More Backyard Sights

The 'net is a wonderful invention - it sends text, photos, sounds, and video - but so far! - no smells. So please use your imagination on this post.
These Banksia roses have been blooming outside my kitchen window for a few weeks. There are some dead blooms but plenty more buds still to come out. The perfume is delightful - especially in the early morning and late afternoon.

Down the back corner of the yard I have citrus trees planted. This tree is a very large one - a Pomelo (citrus maxima) - and in full blossom right now. Pomelos are the largest of all citrus fruit - 15-25cms in diameter(5.9-9.8 inches) and weighing 1-2 kms (2.2-4.4 lbs). The fruit is usually a white color and tastes like a mild sweet grapefruit but without any of the bitterness of a grapefruit. It was originally grown in southern and south-eastern Asia.  I love the smell of citrus blossoms and so do the bees!

Next to the Pomelo tree is a Macadamia Tree. The flowers smell like very sweet honey and are attracting bees and bugs of all kinds. Macadamias used to be called Queensland Nuts and were originally from Australia. Macadamias were planted as a commercial crop in Hawaii from the 1920s and are now grown in a number of places around the world.

Occasionally rather unusual birds come through my backyard. I am lucky if I am around to see them but this time it was easy! A couple of little Willy Wagtails were making a big fuss and scolding something that had come too close. When I went out to see I found this Pheasant Coucal (Centropus phasianinus).  This is only the third time I have seen this bird in my area - or at least around town. The photos are not good! They were taken against the sun and then in deep shade under some palms. Although the Coucal is classed as a cuckoo it does not have the nasty habit of nest parasitism but builds a nest for itself in long grass. It is usually seen running across the ground and when it does fly it almost seems too heavy to get up!

For more scenery from around the world visit Our World Tuesday

and for more birds visit Wild Bird Wednesday.