Who makes their presence most felt in the Australian bush,:the Sulphur-crested Cockatoo with its spectacular flocks and unmistakable screech, or the Kookaburra with is striking plumage and well-loved laugh?
I’ve shown you recently some photos of the Cockies, so this time the kookaburra can hog the spotlight.
Here is one I snapped recently in the local bush.
Kookaburra in the Australian Bush
Where, now?
That’s what this Rainbow Lorikeet seems to be thinking….
Certainly it on the move, and luck came my way as I snapped it just in time!
The beauties of Australian nature are wondrous.
Where, now?
What a lovely surprise! I woke up this morning to discover that Goodreads moderator Brenda had posted the following review of my ninth title, ‘Michaela Betrayed’.
Michaela Betrayed
by Margaret Lynette Sharp (Goodreads Author)
bookshelves: 2013-release, aussie-authors, novella, romance, reviewing-by-request, own-read, read-on-kindle
This novella by Margaret Sharp is a delightful story. A quick, easy read but one with depth and intrigue. Michaela is a likeable character who has an inner strength which she uses when necessary. Another Aussie title I have no hesitation in recommending.
With thanks for my copy to read and review.
Come on in, the water’s fine…
That’s what this cormorant seems to be saying!
Moments before, it had been sunning itself on the rusty pontoon ladder.
All alone, it took the plunge!
The water’s fine!
The sunshine is lovely, too!
When there are clouds around, every sunset is different. Mother nature has a knack of crowning the end of day with a triumphant display of awe-inspiring beauty, especially in winter.
I never grow tired of sunsets, and I hope you share my feelings…
Another wonderful Sunset in Sydney
As the iconic Wattles fade, another yellow-flowered shrub is catching my eyes.
It’s quite a golden shade, and it’s certainly at home in my local bushland. Look around, and there are plenty of these to spot…
Can anyone give me its name?
Golden-flowered Australian native
Can you spot the cockatoo?
It’s here, in a quite unusual place!
One of the pleasures of living near the river, set in bushland, is being able to observe nature first hand, and at close quarters.
Cockatoos, particularly white ones, are one of the stars of the parrot world, and they abound.
So, can you spot this adventurous one?
Can you spot the cockatoo?
Great news! My new release, ‘Michaela Betrayed’, has been reviewed!
http://www.amazon.com/Michaela-Betrayed-ebook/dp/B00EKIT7Q6
Here it is…
What I particularly liked about Sharp’s novella was its absolute verisimilitude. Young women like Michaela are influenced (for good or for ill) by their fathers, in just the way that Sharp describes. And life’s vicissitudes do seem to intervene in exactly these chaotic ways… more often than one would think statistically plausible. It was altogether easy to get into Michaela’s head (and Thomas’, for that matter). Whether Michaela chooses Thomas, her music instructor, or neither, I won’t reveal — but her thoughts and feelings have the ring of authenticity, and engage and captivate the reader.
Of course, in a world that little values art (of any sort), Michaela’s pursuit of music was not actually less quixotic or unrealistic than Thomas’ pursuit of a literary career, so there was a judgmental double standard emanating from her parents, and a measure of hypocrisy inherent in her initial acceptance of their views, but this, too, was entirely realistic. The best characters are the ones who are flawed, tempest tossed by fate, and bound to confront their own conflicted feelings. This novella *is* good art, in any case (as well as an extraordinarily good read), and deserves to be valued. Five stars.
There’s a pelican in the baths!
Such a rare event causes a surge of excitement!
Eyes turn towards it as folk marvel at its spectacular beauty and form.
Though it’s in the distance, you can still make it out…..
Au revoir!
There’s a Pelican in the Baths!
Today’s sunny, cool conditions brought with it an abundance of activity by the native birds in our local bushland park.
Cockatoos, rainbow lorikeets, magpies, kookaburras: you name it: were out in force, delighting the unusually high number of mid-week visitors.
What pleased me most of all, though, was the presence of that most spectacular bird, the King Parrot.
Though these are sometimes quite camera-shy, hiding in the shadows of the tall gum trees, I have been lucky enough to capture some photographs.
Here’s one.
Aren’t they stunning?
A magnificent male King Parrot
