Clementine

I know, feet not included. :-) … This a Stone Curlew mum and her chick, local inhabitants in the Redlands, near (enough) the water.
*Click on the pictures for a proper look … and click again

Waking up can be hard to do. A struggle until the art is perfected, by practise. But mum’s about to help as necessary.

They are not shy birds, nor are they domesticated. Independent creatures that keep much to themselves, even when living outside the kitchen window.

Getting closer … But always wary of danger to the chick. Raucous in their protest if they perceive their space is intruded upon.

Closer still, or I just zoomed in a bit more … The adult male stands about 2 feet tall. Wouldn’t risk that beak at close quarters. Nor would he, unless he had to.
I know that’s the name of a delicious fruit but it also describes the weather we have been having in SE Brisbane for a while. Mild warm days and cool nights with enough rainfall in the dark hours to keep everything green and growing.
The frogs and cicadas sing out every evening at dusk, especially with a little rain. The flowers are blooming all around. Bees and bugs, butterflies and birds are all frequent visitors to the garden.
It’s a nice time to be free of encumbrances, but who’s to say what is one of those, or what is not. It’s a relative existence.
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What is is the way it is, for now. Until it changes, then that’s what is. And it’s always now, here, felt in the body’s space.
A dream of healing. A body, caterpillar-like you could say, turns into something else.
Felt deep down, may come to pass.
© Mark Berkery … Click on those pictures for a closer look … and click again.
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Surprise! Not your usual subjects. Fun to see a different critter living in your part of the world! :)
Catching the bigger creatures is a different game to my usual. So it only happens when there’s enough time to adjust and experiment. I might get a setup that’s ready to go and at hand. It’s all about being ready when nature presents, it rarely waits for the unprepared.
Thanks Laura.
Excellent shots of subjects much bigger than your usual ones! They’re certainly impressive looking birds with a voice to match.
Thanks Mac. Yes, very expressive creatures, especially with the chick around.
They are the most precious little family and totally oblivious to the fact that they are living in your garden…. a safe haven.
Thanks Kate. It’s good to be amongst relatively uncorrupted nature. The place here has long been looked after with consideration for the many small creatures.
Oh so gorgeous…
Thanks Rose …
Thank you for these. I particularly like the 3rd and 4th photos. I’d love to meet that compelling gaze someday.
When you’re out in the nature enough you’ll come across it, no doubt.
Thanks Sheila.