Monday, December 27, 2010

ANYONE FOR SOME SUNSHINE?

GREETINGS FROM SOUTH AFRICA!
MAXMOM here...

Hello there everyone!
Today is a public holiday in South Africa. It feels like the world has come to a complete standstill.  People (and dogs) have used the opportunity to sleep in late and the shopping centres and the roads are empty.
Wonderful!

Here at home we're also in a totally chilled out mode and activity in our household is minimal.
I think we all have had 'far too much Christmas'!!!

Only the industrious 'Masked Weaver Bird' remains determined to seize the day - weaving his homesteads at record pace and constantly on the lookout for any available females. 
He is such a little character:
He is always the first to chirp in the dawn and we are usually woken by his unrestrained chatter. He is fiercely territorial too and any other males who might inadvertently enter his realm are loudly and firmly escorted out of his airspace.  Our garden is always graced with his constant chatter. I love this little guys to bits!

The palm trees in our neighbourhood supply the hardware for the weaver bird's endless creations.  He is a master craftsman and one has to admire his tenacity to constantly churn out nests whilst shredding those that have 'been up too long'. At the moment the nest count is FIVE and has on occasions reached a grand total of ELEVEN nests!.  He even shreds my lavender bushes for tiny bits of fragrant leaves which he uses to line his nests.  Apparently it wards off the little nest mites.  Very clever indeed, don't you think?!


Whilst our weaver bird gets along with the tasks of the day, the dogs play on...




Yes, it is truly "Silly season"

To all my wonderful friends across the globe who are snowbound, I do send my warmest wishes with a special invitation from my Inca lilies...

You're invited to join us in our beautiful South African sunshine!
How about it?
Sending lotsaluv

20 comments:

D.K. Wall said...

Silly season looks like a lot of fun.

kks said...

thank you for the sunshine! it is working...the sun just started to shine here...but the temp still says winter!
xoxo

~Kim at Golden Pines~ said...

Hi Caryl! What an interesting post and what an amazing bird that I've really enjoyed reading about--THANKS for sharing him with us today!!

Cold here in Virginia, but we dodged the whole snow storm -- We're the about the only ones who did! By the way, I can't believe how grown up 'your handsome boy' is getting!!

MySpecialDoggies said...

Hi Toby
We have sunshine today - after a foot of snow yesterday. Do you want to play with Neeli in the snow someday?

Woofs
Nadine & Neeli
Angel doggie Apples (1994-2010)

Angel Tucker, Daisy and Leo said...

We would love some sunshine, had 6-8 inches of snow and a lot of wind overnight. We think it's fun but mom is not so sure.

Tucker and Daisy

Amy & the house of cats said...

Hi Toby! We hope you are all having a wonderful day today! We appreciate the sunshine you shared with us - we have almost forgotten what it looks like with all the clouds we have had around here!!

3 doxies said...

I hope ya'll had a wonderful Christmas!
Dta little birdie sure does make a neat-o nest...looks cozy!
Have fun today just relaxin'.

Puddles

houndstooth said...

I love that little bird! How cute!

We're all for a silly, warm season here! I'm afraid it's going to be a while before the warmth hits, but silliness seems to be year round!

Two French Bulldogs said...

What a purrty little bird. We are enjoying sun too. Before more rain heads our way.
Benny & Lily
Pee S. Love the way your pictures post with the spiral on top

las794 said...

Toby is sure growing up! And I had no idea that south Africa was so beautiful. :)

Mrs. JP said...

That weaver bird is quite the homemaker,,,lavender and all. Plus he's really beautiful.
Thank you for the beautiful lily picture. That's a ray of warmth to this freezing day (literally not above freezing.)

♥I am Holly♥ said...

Everything looks so beautiful there!! We love the little weaver bird!! A very busy little bird too!! Toby..you are growing just like Blue next door to us...a mile a minute!! We love sun and hot weather....if we could be there, we sure would come really quick! Lots of love, Holly and mom

Pip said...

Sure looks like everyone, including the little weaver, are enjoying the coming warmth!
We hope you enjoyed your day-off!
Love, TK and Squashies

Molly the Airedale said...

Your flowers are so beautiful and the birdies are so cheerful!
It's windy and white and freezing cold here today!

Love ya lots
Maggie and Mitch

Sierra Rose said...

Amazing photos! Love the Silly Season :)

Hugs and snaggle-tooth kisses,
Sierra Rose

Gail Wilson said...

Reading your blog gives me hope for our spring to try to arrive early this year. What a great dream that would be.
Toby is so handsome..he is a beautiful dog.
Thanks for sharing your bird and flowers with all of us here in America where the weather seems to be cold and snowy everywhere!!
Hugs, Mistaya and MOM

Asta said...

You awe living in Pawadise. I love youw little biwd and his clevew and gowgeous nest as well as the lovely flowew and of couwse watching the doggies at play enjoying anothew pawfect day.

I hope Youw NewYeaw will bwing nothing but pawfect days and lots of love and good health to all of you
smoochie kisses
ASTA

Homer said...

We could use a bit of sun in Italy.

Nice post. Thanks for sharing.

Love,
Homer

Deborah said...

What beautiful pictures! The flowers are beautiful. I love the summer and looking at yours, I really miss them now!
xxoo
Deborah

sprinkles said...

That weaver bird is really pretty! I wonder how he holds himself up on those tiny little legs of his.

I'd love a little of your sunshine today. It's snowy out at the moment.