October, all my bags are packed ….
The time has arrived. It is the time of year when, out walking, I look anxiously over my shoulder or scan the trees ahead for danger. It is the time of year for which I have been training these last six months. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, it is magpie swooping (ie. breeding) season. Read more
Yesterday (Thursday) was International Mental Health Day, so I am having a belated mental health day. Won’t you join me? What better way to do this than to chill out with a few of my favourite friends and some relaxing music. Read more
Can a grey day fill the senses, ladies and gentlemen? I used to think not. However, on this particular grey day, after completing some chores, I stopped off at my new favourite bird watching spot. I encountered another photographer there — a very nice man. He had all the gear, but was lamenting the light. The birds though, were making the most of it. Read more
I think I have encountered it, ladies and gentlemen. My spirit animal. And what type of animal is it? Is it a dingo, a blue whale, a rare bird or a raw prawn? Well no. It is a duck. A very common native duck. Read more
August — lives in the moment, not for all time. And for holidays. Read more
Would it surprise you to learn, ladies and gentlemen, that Australia has the highest rate of deforestation in the developed world and that, although direct comparisons cannot be made. rates of land-clearing are on a par with Brazil? Land-clearing is accelerating the growth in Australia’s carbon emissions. Read more
Dear Readers, I think I might be a little hooked on this bird photography caper. As my True Love took some annual leave in early August, we’ve had plenty of opportunities to take some short excursions around our local environs to check out the birds and other creatures. Read more
July — Winter. Fade to red.
I am the first to admit that July almost always represents the winter of my soul (not discontent; that would be going too far). At this time of year my mind tends to dwell on the negative and by some unconscious impulse, I dress in mourning. This year my existential July crisis has been exacerbated by some serious hypoglycemia incidents that I have suffered, leaving me wondering each night whether this will be the time I don’t wake up in the morning. So I often don’t go to bed. That’s tiring and ineffective. My little dog also requires a full-time carer. (That’s another story. Also tiring).
You know that feeling when you are so tired that you think it wouldn’t be so bad if you died but, at the same time, you want to cling on to dear life because your family, friends and animals need you? It is a conundrum. (My apologies, ladies and gentlemen, this is turning out rather more solemn than I expected. Also, Martha Kennedy has written a blog like this recently. Bear with me.) By some other unconscious impulse, I seek sanctuary outdoors. Made glorious by the sun and wind. (Sorry. I couldn’t resist). What did I learn? Read more
As usual, ladies and gentlemen, I have far too many photos for my forthcoming July Changing Seasons post. This is fortunate as I think this little bird, the weebill, that my True Love and I managed to photograph on a recent outing, deserves its own post. Read more
Reflections of An Untidy Mind 