Thursday 15 April 2010

Theme Thursday - Out to lunch back soon


Misshapen by the southerly busters blasting around the headland, the wizened branches of the old callistemon provide a haven of hoppings for the raucous troupe of Rainbow Lorikeets,as they invade the camping ground. They hop. They squabble. They trapeze.

Their antics entrance jaded city-slickers, as they peg tents, unload eskies and pour coldies. Maureen scampers back out to the car, reefs a fat-stained baking tray out from behind the rear seat, and crumbles half of young Raymond’s loaf of white bread into the tray together with a drowning of water.


Over this, much to young Raymonds’ angst (‘Mum, that’s for me pancakes in the morning!’), she drizzles a tablespoon of Capilano 'Red gum' honey, and gives the entire mess a generous ploughing.

As Maureen picks her way gingerly down the eroding edge of the grassy knoll, the lorikeets swoop. Luckily, the National Park rangers are over at Racecourse Caravan park responding to a call. The lorikeets are messy and noisy eaters and will be dun’n’dusted before the ranger’s jeep breasts the dunes at the far end.


A member of the Theme Thursday community

34 comments:

Tash said...

Extreme beauty! Your photos are of the lorikeets and friend are superb.

Anonymous said...

Oh, what you won't do for your art. Wonderful lingo, photos. Gave me my first laugh of the morning.

Youth_in_Asia said...

great shot!

Oakland Daily Photo said...

Wonderful back lighting on the lorikeets portraits.

Cazzie!!! said...

Stunning images I have got to say!
Cazzie

Unknown said...

Wow! Your photos of the beautiful lorikeets are gorgeous! Their colours are stunning! Wow!

Jilly said...

Sally posted lorikeets in Sydney yesterday and I was astounded to know they are wild in the city. I remember them in Queensland, of course, where somehow they seemed more natural in tune with the environment. Your portraits are superb. That first shot and the last - with that amazing eye and with the light touching the top and beak. Superb.

The various members of the parrot family from the smallest to the largest entranced me when I lived in Cairns. I still think of them.

Clytie said...

Superb beauty! Wonderful story. How much fun that is.

Jo said...

Your photos are BRILLIANT! and the birds make wonderful subjects. So colourful.

Unknown said...

Gorgeous bird and shots, Julie!

Nanc Twop said...

Love the last one with the sun glinting off the bird, and shining through its beak. Nice

Rinkly Rimes said...

What a great blog this is! Such a combination of writing and photographic ability. And such a proud Australian.

TheChieftess said...

That last photo is fabulous!!! What a wonderful capture!!! The lighting is perfect! Love the unique composition of the top photo as well!!! Beautiful!

Katherine said...

They're such a gloriously beautiful bird. We have then gather in our front yard of an evening when the bottlebrush is out! These are gorgeous photos Julie.

Anonymous said...

How can such beautiful birds make such a hideous racket? They are well established in Melbourne but is it because of an improved environment in our city or they have been driven to the city by clearing of their bush environment?

Joan Elizabeth said...

I never cease to be amazed at the beauty of our parrots. And what beautiful closeups with the light on the beak.

The associated commentary is also delightful writing.

Brian Miller said...

oh what beautiful birds...to be able to share lunch with them...what a delight. happy theme thursday!

Jim said...

Rainbow Lorikeets are so beautiful.
Sydney - City and Suburbs

Ann said...

Brilliant! I've been trying to photograph the ones in the trees near my place for ages but can never get close enough to get a good shot.

Tom said...

pretty birds, and you've quite a way with words. happy TT

Davine said...

Oh Wow - all I can say is they are fab shots. We have these Rainbow Lorikeets in nour area and they always visit the bottle brush flowers in my garden.

Vicki said...

wonderful shots!

Marka said...

Nothing like bright colors to brighten a day.

Bruce Caspersonn said...

Those birds are all that you said and more! They are just great...

PJ said...

Hiker sent me over here from my self-imposed exile. I've just got to say:

"Aw, Miss Julie, National Geographic ain't got nothin' on you. This is first rate from beginning to middle to end."

Piyush Garyali said...

What a colorful bird. Gracious and lovely!

Janet said...

My what beautiful photographs!

diane b said...

Great shots, I love how the light is shining through the beak. They are very pretty birds I took one overdosing on nectar this morning in a melaleuca tree in our garden. Your text is so colourful too.

kylie said...

fantastic post!

brattcat said...

Stunning shots of these exquisitely plumed birds caught in a perfect light.

Mary Ann said...

Good gracious, what wonderful images. I do believe you can do it all, Julie.

PattiKen said...

What beautiful birds! It's like lunch in a crayon box.

Dreamhaven said...

Loved the photos. I've had lunch with a few bird brains myself, lol.

Killara girl said...

fabulous, my Mum feeds them & the kookuburra's every day.