At the moment here seems to be a consistent group of the introduced Eastern (Australian) Rosellas around the garden most days. Today they were out the back, perhaps eating the fruit from the strawberry tree. They are so colourful and noisy, they are quite a pleasant distraction from my painting. I try not to like them, because of course they don't belong here in New Zealand, and probably displace some endangered fauna. But they are very appealing as they chatter like monkeys up in the trees. They know all about me, and watched me carefully as I took these photos.
he's a sweet looking little fella!
ReplyDeletenow wait just one cotton-picking minute.... parrots in your garden I can believe.... but a "strawberry tree"??? Is this a belated April Fool? Strawberries in a tree??
ReplyDeleteJohn, they are very appealing! About twice the size of a budgerigar.
ReplyDeleteFoxy (if I may call you that on so short an acquaintance?) I do indeed have a strawberry tree in the back garden. It's massive. I've posted about it on occasion. Here's one for proof.
http://delphine-angua.blogspot.co.nz/2010/04/wax-eyes.html
I don't know if I've mentioned it on this blog, but the fruits are mildly hallucinogenic I think. I've never tried enough of them myself, but the little dog went silly one year and wouldn't stop eating them, and the birds go nuts over them sometimes - but the effect seems to be stronger some years than others.
Oh they look so beautiful! Maybe they don't do much damage? Not all new arrivals do, and many species have arrived over the years - certainly that's true in the UK.
ReplyDeleteSurely they haven't flown all that way? Poor little things were probably kidnapped and have escaped. They are pretty aren't they. Luckily I don't think they will do as much damage as our possums have. I apologise for them.
ReplyDeletecheers
They're so colourful. You will be pleased to learn that there are flocks of eastern rosellas in Blogland but it's not really the climate for merinos. Sorry.
ReplyDeleteThe song "Strawberry Fields Forever" written and sung by the Beatles is reputed to have been about drug experiences - it was written during a time of increasing drug use by this group - the lyrics are interesting "Nothing is real" is a repeated expression through the song.
ReplyDeletePerhaps if 'Strawberry' is too confusing for some - you could rename it as a 'Beatle' tree (and field questions about spelling)
EB, they have come to a little group of islands (NZ) that were very isolated for years... But I think they are beautiful too!
ReplyDeleteHelsie, they may have been blown over, but, as you say, I think they are most likely cage escapees. Thank you for your apology, but you don't have to feel responsible! :-D
YP. I'll have bags of wool sent over if I want to do any spinning. I expect we won't be needing a lot of woolen garments anyway.
Alden - another off-the-wall comment. The beatle tree it is, then.
As you say if they spread even more they could displace some native birds or some birds that have been here so long they feel native (there is an analogy there). However they are attractive and appealing so, just like humans with similar attributes, they get away with it.
ReplyDeleteYes Geeb. I think orchardists reckon they eat fruit too... But then, if their were huge flocks of, say Kereru, they would still be unpopular.
ReplyDelete