Tag: nature photography

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

Moss and Orchids: Five Photographs

While our rainfall is low this year, there have been enough showers to keep the moss green and the orchids emerging.  While I am out photographing Helmet Orchids, Nodding Greenhoods, Blunt Greenhoods  and other tiny plants, I am repeatedly struck by the beauty of some of the moss we have growing here.  It’s deep and … Continue reading Moss and Orchids: Five Photographs

A Second Pair of Eyes (or three, or four)

When I am showing a visitor around our property, I find the second pair of eyes (or three, or four) very helpful.  We all notice different things.  Last week, my visitors were very knowledgeable and I learned a lot from them. Over the next few weeks I will be adding a few plants to my A-Z Species List. … Continue reading A Second Pair of Eyes (or three, or four)

Trim Greenhood (Pterostylis concinna)?

Yesterday’s discovery of a potential hybrid species of Greenhood made me look into my ‘unidentified’ photographs to see what else was there – and I think I may have found a Trim Greenhood.  The photograph was taken a couple of years ago.  Among the identifying features of the Trim Greenhood are:  a dark brown ‘v’ … Continue reading Trim Greenhood (Pterostylis concinna)?

Sharp Greenhood (Pterostylis X ingens)

This week, I’ve had the pleasure of showing a few visitors the Greenhoods and Helmet orchids in flower, as well as some of the other interesting plants on our property.  After a few discussions about timing, seasons and conditions, I decided to go back through last year’s photographs for comparison.    In mid-August last year I … Continue reading Sharp Greenhood (Pterostylis X ingens)

Here Come the Helmet Orchids

We are finally seeing some Helmet Orchid buds.  Most of them are still very tiny, but there are a few that are taking on some colour, and beginning to swell.   If I look back at last year’s photographs I see that the fully open flowers appeared at the end of July, so hopefully in … Continue reading Here Come the Helmet Orchids

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

Inspired by the Ballarat Field Naturalists

A surprise invitation to accompany the Ballarat Field Naturalists on an orchid seeking  field trip arrived in my inbox on Saturday.  With a little rearranging, I was able to take up the offer, so on a beautifully sunny winter Sunday we set off to some local bushland.  Thanks to John for inviting me and to … Continue reading Inspired by the Ballarat Field Naturalists

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

Wild Flower Hunting for Beginners: Ten Tips

Although it still only May, the wild flowers around the property are starting to grow.  Small-Mosquito Orchids are flowering again;  I see Climbing Sundews and Twining Fringe-lily stems winding around Bracken; the Guinea Flower and native Pea bushes are greening up and many other signs of the wildflowers to come are emerging after the recent … Continue reading Wild Flower Hunting for Beginners: Ten Tips

Tiny Sundew (Drosera pygmaea)

How exciting it is to find another species of Sundew – I love Sundews almost as much I love the Orchids.  The striking foliage and almost alien shapes and colours really grab my attention.  Add to that the contrasting purity of white (or pink in some species) flowers and I can’t stop looking at them. … Continue reading Tiny Sundew (Drosera pygmaea)

Parsons Bands Orchid – possibly a green form?

We have quite a few Parsons Bands Orchids in flower at the moment, but this one stands out through the lack of pink or red.  Potentially it is a green form, as referenced on the Retired Aussies  website.  I have not found reference to this colour anywhere else.  So, if you have knowledge of this … Continue reading Parsons Bands Orchid – possibly a green form?

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

Tonight’s Colours

For a few fleeting moments, tonight’s sunset lit up a group of trees in glorious colours.  I always love the colour of the bark when it turns a deep terracotta. You can see where the birds and small mammals clutch the bark to climb up and down.  Also, the trees in the background look almost … Continue reading Tonight’s Colours

Orb Weaving Spider Wrapping Butterfly

In December I photographed a butterfly in a strange position and subsequently discovered the Orb Weaving Spider in the process of wrapping it.  At the time I was trying to document the various species of grass and butterflies we have here, so I wasn’t looking for spiders.  At first I thought the butterfly may be mating, as … Continue reading Orb Weaving Spider Wrapping Butterfly

Autumn Wild Flower Walks (8 photos)

It is finally beginning to feel like Autumn, even though technically, it has been for a few weeks.  Over the past few days I have been noticing many familiar wild flowers beginning to grow.  This post shows a few of the plants I have come across this week. Some are just setting leaves, and will flower later … Continue reading Autumn Wild Flower Walks (8 photos)

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

Boxthorn (Exotic) or Bursaria (Native)

The original Post In a corner of our property, an area which has been slightly disturbed by small-scale mining in the 1800’s, I found a waist-high shrub with white flowers and thorns – Bursaria (native) or Boxthorn (Exotic) I wondered.  It turned out to be Boxthorn, an introduced species which has the potential to become … Continue reading Boxthorn (Exotic) or Bursaria (Native)

White-Winged Chough – Our 45th Bird Species

I wish I could display a close-up of these birds for the 45th bird species found on our property, but the flock of White-Winged Choughs were very shy.   It is the second time I have seen them in two weeks, but I don’t recall seeing or hearing them prior to this. Their voice is very … Continue reading White-Winged Chough – Our 45th Bird Species

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)