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Many things come to mind around the letter M. Mountains, museums, music, manuscripts – such a multitude of things to muse upon. Here are some things that I’ve spotted beginning with the letter M.

Magpie

True, this magpie is largely obscured by abundant cherry blossoms, and the photo was taken whilst the magpie was sharpening or cleaning his beak on the fence, but I still like it. There are lots of magpies in my area, and one of my enduring joys is to wake up to their morning chorus. I also came across this poem called Magpie by James McAuley. It captures the essence of what I admire about magpies, including ‘the liquid squabble of his note’, the confidence and swagger of the bird.

Martians and Miners

An unusual combination, granted. These locally crafted figures are situated on a bend of the back road from Hartley to Lithgow, and provide a ready reminder to take care on the winding roads.

Magic Pudding

Albert, the grumpy pudding, is one of the enduring characters of my childhood reading. He was indeed, magic, providing a wide selection of endless treats with ready ill-humour. His grumpiness is evident on his countenance. The Magic Pudding by Norman Lindsay remains vivid many years after reading. Lindsay’s property at Faulconbridge is a popular stop in the mountains.

Merinos

The Big Merino at Goulburn is a well-known feature on the list of big attractions scattered around the Australian countryside. As a child it seemed enormous. This photo, taken across a four-lane road, doesn’t quite do it justice, but it is still an impressive sight.

This rather fancy merino was spotted in a gallery window at Leichhardt over the weekend. It is rare to see sheep in the inner city.

Masks

I spotted a window full of beautifully crafted masks whilst walking through the Italian Forum in Leichhardt. The shop was called The Merchant of Venice.

Have you spotted anything magnificent beginning with M this week? Keep an eye on what fellow spotter Autumn spies here, as well as atman.art.studio on Instagram.