CAMOUFLAGE

 It is amazing how well animals are able to blend into their surroundings and it isn't until you stand still, listen and look around you might get a glimpse of them. Yesterday on a visit to Mount Bold Reservoir I was fortunate enough to find these guys lounging around in the last rays of the sun. My timing was bad for entry into the park but on the roadside the Kangaroos obviously knew it was closing time because every field of had kangaroos grazing on the open grasses. They werent too fussed by me as a fence was between us.

When i mentioned blending in , I was reflecting back on an instance when the family visited Yorke Peninsula and we were near the ocean crossing a grassy area. David went off the path to cut across the grasses and suddenly there were at least 50 kangaroo heads popping up out of the grasses. They were perfectly hidden in their surrounds. Now some of the  male kangaroos are quite large and can be extremely dangerous when disturbed (the hind legs have be known to tear a man's abdomen  apart from one kick) so David didn't waste much time getting back on the path.
These guys are a smaller breed than the ones we saw that day - quite cute really.

 Across the field at some distance were these red and blue parrots. I've never seen them before in nature and was quite thrilled. I had difficulty getting a good shot of them with my limited zoom but I consider myself fortunate to have seen them at all.

 So today I decided to make a return trip to the reservoir (during opening times). Last night we had heavy rains, the first of the season and what a good drenching we have had. There was even a spot of hail this afternoon. Despite being rained upon I decided to walk around the dam road. All the walking paths are closed to the public , this may be due to the fires of two years ago or just that they get sick of rescuing tourists from mishaps. The paths are steep!

So much rain in one night, water is even being let out of the reservoir...I can't fathom why as it is less than half full.

The walk down to the spillway and suspension bridge is paved for public use and this little guy was well camouflaged . (I had to crop the picture so you could find him) Perfect colouring though.

A couple of bush pickies. I looked up and started to photograph what I thought was a nest after I snapped the shot it moved and only then did I realise it was a Koala. He was nestled well up in the tree and these are the best shots I could get of the face. Everything else was all bottom

Dont forget to look up

Keep an eye on the sky

I was intrigued by this bark _ maybe a stringy bark - maybe it has a disease or an animal has affected the bark?? Interesting patterning though.

 Quick snap the camera, This guy does not stay still for long. I have lots of blurry shots and some half body shots

More interesting bark patterns

Country road home, see you next visit

Gonna (Going to) leave this all behind. (A little Aussie slang)
Cheers !

Sophie Digard Fan

Anybody who loves crochet then must be a fan of Sophie Digard. I first came across her work on instagram after following a Vintage Haberdashery store - Lucello melbourne
If you care to google Sophie Digard you will be treated to image after image of her wonderful work in the most amazing colour combinations and thread. Below are just a few to tempt.

https://shoekatshoo.wordpress.com/2011/04/09/finally-sophie-digard

http://grechenscodes.com/tag/sophie-digard/

http://luccello.blogspot.com.au/2011/06/sophie-digard-at-last.html

/http://www.frenchneedle.com/blogs/frenchneedle?page=2

http://luccello.blogspot.com.au/2011_03_01_archive.html

Anyway being so in love with her work and not having the purse to purchase her product (wish) I thought I would attempt my own interpretation of her inspiring work, The beginnings .... as follows
From one small bloom many grow.

My original thought was to make a scarf but now my thinking is trending towards a bag .... the wool used is perhaps a little too thick for a scarf. Anyway I am enjoying the process and loving the use of colour again!
Happy Easter!

Neutrals Crochet Blanket Finish

I love it when you are on holidays and you get time to sit and crochet to your hearts content (after washing the floors, cleaning the bathroom and toilet, and hanging out the washing). So obviously I rushed all those jobs and then worked steadily on completing the five rounds of the border. Seven balls of grey wool later and my border is complete, although somewhat frillier than it should be. Knowing me I didn't follow the pattern properly. Actually I couldn't understand it so I made it up as I went along. The pattern on my blanket spans a greater  width than the original pattern and I really can't tell by the picture if it is true to design but who cares I'm happy anyway.

The edge in steps below

 To celebrate my completed project and to enjoy the glorious sunshine on this Easter weekend, I set off for an adventure in the hills. I thought I would try to find an area where the fires had been to work the neutrals of the blanket in with nature.
It's amazing after a few short months the undergrowth is almost back to normal , only the blackened trees hinting at the evidence of fire.

These lovely straw flowers must have flourished after the fire as they are interspersed between the trees everywhere

 A view from where I parked my car. One side of the road - lush green valleys and over the road (directly opposite) blackened trees from the fire.

And some lovely waratahs I picked up for a bargain price of $2.50 - a lovely Easter bunch and they will last for weeks.

HAPPY EASTER TO ALL



PS If you are new to the blog - Welcome and if you love birds then the previous month of photos is packed full of them : lorikeets. galahs, pelicans, swans and cormorants (I went a little crazy over the last month)
Cheers and thanks for stopping by.

March - The Month That Was - A month for the birds

Crochet - Finally something crafty

MMMMmmm

What do we have here?

Aaargh AaRGH  Youre telling the story!

A wavy brown sea perhaps

Nope. Just getting towards the end of my crochet blanket\

My original intention was to make it king sized but the weight of the blanket is already too heavy and if I ever decide to wash it would become impossible to handle.

So a single sized blanket it is. My decision was also decided by the fact that I am running out of options in the neutral tones of wool and didn't want to buy more if I wasn't going to go larger. 

So I now have to do the edging

That will probably take another few months at the rate I have been working (but at least I have started)

Well what is that yellow thing. Looks like yummy flowers to eat!
My latest op shopped acquisition - Originally the frame was apricot (of 70's/80's style- I cant remember which ) Anyway a quick lick of paint did the trick. Now I just have to find somewhere to put it. I think after I have painted my living room walls white (currently tuscan glow -red) I will easily find a home for it. Time for a change after more than 12 years with red walls.

So thats what the whole thing looks like guys.

My first crafted post for the month, had to get something in before April arrives!
Cheers see you soon - invariably with more bird posts ????