This weekend the weather was fine and we had free time, so we were able to finish the cat enclosure. Essentially this meant covering the yard with cat netting and patching up any potential escape points, for example, making sure the cats are not able to get under the house, or squeeze through a gap … Continue reading Cat Enclosure Stage 2 – Cat Netting
Waxlip Orchid (Glossodia major)
In mid-October we had a few Waxlip Orchids flowering. They seem to be solitary, just one here and there, but their beauty certainly captures my attention when I walk past one. I’m still a novice when it comes to native Australian wildflowers, so I rely heavily on references. The one I am using to identify … Continue reading Waxlip Orchid (Glossodia major)
Xanthorrhoea Minor
A number of the plants which I thought were native grasses, have developed large flowering spikes, but others have remained flower free. Keen to find out more about this, I consulted Denise Grieg’s excellent book ‘Field Guide to Australian Wildflowers‘ which I picked up last week. An excellent reference! According to Grieg, these plants are … Continue reading Xanthorrhoea Minor
Moth – Zygaenoidea Genus
A friend came to visit, and as I was showing her the wild flowers which grow near the dam when a flash of blue caught my eye. After a few seconds of following the low flying irridescent flashes of blue, a moth settled on the grass, and I was able to take these photographs. I … Continue reading Moth – Zygaenoidea Genus
Australian Wood Ducks 2 – Duckling Update
The family of Australian Wood Ducks spend much of their day on and around our dam, even though they built their nest under some scrubby bushes just over the fence into the neighbouring property. All eleven ducklings have survived and have their adult plumage. Although they are still adjusting to their wings, they can also … Continue reading Australian Wood Ducks 2 – Duckling Update
White Faced Heron
A solitary White Faced Heron has appeared this week. It waded around the edge of the dam, and seems to like feeding around the reeds growing in the water. It doesn’t stay for long – sometimes only a matter of minutes, sometimes about an hour. It is very elegant but rather shy – preferring to … Continue reading White Faced Heron
Ants Nests
The soil here is a sandy loam. This, combined with the lack of cultivation means it is a haven for ants. Thankfully, we don’t have ants in the house, nor do they seem to come into the cultivated back yard. Howeve, once we begin walking on the uncultivated bushland, there are anthills, or ant nests … Continue reading Ants Nests
Dragon Fly
Over the warmer weeks of Spring, I’ve been watching the Dragon fly’s skim over the surface of the dam. Sonetimes alone, and sometimes in a dance with a partner, they zoom from the reeds growing on the edge, to the shade beneath the jetty, circling around, and rising and falling through the air as they … Continue reading Dragon Fly
The Cat Enclosure Stage 1 – New Fence
It has been very difficult to find clear weekends to build, where we don’t have other commitments, but last weekend we made some progress on the cat enclosure. Finally! We needed a firm anchor point for the cat netting. Unfortunately, the existing lattice was not strong enough. It was beginning to show signs of age, … Continue reading The Cat Enclosure Stage 1 – New Fence
Native Shrubs in Flower
Dotted around the property are a number of flowering native shrubs which have been planted by previous owners. Many of these are just coming into flower, while others have interesting seed cases on display. I have not yet researched the specific plant names, so I have just posted the images without descriptions. Enjoy the photo … Continue reading Native Shrubs in Flower
Kangaroos and Orchards
When watering the fruit trees in the orchard tonight, I noticed that almost all of the fruit from one tree was gone, and there were telltale droppings beneath the tree. Richard identified these as kangaroo droppings. I knew we had to watch out for the birds when the fruit grew large and ripe, but these … Continue reading Kangaroos and Orchards
Australian Raven
Recently, we’ve noticed many Australian Ravens around the dam. This has happened within the last two weeks. I’ve consulted our Field Guide to Australian Birds, and discovered that immature Ravens collect in groups until they mature and pair up to breed. So I guess we have a roaming flock of young birds looking for mates … Continue reading Australian Raven
Stick Insect
While cutting down the Banksia Rose which covered the old trellis fence, we found this gorgeous Stick Insect. We let it go into a section of the Banksia Rose which we are retaining.
Blue Ant
We were putting up a new fence to form part of the cat enclosure, and noticed a rather large and fearsome-looking ant-like insect walking at a fast pace across the paving. Neither of us had any idea what it was, so we took photos for later identification. We later identified this to be a Blue … Continue reading Blue Ant
Our Front Fence
In Taking a Chainsaw to my Green Ideals I wrote about the need to cut down three trees to install a new livestock-proof front fence. We have had our new fence for a while now, and we are very pleased with it. We employed a local fencer to do the job, and he was thorough, … Continue reading Our Front Fence
Preparing for the Greenhouse
On Friday we had word that the greenhouse is ready to collect from the warehouse. This is exciting news! It comes flatpacked, so next weekend we hope to construct it. During the week, our raised garden beds and greenhouse shelving should also arrive. We’ll need to order crushed rock to form the floor in … Continue reading Preparing for the Greenhouse
Pied Cormorant
An occasional visitor, this lone Pied Cormorant seems to enjoy sitting on the end of the jetty.
Superb Fairy Wren
Each morning when I get out of bed, make my way to the kitchen to make coffee, I am greeted by the cheerful calls of the Superb Fairy Wrens as they busily go about thier business outside the kitchen window. A favourite sitting spot is the top of the gate. These tiny birds have so … Continue reading Superb Fairy Wren
Common Bronzewing Pigeon
We’ve sighted this bird a couple of times, but it is not a frequent visitor.
Eastern Banjo Frog
While gardening, we came across this fellow. He likes to hang out in the fernery around the fish pond. Mostly, we can only hear his ‘bonk’ – he’s very difficult to see.
Australian Native Flowers 2
The seasonal change has brought with it a new range of native flowers growing in the bushland on our property. I am yet to buy a field guide to Australian Native Orchids and wild flowers, so the only one I can identify is Dillwynia Juniperina, which is a small shrub (1 to 2 metres high) … Continue reading Australian Native Flowers 2
First Harvest
We have used some herbs from the garden before, but this is our first vegetable harvest. Sufficient broad beans to make Broad Bean, Leek, Goats Cheese and Mint Pasta. As I didn’t have a leek to hand, I used three of our shallots, and to deglaze the pan when it got too hot, I used … Continue reading First Harvest
Our Garden Blooms
As I walk around the garden, I appreciate the care taken by previous owners in the garden design. The cultivated garden is relatively small, with a few shrubs interspersed with annuals and perennials. Each month we have been here, a different plant flowers. The effect has been to frame the view differently, refocusing our attention … Continue reading Our Garden Blooms
Sulphur Crested Cockatoos
Ever since we moved in, we have had one or two Sulphur Crested Cockatoos visit us on a daily basis. Recently, a larger flock has started to drop in each day. As they jostle each other for the best grazing patch, they seem to enjoy launching into flight and raucously calling to each other. These … Continue reading Sulphur Crested Cockatoos
Fifteen Acres 