Singing in the rain

 

We now have a roof sprinkler system! And two fire hose set ups (as above). This is a short video of the system in action

If a fire is approaching, we turn on the system to wet things down around the house. We use the firehoses in other areas. If the fire gets closer, we turn on the sprinklers and hunker down inside. It should be able to run for over an hour if needed. 

We put the sprinklers on the house and on the shed. Having the concrete walkway 360 degrees should also help. 

The process involved connecting the cement tank to the roof top system

We lost a few agapanthus (yay!) and surfaced quite a few rocks (boo). We have both started collecting rocks so we can eventually mow without injury. The agapanthus is moving to the burn pile. 

We have also been spending some time killing invasive weeds. The experts recommend getting certain weeds now when they are easy to spot and are sensitive to the weed killers. This is one we are targeting now:

Paterson's curse is considered a very bad player. It contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids which cause liver damage in animals, develops bristles that cause skin irritation and it crowds out the good plants. It also develops pretty purple flowers so has been sold under other names. 

We are also spraying the thistles and picking the pretty yellow fireweed plants:

These also contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids, crowd out good plants and readily disperse their seeds, even if pulled from the ground. Since they keep being problematic after pulled up, we have to get them before they flower or bag them. 

While doing this, we have found some more wildlife spots! Scott has gone back with the camera to find pardalote birds, bunnies, red-bellied black snakes, and wombats.

The holes in the creek banks are not all snake holes! This is the first spotted pardalote we have seen on our land.

The wombats have been coming out during the day - this pair looks to have a growing juvenile that is likely making the warren a bit more crowded!

This one took its time moseying back underground

It has gotten warm enough to see the snakes and skinks. The red-bellied black snakes generally don't bother you as long you don't step on them. That might cause offense. 

The rabbits are also considered a major economic pest and invasive species. First brought to Australia as meat animals, they were eventually released for hunting - with the unsurprising result of breeding well in the wild. They are reported to be the fastest population explosion and the most significant factor for species loss (see wikipedia for more). Our breeding pair apparently has a genetic mutation or two.

I have been gradually adding plants to the gardens. The roof sprinkler system did give those within reach a nice watering. Most days, I pull out the hose, instead. So far, we have started tomatoes, peppers, cilantro, potatoes, cucumbers, cabbage, kale, beetroot, dill, and others. 

The peach trees are also blossoming! Fingers crossed we can get the blossoms pollinated and get the trees netted before the birds find the fruit!

Most likely to be wanted for fruit thievery - crimson rosellas

satin bowerbirds,

and king parrots

Most will be forgiven as long as they leave some fruit!