Tag: nature

It’s a Mystery

A few weeks ago I noticed a white shape on a pergola post. It was about 1″ or 2.5 cms long and shaped like an upturned boat. Looking closer I could see that it was actually clear with white spots on it and it felt like jelly when I touched it.

I had no idea what it was so took photos whenever anything seemed different.

You can see the progression in the slideshow, it was possibly 2-3 weeks from the first to the last..

The grooves on the post are 1mm apart so you can see that the nymphs are tiny.

I’d love to know what the insects are.

What’s That?

A couple of months ago I was walking the dog and I came across something suspicious on the ground, at first I thought it might be dog poo!

I tentatively looked closer.

Not dog poo!

It looked like a cocoon of some kind and I noticed more of them underneath Eucalyptus trees.

This one made me realize they had come from underground.

This one was far enough out for the creature to escape the cocoon.

This one left the hole completely before the insect emerged.

Back home I was able to discover that I’d been looking at the cocoon of the Rain Moth.

“The Rain Moth’s name stems from the fact that adult moths often emerge after rain, during the autumn months of March and April. They are also known under other common names, Fishermen who use the caterpillar for bait nickname them ‘bardee’ or ‘bardi’ grub. The Aboriginal name is ‘Waikerie’ and one that reflects its short and final life cycle is the Swift Moth. Astonishingly the Rain Moths will only live for one day. For 24 hours their sole role in life is to mate and, if female, to then lay eggs. The moths cannot feed or drink because they don’t have the appropriate mouth parts to do so.”

This information was found here.

Basham Beach

I haven’t posted here for a while but after a visit to Basham Beach I was inspired. The weather has been beautiful recently so we decided to take the drive to Basham, only about an hour from home in Adelaide. It was perfect for wandering along the beach discovering what the water had left on the sand.

Basham Beach
Seaweed Stacks

There were so many things to see along the beach all left behind when the tide went out.

Seagrass balls by the hundreds.

Shells,

Sponges,

Bits and pieces,

  • Cuttlefish Bone
  • Dead Crab
  • Worm colony???
  • Coral
  • Sea Urchin cases
  • Sea Urchin case
  • Port Jackson Shark egg case
  • Dead Porcupine Fish

Wildlife

Lately we’ve had a lovely new visitor to our backyard which inspired me to post some images.

Click on any image to see the full sized version.

The rainwater tank provided a nice cool shelter from the hot weather.
Blue-tongue Lizard coming out from under the rainwater tank.
It enjoyed the strawberry I offered.
Amazing texture on its blue tongue.
New Holland Honeyeater on an Agapanthus flower.
Painted Gecko – a night time visitor.

 

Wildlife Wednesday – 14

We had some lovely sunny days and the lizards became active, I’m sure the Kookaburras were pleased.

Click on an image to see it full sized.

Blue-tongue Lizard in the garden
Blue-tongue Lizard up close
Kookaburra Family
Young Kookaburra expecting food from Dad.

Floral Friday -9

It seems that Spring has truly arrived and the warmth has brought on some beautiful blooms. The Gazanias always make me smile.

Pink Bottlebrush
Red Bottlebrush
Cherry Blossom
Cosmos
Gazania
Gazania – orange
Gazania – red
Gazania – orange2
Gazania – yellow
Hawthorn
Lilies
Spanish Bluebells
Succulent – migrating from the neighbour’s

Wildlife Wednesday -11

It’s been cold for weeks and I haven’t seen many animals around. This morning I had a lovely surprise when a flock of Yellow-Tailed Black Cockatoos decided to stop for a while in some trees on our place.

Yesterday Pardalotes were flitting high in the trees so a struggle to get a decent photo.

Click on any image to see a clearer version.

Yellow-Tailed Black Cockatoo
Not a female showing off her bling, I think it’s a feather mutation.
Yellow-Tailed Black Cockatoo showing its tail feathers.
Striated Pardalote