Canberra, the bush capital in spring…

The Australian poet CJ Dennis said… ” spring is near, then suddenly it seems, one golden morn..

View of the Brindabella Mountains from our garden at dawn

the bush awakes, a living thing

A Crimson Rosella looking over her nest in a Eucalyptus tree in the National Botanic Gardens in Canberra

Flowers bloom…

A female Australian King Parrot eating the flowers of our plum tree in the garden

birds sing..

A Magpie warbling in the gum tree at Lake Tuggeranong, near our home.

and the entire world puts on its brightest dress to greet the laughing spring”

Grevillea rosmarinifolia ”Rosy Posy” family Proteaceae

Canberra, unlike many parts of Australia, has four distinct seasons, and spring is welcomed here the way it would be in the Northern Hemisphere.

The Manchurian Pears in full blossom along Lake Burley Griffin (photo by Paul Mackey)

Canberrans hear many different bird calls in spring, but none so earth shattering at 5.30 in the morning as the Kookaburra’s cackle….

However, who can blame them for waking us up early? No one should miss a minute of a spring morning…

Every spring one or two young Kookaburras arrive in our garden.

I like to think they come because we have plenty of water, and they are relatively safe for flying lessons between the garden arches and the overhead electrical wires.

We call this young Kookaburra the Minister for Transport… he looks so important doesn’t he?

…..and he’s in the right city!

Meanwhile… the ”Town Crier”‘ is marching up to the top of the neighbour’s roof..

So………

Where is this Grandbaby anyway? …

….and does she know about me yet?

 

Our first grandchild has arrived safe and sound, and….. she is absolutely lovely in every way..

 

The very best description of being a grandparent is surely the words written by Australian writer, Thomas Keneally

‘Being a parent is like being a slightly bewildered NGO in the trenches, with fear of consequences all around..

…..to be a grandparent is a little like being a General back in the chateau, writing dispatches on the bravery of the troops, besotted with admiration for them, but with the warm knowledge there’ll be time for wine with dinner.”

 

 

I hope that you are enjoying your garden and green spaces, where ever you are in the world…

 

Copyright: Geraldine Mackey: All Rights Reserved.

 

18 Replies to “Canberra, the bush capital in spring…”

  1. I love the description of being a grandparent, it made me laugh. So glad Spring has come despite the 5:30 wake up call. the tree in blossom looked fantastic.

    1. I’m glad you like the grandparent description .. It really says it all! The Machurian pear trees look lovely in Spring & Paul took that photo with his phone.

  2. Congratulations on birth of your granddaughter, Gerrie. Hope new parents are ok. Our grandson is now one month old and our daughter is just getting the hang of it all, breastfeeding, reduced sleep. He is such a joy though. We’ve been lucky to have 2 visits so far but FaceTime is excellent substitute. The quote really does sum it up, I may share that on my blog. Best wishes to you all on this wonderful journey.

  3. Oh, congratulations, what lovely news! I will look forward to the first pictures. A lovely, mellow, poetical post. I am melting at the sight of the young Kookaburra.xxx

  4. I love seeing your glorious spring photos of blossoms and singing birds as our summer flowers fade and the birds are gathering for migration. It’s a little disorienting, but a nice reminder that as our summer wanes, yours hasn’t even gotten underway.
    I’ve never heard that Keneally quote before. Hilarious and spot on. Enjoy your general-hood! And savor holding that baby for me. There’s nothing like the sweet heft of newborn snuggled in your arms.

    1. Yes, that is a lovely way to express how it feels to hold a newborn baby. I’m glad you liked the spring photos, and I agree, it is strange thinking that you are embarking on autumn….I often envy your spring time as we do the reverse!

    1. Thanks Sylvia, nice to have spring at last, it has been a long winter (by our standards) Hope all your resident birds and lizards are settling down after the Hurricane.

  5. Congratulations to you all on the birth of your grand daughter. I hope Mother and baby are doing well. It’s lovely to have a baby in Spring too. Those trees full of blossom look amazing. Sarah x

  6. As we do not get the 4 distinct seasons here in Queensland it was one of the things I loved about Canberra. Oh the joy of seeing the beautiful spring blossom around Lake Burley Griffin. I took so many photos. Congrats on the new grandchild and what appropriate quotes you have found.

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