Month: December 2013

Iridescent Feathers – the Straw Necked Ibis Returns

The Straw-Necked Ibis must have thought the food worth a return visit, for it was back again this morning. Still solitary, it was sharing the bounty with two ducks, two Corellas, a kookaburra and a flock of Sulphur Crested Cockatoos.  My best guess is that there is some kind of burrowing larvae hatching at this … Continue reading Iridescent Feathers – the Straw Necked Ibis Returns

A Solitary Straw-Necked Ibis

We rarely see ibis here.  In the sixteen months we have been here, I can count on one hand the number of days I’ve sighted them.  The last time we had Straw-Necked Ibis here, they arrived at dusk to roost and were gone at first light.  Given this, it was a surprise to find a … Continue reading A Solitary Straw-Necked Ibis

Red Beard-orchid (Calochilus paludosus)

I’ve saved a special orchid for Christmas.  We only had one of these growing – at least, we only found one.  Even then, we would  have missed it without our friend’s sharp eyes.   At the time the bud was just on the point of opening. We staked it and visited every day to see it … Continue reading Red Beard-orchid (Calochilus paludosus)

Ivy-leaf Violet (Viola hederacea sensu Willis)

Throughout Spring, and into Summer, we’ve had Ivy-Leaf Violets growing through the grass.  Looking down, they just appear as flecks of white and mauve among the green. When photographed, the true beauty of the flower is revealed.  In Australia, native violets are often recommended by plant nurseries as a good ground cover plant for cultivated … Continue reading Ivy-leaf Violet (Viola hederacea sensu Willis)

A Gallery of Wet Bark

This post is inspired by Jan in England, who likes to use the Australian bush colours for weaving projects.  We’ve had quite a bit of rain recently, which really brings out the colour of fallen pieces of bark.  The moss, plants and leaf litter add more texture and colour into the mix.  If you’re a … Continue reading A Gallery of Wet Bark

Prickly Starwort (Stellaria pungens)

This post is the beginning of a weekly addition to the A – Z Plant Index showing plant species we have growing on our property.    I’ve started small, based on previously published posts, but I have a large stock of unpublished photographs to identify and add over the coming months.  This list will evolve … Continue reading Prickly Starwort (Stellaria pungens)

Battling a Reflection: Superb Fairy Wrens

This morning I noticed two Superb Fairy Wrens chattering right outside the window between the  deck and the dining room.  Repeatedly they would fly to perch on a gardening tool leaning on the glass to chatter and scold.  At first I thought it was me they were warning away.  Later in the day, with a … Continue reading Battling a Reflection: Superb Fairy Wrens

Testing Their Strength: Young male kangaroos sparring

Something told me to get up early today, and I’m glad I did.  Our kangaroo family were back, with two young male kangaroos tagging along behind.   My guess is  the female kangaroo was in season, as there seemed to be a lot of jostling.  The two young males put on a good show right … Continue reading Testing Their Strength: Young male kangaroos sparring

Is Anyone An Expert on Victorian Bats?

For a while now, we have been noticing squeaks coming from within a boxed in gap in the fascia board surrounding the back deck.  We’ve suspected there may be a few bats living in this gap and over the last two weeks we have been trying to monitor their habits.  Right on the point of … Continue reading Is Anyone An Expert on Victorian Bats?

Summer Hail

After a few warm Summer days, including a day where the temperature reached over 30 degrees Celsius, we experience a few days of  Winter temperatures. There was ice over the road, and hail stones falling,   Bring on the rain, I love it -water to fill up the dam and stop the undergrowth from drying … Continue reading Summer Hail

Pale Vanilla-lily: Arthropodium milleflorum

We’ve had Chocolate Lilies flowering for a few months now, so it was exciting to finally see some Pale Vanilla-Lilies.  I’ve seen photographs of the flowers in field guides, with their fluffy purple and white stamens.  They have fascinated me for months. It turns out that the flowers are actually very small.  The field guide … Continue reading Pale Vanilla-lily: Arthropodium milleflorum

Dragons in the Garden

Gardening in the hot Summer weather can spring a few surprises on those who are not paying attention… like the odd reptile sheltering in the weeds.  Luckily for me, it wasn’t a snake.  Also, fortunately, I had come across two Jacky Dragon’s previously – thanks to the cats – so I had already researched them, … Continue reading Dragons in the Garden

An Echidna Sighting at Last!

For more than a year I have been finding holes dug by Echidnas – usually around ant nests and plant roots – without having even the smallest glimpse of an Echidna.  There was a moment, about a month ago, where someone thought they saw one.  By the time I got my camera out and we … Continue reading An Echidna Sighting at Last!