Well winter is quickly making way for spring in this part of the world and that can only mean one thing - dry weather! After three years of a strong La Nina weather pattern resulting in very serious floods, the weather bureau now tells us we are entering an El Nino weather pattern and that means dry. Someone turned the tap off in early July and we have not had a drop of rain since and wouldn't you think after three years of rain I wouldn't have to water the garden for months but already some plants are starting to suffer, I really dislike dry weather. It would be so nice if we could have "normal" weather again with rainfall corresponding with historical monthly rainfall records but we haven't had that for about 10 years, now it seems to be either wet or dry, average no longer figures.
I have a few random photos from this week as well as some showing all the weeding Tony and Chelsea did recently, the result is really beautiful.
Showing all the fishbone fern growing in the forest
A whole patch cleared
One of the many spider holes that were hidden amongst the ferns!
Sturdy gloves were essential!
A whole area cleared. This fern (a weed in this area) grows so densely that native species cannot compete with it.
A strangler fig was uncovered. This wonderful tree (will get really huge) attaches itself to a host plant and eventually kills it, but the fig tree will still be here in hundreds of years and is absolutely beautiful when it is fully grown.
A winter flowering heliconia.
Giant bromeliad - Alcantarea Imperialis Rubra
A tiny little Eastern Dwarf Tree Frog catching some winter sunshine. He is about
1.5cm long (half an inch).
A lily growing in our pond.
Thought I better finish with some chicken photos!
Hello Esmeralda : )
So I just went outside and took these, what lovely girls they are. : )
Note to Tony and Chelsea:
ReplyDeleteIf you're ever in the neighborhood, with some spare time on your hands, YOU'RE HIRED ! We'll feed you well. I'm not saying we'll set a table in the woods for a tea pot type picnic but we'll provide some good grub.
Great job of clearing out what we pay dearly for up here.
We're overrun in back by the errant English Ivy, planted years ago by our next door neighbor and it's virtually impossible to get rid of it short of an aerial napalm strike.
Anyway, Beverly and I loved the pictures and I immediately recognized the funnel web spider when I read about things not to touch just before coming down there. We also have them in Georgia but not nearly as deadly as your variety but their bite up here can be serious.
Advise Esmeralda I printed her out and she is now my designated pinup chicken. Things are looking good in the coop.
Bill
GG
I have passed on your note to Tony and Chelsea, they might just take you up on it. : ))
ReplyDeleteThose spider holes were everywhere, hidden amongst the ferns, scary and you are right, the bite would be very nasty.
Esmeralda is very honoured to be your pinup chicken, ha, ha she prances around enough as it is now she will be unbearable!
Say hello to MT and Silky for me. :)