In Calais at last

We have finally made it to Calais for Lindy's wedding.  We stopped in South Korea on the way - quite the best way to do the long haul - and then on to Paris where a rail workers strike threatened to stop us, but we were able to hire a car and with the help of the TomTom made it safely to our digs.

Tomorrow is the big day, and it looks as though we're all set to go.

Pics soon :)

Hetty's New Friends

Hetty now has 4 new girl friends and a new boyfriend - all purchased at Goulburn.  We have 3 black tailed wheatens, Poppy, Lily and Daisy; and black red Florence.  Ruling the roost is Hugo a birchen cockerel who had to be handed the reigns of power by Hetty AFTER she proved she was the better fighter!!

Pics soon :)

Here's Hetty!!

Freya and I went to the Yass Pure Breeds Auction yesterday and although she was shopping for silkies, Freya fell for the little Modern Game Bantams.  Hetty came home with us, and she is such a sweetie.  Hopefully we'll be able to find some friends for her next weekend.  Yes, OK, they do look like pigeons on steroids, but very low maintenance!!  LOL!!

Remains of the Day

This was a 'theme' from the calender of my camera club in Bega.  Unfortunately I left before the month it came up.  Finally I've got some pics that I could have entered.  When I first heard the theme I thought 'road kill' - as you do - and have spent some photographing that, but its OK, I'm not going to share that with you, here are some more usual 'thoughts' and some flash shots taken at the same time, the low light and the 'fill' light making for some interesting shots.

Pasquale, a great lumbering puppy

Here is Pasquale this evening, after his dinner, so able to stand still for a few seconds!! definitely going through the ganglies!!  LOL!!  Tonight he got a bone stuck across the roof of his mouth, between his teeth, I helped fix the problem and was biten for my troubles... hence his slightly sheepish look in these photos.  My vet thinks he even smells a bit sheepish!!  LOL!!  Perhaps I'll get him a couple, so he has an excuse ;-D

Time to Parrrrrrrrty!!

Freya, freshly home from the hairdresser and off to party with Emma - have a good one girls :)

Off to the pond

This morning, because I had the camera with me, and thus the ducks were very nervous, the morning flight to the pond was slow to get started - but you get the gist!  Judas and Tomas flew all the way as usual, but the rest walked the first bit, then took off at the last minute.

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Tomas is Airborne

I wasnt here yesterday to see it, but Tomas took his first little flight.

This morning I was able to witness his prowess for myself.  When I opened the pen door this morning with the usual - 'who is ready for a day in the great outdoors?' - Tomas joined the 'winged ones' who fly out the door and all the way to the pond.  Magic!!

Hope to get some pics tomorrow.

Ducks at the Duck Show

Yesterday was the NSW Waterfowl Breeders Association Show.  I took several ducks and came home with a nice little collection - see!

Dried Eucalyptus Leaf Moth

Found this moth next to the door on Friday - excellent dead leaf camouflage.

The Silence of the Dam

The Little Grebe chick has disappeared without a trace :(

Ken and Vegemite

Late afternoon at the pond, Ken looking gorgeous and Vegemite doing some stretching exercises.

Chops - moulting and getting adult plumage

Late afternoon sun and a good time to preen.  Hardly seems possible, but our little boy is really turning into a grown up drake!!

Tomas Update

Tomas is 6 weeks and 2 days old now by my reckoning, and he's been with us for 6 weeks and 1 day - he's progressed so well, and this week is trying out his flight feathers.  His wingspan is now greater than his body length.

Little Grebe Chick

Big day today, we took Pasquale on the walk with us - wanted to tire him out because last night we took the Elizabethan collar off and he's not supposed to 'worry' his wounds.  Luckily after the bandages came off yesterday morning he pretty much left them alone.  He had a mostly fab time, except for the 'lead lesson' at the end!!  LOL!!


We went by the dam on the way - the Little Grebe chick has survived the night.  Yay!!

Disaster at the Dam

This morning on our walk we found the Little Grebe chick on his own, no parent bird in sight.  He was still cheeping and calling like crazy, but there appeared to be no adult bird in sight.

Later I went back to the dam, the chick is still there, but no adult has magically appeared, and he is silent - does not bode well.

Cherry's babies and Tomas

Cherry's babies are growing up, now nearly as big as her.  The chocolate baby as an appetite that is unequalled by any other living thing, he/she just face plants until the crop is sooo full that remaining upright is touch and go!!

Tomas is doing well, and for a little duck creates quite a bow wave!!

A visiting adult Pacific Black.

Ducks and Aquatic Life

Today we had a visit from a beady eyed tortoise (?) will have to "Google that shit" (as my children say!!) and see what the proper name for this guy is.  (BTW never end a sentence with a preposition, ok?)

Today after feeding the ducks late - out breakfasting at Vincentia, what can I say???  LOL!! - Ken was so pleased to have a full belly that play was next on the list, here he is.... going.... going ..... gone!!  LOL!!