Charlotte's web

 

Didn't actually see the spider but the web was gorgeous! We stopped by a national forest on the way to a doctor appointment in Moruya. By the time we got there, we had 15 minutes and it deserved longer. We didn't spend much time looking for fungi or birds but the web caught my attention. 

We have had some great views lately. Most Australian trees don't change color but this orange/red one is doing very pretty changes. It lives in what we refer to as the "formal" garden. 

With an easterly facing view, I expected, and we do get, some very nice sunrise

The morning mist can also make the other spider webs very visible

Unexpectedly, the sunsets can be even more gorgeous

Maybe because they often bring an end to a hard days' work but mostly they are just amazing to watch. It is moving into winter here, so they do come earlier and earlier. 

The doctor visit was to get a Q-fever test done. I am not sick but my doc recommended the vaccine. Q fever is much more prevalent here and is carried by the wildlife. To get the vaccine, you need risk  factors (veterinarian, sheep and farm did it) and then need to be tested for prior exposure; if you have prior exposure, the vaccine can make you very sick. First is serology for IgM and IgG. That was negative. Then you get an intradermal skin test. This process is a bit different here vs the US. I needed to pick up the antigen and take it to my doctor. So I had to get it ordered into a pharmacy. It has been on back order so that took a bit. We made a separate trip to Moruya to get it. Then I took it back to a specific doctor (different day) that was trained into the process. Despite the back order business, the small vial contained enough antigen for 170 people. She pulled it up into a 50 ml syringe to get it diluted properly. I was a bit worried until she explained the process a bit. I am supposed to go back next week to get the test site read. It is looking positive so not sure worth the trip. Mixed blessing since I can't yet get the vaccine (also limited supply). Will see if we need to tra.vel or not. 

Meantime, we have been spending more time with water tanks, gardens, and the tool library. We have been washing out the tanks that hold water for the gardens etc. Borrowing a pressure washer from the tool library helped but the first died quickly and was returned. The second one leaks like a sieve but has enough pressure to work just fine. It does need to take breaks; just turns itself off when ready for one. 

Getting there but it takes a bit. Tank below is all cleaned and full of potable water. Not sure the current tank will reach drinking water level but should be okay for use on the garden! Just two more to go. 

They have put the finishing touches on the cement tank. Now we just need the plumber to connect it to the rain collection system. 

We have still been acquiring new plants for the garden and then complaining when we get too much. The spinach and silver beet (chard) are doing very well

We also purchased a dwarf banana tree and an artichoke plant. Have never considered those before now!

The livestock are doing fine - kangaroos, fox, wombats and more. The sheep are happy enough, as well.

Also finding a few smaller creatures as I work in the garden

Outside of the garden, Scott has found some other interesting plants. Neither of these is considered edible.

This spiky one is forest nightshade aka grin whiskers. The colorful one below is Brisbane laurel. Birds like it but bitter for humans. However, not toxic like the one above. Why it needs to be toxic in addition to having purple spikes, I have no idea. 

For the house, no framed pics in the exercise/music room yet.  No music has yet been made in the space either. We have put the yoga mats to work for stretching, at least!

No blog post would be complete with a bird pic. This nankeen kestrel has been watching from the wires above our road. The smallest Australian falcon is very cute.