Around My House

When I looked out my back window the other day I saw something red high among the palm fronds. It wasn't a bird and palms fronds are not that color! When I went closer I saw that one of my Gymea Lilies (Doryanthes excelsa) had pushed a tall flower stem and flower head high among the palms. These plants are indigenous to the Sydney region down in New South Wales. The ones I have growing here are not as big and lush as the ones down in the Sydney area but are still very beautiful.
The Gymea Lily plant is the plant low to the ground with the long strappy leaves. There is a Sable Palmetto Palm in front of it and behind is a Golden Cane Palm which has grown more vigorously than I expected. 

 

No matter where I stood the flower was still partly shadowed by palm fronds.

These are Australian Wood Ducks (Chenonetta jubata)  and they often wander along the edges of the roads around my house. These ones were right outside my front gate. The male let me get some good photos but the female turned and walked off before I could get a really good photo. This is the male finding some tender leaves to eat.

 And the female walking off too soon for good photos!

My posts have become quite intermittent over the last few months. Because I get a bit annoyed with other bloggers who suddenly do the same or even simply disappear - I decided to explain that I have been diagnosed with Macular Degeneration in my eyes. I have a very good specialist and am getting injections in both eyes which have halted the degeneration. However, most things seem to have side effects, and I have become very sensitive to light!  This makes my favorite places along the shore and out on the bay rather difficult for me most of the time. However, I am NOT going blind! A few years ago (before these injections were available) I watched my Dad go blind from the same thing, so I think I am pretty lucky!

For more scenery from around the world visit Our World Tuesday

and for more birds visit Wild Bird Wednesday