Author: fifteenacres

An Eerie Light

Last week we experienced a heat wave in Victoria, with highest-ever temperatures being recorded in some locations.  The intense heat led to many fires across the entire State, resulting in a smoke-filled atmosphere.  Fanned by strong wind, the smoke drifted for hundreds of kilometers.  For a few hours on Friday afternoon, while it drifted across … Continue reading An Eerie Light

Spotted Jezebel (Delias aganippe)

The four days of intense heat have played havoc with the butterfly population.  We saw many around the perimeter of the house, seeking a cooler spot.  Some of them perished in the process. When I took the first of these two photographs, this Spotted Jezebel butterfly was alive.  Unfortunately, we found it dead the next day. … Continue reading Spotted Jezebel (Delias aganippe)

Twining Glycine (Glycine clandestina)

This week’s addition to the A – Z Plant Species list is a purple pea-like flower.  The pea family of plants native to Australia is very large, and many species look pretty much the same.  Based on our location, the fact that the flower has white patches (not yellow) the longer hairy stem, and the … Continue reading Twining Glycine (Glycine clandestina)

An Injured Red Wattlebird

Today the light was eerie (click here for photos of the sky).  I took the camera out to capture the colour of the sky, and wandered onto the jetty without looking. A fluttering sound caught my attention, and I turned to see what I thought was a fledgling Red Wattlebird running up and down the … Continue reading An Injured Red Wattlebird

Fruit!

In Australia it’s mid Summer and the fruit is beginning to ripen.  We are not the only ones to notice.  Swamp Wallabies and parrots also have their eye on the crop, and are much faster than we are at taking advantage of ready to eat fruit!  Last year we had bountiful crops that seemed to … Continue reading Fruit!

Swamp Wallaby Drinking

Last Summer on a stinking hot day I photographed a Swamp Wallaby drinking out of the dam in the afternoon.  Usually, being nocturnal, we  only see them at dusk or dawn. Well, another stinking hot day, and another Swamp Wallaby drinking out of the dam in the daylight.  These photographs were taken at around 3:30 … Continue reading Swamp Wallaby Drinking

Spurwinged Plover or Masked Lapwing

I’ve always know this species as the Spurwinged Plover, but my field guide to birds tells me that they have been renamed as the Masked Lapwing.  The name ‘Spurwing’ refers to the bony ‘spurs’ which the birds have on their shoulder, and which they can use for defence. Appearing approximately eight months ago, the Plovers … Continue reading Spurwinged Plover or Masked Lapwing

Marbled Xenica (Geitoneura Klugii)

For months now, it has puzzled me why so many butterflies hover low to the ground above bark and leaf litter, and in thick grassy areas with no flowers in sight.  I’ve always associated butterflies with flowers.  Thanks to a wonderful book given to me by my sister for Christmas, I can now answer that … Continue reading Marbled Xenica (Geitoneura Klugii)

Begining the Discussion: A Facebook Experiment

As my Fifteen Acres blog grows and changes, I’ve been thinking more about its central themes.  I’ve settled on a couple of rules which shape my posts: Everything I write about happens on our fifteen acres of mostly bushland Through photographs and my thoughts, I’ll try to show you what I found interesting or unusual. … Continue reading Begining the Discussion: A Facebook Experiment

Western Bronzehood Orchid (Caladenia iridescens)

Commonly referred to as a Bronze Caladenia, this tiny orchid is difficult to spot.  It really blends into the background!   However, we were lucky enough to find a couple that were  flowering toward the end of October.  According to David L Jones “Native Orchids of Australia” the blooms only last  from  two to five … Continue reading Western Bronzehood Orchid (Caladenia iridescens)

Eastern Rosella

At last we have seen an Eastern Rosella!  The Crimson Rosella is a common species on our property (we see them every day) but it’s surprising that other common species of parrot aren’t more visible.  These birds were extremely shy, taking off at the first sign of movement. We saw them from a distance twice … Continue reading Eastern Rosella

Cats, Bats and Beds at 3am

Hearing an unusual noise at 3am last night, we turned on the light to see that one of our cats had caught a bat, and was in the process of dragging it under the bed.  In our half-asleep state, we noticed a second bat laying on the carpet.  We’re not sure how one cat managed … Continue reading Cats, Bats and Beds at 3am

Branching Bluebell (Wahlenbergia multicaulis) and other Bluebells

Throughout Spring and Summer a range of bluebells have been flowering on the property. Some are large and beautifully coloured, while others appear smaller. Some seem to have six lobes, while most have five.  I admit to having a bit of difficulty in identifying these through a lack of clear field guide photographs against which … Continue reading Branching Bluebell (Wahlenbergia multicaulis) and other Bluebells

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?