Photography – Page 2 – Reflections of An Untidy Mind

Posted on April 2, 2024April 2, 2024 by Reflections of an Untidy Mind

March 2024

Canberra, Australia – Turns out we have our fair share of tools.

I downed gardening tools the other day to go for a short walk with my love. I’ve spent a lot of time looking down lately at the garden so it was a nice change to look up.

March got a little merry when I met up with Mary. Hairy Mary, aka Anthela varia, mistook me for a tree. It crawled up the inside of my trouser leg. It was a good photo opportunity. No nudity involved. Check it out.

Many of my readers know that I have been focussing on some landcare activities at my local park over the last year. I have met some wonderful people doing that, but every now and then, such as when people continue to illegally dump their garden and other household waste in the park, or when they pull out our plants, or they ignore our greetings, it is dispiriting. I am actually shocked by the mean and petty behaviour we have encountered. I would be really embarrassed if I have behaved like that. Anyway, if I have few words to say here on this space, that is the reason why.

So my sanity saving strategy is just to plug away, pick up their rubbish, plant our government-approved plants and complete the government-approved weeding. And hope like hell that the culprits’ dicks rot off. One can only hope.

Now, where was I? The small woodland birds have returned from their summer homes in the hills. Their migration through our woodland is proving unexpectedly challenging due to the increased presence of larger predators attracted by the increase in insect numbers. [L-R Grey Fantail chick, Spotted Pardalote]

I have learnt that there is a subtlety to an Australian autumn. How have I not appreciated this quite so much before?

Boisduval’s Autumn Moth waited for the cold front to arrive before she emerged.

Take care, everyone.

Kind Regards.
Tracy.

Posted on February 28, 2024February 28, 2024 by Reflections of an Untidy Mind

All My Trials – Triennial Dog Bath

G’day, Readers. I hope you are all well and keeping busy. It seems I have lost the ability and will to blog at 3am. These days, 5pm seems to be my bedtime. It is all a bit strange really. I’m sure I have mentioned this before but it has been a long time between blog posts and I am sure you would have forgotten.

I’ve been watching a doctor show on the tele. The head doc is rude and his offsiders are pretty FITH. But they know their stuff. Amyloidosis, anyone? Since I am a real hypochondriac, it passes the time pleasantly. When I take my long list of ailments to my doctor, I get sent home with a fact sheet on menopause. What a cheek! Despite this, I am happy. A sure sign that I have really lost it.

However, continuing with all things positive, I thought I would overshare my dogs first bath in about three years. I bitch about my phone camera, but it sure does take nice dog photos. Makea had her bath last week when I was sleeping, so it was just Fynnie and Ama that faced today’s particular torture.

Actually, Ama was a little champion. She always is.

Plus, a well placed distraction.

Say cheese.

Excuse me!

Hope your day brings you a little slice of happiness.

Kind Regards.
Tracy.

Posted on February 5, 2024February 5, 2024 by Reflections of an Untidy Mind

Little Scamp

Check out this little scamp. My True Love took this photo of a baby (nymph) leafhopper. It was in a hurry to grow up and too cute for words.

Kind Regards.
Tracy.

Posted on January 5, 2024January 5, 2024 by Reflections of an Untidy Mind

FaceTime

Sometimes you have to catch them when they settle down for a nap.

Or sneak up on them from behind.

Photos taken by my True Love.

Hang in there, everyone.

Kind Regards

Tracy.

Posted on December 10, 2023December 10, 2023 by Reflections of an Untidy Mind

Silly Sunday

And lucky shot.

Kind Regards.
Tracy.

Posted on December 2, 2023December 3, 2023 by Reflections of an Untidy Mind

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge – Empty Space

A late entry for Patti’s Lens-Artists Photo Challenge – Empty Space. I think the emphasis is on negative space in the photo below. Close enough. Naturally, this photo was taken by my True Love.

Into the Empty
Seeking the apex of all that life has to offer.
A chance to thrive, a chance to fall.
Thunder beats a primal rhythm.
Stretch your wings and ride the wild sky.

The queen ants fly into the wide blue yonder.

Take care, everyone.

Kind Regards.
Tracy.

Posted on November 14, 2023 by Reflections of an Untidy Mind

Lens-Artists Challenge – Filling The Frame

Today I thought I would share some fairly ordinary photos in response to the Lens-Artists Challenge hosted by Anne of Slow Shutter Speed this week. For this week’s challenge, Anne has chosen the theme of Filling The Frame. I’ve told myself all I have to do is take the photos. They don’t have to be good. How hard can it be?

Anyway, I’m not a fan of my phone camera so I thought I would take a few photos with that. My phone is mostly stuffed down my bra so it is readily available. With some effort, I could even explore some of the camera functions.

Let’s start off with the garden. Because of our rodent problem we had to fence off some of the backyard from the dogs. Over winter, the warrigal greens consequently managed to populate a good section of the fenced off area. Not bad for a plant that apparently does not like frost. By the way, my True Love managed to evict the rats from the ceiling and wall cavities. Or perhaps it was just too hot for the rats inside the inner recesses. No aircon.

And again. Full frame this time.

I’m feeling a bit like Fynnie. Here he is growling at Makea because she happened to glance his way. I think Fynnie might be depressed or a psychopath.

What else have I got here? Oh yeah, I went to the dentist and took a snap of our city centre while I was in town. Also, I like tiles. The dirt just adds to the patina.

I fiddled with the tone in the phone camera and got something quite true to colour for once. A learning experience.

Thanks to all the gracious people who have put up with my depressed sarcasm. So now for the good stuff in appreciation of your support – a few bird photos taken by my True Love.

When the sign says “Swooping Bird”, one tends to think of magpies or masked lapwings, not Collared Sparrowhawks. This photo was cropped to within an inch of its life. And I thought I was unhappy!