Spring-time

It's weird - now that we've been here over a year, we can start to recognize some of the signs of changing seasons. And spring is definitely on its way in:
- baby birds are everywhere
- plants are covered in flowers

- baby skinks are scootin' around
- gum trees are getting ready to shed their bark

- the first St. Andrew's cross spiders are starting to spin their zig-zags

- the common koel has started its mournful mating call outside our window
- we even had a thunderstorm the other day

And since I mentioned the baby birds, I'll give you an update:
Molly Magpie has lost one of her kids, but the other two made it through the brutal winds of the dust storm and are as sassy as ever. Really - magpie kids are obnoxious. I thought they were going to fledge a week ago, but they're still hanging out in the nest - almost as big as the parents - making mom and dad bring food to them. Even after they fledge, the go around harassing adults for food. (Hmmm - maybe they're not the only species with obnoxious kids?)
both kids


Lily Lapwing lost two of her kids, but the other two are still doing fine (we'll pretend Pokey is one of the ones who made it). Both parents are extra protective, and they've moved away from the office window so I can't get good pics anymore. But they're getting quite big.

Wilma Wood-duck has 15 kids!! So I was walking by the campus lake the other day and saw a pair of wood ducks with 15 ducklings! But I think they're cheating - I think they just rounded up everyone else's kids.


I got charged by the one with its head up just after taking this pic!