The Banjo Frogs were calling loudly from the dam in the middle of October. A day or two later, lots of frog spawn appeared on the surface of the water. I am guessing we will have a healthy population of Banjo Frogs next year. While I have not seen tadpoles in the dam in previous … Continue reading Frog Spawn
Tag: Australian Wildlife
Tawny Frogmouth
On a warm January night, we were sitting in the lounge room watching TV when a loud bang on the screen door startled us. Initially, we couldn’t see anything outside, so Richard grabbed a torch and shone it into a nearby tree. We saw a bundle of grey feathers and thought it was a solitary … Continue reading Tawny Frogmouth
Tachinid Fly (Rutilia lepida)
Out for a quick walk, I didn’t take my macro lens with me. Pity, because I came across a luminescent insect about 2cm in length, sitting on a broken acacia trunk. Turns out it was a large parasitic fly. According to Museum Victoria, the Tachinid Fly larvae feed on Scarab Beetle larvae. The adults also … Continue reading Tachinid Fly (Rutilia lepida)
Duckling Story 3
Duckling Story 3 may be a continuation of Duckling Story 2 – it is a bit difficult to interpret these events. An hour or two after the seven ducklings disappeared into the long grass, we saw a female duck with two ducklings grazing in that green spot all of the ducks seem to love. We … Continue reading Duckling Story 3
Duckling Story 1
In my last post, I added the Swamp Harrier to my list of birds sighted on the property, lamenting that I had not seen the seven wild ducklings since it appeared. After going back through my photographs for December, I realise I actually have three stories about ducklings – all of them ending in mystery. … Continue reading Duckling Story 1
Swamp Harrier (Circus Approximans)
It has been a very long time since I was able to add another bird to the list of species found on our property. Usually this is a cause of celebration. However, I am not sure if I am pleased to have spotted this small raptor. A few days before it appeared, a pair of … Continue reading Swamp Harrier (Circus Approximans)
A Resilient Echidna
Last year I photographed this Echidna hiding under a log. It was dug firmly into the ground and I had no intentions of disturbing it. As you can see, the spines on its back are badly damaged, as is the fur. We have had bushfires in our area, so perhaps it survived a fire, or … Continue reading A Resilient Echidna
The Latest Joey – 3 photos
At long last the newest Eastern Grey joey left the safety of its mother’s pouch in a spot close enough to photograph. It was only momentary, and to our eyes, it looked like the joey might have fallen out while trying to hang too far out to eat grass. This one is very active inside … Continue reading The Latest Joey – 3 photos
White-Eared Honeyeater Hunting
Some days, I’m fortunate to come across an unfazed honeyeater just going about its business of collecting food, like this White-Eared Honeyeater. I stood and watched for several minutes before I took photographs. These birds seem very shy, and I was certain if I moved, it would fly off. Obviously searching for insects and other tasty … Continue reading White-Eared Honeyeater Hunting
Kangaroo Courtship
Over the last three years, I’ve been fortunate to observe some of the Eastern Grey Kangaroo courtship behaviour. In Winter, a new tiny joey peeks out of its mother’s pouch and the dominant male returns to the mob for a while. This year, the new tiny pink face appeared toward the end of June. … Continue reading Kangaroo Courtship
Eastern Rosella: A closer look
At the unfinished end of the Honeyeater Garden, an Eremophila Maculata plant is about to burst into flower and this Eastern Rosella was very interested in the bush. One of three Eastern’s, presumably a family group, the bird in my photographs happened to be right outside the window, giving me a chance to get … Continue reading Eastern Rosella: A closer look
Wings
With wings raised, it seemed to be a case of “I’m bigger than you!” and “Oh no, you’re not!” on the bird feeder this week. We have seen more Cockatoos than usual. They squabble among themselves for best position, squeezing out the regular feeders, such as this Common Bronzewing Pigeon. The Pigeon decided to … Continue reading Wings
Abantiades hyalinatus
This blog began with the question “What is it?” and I still find myself asking this question most days. The other night we came back from a meeting, and found this beautiful moth fluttering around on the path. It seemed to be in the act of dying, as it couldn’t get off the ground … Continue reading Abantiades hyalinatus
Colour Variation in Eastern Grey Kangaroos
Recently, we’ve had four Eastern Grey Kangaroos grazing near the house – our usual female and her joey, a young male and a new female. All four have slightly differently coloured fur. The new female is especially pale. I haven’t seen another Eastern Grey this pale, so I thought it would be interesting to introduce her … Continue reading Colour Variation in Eastern Grey Kangaroos
Huntsman Spiders
In the comments beneath the Leaf Curling Spider post, macmsue and I have been comparing Huntsman Spider stories, so I thought this might be a good time to post a photos of one. It has been sitting there, waiting for an opportune time! I rescued this spider from the flue above the stove in the … Continue reading Huntsman Spiders
Leaf Curling Spider (Phonognatha graeffei)
About a month ago, it seemed there were Jewell Spiders everywhere, but this week the Leaf Curling Spiders have taken over. As the name suggests, each spider uses a curled leaf suspended in the centre of the web as a protected hiding spot. I’m actually thankful to see the leaves suspended as it has saved … Continue reading Leaf Curling Spider (Phonognatha graeffei)
Archive Photos: Welcome Swallow
One of the reasons the Welcome Swallow images are in an ‘Archive Photos’ post is that I was hoping to get better photos of them. On a cold August day a pair arrived and began constructing a nest of mud on top of a high beam beneath the tin roof of our deck. As it was … Continue reading Archive Photos: Welcome Swallow
Out of the pouch, but still suckling
Female kangaroos can have one joey in the pouch and an older, almost independent joey out of the pouch but still suckling, while an embryo waits, suspended, until the pouch is once again free. I never tire of seeing the females tending their young. They are so patient and attentive. Joeys usually vacate the pouch … Continue reading Out of the pouch, but still suckling
Crimson Rosella Bathing
Crimson Rosella have claimed the water feature we placed in the middle of our new garden. They use it to bathe in each morning, and it has become their source of drinking water as well. The water feature is the centre of a new garden we are planting, just outside the study window. We’ve chosen … Continue reading Crimson Rosella Bathing
Do Magpies Play?
I often see Sulphur Crested Cockatoos at play, but Magpies always seem so serious in searching for food or defending territory. Even when caroling, they seem to scan their surrounds, just checking to make sure everything is as it should be. Lately, I’ve witnessed a young Magpie engaged in a few incidents that could be … Continue reading Do Magpies Play?
Rain and Kangaroos: Is there a link?
Just as the rain has been sparse, so have the kangaroos. Since Christmas, I think I can count on one hand the number of kangaroos I’ve seen here. Those that visit just seem to spend one night, and then disappear for weeks. It has been very dry, which means most of the grass is brown … Continue reading Rain and Kangaroos: Is there a link?
Eastern Long-necked Turtle
At long last I have seen the Eastern Long-necked Turtles in our dam. We were told they were in there when we bought the property, but they have proved to be very shy creatures. On a couple of occasions we’ve glimpsed them for a split second. Until now, the dam has been so deep that … Continue reading Eastern Long-necked Turtle
Little Pied Cormorant
Over the Summer months, we often have Cormorants fishing in our dam – this week it has been the Little Pied Cormorant. Previously, I’ve photographed a Darter, and a Great Cormorant, but for some reason, the Little Pied Cormorant has not been added to my A – Z Species list even though I am sure I have … Continue reading Little Pied Cormorant
A Better View: Grey Fantail
Once again a wild bird found its way into the fernery through some trellis – this time it was a Grey Fantail. You may remember the Grey Fantail nest I found early in November. At the time I wasn’t able to get clear photographs of the bird. The nest was quite a long way … Continue reading A Better View: Grey Fantail
Fifteen Acres 