Tawney Frogmouth

The Tawney Frogmouth has been hard to spot of late but one of them was sitting in the Pepper tree this morning, so much for the idea that native birds will only nest in native trees. I couldn't see if it had a nest because the leaves were in the way. I haven't found the Willy wagtail's nest but it must be nearby as one of them was dive bombing a magpie near the patio this morning. The magpies have taken to carolling near the door on the patio early in the morning when I am making my pot of tea. It is a joy to hear them as I write my journal. We used to call them Diaries once upon a time, now everyone journals, it has become a verb as well.

It has been a beautiful day today, started spring cleaning the Studio in the morning but for lunch we took some friends to a local restaurant for a shared lunch. The Restaurant is a great building of rammed earth and the setting alone is stunning so just sitting at the table looking out is a pleasure. There is a bronze of a wombat on a plinth, by one of my favourite sculptors Silvio Apponye,  at the entrance of the restaurant and it looks so good amongst the beautiful gums.
 The food and wine were excellent and we went home contented.

At Kingston on the way to the south East, Silvio has a wonderful site of his sea creatures in granite coming out of the stone and in the middle is a sundial with you as the pointer to show you the time of the day. You have to stand in the marked footsteps to get the correct time for that time of the year.His Whale's tail in Victor Harbour is also well known as is the big lizard at the Monarto Zoo. Tonight they showed the funny little baby Rhinocerous which was born there two days ago .Dear little creature with enormous feet....