Humboldt

Dont really have favourite songs. That clip is from a movie called Sunshine Daydream check it out its very cool. Rather i have favourite eras, early/mid 70's are the best Dead. After that Jerry Garcia Band is awesome. The music can be loose improv to allow for little moments, rather than favourite songs thats what i love about Jerry. 60's is a bit more experimental but sometimes lacks the polish. Dark star from Live Dead is considered seminal and i reckon represents the best from that era. Mid 70's Dead JGB mid 70's Hooterall is a must from then too and is Jerry's best psychedelic studio work. Early 80's getting too big but the ingenuity of migrating from one song to another is there. Allowing for some nice jams. Late 80's/ 90's mournful Jerry is the most authentic. In the 90's side projects like with dave grisman are the best of that era because loved it. He was desperately unhappy. Poor Jerry. There's Jerry's Bluegrass and Folk contributions too. He was prolific !!

Amazing how long it took for Althea to appear on a studio album, given long run in shows. Standout track on Go to Heaven imo. I used to think was their worst album, i think it took me a while to love Brent.

An interesting talk by Prof Anne Steineman from Melb Uni on the fragrant additives in products. Many are carcinogens or responsible for allergic reactions. Sadly these chemicals are not legally required to be included on MDS's. Im surprised (or not) at the lack of research into the considerable effects of fragrant additives on the population. https://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/bigideas/summer-hidden-hazards/9224354

Hi and a hearty welcome Messiah.

Hi does anyone have a Aust native seed supplier they particularly like? Hooray for everything!

Thanks for the recommendation WB might have to take a camping trip to Liffey and check out habitat plants. I am after tubestock but the new year should see me relocating so Ill hold off on any bulk buys. Understory have a couple of sales a year too. I use their database alot its been very helpful. Im keen to get out and do some seed collecting too this time round. Also have a crack at striking some of the Alpine conifer species in summer now the Hartz are back open. Have been buying from Wildseed but was looking for a plan B as well. Last year i grew with some local Melaleuca varieties, Lepto's, Eucs, Acacias and grasses. The kids have a frog bog at there school so i grew some wetland species too. All with mixed success but this year im a little wiser for it. I lost alot of 'frost tolerant' plants to frost. I do get alot of satisfaction from germing native seeds, I very much think of it as a pure pursuit. Good for the soul.

Hey MP, kindness from me and good luck with times ahead.

Ive got a Extreme Q desktop (hose and bag) if anyone is interested. The glass bits and bobs would clean up like new and have (i think) new bags, screens and hose. The unit is a 7/10 imo, a poor mans volcano. Bags are great, elbows good too , unit takes a long time to reach temp despite what the readout indicates. Still once you learn to drive it, it works pretty well. I have a mighty now, havent used it since. Sell for $80 neg.

The swallows at mine arrived a few weeks ago, seemingly earlier this year (and both at the same time). I too use them as a cue to get things in. They nest in the carport, which gets hot as in Jan when the chicks are still occupying. Ive got a rug atop of the roof now to keep temps down for the wee tackers after one year seeing a chick evacuate due to heat stress. Swallows impress me as a bird with skilled aerobatics but also the ability to do the long haul flight. They have tiny feathers projecting out from around their mouths to aid in ( increasing suface area ) funneling food/insects in. Much the same way as my beard.

Its like Rays tent city in my shed, youd have no worries borrowing one.

Looks wonderful Infinity, my kids would go ape for that pool! Sadly i think i wont be able to get it together financially in time for the trip up. As a new member i would love to meet other SABers but maybe next time for me. Wishing all attending a extra special weekend.

I grew up in Melbs where indian mynahs were the dominant bird in the suburbs. Noisy mynahs too but not in the same numbers. To me it seemed mynahs dwindle in numbers the further out you went into the bush away from higher human populations. Rather Satin bowerbirds would occupy that niche (in the Yarra Ranges at least). Both very intellegent, organised birds. South of Hobart i dont see any Mynahs, sparrows and starlings abound. Certainly less bird diversity in Tas than Vic imo. The Forest Raven do very well down here on roadkill. Birds of prey like Wedgies, Grey goshawks, Sea eagles are often seen this time of year dining out on spring chicks. War in the sky!

Any interest in a meet or camp out now the weather is warming up?

At my last place we had a bad mice problem up in the chook shed. One morning i saw an Owl perched above the gully. We stared at one another for a few minutes neither of us moving. In my mind i said 'plenty of tucker up there' to which the bird replied something like 'dont tell me how to do my job' and promptly flew off.

Wow @Gimli didnt realise they ate insects. Theyre such a lovely bird, Im a big fan. From Wiki 'Nectar does not contain protein so New Holland honeyeaters must supplement their diet with invertebrates such as spiders and insects that are rich in protein'.

Hi, have 5 bags of ~ 50 seeds of N.rustica to share. Post below and PM me your details to recieve a pack. Kindness H

Thanks everyone, that's all for now. If youve replied and i havent sent please let me know.

Sure @wiigeePM me an address.

Hey @Enjaytee, no worries pm me an address.

More available if anyone's in need.

Did a few hours ago Flux. Maybe check again???

Tremendous Flux. A yes please from me.

Can do @YoungJD22. PM me those deets.