Goulburn Valley Birdlife. 08/31/2010
 Reg and I have been out several times this week, enjoying experiencing the beautiful swollen waterways of the Goulburn Valley and in particular the reflections of the wattle overhanging the water and the increased birdlife. We have even needed to slow down to allow ducks to cross the road. Everywhere we see flocks of budgerigars, and the black swans cannot be far from having their signets as only one is on the lake and the pair of swans are normally inseparable. Last year we watched the signets grow up, they are a magnificent bird to watch. Having the Goulburn River Valley as our backdrop is sure more a visual treat for an artist than living near industrial supplies. The Ibis are nesting along the bank and there is only half the usual number in the trees overhead keeping watch. Magpies are starting to dive bomb anyone who walks near their nest. I envision a population explosion of birds arriving this springtime and we will enjoy the experience of watching these babies grow during our regular walks.  Turkeys. 07/20/2010
    My friend Gem, in the Atherton Tablelands of north Queensland, says, “Turkeys are a pleasure to have on the property". Comparing the turkeys to the other fowl wandering around this free-range estate, they stand out like the hip hop clothing wearers in a conservatively dressed crowd of humans. GI think the overall size of the bird and the noise they make keeps the overhead bird of prey at bay. We used to have problems with the hawks taking young chickens and young birds but since we got the turkeys in the male gobbler I think has been our protection. He has killed a hawk in the chook yard. Haven’t had a problem since. They would also do their fair share of foraging for pests and insects and weeds. They are good mothers and protect their young. The reason for us having these turkeys is for our own food production. The turkey is a very lean healthy meat to eat. Once we have a good amount bred up then we shall learn how to prepare the meat." .  Reg has been out walking this morning, happy and wellJ I have sat inside the caravan working at my writing job happily in bed, with the sound of the ocean in my ears and blue sky, a Banksia in flower and rosellas, as my view out the window and little face book chatter with friends as my companionship. Although I am wondering how I will fit in all I plan to do today, it is a great lifestyle, we are leading J We stay here at Ballina Beach Holiday Park until next Tuesday morning, I could easily stay longer, it is a perfect place to choose the lifestyle you prefer, active or relaxed. By Tuesday evening, we should be near the Glass House Mountains and Maleny in QLD an area I have not visited for three years. meeting a friend I have not seen for three years. J. A very special , part of our tour, is meeting my friend Narelle, again, next week. Every part of our tour, has been wonderful. lol, especially the part about starting work, 'coffee and computer', before I get out of bed in the morning.  Bird Paintings. 04/14/2010
 I called this art work 'Ducks Day Out'.  These cute baby ducklings and mother duck, lend themselves to addition to a painting. I had a very enjoyable afternoon by the lake and beach today. The bird life was prolific as usual and although I though springtime was the season for bird hatchlings, it seems that the bird, baby shower invitations are out in the Autumn this year as I saw young signets and mother duck and got close enough to photograph this charming grouping J I wouldn’t mind painting this grouping of the duck with it’s ducklings into the foreground of one of my on location painted landscapes I plan to do on this tour. Once Reg and I get to Queensland, we will begin to stay longer in each location and I will be getting the paints out more often. I plan to stay here in Eden at least for another day, I am enjoying, our tour so very much. Reg and Indigo are sure sleeping well with all the walking we are doing. J  The Kookabura, is one of my favorite brd painting subjects. Waterbirds of Curalo Lake, Eden, NSW. 04/12/2010
         Curalo Lake enters the ocean at the northern end of Aslings Beach approximately 2 km north-east of the major coastal town of Eden. The lake is shallow (typically less than 2 m deep) with low-lying foreshores surrounding its approximate 6 km perimeter. Palestine Creek forms the primary tributary flowing into the lake from the north-west. Reg and I walked alongside the Freshwater Creek then along the boardwalk around the lake until we reached Aslings Beach. The lake was abundant with waterbirds. The lake is just accross the road from Fountain Caravan Park, where we are staying.   I love my daily encounters with the Australian, White Ibis, here at Mooroopna, near Shepparton, near a lake I visit daily between Spring through into Autumn each year. Today, Christmas day was a mild temperature day and the Ibis were out in the open. On hot days the cluster in the shade near the water's edge and in the evening they roost in the trees around the edge of the lake. I know not everyone loves them. Ecologists say.we need to stop viewing the Australian white ibis as a pest and start to become better neighbours with them, as it’s the only way to ensure the species’ long-term survival. That’s right: the Aussie white ibis is in trouble. Traditionally a bird of the bush, ongoing and worsening drought in the birds’ traditional inland wetland habitats is causing those habitats to disappear. Dam construction and agricultural water extraction are only compounding the problem, forcing these guys to retreat into residential cities and towns across the Australian coastline. With Ibis as my neighbours, I need to keep my food scrap rubbish covered or they help themselves and they sometimes help me turn my compost heap. I don't find this a huge problem, I just need to keep my rubbish well covered until collection time and I have good looking neighbours always ready to post for me, as artist's models.  I have had fun with my new camera, taking photos of the local bird life. I created four small art works of the birds in the Lake Dorothy, Vara-Ville Village, Mooroopna, Victoria and I put the image of each of these art works on to a post card, together with the location printed on the front and I am having 100 of these made up as gloss finish, postcards. I will have this for sale, early in the New Year. | Kathy Shell on Facebook Kathy Shell,
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Postcards by Artist, Author, Kathy Shell
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