Goldcrest

I was watering the garden this afternoon, when to my delight I spotted a 'new' bird visitor.

I took quite a few photos in order to identify it.  Some shots aren't especially good as he was a very busy little bird flitting here and there.

A mouthful of aphids!  Good work!

Fantail Fun

One of my favourite little birds in New Zealand must be the  busy inquisitive and ever so friendly fantail.  The garden and bush surrounding my parents property were full of them and they were regular visitors around the house.  Capturing their antics is not easy though as they are always on the go!  Here are just a few of my attempts. 

Art Class - Week 6

I'm a bit late posting this.  On Thursday I did some experimenting, trying to decide whether to take a small watercolour paint set with me to NZ or just my water colour pencils, or both!   I also managed to get a little acrylic painting done as well, trying something quite different this time.  My family weren't so impressed by  my attempt at a boat on the water!  I did try to explain it wasn't finished yet and I hadn't spent a lot of time on it, and when I showed them the picture I was painting from they did agree that it was 'similar'...hmmmm

Both need more work, but not sure I will get time before I set off for NZ at the end of the week.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

I think the birds are pleased to have a readily available food source in this terrible weather.

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Okay, so I am bored,  no real pearls of wisdom or post of interest to start the New Year off, just a little bit of nonsense and fun.

A few friends enjoying each other's company.

Peter Panda, my childhood Panda who got cuddled until he wore out...  Gordon Golly, a Golliwog made by Robin Rive's daughter Brigitte from New Zealand.  Bernard Woolley, named after a certain character in Yes, Minister and Yes, Prime Minster, and Big Panda, a recent adoptee, who is made by the same company as Peter, but is bigger.  Plus he doesn't seemed to have been loved as much as he is still quite plush!

Advent Day Seven

The little ornaments are increasing on the wooden Advent tree.  Today's was a little snowman.

It seems that finally another member of the family has got into the spirit of the Christmas elf, as today when I got up to move him, he had already moved!

I discovered him sitting on the roof of the dolls house.

A rose for December...I braved the cold this morning to take this photo.

Oh and the woodpecker came back for another visit yesterday afternoon.

Advent Day Six

Another little tree today to add to the Advent tree.

The elf seems to be sitting on Elfred's knee today...Elfred looks especially happy with the smile on his face.

Glancing to my left this morning as I sat at the computer I saw a woodpecker on the feeders through the patio door.  I was lucky enough to get one shot of him before he flew off!