We've been loving being at home, after our nervous systems settled a bit. It's so lovely being in the garden, with Spring coming - the blossoms are out, and there's just a certain vibe that suggests things are really bursting into life .Normally, we'd be at work at this time of year, and I'd be kinda crying that I want to stay home to be in the garden in the sunshine!!!!

It's nice to just slow down and do those jobs that are a bit slower - pruning trees, planting banksia for the birds, planting seeds. It's all gentle, meditative work. We've taken to getting out the camera in the morning and wandering around the garden, seeing what we're going to do that day and capturing birds as we go. Over the years we've counted something like fifty different sorts of birds on our property, and we're determined to capture them all on film while we have the time and headspace!

Here's a few for your delight - I hope you enjoy them!

A kookaburra - noisy buggers when they want to be, especially this time of the year! They can sit in pairs and basically laugh stupidly for ages, to the point we're almost laughing too!

Black kites are found over most of Australia - we've had quite a few birds of prey land in the garden, looking for mice. Some people have issues with the bigger ones stealing chickens, but we have been safe so far.

The New England Honeyeater is gorgeous - there are lots of the tiny things feasting on the banksia, which is full of sweet nectar. Since we've planted lots of Aussie natives we've had lots more birds in the garden than when we first moved here.

Our favourite - the gang gang cockatoo, which sounds just like a rusty gate. Listen to the youtube below it - they are just real darlings. They also have a red crest - this one is quite young. They really are special birds.

Gorgeous male fairy wren. Love their fluffiness. In summer, the males are bright blue. They also have a harem - they're known to be polyamourous, bless em. Tiny, delightful things.

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