some lines for you

Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge: Straight Lines

Birds on a wire

Bollards in the street

Down the tracks

Looking through the blinds

A window or more likely an air vent

My shed wall

Shutters on the Ponte Vecchio, Florence

One of the earliest songs I learnt to play on guitar

My cabin in the bush

The Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #190: Close and Closer

Number two post for this challenge as it was the original idea. I built this little cabin in the garden for my girls as a playhouse which went to a tools and my building odds and ends once they were too old to play in there anymore. A lot of the contents is now in my big shed so there are still some odds and ends plus the that’ll come in handy one day stuff.

So come on, get closer.

The walls used to be part of the Jackadgery Hall

When I helped build a new section onto the hall, the boards were just in a pile and they were going to burn them.

So I asked if I could have them and everyone said take them.

Not only did I use them for the walls on the cabin but also built a bookcase and part of a wall on another shed.