DISTRACTED

Of late, work, family engagements, illness and other things have all distracted me from truly letting nature in...

This will be corrected.

LJ, 31 May 2011.

4AM

A Barn Owl called close to home, at 4am today - another new one for my Bundanoon list. I was too exhausted to get outside and look for it (and I call myself a birder). It's been a long time since I've seen a Barn Owl. I heard one make its sharp otherworldly hissing, one night when I lived at Moss Vale, in 2009. Seeing one floating above the flying buttresses of St Mary's Cathedral in Sydney, close to midnight, about ten years ago, was most unexpected and tremendously gothic. Happening upon five in skeletal trees various on a cold Leeton (NSW Riverina) back road, years ago, was also momentous.

Now for a Masked Owl...

LJ, May 4 2011.

SHANGRI-LA FLAME

The contrasting orange-red chest feathers, ash-black wings/back and white stripes of a male Flame Robin make it one of the most stunning and mesmerizing of Australia's birds. I was fortunate to see one last Saturday, down Shangri-la Road, where cow paddocks give way to riverine habitat. With the aid of my 10x50 binoculars, I showed the robin to my son, who was suitably impressed. One is truly blessed if they have seen a male Flame Robin. It is a holy thing, a beacon.

LJ, May 4 2011.