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Hungry Cockatoos

22/6/2019

There are a lot of very hungry birds in my garden at Downderry, being winter. There seems to be more than usual and we have had such a wonderful amount of rain so no dry food.
I bought a huge bag of wild bird seed and they are loving it, although the magpies still prefer their steak.
Today, there has been lots of cockies - just so gorgeous but naughty! I'm not a very good wild life photographer, but couldn’t resist trying, They are such fun and it’s very funny with the pecking order being violated by the maggie’s, wattlebird and butcher birds - all waiting in line or dive bombing to get their share. Just splendid!!

Bickleigh Vale, Downderry cockatoos, 22 June 2019_1

Bickleigh Vale, Downderry cockatoos, 22 June 2019_2

Bickleigh Vale, Downderry cockatoos, 22 June 2019_3

Bickleigh Vale, Downderry cockatoos, 22 June 2019_4

Bickleigh Vale, Downderry cockatoos, 22 June 2019_5

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June 11th, 2019

11/6/2019

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I have been away for a week and as I am home again it is truly amazing how quickly things change. This cymbidium orchid outside my bedroom never usually flowers till my birthday in July but it’s started already - just stunning.

Bickleigh Vale, Downderry garden, 11 June 2019_1

Bickleigh Vale, Downderry garden, 11 June 2019_2

Bickleigh Vale, Downderry garden, 11 June 2019_3

Bickleigh Vale, Downderry garden, 11 June 2019_4

Glorious sunshine today and there are hellebores with tiny buds, the copper beech and the linden have finished, but the corpse of elms is still going. The viburnum birkwoodii right at the front of the house has turned bronze in patches and with the sunshine on it, against dear old Downderry’s pink walls is incredible.

Bickleigh Vale, Downderry garden, 11 June 2019_5

I love the skeletal trees against her pink walls and the patches of remaining green are totally enhanced, I love winter in my garden.

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The first day of winter

1/6/2019

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I have had the most wonderful afternoon, First day of winter and 12 months since Harry had his huge operation, He has been out all afternoon with the inevitable balls and has recovered well for an old chap!!!!!

Bickleigh Vale, Downderry garden 1 June 2019_03

Bickleigh Vale, Downderry garden 1 June 2019_01

So here is my beautiful lemon tree covered in lemons, however don’t looks too close. No, they are not wired on, they are real, but the poor tree is inflicted with citrus gall wasp. I have cut it back to a stick twice, but now I have given up, I hate buying lemons.

My fabulous son in law has been over and worked his magic on dear old Downderry. He has blown and cut and turned it into fairy land again. The giant old oak had finished but the copper beech has really just started and the same with the mighty elm and the linden,

Bickleigh Vale, Downderry garden 1 June 2019_02

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The dear old kookaburra was a gift from an old friend. He spends a lot of time lost under the Virginia creeper, but it’s nearly finished and he has made himself available again. I was so pleased to see him peeping out again, looking for lizards (too cold), or frogs. Nooooo

Bickleigh Vale, Downderry garden 1 June 2019_04

Bickleigh Vale, Downderry garden 1 June 2019_05

Pan has presented himself again. He has been lost in the alstroemerias, but has surfaced none the worse for wear, so it’s been a heavenly afternoon of old friends appearing,

Bickleigh Vale, Downderry garden 1 June 2019_06

I just love this time of the year. The two ginkos which sit either side of the drive have finished, I call them Jenny and Ian as they gave them to me while they were living here. I love them and even though they are only little, they bring me lovely memories of my family.

Bickleigh Vale, Downderry garden 1 June 2019_07

Bickleigh Vale, Downderry garden 1 June 2019_08

Glen working like a mad man. Thankyou darling. The birds have been amazing today, I bought a new bag of wild bird seed and they have all been playing in the garden. The king parrots have been amazing and the rosellas too, They all seem to be nesting - in particular the butcher bird - and the magpies fly in and out calling for more food, They are just wonderful. Yes I know I shouldn’t encourage the cockies but they are so funny and such fun. Mac always had a theory that if you feed them they won’t eat your house! They make me laugh out loud so this is winter at Downderry - soooo beautiful

Bickleigh Vale, Downderry garden 1 June 2019_09

Bickleigh Vale, Downderry garden 1 June 2019_10

Bickleigh Vale, Downderry garden 1 June 2019_11

Bickleigh Vale, Downderry garden 1 June 2019_12

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Downderry Blog

Hungry Cockatoos

June 11th, 2019

The first day of winter

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