Thursday, October 6, 2011

Home Safe

A quick one tonight.

I got home safe from Mum’s house late on Tuesday night.
I had a lovely time but all good things come to an end.

Mum lives 1300 km (800 miles) away so I don’t get to see her nearly as often as I would like. It was quite heart wrenching to come away. She is still fit and healthy but at 82 years of age I am painfully aware that she won’t be around forever.

Mind you having said that she comes from a long lived line on her mother’s side so I hope she will be around for a good while yet!

That’ll do me for tonight except I have as usual come home with a pile of piccies. I will share just two tonight.

A pair of fire-tail finches (Neochmia temporalis) also known as red-browed finches. These native finches are about the size of a sparrow. They form pair bonds and these two seemed very cozy so I guess they are mates.

A common or laughing Kookaburra (Dacelo novaeguineae) these guys are common across eastern Oz. They are a giant kingfisher (about 45 cm long) their main prey is reptiles such as lizards and snakes. They swoop down from their perch and carry their prey back into a tree. They dispatch a snake by battering its head repeatedly against a branch before swallowing them whole!

6 comments:

Old Kitty said...

Welcome back!! Glad you had a great time with your mum!

These birds are amazing - the finch is just so colourful and the kookaburra is just brilliant!! Take care
x

Linda G. said...

Glad you got to spend some time with your mother. My mom is about to turn 82, so I know what you mean.

Thanks for the avian pics -- love them!

Carolyn V said...

I'm glad you got to visit your mom, too. Those relationships are very precious.

My mother-in-law is also around 82 and still up and about. But I worry more about her as each year passes.

I hope all goes well on your end. =)

Ann said...

Oh how wonderful you were able to have a lovely visit with your Mum. How lucky you are. She sounds like she is sprightly 82yr. old.

Your photos as usual are beautiful. What gorgeous colours on the finch.

Amanda said...

I've been catching up on your blog today. Love love your photos. I was wondering if the birds in the post a few posts earlier that you didn't know were finches as well. It's hard to judge the size.

I have never been a bird person but your country has such interesting and beautiful ones that I actually look forward to your bird posts.

I understand. My mom lives about 800 miles away from us as well - and my last living grandparent lives with her as well. I miss having family close to us especially now that we have a little grandson for them.

Sounds like you have a lovely Mum :)

Al said...

Hi Amanda,
Pleased to have you drop by!

I have been terribly slack looking the little fellow up, but now thanks to your prompting I have taken the time. He is a White-browed Scrubwren.

It is so hard being apart from a loving mum (or mom). You must be particularly feeling it given your little one.

My Mum is one of the loveliest people I know (and i am not just biased) :-)