I’m sorry, well, sort-of sorry, for leaving you floundering in the wilderness. Actually, NO! I’m not sorry. I mean, if you people don’t know by now that flounders don’t live in the wilderness…well, I can’t offer much hope.
But let’s leave the fish, floundering in the wherever. I’ve gotta go, Anna!
It looks much bigger (approx. 1 metre long) than the one that lives in the hole beside the driveway. Probably a Varanus varius, but I’m on shaky ground here. Feel free to Google…you’ll find screeds about a local brewery! They are also a big tourist draw here https://www.google.com/search?q=goanna+in+finch+hatton+qld
I took this picture yesterday, in our back garden. Worried that my shutter-click might scare him/her away, I was creeping around like Peeping Tom. Pfft! Goanna didn’t care. So I managed to get quite a few pictures before the battery said I’d taken enough.
OK…apart from big carnivorous lizards, what else has been happening?
Well, not much from the weather pixies. My poor homeland copped most of that. I have, so far, heard from most people I know there that they are OK. But with many still without power or phone coverage, we have to rely on TV news…Ditto Turkey and Syria and parts of Ukraine. update: first link no longer viable
We’ve had a few showers, which has seen more blooms for nectar-lovers. But I’ll have to wait for the battery to suck up its ergs, or whatever batteries eat…here’s an earlier shot of a Callistemon…
And some gorgeous pink leaves from an un-ID’d tree across the road.I couldn’t resist picking a big armful for the house. They didn’t last long, but what a pop! of hot pink!
Ooh! Look! another goanna
Oh-oh…the sky is a darkening grey…too early for a storm, but I think I’ll scoot to the purveyor of plonk now.
Moreidlethoughts Weblog 
Jeez! And we thought foxes in the garden were bad enough. [Mind you, I think a Goanna might be sufficient to deter those furry bastards (and the squirrels, and the shitting cats) from the extensive gardens here at Dolores Delargo Towers, so I think we might look into getting one!]
That Callistemon is a monster – they only ever grow about six feet tall here. And the camp pink-leafed specimen (Syzygium “Lilly Pilly”, is it not?) wouldn’t look out of place at the entrance to Elton John’s boudoir… Jx
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m not sure just which plant that is; all the syzygium have similar leaves and I’ve not yet seen flowers so can’t be certain. But Elton would probably love it!
As for getting a goanna…just beware unscrupulous pet shops that might try to flog you a Komodo Dragon!
LikeLike
A Komodo Dragon on a leash might be useful next time I go to Wood Green Shopping City. Jx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Not familiar with Wood Green, but if it’s anything, even remotely like the shopping malls here…get one Komodo each! (I now do my weekly shop on Tuesday at 1030am when they have Quiet Hour at the supermarket. Bliss!)
LikeLike
Nice garden visitor! I’m in Michigan now, in the middle of winter so it’s nice to see your summer photos!
LikeLiked by 1 person
so…you missed the rooster, the one that used ta wake you up at 5am…? (Sorry!)
LikeLike
You have a dinosaur in your garden!!!!! Get some tiny ornaments of people to place around the grass for when the Goanna next visits, and then take some photos!
I like the Elton John Lilly Pilly.
Sx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ooh…there’s a thought! “Garden gnomes removed naturally.”
LikeLike
And I thought our old chickens were the last of the dinoaurs
LikeLiked by 1 person
You probably have Iguana.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We do indeed…..
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well, at least it ain’t alligators! They used to show up on Savannah lawns or streets with regularity. It’s just parrots and Norway roof rats in LA now, sweetpea! xoxo
LikeLiked by 1 person
Savvy, maybe I should tell you about our crocodiles…or maybe not! But just the other day a big one was shot, somewhere north of here. And all the beaches have warning signs!
https://environment.des.qld.gov.au/wildlife/animals/living-with/crocodiles/croc-wise
LikeLiked by 1 person
Goodness, you have the most interesting garden of anyone I’ve ever known!
I recently bought a plant with what I thought were pink leaves but, apparently, they’re flowers. Can’t remember what it’s called but I love it and have managed to keep it alive, unlike the phalaenopsis I tried earlier.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Eryl, this present garden is nothing. A few more weeks and then I can get some of my crammed-in-the-entryway things into the ground.It’s still far too hot; I think I’m going to need screens for a lot of things. It’ll be like the frost covers, years ago. Only daytime and protection against sun, not frost!
LikeLike
What a handsome visitor! Very stately looking. I’ve been following the news about the cyclone that hit New Zealand, even though it does seem to get overshadowed by all the other grim news.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Bad news headlines always sell more!
But improvements and innovation often follow disasters.
LikeLike
Well, that’s slightly more impressive than my newt…
* huff *
Anyway, gorgeous pink leaves! They remind me of young leaves from a variegated Ficus benjamina (although Ficus leaves don’t come in pairs like those). And I shall have to have words with the little Callistemon on our paysho – it’s got to buck it’s ideas up!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve had 2 Callistemon waiting to be planted-out and…quel horreur!Something has done for them.No sign of insect damage, but the leaves have died.I cut back into the stems, hoping they’d revive. Nope. All dead wood. I’ll check the roots later today…
And I didn’t know you had a newt!
LikeLike
My newt was basking in the sun in the shallows of the pond the other day. I didn’t manage to get a photo, but there’s this one from last year (at the ed of the post).
How were your Callistemon roots? I checked my potted Fuchsias not long ago, and most of them seem to have carked it, too (the couple of cold snaps, I suspect). However, the cuttings I took which are in the red greenhouse are sprouting, so all is not lost!
LikeLiked by 1 person
One of those Callistemon has survived, but I’m afraid the other went to the Great Garden in the Sky.
LikeLike
Hic sunt dracones. Araneae etiam stirpes venenatae, Amoenus hoc ille locus …
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hahaha ! Rideo.
Yes, I do have a lot of “strange/dangerous “things, but, mostly, not very threatening.
Kids whizzing about on electric scooters…very scary.
LikeLike
I think this illustration explains everything.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ouch!
LikeLike
So basically you just added carniverous lizards to the list of ‘Things on property where Dinamow lives that are way too large and will eat your face.’ I’d be OK with that if I also got the Elton John plant along with the rest of the deal. That is absolutely glorious!
LikeLiked by 1 person
FN…I’m very concerned at the lack of those beautiful big orb-weaver spiders. Seriously, what’s responsible for their demise locally? Hair brushes and toe-capped boots and poisons I suspect.
So far, we have not seen any snakes and I can’t pretend to be too disappointed!
LikeLike
In case you missed it – article about spiders in Australian swimming pools.
LikeLike
No, I had not seen that, but it’s from Ch seven, which I avoid like funnel webs!
LikeLike
That thing looks quite menacing!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am not fond of lizards, scales and amphibianist things!!! I wouldn’t be outside much if one were to show up here.
I have been meaning to stop in… it’s been hell since getting back from travels, and getting caught up.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lovely to see you here! Especially as you’ve been so busy traipsing around Budapest!
You’d probably be quite safe here. Well, safe from goannas, but the crocs are a bit of a worry in some areas. Now, I’m going to have another drool at your Budapest pics. éljenzés pirítós
LikeLike
CROCS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I worry your talking about the reptile….and the dreaded FOOTWEAR!!!!!!!! I’d rather take my chances with a croc….the reptile that is, lmao!!!!! Crocs, the footwear is always a bit of worry.
LikeLike
Well a certain Canadian lady would have no hesitation dealing with rubber shoes. I don’t think she’d risk it with a BIG handbag!
LikeLike