nature | Owls and Orchids

Posts Tagged ‘nature’

Life in the Raw

Posted in Abundance, Life, Love, Photography, tagged #Life in the Raw, #Time Out, Cockatoos, domestic ducks, Eels, nature, recharge the battery, Rosellas, Swamp Hens, the Dead Stump, the Duck Pond, Turtles, Water Dragons, wild ducks on October 30, 2014| 3 Comments »

The Duck Pond

“The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quite alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple beauty of nature. As longs as this exists, and it certainly always will, I know that then there will always be comfort for every sorrow, whatever the circumstances may be. And I firmly believe that nature brings solace in all troubles.”
― Anne Frank, The Diary of a Young Girl

One of the more beautiful aspects of life is, that we are given the opportunity to take “Time Out” periods and recharge. Not that it’s always as easy as it sounds. Life intrudes. Sometimes; Family intrudes. Sometimes; well, sometimes things just don’t happen the way we plan them.

Yet, for all the possibilities of why “Time Out” cannot or does not happen, there are opportunities for it to take place, especially if we look out for them. It can be as simple as sitting in a comfortable chair, or on the grass, in your own garden and allowing the fresh air to blow the cobwebs away.

For all those people who simply find it impossible, to find the chance to take a “Time Out” or small “getaway”, I invite you to take a wander around, what my husband and I call, the “Duck Pond” with me.

Six months ago the pond was crowded with dozens of wild ducks.

The Cockatoos are always on the lookout, the Rosellas are a colourful feast for the eyes, and as their babies grow, they become more raucous by the day. Even the Wagtails are storing up on food for when their babies start to run them ragged,

The Cockatoo, always on the lookout

Not to be outdone, the cheeky Rosella.

Big bug for the little Wagtail.

I’ve counted three water dragons, which means there are probably more. Here they sit watching everything, waiting for the next snack to arrive.

Where is my dinner?

There are at least half a dozen turtles, very hard to identify the individuals, as they risk their pretty necks looking for a morsel.

Umm, I’m having a quick look.

and yet more turtles.

Turtles everywhere.

Even a fish or fifty….. hundreds of little fingerlings.

Yes and fish too.

The eels gave me a start when I saw them. We were feeding the ducks and turtles when they surfaced. One was over a metre long…. No wading here for me!

Eels – oh yes!

We have seen a pair of King Quail, but they are s shy and the domesticated ducks chase them off as soon as I spy them. I’m still hopeful of seeing them and getting one photo.

This, then is my little time out and some of the wildlife around the pond. Let’s not forget the exciting find one day when we walked near the “Dead Tree Stump” and found this Pretty Faced Wallaby.

Pretty Faced Wallaby – isn’t he beautiful.

It helps to remind me that life surrounds me, even when I’m feeling a little low. More than this, the time spent wandering around and feeding the locals, getting their photos, brings a feeling of calm and peace to what may be an otherwise rushed and frenetic time.

Dusk at the Dead Stump

“Time Out”, a breath of fresh air, life surrounding us – as the jingle goes for our health fund………………”I feel better now”. Enjoy your weekend.

“A human being is a part of the whole called by us universe, a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feeling as something separated from the rest, a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty.”
― Albert Einstein

Blessings, Susan ♥

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Life Cycles

Posted in Life, Life lessons, Photography, Spirituality, Uncategorized, tagged #Life Cycles, Cockatoos, environment, Jacaranda trees, lessons from nature, Life, nature, Rosellas on October 15, 2014| 4 Comments »

A tree of life

“We trust nature to know what it is doing, but we are not nearly so kind, understanding and trusting of our own rhythms and cycles. It’s ridiculous that we are so hard on ourselves. Can we not trust that the very same forces that created the rhythms and cycles of nature created our own? Of course we can. We often don’t, but we can, if we remember.”
― Jeffrey R. Anderson, The Nature of Things – Navigating Everyday Life with Grace

The Duck Pond

One of the first things we noticed when we arrived in Redland Bay was the beautiful “Duck Pond”. We have since spent some beautiful afternoons walking around the boardwalk and finding the myriad of life forms the area was teeming with. One of the intriguing sites from the lookout was the trunk of a huge tree. I have since found out it was a giant Jacaranda tree which was covered by a carpet of purple blooms each spring.

However, that was far from the sight I saw from the lookout. It was a huge dead trunk. It seemed somehow sad to see such a magnificent tree slowly dying, branches pointing towards the heavens but still standing tall and proud.

The old dead tree

At the very top was an unusual ‘U’ shaped pair of branches, almost like a crown. I could see the tree in its glory days, flowers waving in the breeze like a bejewelled crown on its ‘head’. It didn’t seem to matter what the light was like, the dead tree had a majesty unique to itself.

Deciding to take a different walk one afternoon we walked towards the old tree. There were raucous screeches coming from the tree, more sqawks, strident and ear splitting and occasionally a soft cooing sound.

Walking along and looking into the heavens along a pitted footpath is a sure fire way to turn your ankle, which is what I did. However, perched on a fence post I had the opportunity to really take a good look at the dead tree trunk. Far from being dead the tree was actually brimming with life. Life of a far different kind.

Sulphur Crested Cockatoo

There were Sulphur Crested Cockatoos, Major Mitchell Cockatoos and Eastern Rosellas. At the very top of the tree, to the right side were a strange looking pair of birds I was sure I’d seen before. Camera at the ready I saw an amazing sight – a pair of Coucal, nesting in the hollow in the top of the tree. Their long tail made it easy to recognise them from the first time we saw them on the Gold Coast.

Rosellas

Each cavity in the dead stump had been claimed by a pair of nesting birds. There was a cacophony of sound as we moved along the path to pass the dead tree stump. Entranced we spent an age simply watching the birds fly back and forth and after taking a careful look around, hopping into their own particular ‘hole’. As long as we were in sight of the tree the sentinel, the Cockatoo keeping watch, made a raucous call to warn everyone strangers were around. The local magpies and crows were chased away quickly by a horde of colourful denizens of the dead tree.

Rosella

Coucals

Cockatoo at home

We have been back several times now, and although we can hear the chirping of many babies, my camera isn’t strong enough to get a picture of the babies in their nest. What has been wonderful, for me, is realising that this dead tree stump has as much life in it now as it did in its heyday – just very different.

In so many ways that old dead tree is symbolic of life. Just as it began as a small seedling and took time, food and water to grow, until it reached its full potential, so do we. It went through so many stages in its growth before it reached its mature state, had to stand strong and tall before wind and weather, sun, rain, hail and cold. Yet it survived and produced a magnificent display of flowers year after year. Who knows how it ended its life as it now is? I was unable to find out, but it has obviously been severely cut back and hasn’t recovered.

From litle seedlings

Tall trees grow

A nest in every hole and nook and cranny

It hasn’t recovered to its former glory, but has become home to so many other creatures, many more than I could see. There would be bugs and beetles, spiders and ants, perhaps even a tree snake. It is still a wonderful example of life adapting to diversity. As we do during times of crisis or great change.

Like life’s ending when we move on to another sphere of existence as spirits, so too has the tree moved on to another phase of its life cycle. There is a calm symmetry to the rhythm of life as I watch the old tree and its denizens and think on the changes in my own life, in life in general. Nothing lasts in its current form eternally. Eventually everything leaves its current form and becomes something new and different, its next phase of life.

The circle of life

During the hard times, painful times, sad times and joyous times, there is a profound truth to the reality of the Cycle of Life. I’m more than happy with that.

“Life can be magnificent and overwhelming — That is its whole tragedy. Without beauty, love, or danger it would almost be easy to live.”

Albert Camus An Absurd Reasoning

Other photos: http://www.josephinewallart.co.uk, http://www.developmentsolutions.org.uk,
blog.asiantown.net

Blessings, Susan♥

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Love’s Fickle Friend

Posted in Creativity, Dreams, Love, Magic, Poetry, Uncategorized, tagged #beauty, #heart broken, #love's fickle friend, #musical laughter, Fairies, Love, Magic, nature on February 2, 2014| Leave a Comment »

image from artelartlivejournal.com

Far away

In a place cool and comfortable

Amid trees green and colourful flowers

The air heavy with scents of the forest

Bees hum brings a somnolence to the day

Stray beams of sunlight

Lance down through overarching tree branches

Patterned by the mosaic of leaves

A slowly running brook cheerfully burbles

Drawing travellers to the glade

Deep into the centre of the serene shade

Laughter lightly tinkling

As she flew around the glade

Hid the sadness in her heart

In pieces on the ground

Torn asunder by the one

Who told her

She was the one

The one he’d love forever

And protect from all harm

But daylight now has woken

And dreams are hard to hold

Her lover, he has left her

With a lonely loving heart

Laugh loud and sweetly fair one

Let the musical brook soothe you

Allow the sibilance of the trees caress you

And the downy grass cocoon you

Love’s touch can oft be fickle

A heart is easily broken

But hope must fly forever

If loves game we hope to win.

image from http://www.josephinewallart.co.uk

Blessings, Susan x

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Picture Perfect

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged acceptance, Amatuer photography, BEing present, Bird Life, Black Cockatoos, Crystal cafe, flowers in bloom, Galah's, Gardenia, Gratitude, happiness, health, Honey Eaters, Kangaroo Paws, life lessons, Magpie, memories, Mindfulness, nature, Photography, Self Development, Sulphur Crested Cockatoos, Tp Knot Pigeon on November 12, 2013| 2 Comments »

Black Cockatoo pair

“We need the tonic of wildness…At the same time that we are earnest to explore and learn all things, we require that all things be mysterious and unexplorable, that land and sea be indefinitely wild, unsurveyed and unfathomed by us because unfathomable. We can never have enough of nature.” ― Henry David Thoreau,

It’s been a while since I looked through my photos and I realised there were, not just a few, but a lot that I had taken. The term “snap happy” came to mind, but with it came the realisation that I was storing lots of memories of the outings we’ve had. What made it more important was the knowledge that all the excursions didn’t revolve around doctors and tests. Certainly they were there, but interspersed with them were the moments when we could forget that we had been running around “just for that reason.” So I decided to compile a cross section of the things which took me away from the doctors and tests and back into the light hearted day, or night, and revel in the beauty of nature and life.

Yesterday it seemed like a strange way to start the day by grabbing the camera, but Black Cockatoos are not usually seen here, yet there they were sitting at the top of the tree watching us get ready to leave for the day. Since it’s the first time I’ve seen them here it was a great start to the day.

Top Knot Pigeon sings

Kookaburras

Golden Kangaroo Paw

Red Kangaroo Paw

Crows on lookout

Gardenia Radicans

The Top Knot pigeon singing his song on the rooftop was so quirky I couldn’t let it pass. The beautiful Kangaroo Paws have been providing such a beautiful display for months I thought they deserved to be included, and who can go past the beautiful scent of the gardenias.

Sulphur crested Cockatoo

The Coucal returns

Very noisy honey eater

Dancing Lady Orchid

Playful whales

The Coucal revisits

The yellow on this Sulphur Crested Cockatoo is so brilliant, like a splash of sunshine on his ‘fascinator’. Our friendly Coucal keeps visiting which is unusual and so he gets two photos. They make the most unusual noise so are very difficult to miss. The honey eater is even weirder, at times he sounds like a dog barking and for a small bird, so loud! I love the one of the two whales, flippers in the air. I couldn’t decide if they were playing together (probably were) but it looked as if they were waving to us.You know I love orchids and this one has been flowering for months. The yellow is so bright – another reminder of the sunny days.

Magpie, beak full of cake, Crystal Castle

Cockatoo ready to eat

Wildflowers

Clivia

Trumpet Flower

Ginger plant

I mentioned how funny it was watching the magpie attacking the cake at the Crystal Castle Cafe. He managed to get most of the icing off his beak but he really didn’t want to leave that cake behind. Despite their reputations he didn’t get upset when I moved the plates away from him either. A mixture of photos of flowers from the area and at Crystal castle. With so many nectar producing plants it’s not surprising we see so many honey eaters. I couldn’t finish off without one of our regulars, the Galah. Here he is just waiting to pounce on the feeder. When there is some room it’s everyone for himself, or herself.

Gallah waiting to eat

Breakfast anyone?

Night flowering Cactus

“A quiet secluded life in the country, with the possibility of being useful to people to whom it is easy to do good, and who are not accustomed to have it done to them; then work which one hopes may be of some use; then rest, nature, books, music, love for one’s neighbor — such is my idea of happiness.” ― Leo Tolstoy

This then is my little corner of the world. I hope you enjoy a little peek into it. I am grateful that with a little reminder I have been mindful of my gifts from a bountiful world. Sometimes it’s difficult to realise I am Being present with my world and these pictures show me how much I have changed.

Blessings. Susan x

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A Flurry of Death

Posted in Blessings, Cameras, Life, Photography, Writing, tagged Amatuer photography, Australia, Bushman's Clock, Kingfisher, Kookaburra, Laughing Jackass, Laughing Kookaburra, Life, Local birdlife, nature, sunrise, Territory (animal) on September 2, 2013| 3 Comments »

Sunrise, tranquility hiding a fiery combat

The past few days have been quite busy, for me at least. There are times it is difficult to reconcile the reduced activity level from days past. Now I am an observer of life as it passes me by, or as happened today, in front of me.

It had been a quiet day, quiet apart from the cacophony from the building sites and the ever present noise of vehicles scooting past. The peace and tranquility of the Crystal Castle seemed a million light years past. Ray had just brought a beautiful cup of French Earl Grey tea in for me. It has the most beautiful of aromas if you like the slightly perfumed teas.

Suddenly there was an ear splitting noise from outside my window. It sounded like a cross between a cats howl, dogs growl and a thunderous rumbling from some devilish creature. I have never heard anything quite like it before. Curiosity drew us to the window to see what was making this deadly racket It had doubled in intensity so we knew two creatures were locked in a fight to the death. The sight that met our eyes was totally unexpected. All the photos of the fight were taken through the window, hence the diffused appearance.

Here you can see the dominant bird has almost a death grip on his opponent.

The Laughing Kookaburra is well known as a symbol of Australia’s bird life and is also known as the “Laughing Jackass”. I have seen then sitting atop aerials and tall posts, our balcony rail and flying around. They are territorial birds and the largest member of the Kingfisher family. They have a beak which can reach 4 inches (10 centimeters) long. It has a wicked looking hook on the top beak. They are known for attacking even Brown Snakes. As you can see, at the beginning of Spring, in a fight for territory they will fight each other.

With a lunge the challenger tried to get away but there was no going until the duel was over!

Flung back to the ground the noise became even louder.

One beady eye was all we could see but it had death deep inside its black depths. As the challenger was pushed towards the front porch it seemed a matter of time until there was only one bird left standing.

With the end possibly in sight I couldn’t stand by and watch it happen. (I know, its part of life in the wild). Being the brave soul I am, and also wielding the camera, I sent Ray outside to see what would happen. Usually, as soon as humans appear most birds will fly away. The Kookaburra doesn’t seem to have this fear of people. He knows he is the “King” in his arena.

For the longest moment there was no reaction to a human presence. I was beginning to doubt that there was anything except one end, the death of the loser. The dominant bird must have eased his grip slightly which allowed, with a sudden flurry of feathers, the downed bird to take off. With a squawk of fury, the other bird flew after him. Through trees and round bushes they disappeared into the distance to continue to the struggle or until he had chased his competitor out of his territory.

Once more secure in his territory he reappeared to sit, keeping a wary eye out for interlopers, on our balcony railing. Once more he was the Laughing Kookaburra, “merry merry king of the bush”.

For those who like information:-

The Laughing Kookaburra gets its name from its manic laughter-like call. Its early dawn and dusk cackling chorus earned it the nickname “bushman’s clock.”

Laughing kookaburras are monogamous, territorial birds that nest in tree holes. Females lay one to five eggs, which are tended by a collective unit composed of parents and elder siblings. Fledgling kookaburras generally remain with their parents to help care for the subsequent clutch.

Who can forget the Children’s nursery rhyme? I might add that this is thew first time I have seen the full lyrics.

Kookaburra sits on the Old Gum Tree

Kookaburra sits on the old gum tree
Merry, merry king of the bush is he
Laugh Kookaburra, laugh Kookaburra
Gay your life must beKookaburra sits on the old gum tree
Counting all the monkeys he can see
Stop Kookaburra, stop Kookaburra
That’s not a monkey that’s me

Kookaburra sits on the old gum tree
Eating all the gumdrops he can see
Stop Kookaburra, stop Kookaburra
Leave some there for me

Kookaburra sits on the old gum tree
He fell down and broke his knee
Ouch Kookaburra, ouch Kookaburra
Glad tha was not me

To end I’d like to add one of my favourite quotes:

“I never saw a wild thing sorry for itself. A small bird will drop frozen dead from a bough without ever having felt sorry for itself.”
D. H. Lawrence

Ciao, Susan x

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The Magic of Sunrise

Posted in Blessings, Creativity, Dreams, Gratitude, Life, Love, Magic, Moon, Motivation, Photography, Soul Growth, Uncategorized, Writing, tagged Amatuer photography, beauty of the day, BEing present, birds caroling the dawn, butcher birds, Camera, dreams, Gratitude, Inner-peace, jasmine, king orchds, kookaburras, life lessons, Living from the heart, Lyme disease, Mindfulness, Mysterious moon, nature, self acceptance, sleepless night, Soul Growth, spring arrives, staghorns, sun's brilliant colours on August 28, 2013| 7 Comments »

The moon hiding behind drifting clouds

“When I set a glass prism on a windowsill and allow the sun to flood through it, a spectrum of colors dances on the floor. What we call “white” is a rainbow of colored rays packed into a small space. The prism sets them free. Love is the white light of emotion.”
― Diane Ackerman, A Natural History of Love

There is no denying that there are good times and not so good. Times when we feel low and it’s hard to break the cycle. We have to work even harder then to find the beauty around us, let it in and find the gratitude to be able to see, to witness and to share in the miracles we often overlook. Last night the moon was playing hide and seek between the cloud layers and looked mysterious, as though she had a seductive veil across her face. I went to bed dream of shimmying goddesses in layers of silk veils dancing around the moon, fairies, elves and magic spinning in the air.

After a restless and sleepless night I heard the birds caroling the new day and decided to venture out onto the back deck. The dew was heavy on the boards and there was still a chill to the air. Here is the vista which opened my eyes.

Here she is, the goddess of the morning, just peeping over the horizon. The beautiful colours at this time of day are so vibrant.

As she quickly climbs the sky, eager to enter her domain the colours become golden, the warmth of her light across the earth.

I couldn’t take my eyes from this beautiful colour, almost sienna but a deep rose-pink also. It really is almost indescribable in its beauty.

The golden hues from the strength of the sun start to drown out the other colours. Her power and majesty are shown clearly for all. The birds were calling loudly, rejoicing in her warmth spreading across the ocean. I love the rose colour spreading towards me from the sun. Goddess of the dawn Greek and Roman

DSCN3618 (Copy)

Too bright to now gaze at directly, this was from my balcony door. Sparkles shining almost like visiting spirits to welcome us after the night and sunbeams dart across the land and sea.

The Kookaburras were loud this morning, singing their distinctive song. This fellow looked pleased he had his perch to himself. There is often a scramble to get somewhere to bask in the sun. You can catch a glimpse of a Rosella streaking past as I took the photo.

Caught in mid song, such a beautiful cheerful way to begin the day. This Butcher Bird banishes any heaviness in the heart with its joyful song.

The scent from this adorable King Orchid was strong on the early breezes. It is huge in the centre of the Poinciana tree. There are more than a dozen flower spikes, each as large as this one in various stages of developing. It is a glorious white colour. I am waiting for my golden-yellow one to bloom, always later than this one.

The birds box nest, already inhabited by the Rosellas. It must be nice to have the large Staghorn around their nest and surrounded by the orchid. What a beautiful way to start the life cycle.

From the other side of the garden the strong and heady scent of the Jasmine was wafting along the breeze. Encircled by natures perfume and the glorious colours of the dawn, I went back inside and fell asleep dreaming of the beauty of spring.

I know that the other side of the world is heading towards their autumn so I hope you enjoy the beginnings of our spring.

“The alchemist was dazed and dumbfounded, as the true meaning of the magic was revealed: *The dead will rise from glade to glen and ancient will be young again*. The dead had, after all, risen. From dead and dry things there was growth, and new life everywhere. And the endlessly long winter had at last turned to spring.
From life to death and back again to life. It was indeed the greatest magic in the world.”
― Lauren Oliver

Blessings for a new day.

Susan x

Full Moons and ‘The Gift’ (owlsandorchids.com)

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A Change in the Air

Posted in Blessings, Blogging, Challenges, Creativity, Life, Poetry, Uncategorized, Writing, tagged boats on rough seas, climate, Gratitude, Life, nature, Ocean, Sunshine, trees in storms, Weather, whales, white caps, Wind brace on August 16, 2013| 3 Comments »

Stormy Seas

There’s a change coming in

Not so slowly, it’s quite fast

Letting us know

That it’s here, not gone past

There are white caps foaming

In the ocean blue

And the whales are frolicking

As they’re passing through

The wind is keening through

Any open window or door

The trees are rustling loudly

Their own particular song

It’s more like Nature is talking

For everyone to hear

Just open your ears and listen

The sounds are far and near

Silly boats should be moored tight

If you hold them dear.

image from http://www.visualphotos.com

“Sunshine is delicious, rain is refreshing, wind braces us up, snow is exhilarating; there is really no such thing as bad weather, only different kinds of good weather.” John Ruskin

“I’ve lived in good climate, and it bores the hell out of me. I like weather rather than climate.”
John Steinbeck

Rain, hail or shine, have a beautiful weekend. Let those cobwebs blow out. There is always something to be grateful for. I’m all for hot chocolate and a Ray Muffin, then curling up in a warm bed with a book and some soft music. Hmm.

Ciao, Susan

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Inspiration from my back deck.

Posted in Blogging, Challenges, Creativity, Motivation, Photography, Uncategorized, Writing, tagged Blogging, Communication, desire, dreams, inner drive, inspiration, Living from the heart, Magic, motivation, Motivational, nature, Spirituality, Writing on July 3, 2013| 4 Comments »

Sunset at Byron Bay Lighthouse – beautiful

The artist is a receptacle for emotions that come from all over the place: from the sky, from the earth, from a scrap of paper, from a passing shape, from a spider’s web.”

Picasso, Pablo

– See more at: http://quotationsbook.com/quotes/tag/inspiration/#sthash.IQG55giD.fqgDuYnd.dpuf

The artist is a receptacle for emotions that come from all over the place: from the sky, from the earth, from a scrap of paper, from a passing shape, from a spider’s web.”

Picasso, Pablo

– See more at: http://quotationsbook.com/quotes/tag/inspiration/#sthash.IQG55giD.fqgDuYnd.dpuf

“The power of imagination makes us infinite.” John Muir

What makes us, writers, bloggers, artists, photographers and so on, different from everyone else “out there”? We all have the same bodies, give or take, we have similar backgrounds within a huge range of possibilities, but what is the indefinable something which sets us apart from the rest of society. I feel it is that inner drive to make yourself understood. It is the need to share your ideas, to craft them and polish them and then put them out there, into that vast unknown sea of the ‘audience’ and find out if we have managed to resonate with others.

Some artists do what they do for their own satisfaction and need no acceptance from others. For most of us it is not simply nice to be acknowledged, it is the standard by which we measure how well we are at putting forward our ideas and inspiration. From books to art, to the landscape of nature we seek and find inspiration for our ideas, our incredible imaginations which craft together thoughts, ideas, rich tapestries which spread a canvas of possibilities for others to share. To be acknowledged as successful in that endeavor must be a heady brew indeed.

At present I’m drawing with broad strokes on a huge palette until I find, or rather narrow, my niche. Perhaps it is also true that I need courage to grasp that idea and run with it and see how far it can take me. It is also true that I have no real desire to narrow my area too far and thus stifle a spark of genius which may float my way.

Let me share with you some of the sources of inspiration which have been given to me recently.

The beginnings of sunrise. The blazing light of the sun behind the clouds and the shadowed trees in the foreground. The ocean seems almost peaceful as it gently rolls to the shore.

Darkness banished, the sun in all it’s glory and spirit orbs welcoming the dawn.

Golden sunlight pours out from the cloud cover, bathing the land with molten gold. No wonder the people of old believed it was magical when the sun appeared each day. It shows us the power and majesty which surrounds us and that anything is possible. It’s a palette of colours any painter would be thrilled by.

The beauty of the full moon, mysterious and magical.

The terrific days and nights of the past full moon when she was the closest to earth for years, bringing with her thoughts of the ‘wild hunt’ with Pan, the Druids and mystery and magic in the air.

The stirring view of the moon’s light across the ocean as she rose into the sky.

I found this picture irresistible to take, thinking of how luxurious it would be to soak in the water as the moon’s light washed over me. Just an old-fashioned romantic, or perhaps a sorceress of old, charging up her powers by the light of the moon, and so wonderful for charging up your crystals.

Two pairs of wood ducks wandering around the garden.

It was a pleasure to see the ducks wandering around in the garden, totally without fear. I spent hours just enjoying the freedom they made me feel and they waddled along finding grubs wherever they went.

Rolling ocean waves.

You cannot help but be overawed by the power and majesty of the ocean as she pounds on the beach. It makes you realise how small we are in the grand scheme of things, but it is thrilling to watch as the waves cleanse the air and refresh the body and mind. Simply invigorating to be a part of it.

High seas and stormy weather.

The same section of coast during the storm – the power and intensity were even more awe inspiring as they thrashed the beach over and over again. The roar was incredible, you could imagine the old timber galleons being pounded to pieces with the ferocity of the waves.

The magic of a rainbow after a storm.

A beautiful rainbow after a storm, with the colours so defined. I made a wish and looked for the proverbial pot of gold. Perhaps the pot of gold is seeing the rainbow arching across the sky.

Still feeding her babies.

We’ve watched this family of Eastern Rosella’s grow up. There is a nesting box in the poinciana tree and over the weeks we have been able to watch the parents make their trips back to the nest and watch the babies pop their heads up to be fed.

A Major Mithcell standing guard on the bird feeder.

A Major Mitchell standing guard on the bird feeder.

This was a rare treat. Major Mitchells are usually found in inland Australia. I’ve been told this is really unusual so we’ve made the most of watching them. They may be Corellas or Bare Eyed Cockatoos. Whatever their name it’s been wonderful watching them, even if we did lose all the figs on our tree.

These are some the things which give me inspiration, which motivate me to think, feel and dream outside the box. The world surrounds me with inspiration if I look to see it. The desire to write, to communicate my ideas only means that I haven’t yet said all I want to say and if I have a ‘dry’ period, as a friend said, I only need wait for my next dream. Either way I know that I am ‘polishing my craft’..

“Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.”

– Harriet Tubman

Blessings Susan x

If this interests you the following may also.

Where’s Your Inspiration Coming From?

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Midnight til Dawn

Posted in Life, Love, Poetry, Uncategorized, tagged acceptance, Inner-peace, Life, Living from the heart, memories, Moonlight, nature, New Beginnings, Owls, Storms, Wolves on June 18, 2013| 1 Comment »

image from http://www.thelittlenerd.com –

The moon is fat and full tonight

I hear my brothers and sisters call

Wolves know deep in their collective mind

That something just isn’t quite right

Am I free to run with them in rushing flight

Am I free to follow them into the night.

image from aftergadget.wordpress.com

The owls sit in their tree

Watching the place where I sit

They watch with silent intensity

Searching to see if I’m free

Am I free to fly through the moonlight

Far away into the pure cold night

Nature it seems surrounds me

They know how these things should be

They know when a heart has been broken

They know when it’s time to be free

How do I ease these raging torments

That rend me apart deep inside

Like fangs or beaks ripping flesh apart

Or a storms waves crashing fiercely against the shore

Only to rear back and pound forward once more

image from http://www.flickr.com

The past it carries our memories

To ensure we remember mistakes

Til we no longer need reminding

What repeating them will from us take

We can try to forget if we’re foolish

We can try to deny the truth

But sooner or later our memories

Return like a forbidden moonlit spell

To remind us of what we can’t tell

Tears can no longer quench

The burning deep in my soul

No answers can ease the agony

Can no longer make a heart whole

image from ipad.wallpapersus.com

So what is the answer you ask yourself

To move forward into the light

To leave forever this darkest of nights

Lit strangely by this bright moonlight

And forge ahead with all my might

I have no answer inside me

I have no-one I can ask

Solitary I must walk in this misery

For who would I burden with this task

So that I may run howling with my friends once again

Or fly free over forbidden plains

Lost I shall remain

Until a miracle removes the stain

And I need stand no more in the rain

Hiding tears which show all my pain

Til once more I’m at peace, in the sunlight again.

image from ivoryblushroses.blogspot.com

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A Memorable Year in Photos

Posted in Christmas, Creativity, Family, Love, Photography, Reading, Writing, tagged acceptance, Barn Owl, BEing present, Bird Watching, bird watching, Blogging, Camera, Ceremonies, Christmas, Coping Skills, Family, Friendship, friendship, full moon, Gratitude, gratitude, happiness, holidays, inner peace, Life, life, Living from the heart, Local wildlife, Love, Marriage, memories, Mindfulness, Motivational, nature, New Beginnings, new beginnings, New Year, New Year's Eve, outdoors, Photography, Soul Growth, soul growth, soul mates, special occasion, Tawny Frogmouth, unconditional love on December 30, 2012| 1 Comment »

They “year” began with New Years Eve at Ray’s parents in Moruya. A beautiful day and night set the tone for the year to come. It was a wonderful few days, seeing the sights – a finding a great little crystal shop. Needless to say I came home with bags of crystals. (We drove or it wouldn’t have been possible).

A Tawny Frogmouth let himself be known early on and has been a visitor ever since. We have at least four different owls living in the area, from a Powerful Owl, the Frogmouth and what looks like a Barn Owl, plus a very reclusive one we hear often but haven’t managed to get a good photo of yet.

Owls being my favourite birds, it was a real blessing seeing one so soon after we moved into our new home.

Presented to the guests, husband and wife

May was a brilliant month, and after months of preparation our wedding went off superbly. Here we are presented for the first time as Mr and Mrs Jamieson, can you tell how happy we were – and are. I’ve restrained myself to one photo, it’s hard to know which ones to use and there are so many!

Couldn’t pass the day up without showing off how fabulous my son and daughter looked on the day either.

One of my favourite gifts came from my husband shortly before we were to go away, a Nikon 150 camera. It is fantastic and even an amateur like me can get some marvellous shots. Most of all it made it super easy to have something to remember all the marvellous things which happened throughout the year. A few lessons and I might make a reasonable photographer!

The Little Blowhole at Kiama, dodging salt spray to get a good picture.

We had been so busy during the year that we hadn’t had a break – even after the wedding, so we spent a glorious week at Kiama, exploring the area and having a well-earned rest. The Blowholes were in fine form and we saw lots of whales passing by. Here’s the best picture we managed to get of the whales passing.

Occasionally I wished for a super zoom on my camera so I could get more photos – they really are beautiful creatures.

Humpback passing Kiama whilst we were there.

I found Nicole’s blog and became motivated to get back on track with my spiritual growth. It has been a wonderful year of rediscovery and discovery of new exciting things.

Thanks to Nicole we had a fantastic ceremony provided for the Blue Moon in August. This was taken just after the “Releasing Ceremony” and the crystals were in the bowls of water. The next night we had a “Becoming Ceremony” which finalised the entire ritual. It was an awesome feeling and really made us feel great. My blogging journey began shortly after this. Reading and writing have always been passions, now they are intertwined beautifully.

With lots of work in between we went back to Moruya to celebrate my father in law’s 80th birthday bash in October. It was a beautiful day and night – in fact they outdid the younger guests. It seems stamina comes with age! The cake was superb, it was only spoiled by the fact we couldn’t bring any home with us!

On the way home we stopped at Coffs Harbour for the night and the next day were greeted by this beautiful water dragon on the decking near the water feature. He was so tame he let us get really close. Obviously very used to all the visitors, he’s probably quite the model by now! See he even gave us a good pose for the camera.

Back home we were back hard at work but love to take a walk around the garden at the end of the day. Here the neighbours horse came over to say hello and was really friendly. My first ‘kiss’ from a horse – strangely enough it was a special moment for me and I’m blessed Ray got the photo and so filled with gratitude that the horse was so friendly.

I’d love to know the identity of this little fellow but just love his colouring.

We have lots of honey eaters visiting with the flowering trees. Some like this fellow seem totally oblivious to our presence and let us snap away merrily as he feeds. His colouring is ‘electric’!

We were graced by a family of kookaburra who came down several times a day to take a dip in our pool as the weather became hotter. They made lots of noise but it was worth it. Occasionally there would be a line up of all the different birds waiting to take a dip. It was really funny watching them take off one by one and then ruffling their feathers out as they waited their next turn.

We were surprised and pleased to find another water dragon sunning himself at home. When he was in the pool area I “chased” him around the pool – from the upstairs balcony, to get some photos of him. It was so funny seeing me trying to run around to capture a good shot. As soon as I had him in focus he would take off again after some other tidbit he’d spied.

Christmas seemed to arrive so quickly. It was a special time for us – the first one as a married couple (old-fashioned isn’t it?) and getting the decorating done together with the family coming down to celebrate Christmas Day together. We were grateful we could all be together and Ray and I felt blessed that our family could get together when so many couldn’t.

The last full moon of the year, December 2012. Even with the inclement weather we were able to get some beautiful photos of the moon through the trees and the weather remained fine for our ceremony. The meditation from Nicole was a beautiful way to complete a wonderful year.

As always we are mindful that not everyone has been as fortunate as ourselves. Like most people we have had our ups and downs. At times it felt as though the downs were holding mired in one place for far too long, but 2013 will be a wonderful year – for everyone. Throughout 2012 we have tried to remain mindful of what has been happening for us, being present at the important events was easy, how could we not. Being present when things were tough was harder, but we managed and it felt very heart centered in being able to do that. Ill health has been a drag but I’m hoping that with a new move, hopefully to a place with some space around it will give me the right atmosphere to get on top of things. Country life seems to beckon.

For myself, the unconditional love I have been so grateful to find with Ray has made this a wonderful, love filled year. Heart centered and soul centered, we have felt the growing and stretching of our soul growth throughout the good times and the hard times. We have also felt, and been awed by the presence of spirit, our loved ones who are no longer with us – in the flesh at least. It has made each special occasion that little bit more extraordinary and that is something I am incredibly grateful for.

The records for 2013 are now about to begin!