Last of My Shopping Spree!

 The last of my free shopping spree!  A chair for the garden and a ceramic top stool which now happily resides in my bathroom!

Thanks for visiting; {{HUGS} from me to YOU:-)

Bird Talk

 I went for a hike through the Cascades with some friends awhile ago and when we had lunch I noticed this Magpie watching me as I ate  my lunch.  I was able to get right up close and hand feed him some crusts of bread.  In the top photo he was more interested in what I had in my cup!  I'm sure he would have tasted it if I had offered!   After these were taken he flew off up the hill and disappeared.  About twenty minutes later I went up the hill to the golf course and called him.  (No, I didn't know his name!)  From out of the bushes he came, running & skipping along the grass and came right up to me to get some more bread!  Other Magpies came too but none of them would come close to me except this one.  I think he was sorry to see me leave!  Thanks for dropping by: {{HUGS}} from me to YOU:-)

My Furry Friends!

 This cute fluff ball above is my friend Sarah's cat, "Chi".  She is absolutely gorgeous!  Love that fur coat she has!

This gorgeous bloke here is Sarah's dog, "Chunky".  Look at those beautiful eye's!  'It's time for a nap', he says'!  He's such a big softie and wouldn't hurt a fly!

Thanks for visiting; {{HUGS}} from me to YOU:-)

My Favourite Flowers

 These are my all time favourite flowers at the Auckland Domain.  Anytime I visit there in the summer, these are the flowers I always photograph.  The white one above was in the indoor pond, and the purple one was in the big pond outside.  The white one has a slight pink blush which fades to white as it opens out further.  

The one thing that bothered me that day was, there was a big sign by the indoor pond asking people to please NOT put their hands in the water.  There are fish in there and as well as that the oil and grease form your hands affects the plants and also the fish.  I saw many people choose to ignore this sign and put their hands in the water.  Shame there wasn't a shark in there, people might have taken a bit more notice of the sign then! 

I had taken a train into the Auckland Domain last week as it was such a gorgeous hot sunny day.  It's not far from here by train and is a very pleasant ride.  There are acres and acres of lush green grass with gently rolling slopes; tree's galore and of course, the gardens which I love, and the Museum too.  Although it was busy there is plenty of room for everyone.  It was so relaxing and peaceful and great to get away from it all for the day.  I came home feeling very relaxed and chilled out - slightly sun kissed and very happy!  I will go again sometime this summer as it is such a beautiful place.  If you visit Auckland you must go here!  Google Auckland Domain and see for yourself!

Thanks for visiting, sunny {{HUGS}} from me to YOU:-)

Cat Monument

 The cat was on top of a very tall monument thing at the Domain.  Although I have been here many times, this was the first time I noticed the cat! It is beside the pond at the Winter Gardens. 

This interesting looking thing is actually a big bud from one of the waterlilies which is in the pond inside the Winter Garden.  It would have been great to go back in a day or two and see if it was open!

Thanks for visiting, {{HUGS}} from me to YOU:-)

Cooling Off!

 While I was sitting by the lake having lunch the sparrows were busy keeping cool in a shallow pool which was on the side of the lake.

I have to say, it was very tempting to join them as it was so hot that day!

Mr. Blackbird took shelter in the shade of a fence.  He had his beak open to keep cool. Thanks for visiting, {{HUGS}} from me to YOU:-)

A Day At The Domain

 This blackbird was feeling the heat and sat on the grass with his wings and feathers spread, and beak open, to keep cool.  He was not at all worried at how close I was and posed willingly for my camera!

"Which is my best side," he seems to be saying, as he turns from one side to the other! Thanks for dropping by, {{HUGS}} from me to YOU:-)