Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Mouse Spider



I have posted a photo of a mouse spider before. It being only a small female. I was weeding today and the gerate dragged a mouse spider web out of the ground. The big female was in the end that had broken and come out of the hole. I took a picture and put the ruler beside her so you could see the size of her. She was not very pleased with the event and quickly dissapeared back down her hole when given the chance.

Monday, December 8, 2008

Harry


I promised Will I would post a photo of Harry. He is a big boy. Will and his family own Harry but have not seen him for a while as he is staying at my place.

Bush Art.







We were coming home yesterday, along the way we saw a paddock that contained Bush Sculpture.
I decided to take some photos with my phone camera. They did not come out too well as it was very cloudy and late in the afternoon. Next time we go that way I will take the camers and try to get some better pictures. I will post these just to give you an idea of them. I think they are great.
I hope you like them, next time I hope to get better clearer pictures. They are all made from rusty metal- bits and pieces found about the place.

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Wills' Doe


This is a picture of Wills Doe. She is really beautiful. As yet Will has not given her a name, so we only know her as 112. Her Mothers name is Maree and her Fathers name is Warlord. I think Will, will give her a really lovely name when he comes up with one. I am not a very good photographer so this picture does not do justice to her.

Monday, November 24, 2008

Viking


Viking is growing well. He is Sams' Goat. I think he will grow into a very big fellow.

Sadie


This Sadie. Sadie is Thomas' Cow and she lives at Ricks Place. Sadie had a new calf in September.
She is beautiful. Rick took a photograph of her today.

Saturday, November 22, 2008

Boogie


I love to mess with pictures. Today I decided one Boogie wasnt enough, and here is the result.

Rain





We have had some much needed and wonderful rain in our region over the last few days.
Things in the garden are thriving. Today we have had unseasonally cold windy weather, but I dont think it will last long. My day lillies have been flowering quiet well the first time in a couple of years.
I will include a close up picture of the Coral Tree Flowers. The trees have just been massed with Flowers and the birds love them.

Sunday, November 16, 2008

Friday, November 14, 2008

Coral Tree


This is one of my Coral trees. It is covered in beautiful red flowers. The birds just love it. It is really a beautiful tree but like the rose has many nasty thorns. The frost cuts it back in winter, but it re- shoots in spring and the flowers follow.

Gloriosa Lilly


My Gloriosa Lilly is flowering at present. It is lovely. The Gloriosa is most suited to tropical climates-it doesn't flower here like it would in it natural habitat, but I just like having it flower anyway. Charlie has bought some chickens- they were a week old when he got them and they are growing like mad.

Thursday, November 6, 2008

Boogie

This is Boogie. He is now almost 5 months old and is a beautiful pup. He will be an excellent working dog. He is learning new things eveyday. I took this picture this afternoon.

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Just an update on Shinga ---- Her wounds a healing very nicely. It will only be a short time and she will have recovered fully.

Serena


Serena is Charlies Goat. She impailed herself on a peg on the gate a while back. She had a hernia as a result of the accident. Miraculously, she never broke the skin. The day before Charlie took her to the Vets and they operated to correct the hernia. She was under the influence of the anaesthetic for quiet a few hours. When she finally came out of the anaesetic she could not see. Upon phoning the vet, Charlie found out that it is very rare for this too happen. He was assured that it would pass in a week or so. She seems to be getting a little of her sight back today, but is still unable to see properly. We are hoping that she will fully recover from this ordeal. Serena Before her Surgery. Serena After her surgery.

Thursday, October 30, 2008

Shinga


We had a dry thunder storm a few weeks ago. A lot of noise and lightning. Shinga is usually very good in a storm and does not go silly like most horses, so we were not terriably worried about her and Lilly being out on the reserve. However, the day after the storm activity, when we went to check everything. Shinga was in the paddock next door.She looked very forlorn-just standing there. We knew straight away something was wrong. On close inspection- it was obvious that she had gone over the fence. A large gash across the left side of her chest and a puncture where the top of a star post had gone into her neck- were proof of what had happened. The gass is an open clean wound and will heal pretty quickly. While the star post left its mark- the full extent of the injury, indicated how lucky she was. The wound was only centermetres from her juglar vein. With the correct treatment she will be as good as new in no time. This photo of Shinga was taken a while back. She is much lighter in colour now. I think in time she will be a totally grey horse. Thomas own Shinga. She was a gift to him from myself and Charlie. I reared her from a few hours old. She was a twin, born at a Thoroughbred Stud. More details on her at a later date.

Sunday, October 19, 2008

Boogie


Boogie is growing quickly. I havent taken his photo for a while, but will get to it soon.

The Wiilywagtails have left home.


The Willywagtails have left their nest. I took a picture of them last week, they just filled the nest.
They grow so very quickly. There was only three babies in this clutch. They stayed around in the tree at the back of the shed for a couple of days, but are no where to be seen today. Every nest of babies does the same thing. We will probably see them down near the front gate in a few days time.
It wont be very long before the mother bird is laying eggs and sitting again. Charlie rouses about them pooping all over the concrete floor.

Friday, October 17, 2008

Grafting



I don't consider myself a good gardener, just someone who likes plants. I have had a go at grafting some roses and too date have about 11 successes.
I have one with the two Iceburgs - Burgendy and White as well as the yellow Freesia on the one plant. My latest effort is New Era - the graft is just starting to grow. I put 3 buds on but only one was successful.

A Little Colour





There is a little colour about the garden at present. Some of the roses are opening, and the Water Iris are coming out. I like roses, but in our climate the Autumn Flowers are a long way in front of the spring flowers.

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Water Iris


My water Iris are coming into flower. The first to open is a blue one. I grow them in the fish pond in pots and remove them for the 2 coldest months of the winter.

Sunday, October 12, 2008

Iris


Spring is a great time for Iris. They need a cold winter to flower well. We certainly had a cold winter this year. The range of colours and different types of Iris is almost endless. I dont have many, but some of the Bearded Iris are flowering. In a few days time I should have a water Iris opening.

Spiders


We have lots of spiders in our garden. I dont worry about them as I feel if I leave them alone-they will not bother me. One spider in particular that does cause a bit of concern is the "Eastern Mouse Spider". We never see them very often, as the female lives in a tunnel in the ground. It is only if I happen to dig one up that I am reminded that they are about. I have been told that they are quiet venomus - equal to the funnel -web. The exception is the shape of the fangs, which are curved and are not able to afford the same bite of the funnel-web. I dont really know if this information is accurate - but I take it at face value. I happened to dig up a small female yesterday, she is only about 1/3 the size of a mature female. The male is much smaller and has a red head. The photo I took is not very clear, should I come across a mature female, I will photograph it and post it.

Roses



The new buds on the roses have been covered in aphids. The gardening experts say 'just spray them off with a good force of water from the hose'. I find this doesnt work. I give them a quick spray with a recommended spray - following the directions on the container. I dislike using chemicals, but I havnt been able to find anything else that really works, and this does. I think if you are extra careful and dont splash the spray around everywhere it is not too bad. Always being sure to wash well in cold water after doing the job.
My climbing "Maria Callis" is really lovely at the moment as is "Maybella" (which I transplanted during the winter)

Friday, October 10, 2008

WilliyWagTails


The Williywagtails are nesting in the shed again. They have hatched their babies, and are feeding them constantly. As yet I have not taken a photo. Last year they raised four clutches in the same nest; a total of 15 babies.

Frogs


We have so many frogs in our garden now. They just love the Fish Ponds and almost drive us mad when there is rain about. I am not sure of the variety we have. I took this picture in the climbing rose above the fish pond a few days ago. I think It may be a young green frog - uncoloured as yet. It has green flecks through the grey colour of its body. I intend to visit the National Parks Office and ask if they have any information on different frog species.

Hippiastrums.


My Hippiastrums have started to flower. They are just the most beautiful plants. I was very disapointed today to find that a bird had destroyed one of the buds on a plant that hasnt flowered yet. I will have to wait until next year now to know what colour it is. Here is a photo of a red one that I have had for a few years.

Last year they were just coming into flower when a hail storm hit and destroyed every flower. I really like them but always seem to have some sort of problem at flowering time.

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

My Garden


Here a couple of my Cameliah Flowers.

Donnas Blog

Hi,
I am Donna. I live in a small Country town . My main interests are gardening and animals.

I hope to provide items of interest to whoever likes to view my blog.

I hope you enjoy whatever I come up with to share with you.