An Autumn Sunday Picnic

The last few days here in Armidale have been so surprisingly chilly, that when I stepped out of the house in a dress to go to work, I could feel the wind down to my very bones. So when Sunday rolled around, boasting blue skies and warmth, my friends and I zoomed down to the reserve to catch the last tendrils of summer. Armed with bags of art supplies, books, sandwiches, dip, and vegan custard tarts, we strolled around the edge until we found a shady spot to set up.

Thank you Kate for this picture, taken where we set up!

As we ate, I could hear the Pacific Black Ducks laughing to each other, watching them bob and nibble on reeds and underwater plants. My favourite to see at the reserve are the Australasian Swamphens though, with their gorgeous blue/purple sheen and their long, gangly legs, they are so timid around people and will dart with such hilarious speed to get away from you, even when you are still a fair way away!

Pacific Black Ducks

Anas superciliosa

Ian found an inch worm working his way along a twig, and I later learnt that inch-worms are the larvae of moths from the Geometridae family, not their own animal in and of oneself. The yellow straw flowers too were a bright streak against the overgrown grass, and I very much enjoyed painting them later that evening.

Inch worm inching along

Geometridae, Earth-Measurer

Yellow Strawflowers

Xerochrysum bracteatum

I could hear some twitching and tweets, and started to walk, following the sound of a group of Red-Browed Finches and Superb Fairy Wrens. They have such a distinct sound, almost like little bells. I often hear them come up the street to my yard, and will dive out the door to catch a peek of them before they zoom elsewhere. I ended up walking the length of the reserve, slowly and quietly stalking, hoping to catch a photo of them, though was unsuccessful. In lieu of a photo, I have added to this post a drawing a did of a Red Browned Finch in winter last year for a friend before she moved to Denmark.

Red-Browed Finch (Not a Firetail)!

Neochmia temporalis

Very much looking forward to winter here in Armidale, the smell of chimney smoke is already in the air!