Hitting a Purple Patch

This year has been one out of the box..we lost our darling old pup..we are losing the other..we have spent months going from vet office to busting  a gut outside in preparation for our Daughters wedding..throw in a nose operation the septic throwing a fit  things breaking down breaking up or just breaking bad! as we rounded the finish line to the wedding hubby on his way to work at 4.30 hit and killed a joey that came out in front of my new car..poor Joey died instantly Hubby was fine..car ..well it’s been written off..the day after that our daughter called to say her sweet inside kitty Sherriff had gotten out and not come home..thankfully he did after a couple of restless nights.

The few markets i could attend have been pretty dismal..the weather so bad we cancelled several..it has certainly put a dent in my enthusiasm to say the least..investment versus reward..in the negative. I will be seeing how the markets go over the next few months but i think if it is a case of me basically not even covering my costs at the minimum then i am done, i will just keep going long enough to cover the contract of my eft machine as really financially it is costing me.

The time i have spent out taking pictures this year is minimal..i feel like with all that has happened i have lost a year..no canola trips ,mountain trips, nothing i enjoy.

Apart from a brief trip overseas and our daughters wedding the whole year has been pretty horrid.

I will not even go to the sadness that has befallen so many of my dear friends..sadness that weighs heavily in my heart.

So that is a brief explanation for my lack of blogging..even as i type this i have done no Christmas cards..have all manner of paperwork for market that i really am over ,need to get prints replaced and have let Doc out three times for a peemail.

I have the vet AGAIN this afternoon…so i leave you all with these pictures.

But like purple in these images has now all but gone from the landscape..so shall my Purple Patch..

Fields of color

 

Grounds view

The bend

Purple

Alone

Like a dancer

Tanked

 

Tracts of Purple

On the crest

Silvery Gum

What a view

Shed

Hugged by Purple

Fiesty Friday

Sometimes i just sit and watch the show..some days it is just what the Dr ordered..between vet visit after vet visit and a load of work on the property i just need some me time.
I hope you enjoy the show as much as i did..take note of how the bigger roo put paid to the youngen’s silliness..well for a little while anyway 🙂
Off to dinner tonight so will catch up soon..

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Two views worlds apart

Beautiful Docklands in Melbourne the night before we flew to the USA

 

 

And beautiful Tybee Island Georgia

 

I had a dream

Hi guys

I guess by now many of you will be aware that Hubby and i took a trip to the US..we planned this in January and decided after consults with the vet and boarding facility that the break would be positive for Doc so went ahead and took our trip.

I want people to know that we had insurance and were planning on cancelling after the bad news with Forrest and that we had a long tough time deciding what was best..you can imagine that while it was to be a secret this trip (as it involved a fellow blogger and was planned between us both as a double blog surprise) it was even harder to deal with Forrest’s loss as we had guilt about flying out of the country at this time.

Doc as it turned out had a ball in boarding..played with other pups made friends and had a careful eye on him as staff were aware he was grieving ..they reported he did great!

We asked them to arrange some playdates with suitable pups..see Forrest and Doc never did really enjoy other dogs..as much as we all talk on our blogs about our dogs we often have pups that would not like each other..que sera sera..so it was a plan to see if we could get him sociable and it worked..a real positive out of a real negative..

So amidst the grief we had the  sudden realisation that we had neglected to get ourselves ready for travel..we had so much to do and no desire to do it..we still wondered whether we should just change our plans as we had insurance to cover it and could go later..but the reality is we felt like fleeing..sounds awful but the daily reminders were so bad that we felt like running and never coming back.

We had all Docs special meals to make up for 11 days as we cannot afford to veer from his diet with his EPI..we had him get a check up on his mental and physical well being prior to leaving.

He was given the A+  as being fine for boarding..so we cooked and packed and froze all his meals..i did not pack a bag until the night before..as excited as i was i was still very much missing my boy..no sniffing my butt at every turn..no being rude for his meals..and still crying myself to sleep most nights..

So i will discuss our holiday later..show my pictures etc but for now i have something i want to share.

This is for anyone who is mourning their precious fur babe…

One night in Georgia i had a rough night..could not sleep..no matter what i did..and when i looked last at the clock in the hotel room it read 4.19am

I realised at the same time i had not thought of Forrest that day..i felt awful..then i must have fallen asleep..

My dream:

I am in a giant carpark..no idea where..it was night but not too dark..

I remember it felt like a mild night and i could see streetlights ..and i was alone..not at all afraid but very much alone.

I started calling Forrest.. like i used too..

” FORREST..FOZZIE BEAR…BOO BOO COME ON FOZZIE ..”

Next thing Forrest comes running at me full pelt..i can hear him barking but it was softly..so softly almost as if he had lost his voice..

He knocks me down..and i land gently on the ground..even though it is concrete..and he starts licking my face all over..he is licking like there is no tomorrow..

Normally when he would lick me he would sometimes have a little nibble..not hard not violent but enough to make me move my face from him a bit..

But not this ..just licking all over so furiously licking ..his face had no white..none just like when he was younger..and his tail was wagging like crazy..

I was holding him (another thing he was not keen on cuddles at all) and he kept licking..

I told him i loved him so much and missed him so badly..i am teary just typing this as it was intense..i asked him if he was angry with us ,did we do the wrong thing by him , and he just kept licking my face and wagging his tail..all the talking i had with him was done without speaking out loud if that makes sense..

I held him tight and did not want the moment to end..i asked him ‘please stay so Dad can see you are ok Fozzie please’..then i woke up…

It was 6.20am and i had to feel my face because i was sure it would be wet from the kisses..i cried my eyes out..i knew..i just knew he was ok..deep in the part of you that doubts..deep in that part that says out loud i know they are ok but quietly does not believe it..

I wanted Phil to wake up..i wanted him to know..

When he did wake up we sat outside the hotel..both in tears..both feeling that combination of love and grief..

I wanted to share this with you all..

I am crying again..but it’s ok..my boy is safe he is happy he is pain free and young again..and who knows when he may visit me next….

 

Hugs Fozziemum

Feathers on a friday

Hi guys..a quick post ..i have a super busy weekend of burning off to do..ugh..but i think it will help clear the mind and do me well to be out in nature at the same time.

A trip to  Lake Weeroona was lovely to clear the head also..the birds were out and i had a nice long walk with my camera..

 

Pacific Black Ducks

Magpie Lark

Purple Swamphen

Masked Lapwing

Eastern Rosella

White faced Heron

Black Swan

Dusky Moorhen

Black Swan

Purple Swamphen

This guy is some sort of goose.. must get a better peek 😉

Eurasian coots

Another feathered friend i can’t quite identify

Now this guy here is an Eclectus Parrot..typical up northern parts of Australia..now he was not at the lake but with his person at the new market i was at last Sunday in Woodend.

 

Waji the Eclectus Parrot

His name is Waji and he is 10 years old…his person told me that she has to be careful saying Market because if he hears he drives her crazy until she takes him..birds are smart animals..very smart and this guy was loving the day out on his persons shoulder and watching the activities around him..i hope to meet him again..he was a touch camera shy! he was a stunning bird..and trust me i did nothing to change or alter his color in this shot..

So i am off to bed..ready to get the overalls on and get dirty….have a great weekend and i will chat with you all soon..

Loves Fozziemum

 

 

Extended Summer

Well as you may be aware our weather worldwide seems a tad funky!

Snow in Spring for some folks and here the never ending Summer.

This sounds ideal i suppose but to a parched land it is a bummer.

We have a running argument with the weather girl over her ‘rain forecast’ on a nightly basis it seems..in fact i am ready to get my rain dance gear on..frightening!

I spent Saturday at the BACWS taking photos of the kitties up for adoption this is such a hard thing to do..i could easily take them home..but alas that is how the whole hoarding problem starts.

So i have some work to do on those images and it has been a challenge as so many do not want to say hello..they are scared or hesitant and you cannot blame them ..they have been let down by society and it takes time and patience..so last weekend i did not get a lot of shots as i will not push their limits…i won’t ever force an animal into a situation..i can get shots another day..que sera sera 🙂

So as i head to bed i will leave you with some bright pictures of florals..hoping they cheer your Monday blues 🙂

Hugs Fozziemum

 

Grape Hyacinth

 

Rosebuds

 

 

 

Hydrangea

 

Apricot Dahlia

 

Fronds hidden in fern

 

 

Purple Dahlia

 

 

Russet Dahlia

Pink Dahlia

 

 

Wildlife has blooper moments

The other day as i ventured up from the dam after spending a fun time watching Wanda and her wee Buttons i came across some roos that had been camping in our lower paddock.

Now it can be hard to see them when they camp as they like to do so amongst the rushes.

More than once i have come across one and had the beejeebers scared out of me.

When you crest a hill and a big lad over 6 foot tall and all chest puffed and arms flexed is there it is quite a sight to see.

I defer to their right to be there and hope for the best 🙂

Well back to my trek up to the house..so i spot the roos…and the poor things must have been in a real daydream as i scared them a bit..i do not like to scare them so as i looked up i see roos going in all directions..i turned the camera on and shot some pictures..

I thought i saw what looked like a roo tumble over the reeds..damn..i hate that..i mean i know these guys are tough and all but i still hate to see them fall..

When i got back home i had got dinner sorted and mucked around a bit..when i finally got my sd card in the computer i went looking through all the shots of the wallabies..

Ok i come to the Blooper moment..what i saw next in my images were these shots..

Oh my..mid air collision of roos..both were fine after as i saw all roos hop off and then stand as a mob and watch me!

I guess sometimes even the wildlife is a tad uncoordinated and does not pay attention 🙂

Have a super weekend all 🙂

Cheers Fozziemum

Notice that there is a roo behind the rushes on the left..

 

Now the roo on the left takes off

 

Now rabbit up top left is taking off,roos are both in flight and not looking at each other

And the moment both roos collide!

Dust kicked up and over they go!

Calm restored..

 

Wallaby Wednesday

Yep..it’s me…again..one day i will get my act together with posting..seems i am distracted..can you blame me 🙂

I introduced you to Wally last time i was here..well i am so delighted to report he has a significant other!

Please meet Wanda..

I had grabbed my bits and pieces and headed to the dam this morning..even at a good 12 feet down on water it is still the go to place for all species.

If ever you want to find any kind of wildlife watering holes are always a great place to start..we all need it and as it  is scarce it is pretty popular when found!

I had only been sitting for not even 10 minutes when up the embankment to my right i spotted the Wallaby..when i looked and saw an obvious pouch i was beside myself.

The shots i took are not fantastic..i had hidden amongst wattles and so i had branches and grasses in my way..but  i was not budging..no matter if my chair broke (it did) or i got bitten by ants (i did) or attacked by mozzies (i did) i was staying quiet to enjoy what was a magical moment..

And my friend  Easy has already claimed rights to be Godfather to the little tyke..(whom i will give a unisex name as i have no clue what sex this little ‘pinkie’ is yet)

So say hello to Wanda and ‘Buttons’

Wanda pops in for a drink..notice she is not as muscular as Wally

Wanda has a heavy load in that pouch!

Thirsty work being a Mum

And there is Buttons..just as cute as a button don’t you agree ?

New Visitors welcome

Well belated Happy Easter to all..i hope everyone had a lovely time and got some relaxing in!

I hinted at a new visitor that had been spotted here on our property and i am now going to introduce you!

We have been here 5 years in August and this is the first time ever i have seen a Wallaby here..i cannot even begin to tell you how thrilled i was and especially as the visit came on the heels of a really sad day.

We had the Wildlife rescue out to sadly PTS a Kangaroo..he had a broken leg and had been eluding the folks in the street for two days..despite his serious injury the poor thing managed to get away each time.

I had no idea..i had been shooting a sweet family and then heard the news that this was about to happen.

The kindest thing to do is to end an animals suffering but i will never get used to the sound of a gunshot.

I was of course a mess..in tears and feeling miserable so i went for a wander with my camera.

A bit of nature therapy..i had not gotten far from the house when i spotted him..the Wallaby..my heart skipped a beat ,and as much as i wanted to clap my hands in the way that has hubby always laughing at me , i had to concentrate as i was scared my little visitor would leave!

I grabbed some shots and he took off but the next day he was back and hubby and i both got to spend some lovely time with him as he chowed down on those Hedge Wattles i despise!

Not only a beauty but also my new BFF for helping get rid of these rotten thorny beasts!

First some facts 🙂

.. The Swamp Wallaby (Wallabia bicolor) a small macropod marsupial of eastern Australia.

This sweet wallaby is also known (mainly here in Victoria) as the Black faced Wallaby, the black tailed wallaby, stinker (QLD), black stinker (NSW) due to it’s characteristic swampy odour,fern wallaby,black wallaby, and black pademelon.

The Swamp Wallaby is the only living member of the genus Wallabia.

The bicolor comes from the varied color that they have.

Typical grey coat of macropods varied with dark brown to black region on the back and light yellow to rufous orange on the chest.A light colored cheek stripe is usually present and extremities of the body generally show darker coloring except the tail tip which is often white.

Their gait is also different to other wallabies as they carry their head low and tail out straight.

The average length (height) is about 30″ or 76cm for males and 27.5″ or 70cm for females.

The tail in both sexes is approx equal in length to the rest of the body.

Average weight for males 37lb (17kg) and females 29lb (13kg)

They become of breeding age around 15-18  months and breed throughout the year.

Gestation is 33-38 days and leads to a single young which is carried in the pouch for 8-9 months but will continue to suckle until about 15 months.

The Black faced Wallaby is usually a solitary animal but will aggregate in groups when feeding.

They will eat a wide range of food plants shrubs pasture and native and exotic vegetation and seem to be able to tolerate plants poisonous to others such as brackens and lantana.

Rather than grazing like Kangaroos they prefer to browse shrubs which is unusual in wallabies and macropods who prefer to graze.

Their tooth structure means their molars differ from other wallabies in that they are designed for browsing and their 4th premolar they keep for life and it is shaped for cutting coarse plant matter (ie.that hedge wattle!)

Several characteristics both physical and behavioral make the Black faced wallaby different enough from other wallabies to place it in it’s own genus Wallabia.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swamp_wallaby

And  now please welcome Wally who i hope feels safe and at home here on  our 11 acres, for awhile at least..get ready to squee as he is adorable 🙂 and yes a boy..i checked 😉

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Summers End

Well what can i say..Summer left a few weeks ago..it left us with Autumn..slightly less relenting on heat but my energy has been zapped!

So many things have happened here and in the blog world and i know i will never catch up..and yes it seems to be my byline!

I have seen that many bloggers have experienced losses..this is so very sad and of course like life is always something we are not quite prepared for.

I have missed celebrations and commiserations but know i have felt them all.

I got to a point where i felt i had nothing to blog about and the longer i have left it the harder it has been.

Just starting seemed a daunting task!

And so as a tentative dabble back to a forum i love and have missed i want to share with you the last remnants of the Summer that nearly killed my spirit.

I planted almost as a joke some old sunflower seeds i had sat on the porch and carefully pulled from flowers i had grown two years ago.

They had sat in a box waiting for me to find some time for some frivolous gardening.

Nothing here is ever frivolous! hubby had made me some garden beds out back to try and bring more color to our grey/brown/parched world and as the new plants were popped in i threw these seeds in the ground behind them.

The idea being maybe they would offer the new plants some protection.

Well i did this so late in the season i expected not much to happen,in fact i had forgotten about them when they all started to shoot.

Thanks to our Summer refusing to let it’s heat go peacefully the Sunflowers thrived.

Hence the reason i have magnificent Sunflowers when i should have none at all.

I guess Summer decided to give me something to smile about.

Thankyou all for your patience with my 3 month abscence, it’s a long time and i hope these images from my garden can go some way to saying how much you all mean to me .