Swamp Harrier commotions

A fine looking Swamp Harrier (Circus approximans) came to visit midday yesterday. It was soon joined by four fine Eastern Rosella (Platcercus eximius) who we see less often than the Harrier itself, our cat Panda (Felis catus) who was having a drink at the dam, a plucky Willie-wagtail (Rhipidura leucophrys) who sat real close to the Harrier, the ever present pugnacious magpie-lark PeeWee (Grallina cyanleuca) who gave it a right earful I don't mind telling you, and finally our dog Winston (Cannis lupus familiaris) chased it off after the excitement of the Pee Wee screaming, the cat meowing and me standing on the fence railings photographing became too much for him.

The Harrier took it in raptorial calm and perched nearby. Looking at the wild rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus), who all went and hid.

All relevant photos on this YouTube link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wqpOpnaBGiY

Cedar has departed

Well kind of sad, kind of happy too. O moved north almost two years ago for work. Cedar had settled into being the paddock boss, but with River and Evie gone for sale, she had a little roost to rule. So O has transported her 2000kms and she arrived, annoyed, but well, last week. She, they, are delighted to be in each other's company again and more importantly she is being ridden regularly for the first time in five years. Good news for her and O.

But for Cedars Fields, well it's not quite the same without Cedar. Down to two horses, Kidd and Teddy.

So we're sprucing the place up, starting with the house, but have painted all the post and rail fences. And outlined the dressage arena with telegraph poles.

Photos: Cedar in a bit of a flap about leaving. She knew something was up. Teddy joining in. The blue tarp is the slasher which was taken off the tractor when the Roll Over Protection System fell off!! After the bolts sheared off. But that's another story.