Everything is really growing at the moment- we have had a fair bit of rain but lately the days have been quite mild- perfect growing conditions! The orchard has really taken off in the last couple of years, we have had ample mandarins and it looks like a good crop of nectarines and plums again this year.
![Bees pollinating the nectarine](https://www.mccarthypark.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/IMG_2356.jpg)
Bees pollinating the nectarine
After the bushfire a couple of years ago, the bush is growing back. Though many species have completely gone as they were burnt too severely, other plants really regenerate after a bushfire. Most of the balga (grass trees) have grown back and quite a few are now flowering, lots of gum trees have self sown, and the prickly moses (a type of acacia), has come back with a vengeance (they really are prickly).
![Prickly Moses](https://www.mccarthypark.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/IMG_2373.jpg)
Prickly Moses
![Running postman (Kennedia prostrata)](https://www.mccarthypark.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/IMG_2392.jpg)
Running postman (Kennedia prostrata)
![Regeneration](https://www.mccarthypark.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/IMG_2375.jpg)
Regeneration
The almost spring weather is also shown in the animals activity around! There are lots of birds around making nests, particularly the wild ducks.
![You looking' at me?](https://www.mccarthypark.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/IMG_2362.jpg)
You looking’ at me?
The turkeys are nesting in their nice ‘bush’ nest (though safely in their pen!) too, though two on the same nest!
![Sharing a nest](https://www.mccarthypark.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/IMG_2345.jpg)
Sharing a nest