Our great southern migration

  This post will be mostly about our farm birds but also a bit about those idioms. It also rings true right now as I am starting a site visit for veterinary school accreditation. That is definitely part of the gate keeping process!  Gatekeepers have various repercussions, depending on the topic, but are generally considered to be a person or thing that controls access. This could be access to a place, a person, a resource or information. In that line, most of our birds are not truly gate keepers. The jacky-winters on the gate above are not restricting anyone. They are part of the robin family and seem very peaceable. Ditto for this scarlet robin female: However, the magpies below are a bit more threatening. If we go back to the social psychology roots of the term, Kurt Lewin used it study how social groups filter and manage choices. These three are definitely a social group.  As we head into spring in the southern hemisphere, we are now down to two magpies. Our best guess...

We (mostly Scott) have been digging up grass and moving dirt around. This has disturbed the insects and worms,  making the birds very happy. This jacky-winter was engrossed with what was happening below. Ditto with this superb fairy wren: The wrens (particularly this little male) have been getting very bold. In most area we have been, the female fairy wrens are the bold ones but not in this group. The male will hop on the picnic table while we are sitting there and focuses on where Scott sits in case he drops a potato chip again. He does often get to be the subject of my camera practice. due to his posing nearby.  This shot isn't as clear but I do think the blur captures more of their normal behavior! This thornbill obviously found something yummy This nankeen kestrel was likely looking for something a bit bigger when flying over the paddock We also have a new resident- the olive backed oriole is hopefully setting up residence near the creek. Definitely been voicing their thou...

  Our garden grows quite well, thank you. The first pear tree is almost done, the second just starting to ripen and the peaches are turning ripe and then overripe very quickly. I have run out of jars so am currently filling up the freezer and dehydrating fruit until more jars are shipped in!  We did actually buy more plants, including cauliflower and broccoli. Those of you that witnessed my attempts to grow those in MN can laugh. We also planted a fig tree (very small) and a passionfruit vine + seeds (carrots, radishes and turnips). Need to make more garden beds! We had our first lunch company today-  Suzie, Kerry and Mieke came over. We house sat for Suzie and took care of Mieke in Bermagui. Scott bought a grill the other day so we got to try it out. They did get cucumbers out of the garden and a little bit more veggies in the quiche; mostly they got to take home some fruit.  We also had our first truly home delivery this week - three rugs were brought up the road a...