A Nature Photo Story
Photo a Day Challenge
Dancing in the Storm and Roaming in the Sun
Photo a Day Challenge: Week 61 — January 27th to February 2nd
This was a week of contrasts, in weather and life. Bright hot sunny days intermingled with heavy rain showers. On the sunny days, the birds played in the water feature and during the showers the garden echoed with the sounds of drops on the corrugated iron roof and the rushing creek in the valley below.
On the first day of the photography week, I found myself in front of a computer screen typing up endless notes and filling in forms. Finally, I conceded that I needed a break. I went for a wander in the school agriculture garden, enjoying the flowering cover crops and checking on the garden that we started last year. It was the perfect antidote to paperwork!
On Saturday, I headed down to check out the new markets in town. As I wandered across the park I noticed that the magnificent trees were filled with starling nests. I only had my phone so I couldn’t catch a good shot of the birds, but how wonderful to live in a town with such magnificent trees creating environment in the middle of human population.
Our house sits on a plateau surrounded by a horseshoe of mountains. We can see them from almost anywhere on the block. When rain approaches from the North we can see it as it approaches. It’s rather magical!
This photo didn’t work out as I hoped. There were few creatures around as they sheltered from the rain. I saw this droplet in one of the purple flowers and loved the way it magnified the yellow centre.
On a sunny day, I discovered a new creature taking advantage of the insect activity in the Basil patch. This is a Magnificent Saint Andrews Cross Spider and with those patterns I’m not surprised! She (?) is also a rather magnificent hunter and I have since seen her enjoying grasshoppers, bees and beetles in her web.
This was a hot sunny day and the birds came out to play in the fresh rainwater that filled the water feature. The Red-browed Finches are slowly becoming more used to us and now I am getting closer shots. I just love the way they look when their cavorting and splashing is captured!
On the last day of the photography week I quickly took this photo of the Wedge Leaf Hopbush in my mixed hedge for a story in The Daily Cuppa. As I researched, I discovered that these plants are diecious, meaning they have male and female plants. I guess I need another once I figure out this one’s gender!
I enjoyed the contrasts between rain and sun, but now we’re moving into the wet season there will probably be less sun. As far as I am concerned, anything is better than drought!
This photo story was originally published in the online publication Weeds and Wildflowers.
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Jane Grows Garden Rooms 