As I was preparing this week’s Midweek Moment, it struck me that although we live in a colossal city of concrete and bitumen and over 1.5 million people, we’re never far from a walk along the coast, around a lake, by the river, or through the bush. Our climate usually cooperates, although it’s not being kind at the moment, with 40+ºC (104º+F) forecast for the third day in a row—I feel a bit like this candle.
Monique and I managed to get out with our cameras before the heatwave hit. On one of my walks, I came across a small flock of willy wagtails. They darted from tree-to-tree as the dogs and I passed—not away from us, but alongside us. This wagtail, in particular, was playful, hopping along the fence posts.
This was my favourite photo, capturing the colour in its wings and the glint in its eye. I also like the way it’s posing—as if to show its good side for the camera.
Monique took a walk along the beach and was captivated by the light—a golden glow all around, shimmering and warming. The water was cool on her toes, the sand spongy underfoot, and on the water, kite surfers seized the remainder of the day, leaping through the air, slicing through the pond-like waters on the other side of the point.
And this little guy watched her, with curiosity and an innate wariness.
About Midweek Moment: Each week, Monique Mulligan and I share our favourite photos on our websites in a ‘Midweek Moment’. We hope you enjoy, and if you’d like to see more, click here.
You’re right, Louise. Despite this week’s hideous heat we still live in a wonderful place. Love the Willie Wagtail; it looks like a juvenile because of the brown on its wings and its eyebrow is not yet white. Special, plucky little birds.
I love this part of the world we live in—wouldn’t live anywhere else. This type of heat is rare, so we really can’t complain. I suspect you’re right about the bird being young, and plucky is definitely the right word for them!
I love Willie Wagtails! For small birds, they’re incredible fiesty and don’t appear to be frighten of anything! Great photographs, Louise & Monique! Take a bow!
Fiesty, plucky, cheeky, and utterly adorable! They certainly weren’t frightened of me or the dogs! Thanks for visiting, Marlish. (Will have some more of Ida for you soon!)
Looking forward to reading more of your wonderful novel Ida’s Children!
Thank you, Marlish!
That Willy Wagtail has his eye on you x
He definitely had his eye on us, and was playing up to the camera! Thanks, Rae. x
Great pictures. Feel like I’m right there. Got to love a bird named Willy Wagtail! Priceless.
Thanks for your comments! I love the name of these birds, too—it really suits them, as they do wag their tails!
Oh, I do love Willy Wagtails – they are so cheerful! And it’s one of the wonderful things about Australia cities, that even in their hearts there is green space to be found. I remember living in Sydney, just a few minutes from the Harbour Bridge, yet around the corner from us was a park where I saw goannas and lorikeets. Or walking along the Yarra in Melbourne as cockatoos swooped and shrieked through the gum trees, the city gleaming just across the river from me.
Oh, I love your description of living in Oz. Sometimes, there’s almost too much wildlife here, especially when it comes indoors! I don’t particularly like the cockroaches and huntsmen in the bathroom! But I am thankful for our green spaces and protected patches of native bush. Thanks for commenting.
Thanks Louise 🙂 Yes, I wasn’t a fan of that part of wildlife in Australia. I remember a Canadian friend shouting at a huge black cricket on his bedroom wall ‘Why are you in here? What do you want?’ in tones of desperation. It seems the insects and spiders of Australia want to be where people are, or maybe we’re just encroaching on their space…
Fences, wall, etc., are no barrier to our insects and reptiles! Towards the end of summer, when it’s dry, they’re in search of water, poor things. Here in Perth, we’ve built over a lot of the natural lakes and marshlands, so a lot of the problem is of our own doing, I suspect …
Yes, it’s definitely a case of us encroaching on their space. We had a lovely blue-tongued lizard living under our back verandah and we were always pleased to see her, as they eat tiger snake eggs. And the stick insects were always fun visitors too. As for the giant huntsman who decided to nest in my closet – well, that’s another story. 😉
Huntsman are rather frightening—I don’t think I’d cope with one nesting in my wardrobe! 😉
Oh, I didn’t cope very well, believe me 😀
I don’t blame you—I wouldn’t have either! 🙂