Central Plateau, North Island

Central Plateau, North Island
View from a friend's farm

Tuesday 19 February 2013

Kereru and Lamb’s Ears

 

This morning a New Zealand Pigeon, or Kereru, flew round and stopped at the top of a Cabbage Tree , Cordyline A ustralis  I’m sure, to eat some of the white berries.  He /she then moved to another tall tree close by.These birds  were once  one of the the major dispersers of the  Cabbage Tree seeds. He posed, not facing me,  but side on, showing off beautiful plumage.

 

 NZ Native pigeon 7

NZ pigeon 4

On the other side of the garden, early morning dew settled on the leaves of the Lamb’s Ears plants. Stachys Byzantina, drought tolerant and “ deer-resistant”, I wonder if rabbits like them as, although he was too fast for me to get a photo, Bugs Bunny was in another part of the garden, eating the few leaves left from some lupin plants.

Lamb's Ears leaves in morning dew

Quotation of the day, author unknown,

“ Words and feathers are easily scattered,

but not so easily gathered up”

Greetings from Jean

24 comments:

Judith said...

Oh, how marvellous to have kereru in your garden. You are privileged! I haven't seen any since I moved here, though I used to see them quite often (balancing on the power lines!) when I lived in Lower Hutt, close to the bush.

Brian King said...

A beautiful bird, indeed, and beautiful shots!

Nancy J said...

Judith, this is probably the only one that has settled on a tree for any length of time, they are beautiful, and Brian, thank you so much for your words, I used the telephoto lens, but still had to crop, and no time to get the tripod out. I wanted him to face me, but couldn't get a clear photo from the other side, too many bushes and trees. Cheers, Jean.

Razzle Dazzle Quilter said...

Isn't it great when the Kereru flies overhead and makes that whomp whomp whomp sound? We don't see them much here.usedto have lots when we lived on the bush line in Thames.
Linda

Urban Rundström said...

Hi! Very beautiful with the morning dew on the plants. And next time we hope the pigeon face you. Here in Sweden we have snowstorm today and we´v got about 15 cm new snow. //Urban

Nancy J said...

Linda, he/she stayed there just long enough to get some photos, then flew south. Urban, we still have very hot days, yesterday 30C in our back lawn area, = 86F, enjoy your snow, our colder days are ahead. Greetings from Jean.

Barb said...

I might have to try some Lambs Ear in my mountain garden this summer. I like the silvery colored leaf and if critters let them alone, all the better! Are you preparing for your vacation?

Carol Mattingly said...

Such a gorgeous bird and I loved this story.

Jenny K. Lyon said...

I love your photos and seeing what life is like there for you-you have a great eye!

Nancy J said...

Barb, I have not seen a rabbit eat the Lamb's ears, maybe because of the name!!! Packing, well all the merino sewing is done, maybe some photos tomorrow,Carol, we seldom see the NZ pigeon, far less for him to stay for a while, I was thrilled, and Jenny, well, the FMQ was a sad story for me last year, I tried and tried so hard, but have decided that applique and photos are what I like so much better.And I now tend to look at everything through the lens rather than a fleeting glance, and appreciate what is round me in the garden, sky and water so much more. Greetings from Jean.

Kat said...

Such a lovely bird and as always, your photographs are gorgeous. I feel like I am standing there with you, enjoying the sights.

Gayle said...

Wish I was there basking in the heat with you watching the birds. Your home is so beautiful.

Ashling said...

Love your photos & the quote. Such a beautiful bird! Thank you for sharing!

Leeann said...

I have wood pigeons in my backyard too. They give me a fright when they take off from a tree, when I'm getting the washing in.(their wings make such a loud whooshing sound)

Nancy J said...

Thanks Kat, lovely words, they make me feel like a million dollars.Gayle, sorry but at 30C most days after 1 p.m. way too hot for me, I long for some of your coolness up there,Ashling, I always so enjoy your posts and what you share with us, a 2 way street altogether, and Leeann, this was so rare, the first and only time I have been able to get a photo. Just a lucky day, and greetings to all, from Jean

Stephen Andrew said...

That bird has such a beautiful curved shilouette. Ahhh so excited for my garden to wake up from it's winter spell!

Nancy J said...

Hi Stephen, did you find me on one of the blogs on your list, fom a comment? We follow some of the same, yours is neat, and will be added to my list. Thanks for lovely words, Greetings from Jean

fromsophiesview said...

Love the last quote, Jean!

The pidgeon looks very similar to ours maybe a bit larger. Love teh greyish colour tones.

Those lamb's ears I just know are so soft like cashmere...lovely.

Now I have HOPE....spring IS around the corner for us!

Ron

Shane Pollard said...

Wonderful photos you got of our Kereru, sadly they don't visit us often in the city but our son lives in the bush at Titirangi where they are right at home!!!

My lambs ears are looking rather moth eaten after such a dry summer this year - mustn't complain as it's been an awesome summer - one out of the box!

I'm following your blog and left you a comment several posts back too!
Shane ♥

Stephen Andrew said...

Thank you! Yes saw your comment on Ms. Lori Skoog's fabulous blog.

Nancy J said...

Thanks Sophie,Ron, Stephen and Shane, Oops! a spelling error in my comment to you Stephen ( fom) should be from... and thanks to you all for lovely comments, nearly 2 years since my first post, and I am always so thrilled to have new readers, members and new friends.And if I do not reply to your comment, I will have read it, been so happy to have your words, and will reply soon. Have a lovely day where ever you are. greetings from Jean

KB said...

Can't type much.... but I adore the photos today. The dew on the leaves is a prize winner!

Nancy J said...

Hi KB, hope the splints help. and the leaves with dew, I like it too. Thanks so much for lovely words. Greetings from Jean.

Lindsjö taxar said...

Lovely...lamb ears is our name too on them. Directly translated lamm öron :-)