Yarra River Lorikeets

[Stephen Whiteside]

I took this photo of lorikeets near the Yarra River where I live about a year ago.

[Shelley Hansen]

I love them but they are naughty and cheeky - and at the moment they are pecking holes in our Bowen mangoes which are still too green to pick!! Looks like mango chutney coming up ...

[Stephen Whiteside]

That is very anthropocentric of you, Shelley!

[Shelley Hansen]

Mmm ... Yes, I confess, I had to resort to the dictionary for that one!

Centre of the universe, hey? Well, we ARE talking about Bowen mangoes here .... food of the gods! I wouldn’t even mind if they ate a whole mango or even several, but they peck about two holes in one fruit and then move on to the next one!

So this morning we rose at 4:30 am to beat the heat, and picked the tree almost clean. Some are destined for chutney and the rest will ripen in their own good time.

However you’ll be pleased to know we did leave a few for the lorikeets - high up in the tree beyond the reach of Rod’s tallest ladder! They can continue to peck away to their hearts’ content, in between raiding the neighbour’s lychees! Luxury laid on!

Cheers
Shelley

[Stephen Whiteside]

No offense meant, Shelley. I didn't quite mean 'centre of the universe', but you know what I mean - looking at the lorikeets from a purely human perspective, rather than a lorikeet perspective. Perhaps there is a better word.

Sounds like a fair deal. Hope the chutney goes down well!

[Shelley Hansen]

No offense taken at all, Stephen ... I think it is a great word! That’s what the dictionary said ... The belief that humans are the centre of the universe! I had a good giggle Mmm ... maybe there’s a poem lurking there somewhere ...

And yes, I was doing exactly that ... viewing my favourite fruit tree from a purely human (and culinary) perspective! The chutney-making day has gone extremely well, by the way! Our corned meat sangas are about to become gourmet!

Cheers
Shelley