Travel Theme: Four Brown Pelicans

Four Brown Pelis perched up high in the swaying branches.

I’ve often marvelled at how they keep their balance and even manage to sleep standing on a branch. Surely it must be exhausting having to hold on so tightly so as not to fall. Well, apparently their talons have a pulley system of tendons so that the bird’s foot closes and grasps automatically as the ankle and knee joints are bent. They can only release their grip once the limb is straightened, so instead of having to expend energy holding on for dear life, as we humans would if we were clinging to a branch, a bird’s magical system simply locks their talons in place. How cool is that?

Have a great Sunday. If you want to see more ‘Fours’, just visit Ailsa’s Travel Theme here.

 

 

 

 

Surprise in the Garden for Jude’s Challenge

Yesterday I went scouting in the garden hoping to get a few successful macros for Jude’s ‘Garden Photography…..Get a little closer challenge’.

A couple of Hibiscus flowers had come out overnight. This brilliant red outside my bathroom window is my favourite.

The golden one belongs to my neighbour, but they’re away overseas so I snuck a photo  without treading on their garden….well almost.

The Bougainvillea is in full bloom now.

Rounding the corner next to our garage, I got such a pleasant surprise to see that the bare stick of an orchid which hubby brought over from the other house and had tied to a palm tree a few months ago, was once again flaunting healthy, fat buds; seven of them. I’ll definitely keep an eye out for the flowers as they develop. I’m sure they will be exquisite, that’s if the iguanas don’t eat them. I read that they’re very partial to orchids. Fingers crossed.

I’m off to sweep some sawdust now, whilst hubby’s out buying yet more timber.

Happy Wednesday to you all.

 

 

Wordless Wednesday: Cuteness Overload

Sammy enjoys a nutty breakfast.

Wishing you all a happy Hump Day.

My Sunday Photo: Ramses and Nefertari

Ramses and Nefertari, two fine examples of Egyptian Geese, showed up in my backyard yesterday.

“Ay oh whey oh, ay oh whey oh
Walk like an Egyptian.”

I could also link this to Jude’s ‘March Wildlife Garden Photography Challenge’, but maybe she’s getting tired of seeing so many of my visitors. 🙂

Wishing you all a sunny Sunday.

Mr. Iggy has a lie-in.

Monday morning saw Iggy looking the worse for wear after what can only have been a rather rough weekend. I couldn’t help but laugh at the “I’m all in!” expression on his face.

Wishing you all a happy month of March.

Monochrome Monday: The yellow rose turned white.

I’m just skidding in at the last moment for Jude’s February ‘Garden Monochrome’ challenge. Just think, if it wasn’t Leap Year I’d have missed it!

This beautiful bright yellow double rose doesn’t look too shabby in B&W, does it?

Happy Leap Day  to you all, especially if it’s your birthday. I wonder how Leap Year people cope with only having a birthday every four years. One advantage is that that they age much slower than the rest of us, but does that outweigh the fact that they only get pressies and cards once every four years?  🙂