Side Verandah and Sunbird Mama
By bushbernie
13 comments
Good morning from the dry tropics downunder! It’s a gorgeous breezy morning out here today, with a comfy 25 deg C and partly cloudy sky. There are a couple of female Agile Wallabies grazing in our weed-filled yard.
There’s a splash of colour out beside the pond as the Turnera subulata has opened lots of its sunny blooms after the sun rose this morning. This sunny-faced plant is commonly known as the White Alder or the Dark-eyed Turnera.
We now have hanging baskets along one side of our verandah. I’m looking forward to see how they go, as I’ve always considered it a tough spot for plants in shallow baskets. It’s a very exposed site, with full exposure to the sun almost all day and exposure to the winds we often experience here. I can’t use larger baskets as the hooded roof struts wouldn’t hold that great a weight.
At the moment there’s a Calibrachoa x hybrida ‘Minifamous Double Plumtastic’ (what a mouthful!!!!!), a Dianthus
and a gorgeous Kalanchoe blossfeldiana hybrid ‘Calandiva Birkin’ planted in those little baskets so we’ll see how they go. All these plants are supposedly capable of withstanding full sun and wind.
Sadly, I caused a tragic loss of life on Friday evening. As I was taking down the washing off the clothes line downstairs, somehow the one and only Sunbird egg flipped out of the nest which was hanging on the other line, and smashed on the pavers below!!! I was mortified.
I looked out for Mama all day yesterday, with no sight of her! Thankfully though, Mama Sunbird has seemingly forgiven me and she’s back in her nest this morning. All is right with the world.
15 Sep, 2024
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Comments
Thanks Kate. We really are very blessed and appreciate all the special joys that came our way whilst living here.
15 Sep, 2024
Really enjoyable pics., Bushbernie. I'm glad mother bird has come back to the nest and hope she lays lots of eggs for you to enjoy watching. The wallaby is very picturesque also. Good luck with your baskets. Goodness, the breeders do give these plants some forgettable names, don't they?!
15 Sep, 2024
It's great to see your sunny skies and wildlife Bb. So sorry to hear about mama Sunbirds egg. Hopefully she'll lay another egg to incubate and you'll get to see the fledgling when hatched, and maybe we will too..:))
15 Sep, 2024
I've got my fingers crossed Janey and hope we get to see some fledlings!
15 Sep, 2024
What an adorable face to start the blog BB.Your baskets do look very full and attractive despite your temps.We use to have them each year here but they did dry out despite the watering.
16 Sep, 2024
Meadowland, I'm finding I have to water the baskets every day right now, so I may have to actually do that twice a day when our summertime comes around. I think it's going to be a lot of effort keeping them going!
16 Sep, 2024
That won't be a chore as you seem to love gardening like us all.
16 Sep, 2024
i enjoyed your latest blog. your wildlife is certainly different to ours!
the hanging baskets look lovely.
16 Sep, 2024
So true Meadowland. I know I'll do everything I can to let those plants flourish.
16 Sep, 2024
Thanks Seaburngirl. We do have the most amazing wildlife out here. We fortunate to be close to bushland so we see creatures like the wallabies almost every day.
16 Sep, 2024
Love your blog. It’s nice for us to hear from down under, you must be the first. Good luck with everything, plants & birds.
17 Sep, 2024
Very kind, thank you Feverfew.
17 Sep, 2024
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What a cheerful blog on a Sunday morning! I love the female wallaby pic, Bernie. It must be lovely to see them out there, grazing. This one looks like she's posing perfectly for you.
Your White Alder is a pretty plant for around your pond. I'm really loving the colour in your hanging baskets, perfect choices. Hoping they thrive for you in the summer. Sounds like a lovely day, 25 degrees..
That pic of the Sunbird in her nest is adorable! Lucky you!!
15 Sep, 2024