Sunday 16 February 2020

Singing for the Rain

Glorious soaking rain has fallen steadily here for days and days. Our rain gauge and tanks are full to overflowing. The garden is lush and green and the grass is growing rather enthusiastically.  There's loads of catch-up washing strung up everywhere there's room for a rack or a line now the sun is peeking out again. Our gumboots and old shoes are splattered with mud from squelching about in the garden and our trusty umbrellas are still by the front door ready for the week's forecast showers. One little character, with no umbrella of its own, has found itself a spot of shelter up on our back verandah. From its perch upon the railing, it's been singing to its heart's content.

A cute little butcher bird. 

Offering up a tune.

With it's fluffed-up feathers, still the lighter brown of a juvenile, it is rather cute and not the least bit shy about its singing. It's visited many a day recently to offer up a serenade or two. Before its more melodious performances, I had seen and heard it squawking loudly for its parent birds to find and feed it tasty morsels. Perhaps it's now singing for us in the hope we'll take over feeding duties or maybe it too is just very happy with all the rain.

Meg

24 comments:

  1. So glad that everything is looking so green now and it was lovely hearing all the rain and being cozy inside. Yesterday was so hot and humidity was shocking I was dripping with sweat the whole day. Have a great week...love the little birds visiting too.

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    1. Oh, the humidity! I spent time out in the garden and came back in looking as though I'd been for a swim. A truly tropical feel to Summer now. I hope you have a lovely week too, Kathy. I am working three days this week so I'll be busy. Meg:)

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  2. Rain is a wonderful refresher for gardens isn't it. Everything looks fresh and new after a good downpour

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    1. It is a wonderful refresher for the garden and for me too after such a long dry spell, Cherie. Lovely rain! Meg:)

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  3. What a cute bird.
    I’m glad you are getting enough rain. Plants must be so happy. 😊

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    1. A garden full of happy plants, Nil!
      Meg:)

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  4. I reckon mum and dad have trained Junior, this is where they feed 'em. But singing for your supper, is not what it's always about. Junior has definitely found their happy place! Hopefully it will start a tradition, and subsequent Juniors will chortle on the verandah with each new generation. Glad you're enjoying the rain. It's such a reprieve from the long dry. :)

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    1. Loving the rain, Chris! I know some areas have had too much and experienced flooding but here it's been wonderful and a welcome contrast to the long dry spell we had before Xmas. Glad you've had rain too! Meg:)

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  5. It is amazing how the green comes so quickly after rain. Its wonderful to see.

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    1. It is amazing how quickly things can green up again, Rosie. In December, we had a brown and crunchy lawn and now it's lush and green again...and in need of mowing! Meg:)

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  6. I am so glad to hear that you have had lots of rain, that must be such a relief for you all. How wonderful to have a little feathered visitor come and sing to you. I have never managed to get such good photos of a bird either, thank you for sharing.

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    1. My photos of birds are usually not very clear but this little one was not the least bit phased when I got up close with the camera. Quite happy to pose for photos! Meg:)

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  7. I'm glad you're still receiving some much needed rain. We're currently getting too much of it and I'll be relieved when a dry spell arrives.
    Wouldn't it be wonderful to get the right balance. X

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    1. I hope the rain clears for you soon, Jules, so that you can enjoy some clear days to get outside and enjoy the outdoors. Meg:)

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  8. What a cute bird! Must sound heavenly! So glad you received wonderful rain. Andrea

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    1. Oh, he or she is ever so cute, Andrea, and has such a beautiful call. I love hearing it ringing out from the verandah. MegXx

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  9. It is a topsy turvy world at the moment - we are in an area where so much rain has fallen whole towns are flooded nearby and waiting for a dry spell to help dry out the land and reduce the rivers. Glad that you have had enough rain though to refresh where you live.

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    1. Australia is very much a land of extremes. This past Summer has seen a continuation of drought, terrible bushfires, then heavy rain and for some flooding too. I hope that dry spell comes to the area where you live soon so things can dry out and fine weather returns. Meg:)

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  10. Oh yes, so much rain, we ended up on flood warning. I know we need the rain, but it's scary watching the river rise, and so I was pretty pleased when the rain stopped, and the river stayed just inches below the top of the levee. I love the butcher bird's song, how lovely it comes to serenaded you.

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    1. Flooding can be devastating too, Nanette. Glad that the river stopped rising down your way and that your place has remained safe and dry. MegXx

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  11. What a sweet little bird. I love the way you describe him. Songbirds are so joyful.

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    1. There are always butcher birds around the area here, Stephanie, and their call is quite a lovely one. It does indeed sound happy and joyful. MegXx

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  12. Meg, it hasn't rained here for a few days now but the grass and weeds are still growing profusely. Thank goodness we are having some cooler days soon without the humidity hopefully.

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    1. Oh the weeds, Chel. I could fill a bucket with them every time I go out in the garden. They are trying to colonise the lawn! Hopefully some less humid days coming up! Meg:)

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