October 2004
The frogs continue to live and multiply in the garden. A photo taken on 5/10 shows a shrub (left photo) and a close up the leaf above the black vertical leaf in the centre (right photo). The reed frogs are such a delight. Some were observed on some relatively thornless roses, such as Reine de Violette which was devoid of aphids. Ladybirds have been seen on other roses and the aphids are losing the battle.
 
The roses are budding up wonderfully and I have been surrounding them with compost and lucerne hay. See roses page for pictures.
The vegetable garden has been planted up by Adam Ward who has installed netting to protect it from birds, insects and horses leaning over the fence (hopefully). Tomatoes, lettuce, purple cabbage, silverbeet, capsicum, potatoes, raspberries, asparagus, rhubarb, chillies, eggplant and shallots have been planted.
Now it is mid October and much has happened. Many roses have sprung into bloom and are shown on a separate rose page. The mid-October rain has been wonderful and the dam is full. Two kangaroos were spotted in the back garden by my neighbour. A little ring tail possum drowned in the dam because of its liner (in spite of lots of old carpet around the entrance) but I have now additionally installed a large fallen gum tree into the dam from the side.
Seven little ducklings have been hatched, 5 by Hyacinth and Iris the ducks and 2 by the Silky Bantam, Petunia. I put 2 duck eggs under Petunia as I thought the ducks were unlikely to be successful as they seemed to spend much of the day cavorting around the property. Petunia is the most confident "mum" and will not be deterred by the ducks hissing at her or by torrential rain today. She is wet and bedraggled but is determined to get all the ducklings under her and just follows them and the ducks wherever they go.  
 
The ducks are now, 2 days after hatching, resigned to having a nanny and everyone is happy. The ducklings seem to like the hen and are most often around her as the ducks are never still. The photo at top right shows Petunia grooming the little yellow duckling and it is accepting this. One duckling died on day two for no apparent reason (but I suspect the drake or the ducks who simply walk over the ducklings and knock them over). Six new names to dream up!
Opal is the most magnificent bantam rooster with red, blue and yellow feathers. The white silky bantam Moonstone has also turned out to be a rooster. It is lovely to hear them practising their calls in soft little voices. I hope Poppy teaches them to care for the hens so well as he does. The new little hens Ruby and Camille are so pretty. I will probably find new homes for a few of them. Silky bantams are the most wonderful pet.
The little green frogs have not been seen since the 40 degree day last week - but frogs are very much in residence as one can hear them!
The swimming pool is going in this month - on the scheduled day the skies opened! But it will not be long.
Bluey is in training to be in harness and Keva Rose is learning to be lunged, from both the left (which she loves) as well as the right which she refuses to do mostly. Bluey simply loves being led across the road to the showground and being lunged - he is so curious that he loves to see and hear everything (particularly other horses) but he is very quiet with traffic and people. |
