CHICKENS & DUCKS

It's been a while since the chickens have featured here in my blog.

They are the most relaxing creatures to be around, and are a constant form of entertainment.

If you don't own chickens, you might want to turn away now.

If you do, you will appreciate my love for these little critters!

Living amongst my chooks are 4 beautiful ducks, which no doubt you would have seen here before.

They are much more timid than the chickens, and will definitely keep their distance from people.

But they are so gorgeous to watch.

Did you know that only female ducks can give a good loud 'Quack!'?

The boys have more of a husky, whisper-like quack.

So here they are for your viewing pleasure.

(Oh, and a couple of goats thrown in too!)

Happy Wednesday!

AUSTRALIA DAY 2013

Australia Day.

A day to get together with family and friends, have a BBQ, a few beers (or ciders!) and chill out.

A day to appreciate this truly beautiful country we live in.

A day to wear temporary tattoos of the flag, wear clothing with the flag on it, a flag sombrero, or just wear a flag in some way!

A day to slather flouro zinc cream on your nose and shout "Aussie Aussie Aussie!" and know that someone will always reply "Oi Oi Oi!"

We didn't end up going to the Australia Day party that we usually go to.

It's always a blast, but for some reason I just feel pooped, like I'm still getting over the silly season plus the birthdays that follow it.

Instead we opted to stay at home with the kids pool and our barbie.

There was some games and an attempt at kite flying in the morning, 

then my sister and her family came over and we all chilled together.

Can I just take this opportunity to express just how much I love these guys?

I think I am so lucky to have such caring and genuine people in my family- people who I count among my best friends as well.

We havn't had such a nice day together in a while.

You know the days where you just sit and talk, and really catch up on what's been happening.

And just relax. It was good, really good.

 And Australia Day isn't Australia Day without the good old fireworks by the lake.

They were magnificent this year.

There's something about fireworks, something magical and I sit there oohing and aahing with the rest of the crowd.

I love every minute.

My photos were all crap because I forgot to bring my camera and the iphone can't handle the focus with fireworks! So this one is courtesy of The Courier.

All in all an awesome day.

How did you celebrate Australia Day?

BABY BELLY

Yesterday I had the privilege of photographing one of my best friends

(who also happens to be my sister-in-law)

She is 30 weeks pregnant with her first child.

Her waters broke last week, far far to early, which has resulted in an extended hospital

stay for her in Melbourne.

Not an ideal situation seeing as she was over here visiting from Kalgoorlie for the week, and her husband works in the mines over there.

I'm secretly delighted that she was over here when it happened, as all her family is here.

Imagine being stuck in a hospital on the opposite side of the country, with no one to visit

and keep you company.

So instead of taking the photos at my place as planned, we had to turn the hospital room into a studio and take the photos there!

I love how they've turned out. I've edited them so she doesn't feel too exposed here on my blog!

I plan on taking more over the next few weeks, if she lasts that long before having the baby.

Any suggestions for future shoots?