A chance detour in the last week took me to a lovely spot that I’d like to share on xingfumamas whatsoever is lovely and pull up a seat challenges, as I thought of both at Bonython Park, in Adelaide.
A spoon bill is a pretty rare find.
These photos are both late (for Terri’s Sunday stills challenge) and early.
The rain moth (Trictena atripalpis, or bardee grub), pupates under the ground and appears in late August, either just before or after heavy rains.
I usually see a complete, empty ‘cartridge’ but not this time. The entire shell and moth is about 8cm or 3in. I worked at a school where, at this time, a large section of the grounds was littered with them (right, Kathy? ).
In the case of these shells and moth, it was before. And now I know, like a line of ants, they’ll be my warning of rain.
But while I searched for candidates to photograph, I also found this emerging mushroom.
The start to this Friday 13th was beautiful.
I know, I shifted spots in the back yard and perspective, trying to catch the feeling…of being alive.
Despite this being tbe wrong season for them, my nasturtiums are thriving. I couldn’t help but see the flowers beneath their canopy and decided to include them in Cee’s FOTD.
I first thought this bright flower, glowing on an overcast day, was a hibiscus but as I shot it, I wondered if it was something else, the flower being small and inverted.
I’m sure if anyone reads this and can identify my entry in Cee’s FOTD, they’ll tell me. I really should have found an identifier.
For Mama Cormiers Thursday trios, from the Adelaide Botanic Gardens.
The Arboretum, in Canberra, features both expected art and the unexpected.
Given that it is place of trees, I suppose I shouldn’t have been surprised to find a bonsai pavillion, artfully arranged.
The main building is architecturally beautiful, right from the walkway to the entrance, featuring metal plates depicting flora.
A playground, appearing as a gumnut sculpture, was well-attended.
On the way to the Himalayan Cedar forest, we saw this eye-catching sculpture, but I couldn’t find the creator’s name, anywhere. As you can see, I circled it, looking. Later, a Google search revealed that :
This sculpture, A Backwards Attitude, represents a pivotal point in technology, its effects on our lives, and our need to recognise that. The work asserts that the entire world is available for digital consumption. By Louis Pratt, Cold cast aluminium, steel and fibreglass. https://www.nationalarboretum.act.gov.au/visit/forest-sculpture-gallery
We sat to eat our lunch at wide brown land, an artwork by Marcus Tatton, Futago and Chris Viney, celebrating Dorothea Mackellor’s famous Australian poem, My Country, written in 1908. The piece was inspired by her cursive handwriting and is made of Corten steel plate and cold bent steel rod.
With over 100 forests and a multitude of walks, the Arboretum provided more than we anticipated.
The interior of the main building has high exposed beams and large windows expose sweeping views that can be enjoyed while you appreciate the cafe fare, after visiting the display tables and gift shop.
if you’re in Canberra, put it on your itinerary.
Invited by Xingfumama to reflect on the past week’s loveliness, I am thinking mostly of people I met and at one such meeting, in a nursery, I couldn’t resist this gerbera.
It was so lovely!
Now nestled in my yard, doing well with Autumn rains.
I’ve recently visited both the National and Adelaide Botanic Gardens and, of course, due to Xingfumama’s challenge, I couldn’t help but notice some special seating options.
At the National Botanic Gardens:
At Adelaide Botanic Gardens
Underdown 