Bracken is easy to overlook when compiling the A-Z Species Index because it is always there. Some people think of it as a weed, but it is a native Australian plant. I can appreciate the beauty of its fern-like form, and the various colour variation as it proceeds through the life-cycle. It also provides great cover for … Continue reading Austral Bracken (Pteridium esculentum)
Tag: nature photography
Small Mosquito Orchid Part 2
Here is a photo gallery to more clearly show the Small Mosquito Orchid (Acianthus pusillus). This follows an earlier post “Small Mosquito-orchid or Tiny Gnat Orchid (Acianthus pusillus)” and several useful photography tips from Mary McAvoy. Thank you Mary! The plants in the photos below range from about 2 cm high (the leaf) to 5 or … Continue reading Small Mosquito Orchid Part 2
Is this a Helmet Orchid Bud?
I’m calling on my knowledgeable friends here. Thanks to some extremely helpful advice from Mary McAvoy (see her blog here) I was able to photograph this tiny orchid reasonably clearly. I’m not sure, but I think it may be a Helmet Orchid. Can anyone verify this? The leaves are the same size as the Small … Continue reading Is this a Helmet Orchid Bud?
Scented Sundew Leaves
Scented Sundew flowers began to appear in August, last year. As is my habit, I photographed them, identified them, and posted the photos on my blog. Prior to that, I must have walked past hundreds of Scented Sundew plants without even knowing they were there. Once identified, never forgotten – well, not easily forgotten anyway. I … Continue reading Scented Sundew Leaves
Small Mosquito-orchid or Tiny Gnat Orchid (Acianthus pusillus)
We’ve been here for two Spring seasons now. Each time, my friend BJ has told me we’re too late to see the Helmet Orchids. She was able to identify some that had finished flowering, so I know they are here. Yesterday I decided to get out my Orchid book and see when the Helmet Orchids … Continue reading Small Mosquito-orchid or Tiny Gnat Orchid (Acianthus pusillus)
Granny Moth (Dasypodia selenophora)
We found this moth in October 2013. It seemed quite willing to sit still while we photographed it. Since then, I’ve been trying to work out the species. Most of the moth identification websites I’ve found seem to be organised around the scientific names of species, so if (like me) you don’t know what you’re … Continue reading Granny Moth (Dasypodia selenophora)
Blue Stars (Chamaescilla corymbosa var. corymbosa)
I photographed Blue Stars in September 2013, but when I look back at 2012 photographs, I have included it in the October Wildflowers series. In any case, we seemed to plenty of them in Spring, and they did flower across both months. Initially I thought this might be a member of the Lily family, but the … Continue reading Blue Stars (Chamaescilla corymbosa var. corymbosa)
A Very Tiny New Face
The Eastern Grey Kangaroos were absent over the drier parts of Summer and early Autumn. Now that it has rained and fresh green grass shoots are growing, they are back. Last year’s joey is growing fast, and now he is almost up to his mother’s shoulder when they both stand up. We knew the female was carrying … Continue reading A Very Tiny New Face
Button Everlasting (Helichrysum scorpioides)
I found these Button Everlasting flowers in October and November. The plants were growing in transition zones between the grassed areas around the house and the bush. One plant was growing IN the lawn. This makes me wonder if they are naturally occurring or if they have been planted. The previous owners did plant some native species … Continue reading Button Everlasting (Helichrysum scorpioides)
Weekly Photo Challenge: On Top
Kookie on a Foggy Morning
From time to time I’ve mentioned the Kookaburra without a tail we often see around the house. We’ve affectionately dubbed it Kookie (we don’t know if it is a male or a female). Here is a photo of Kookie on a foggy morning, sitting on the stump just next to our decking. Kookie has found … Continue reading Kookie on a Foggy Morning
Tiny Greenhood (Pterostylis parviflora)
Yesterday during a visit, a very sharp-eyed friend pointed to something that looked to me like a small blade of grass and said “Oh look! A little Greenhood.” The other Greenhoods we have had growing here seem to appear in late Winter, or early Spring, so I was a little doubtful, but took a … Continue reading Tiny Greenhood (Pterostylis parviflora)
Fruit of the Black Anthered Flax Lily
In October of last year, I posted photographs of a Dianella (the Black Anthered Flax-lily). After the flowers finish, berries form on the plant. These are strikingly beautiful and much more noticeable than the flowers.
Bird Attracting Tree
Near the house, a previous owner has planted a row of native trees that are not necessarily native to our area, but which are both beautiful and bird attracting. Today I am going to write about the second smallest of these trees, which I am pretty sure is a Paperbark, but I can’t identify exactly which … Continue reading Bird Attracting Tree
Fuchsia in the Fernery
Most of the plants in our fernery are non-flowering, so these bright Fuchsia flowers caught my attention this week. I couldn’t resist photographing them.
Jewell Spider (Austracantha minax)
I have photographed the Jewell Spider or Six Horned Spider, or Christmas Spider (among other names for this creature) previously, showing the white spots on the upper body. This time I was able to photograph the underside of the spider. The white and yellow dots indicate this is a female spider. The male is smaller, … Continue reading Jewell Spider (Austracantha minax)
Parson’s Bands (Eriochilus cucullatus)
The first Orchids of Autumn are beginning to emerge. On my walk today I found four Parson’s Bands Orchids in different locations. All were slightly off the beaten track, but not so far that I couldn’t see them while walking on a track. All were growing beneath the shelter of a larger plant. Two of … Continue reading Parson’s Bands (Eriochilus cucullatus)
Gum Leaf Katydid (Torbia viridissima)
Yesterday, as I stepped out to get the mail, I noticed a large green insect on the deck. It turned out to be a “leaf insect” or Katydid. Initially I took photos with my standard lens, but I soon realised it was an ideal subject for my new macro lens. The insect kept moving, so … Continue reading Gum Leaf Katydid (Torbia viridissima)
Trailing Goodenia (Goodenia lanata)
I can’t help wondering why it has taken me so long to post the Trailing Goodenia which is one of the most prolific flowering plants we have here in Spring. It is one of the first Spring flowers to appear and continues flowering right into early Summer. We also find them in most parts of … Continue reading Trailing Goodenia (Goodenia lanata)
Common Blackbird
It astounds me how many of the new additions to the Bird Species List have been photographed inside the cat enclosure. Here is another one! Although, due to its size, I can’t imagine how it got into the enclosure. Thankfully I noticed it before the cats caught it, and was able to catch and release … Continue reading Common Blackbird
Long-Billed Corella Flocks
A couple of weeks ago I wrote about a single Long-Billed Corella which is often seen with a small flock of Sulphur-Crested Cockatoos. I wrote that the flock of Corella we see fly over us twice each day NEVER stops here. Almost as soon as I published that post we have been visited by … Continue reading Long-Billed Corella Flocks
Flowering Eucalyptus Trees (and the seed for leaf exchange)
A few days ago I wrote about the sole Corella flying with the Sulphur Crested Cockatoos. Since then, we’ve had small flocks of Corella landing in our trees. This is not common. While the Cockatoos do chew through twigs, sending a bunch of leaves falling to the ground, the Corella are much messier. They seem … Continue reading Flowering Eucalyptus Trees (and the seed for leaf exchange)
Calling all Australian Native Pea Experts…. Help!
I took this photograph in October, and ever since then I have been trying to identify the species. I can’t see a flower that looks exactly like this one, with the long elegant lower lobes and the clear red which shows between them. My best guess, due to the cluster shape and the leaves, … Continue reading Calling all Australian Native Pea Experts…. Help!
Just one of the flock: A confused Corella
We’ve noticed a single Corella flying and eating with a flock of Cockatoos. Not once, but over an extended time period. Does it think it is a Cockatoo or has it decided that they have a better lifestyle than the flock of Corellas that flies over the property twice a day? It doesn’t even seem … Continue reading Just one of the flock: A confused Corella
Fifteen Acres 