In our Canberra garden this beautiful Crimson Rosella is feeding on the nectar of the pretty Salvia elegans, or Pineapple Sage….the flower and the parrot are almost matching in colour.
The sweet pineapple-smelling leaves and bright red tubular flowers of this plant can be used for cooking and medicinal purposes. However, for us, the joy of having this plant in our garden is to see the birds feeding on it in autumn.
A few years ago I planted a little stick of Peppermint sage near the kitchen window, to protect it from severe frosts. I was surprised to see it survive the winter, and then to see it flowering so beautifully in late summer and all through the autumn.
This dainty honey eater is called an Eastern Spinebill, and with its long curved beak it feeds on tubular flowers such as correas and grevilleas as well as the peppermint sage.I wish we could measure the energy this little bird uses as it eats and keeps its wings in motion at the same time…no wonder it is often mistaken for a hummingbird.
(If you look carefully at the new five dollar note, you can see the head and beak of the Eastern Spinebill featured)
I have read that Pineapple Sage is irresistible to nectar feeding birds and butterflies including hummingbirds in New Mexico where this plant naturally occurs.
Sometimes the Crimson Rosella shares feeding time with the Eastern Spinebill, and they both tolerate this pesky photographer hanging around but,…. if looks could kill…….
This is the Red Wattle bird, has arrived to share in the Peppermint Sage bounty…
The Fuchsia is also flowering long after its usual time….and the Red Wattle is stocking up on nectar all round..
This shy looking young King Parrot is not a regular visitor to the garden, and probably hasn’t got the memo yet that this Almond tree is primarily a Sulphur Crested Cockatoo restaurant.
The colourful Eastern Rosellas are very cautious, the closest I have ever seen one in the garden is on our Japanese Maple, about half way down the garden path..
…the birdbath by the back fence is another safe spot.
and here is the Magpie who potters around in my neighbour’s garden most days……
Today he has ventured into our front garden and is about to start digging around in our small bit of lawn for grubs….
…. well may he hang down his head..
I love the way young Magpies put their wings out and run away from trouble, why not fly??
On this glorious autumn day there are still some almonds to eat…so all is well in this garden….
Copyright Geraldine Mackey: All Rights Reserved.
