58. The Bird Who Saved Christmas

I usually love Christmas. This year there’s been a smoke cloud over the season to be jolly. Bushfires on or near our farm meant I didn’t look forward to the day; no cooking or decorating either. Instead, I worried and made myself miserable. The Christmas spirit never hit.

57. Fire, Smoke, Birds and Beasts

A thunderstorm on December 10^th produced no rain. Bolts of lightning struck the ground and 4 fires started instead. Twelve days on, 2 bushfires are still blazing with no sign of when they’ll be put out. It might be months.

56. Peacock Blues: Part 2

                                                       ‘Oh, he’s beautiful.’ 

55. Firetails Against the Odds

This is a Firetail. My neighbour Neil calls them Diamond Sparrows. 

54. The Rainbow's Proposal

Looking out at sunset, the last rays of the day hit gold. The bird’s head was lit, shining like precious metal. This is the one I’d been watching and waiting for. My favourite bird-the Rainbow Bee-eater.

Two years ago, when I was flirting with bird-watching, there was a wow moment. Watering pot plants I looked up to see a bright coloured bird swoop through the air snatching a bee on the wing.

53. A Musky Green Leek

I needed to buy milk and bread on my way home from work. Because of scorching weather, I parked under a Silky Oak opposite the supermarket. As I stepped out of the car, pieces of orange toothbrush flowers fell in my hair. Something was up.

52. One in a Million Chillawong

There are a million Pied Currawongs in the forests of south-eastern Australia. I’ve just seen a baby one in a million bird.

51. No Tranquility

A small Peaceful Dove flies by. Its neck is striped like a zebra; its belly creamy white, breast slightly pink. Wings are scalloped with black edges as delicate as wedding cake decorations.