It was astounding last week to see a fox come in to drink at the pond and then hurry onto the verandah ....in the middle of the day, I ask you, what was he intent on? Of course it is the mating season for foxes at present and you can hear their primordial, husky bark in the middle of the night, calling to each other. It always makes me feel vulnerable somehow... as though it might be a wolf and I want to hide my head under the blankets. I followed this one to make sure he didn't stop at the chookie yard and have a hasty lunch. Last I saw of him he was galloping down the neighbours vineyard.
The other wild things which have appeared is this wood duck couple, they have wandered onto the patio as well and left the inevitable calling cards. Just a while ago when I went to get wood for the fire, they were right in front of me and didn't hurry off that quickly but stayed in among the rose bushes. So I wonder if they are looking for a tree with a hollow to nest in. They hatch their young high up in trees and the poor little ducklings have to jump and plop on the ground to follow their parents to the grazing grounds. They are not ducks but Maned geese and are grazers.
We have also suddenly seen the Eastern Rosellas which are feeding on the left over Kalamata olives. This one I photographed through the kitchen window and thought the native sage with its lovely little blue flowers a great background.
Last year I was not feeling very benevolent towards these and the rainbow lorikeets as they totally stripped all the apple trees before I had time to net them....so no Granny Smiths or Golden Delicious... and whats more they were also into the Quinces which has never happened before....
The other curious thing, which I meant to blog about when it happened in May, was that the Greenies were busy building a nest. It is a beautifully constructed hollow form hung from the vine branch and decorated with all manner of bits and pieces... it was the wrong time of the year and we thought everything seemed out of sinc with the season somehow.... climate change and global warming on our doorstep....
Remember to click on the photos to get a closer look at the creatures......
