Emerald Dove

Spotted this bird out the back and had no idea what it was

have never seen such a colourful dove before.

Khichdi

I made Khichdi for dinner again tonight from the recipe D & T gave me.
Khichdi is a meal I enjoy, it is so easy to make, tasty and nutritious too.
Tonight I added mixed frozen vegetables instead of just peas.


Khichdi recipe:-
1/2 cup basmati rice
1/2 cup red lentils
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin seeds
1 - 2 cloves garlic (I don't always add garlic)
1/4 teaspoon turmeric
pinch asafoetida (optional)
1/2 teaspoon garam masala
1/2 teaspoon red chilli powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup peas
3 cups water

Rinse rice and lentils 3 times (I don't do this)

Put water and all other ingredients into a microwave bowl, mix together and microwave for 18 minutes.

Serve with yogurt and mango pickles if desired.

Onions and other vegetables can be added.

More Roos

The two roos were here again today . . . I live in hope that one day we will see a Koala here ha ha

Kangaroo video from 9-12-2010

and again

I walked into the kitchen and noticed the roos out the back again today The female watched me for a while then bounded through the Lilly Pillys The flash went off for this photo so the roo decided to flee through the hedge.

They're back !!!

Yes, we looked up and there they were, just munching on the grass.

last week

We had a few more days at M & Gs last week.

Charlie liked resting on the drop sheets on top of the new furniture.

Banjo loves the new rugs.

I went to Botanic Gardens on Thursday morning and then took camera in for repairs in the afternoon.

Water Lily

Mother duck taking her babies for a swim

Japanese Garden - lizard sleeping on the rock in the foreground

Pink Water Lily

Cactus for D :-)

Pests

I found these caterpillers on the Gardenia plants this morning.



Rear view

are you jealous yet?

The Rainbow Bee-Eaters have been having fun swooping and flying around outside the gate.

I was able to stand behind the shed and watch them for a while - I think they might be feeding young.

Photos are heavily cropped and were not the best quality to start with.







I know I am biased but I think these little birds are so beautiful.

Last day of Banjo's holiday

Banjo was out and about early this morning, he decided to take R & J for a walk before it got too hot. He then had to rush home to be ready for when his mum and dad come to collect him tonight.


Thirsty work this walking!

Can't get enough of them!

The Rainbow Bee-Eaters are around our back gate and the trees nearby a lot at present



they even come into the vege garden.

Charlie

Charlie and Banjo are staying with us at present, Charlie likes sitting near the window.

Solar

We have gone solar



First sighting of a Pale Headed Rosella this season today.


The Gardenia bushes have lots of flowers now, I brought two flowers into the house this morning they are beautiful but I have had to put them outside tonight because their perfume is so strong.

Weekend

Banjo enjoying the new room.

The Cockatoo was also checking out the renovations.

Lizard came to have a look at the new work too.

Tawny Frogmouths

We went for a walk this afternoon and saw all the Tawny Frogmouths but we did not have the camera with us so I went back and took a few photos.

The mother on the left and the two babies on the right


The Father

Goanna

Yesterday we went to the cinema and saw "Made in Dagenham" it was quite good, we enjoyed it.

We haven't seen a goanna in the garden for a while, this morning I noticed this one lurking I think it is a young one as it is much smaller than the ones we have seen before and was quite timid.


Our baby is getting so big, it was sitting on the side of the nest and opening its wings at times, I am expecting to see it taking off soon.

One baby

We only have one baby now it is getting quite big so guess it will start flying soon.

Birds

The Rainbow Bee-eaters have landed on our back fence a few times over the last few days.


I changed a setting on the camera and think this photo of the Black Faced Cuckoo Shrike is a bit clearer.


The White Faced Honeyeaters are still around but there does not seem to be as many Wattle Birds now.

Stradbroke

We went on a coach tour to North Stradbroke Island today. We were collected at 6:30am and drove through heavy traffic to Cleveland where we had morning tea while waiting in pouring rain to board the ferry.

When we arrived at Dunwich the rain had stopped. We drove from Dunwich to Amity Point then onto Point Lookout. The houses at Point Lookout look more expensive than at the other two little villages. We stopped near North Gorge and went for a walk around the North and South Gorges and then back to where the coach was waiting.

Our next stop was the Stradbroke Hotel which is quite modern, where we had a lovely lunch of either fish or roast lamb followed by dessert.

It started raining lightly after lunch. We stopped for a short walk through the historic cemetery, then drove to Brown Lake before heading back to the wharf to wait for the ferry which left at 3:30pm.

We arrived home about 6:30pm it had been a long but pleasant day and we met some lovely people.

Boat Ramp and swimming enclosure at Amity Point.

Green marker with bird.

Part of sand mining structures at wharf.

Main Beach near Point Lookout.

North Gorge near Point Lookout.

Looking from ferry back to Stradbroke on our way back to Cleveland.

Yellow marker with birds.