Friday, January 22, 2010

Flowering gums and lorikeets

It's a lovely time of the year when so many native trees are in flower.  From my kitchen window, I have a view into my next door neighbour's garden which is planted with a variety of native plants, including some lovely gum varieties.  At the moment she has one in full bloom with it's big beautiful red flowers (Eucalyptus ficifolia).

Early evening, as I'm getting dinner prepared, a mass of rainbow lorikeets come in regularly to visit and feed on the nectar from the tree.  I can clearly see their antics from my kitchen window.



I've taken these photos as best as I could from the back veranda, with zoom on at the maximum and the steadiest hand I could manage.  The colours are just lovely!





Once this gum stops flowering, the birds usually find my apple tree quite appetising ... at least they give fair warning that they are coming. :)

5 comments:

Jeanne said...

Our apple tree was demolished by them this week :( I'll post our pics on Monday!!

How can you be angry when the robbers look like that though?

Ganeida said...

Lorrikeets, rosellas & cockatoos are fighting the bats for the gum blossom while it lasts. We have kept so many of the big trees we get them in absolute droves. Very noisy just now at dawn & dusk but they are so pretty it's hard to mind.

Bec said...

Our problem was with the almond tree and black cockatoos. They are noisy.

Unknown said...

These guys love our neighbourhood as well - another Aussie icon I guess. Great pics. I love the colours.

Louise said...

What beautiful pics Alecat- well done, we love our colourful visitors here as well.