Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum
General Subjects => General Forum => Topic started by: fermi de Sousa on February 17, 2018, 11:14:50 AM
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Arachnophobia warning!
Graphic spider pics here-under!
The Australian Golden Orb Weaver Spider, Nephila edulis.
Fortunately she has built her web off the path so that we don't walk into it!
cheers
fermi
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Hello Fermi, there was an excellent programme about wildlife in gardens in the UK the other night. It was on BBC 4 and should be available on catch-up TV or perhaps the internet. The programme was shown on February 13th. at 9.00PM.
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BBC radio is available outside the UK but not TV unfortunately.
Although the EU is moving to abolish geoblocking presumably this won't apply to the BBC.
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The BBC link to the programme is http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b08xyqcs (http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b08xyqcs)
It is called The British Garden - Life and Death on your Lawn - it may be useful to have the full name of the programme to enable a search on the likes of YouTube, where some programmes do appear..
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I wonder if any other members saw the programme and if so, what did they think to it? Maybe it will encourage other members to look more closely at their own gardens to see what is living there and maybe provide other habitats within their own gardens?
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Arachnophobia warning!
Graphic spider pics here-under!
The Australian Golden Orb Weaver Spider, Nephila edulis.
Fortunately she has built her web off the path so that we don't walk into it!
cheers
fermi
Edulis means edible. Are they a prominent item in the Australian diet?
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She looks good, but her web is a mess.
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Eaten in New Caledonia, apparently.
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She looks good, but her web is a mess.
I thought that but I dared not say so, Diane - some people get very touchy about criticism of their house-keeping skills!! :o :o ;) ;D
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How many spiders can you see in this pic?
cheers
fermi
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Many!
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Well, Ralph,
3 can seem "many" especially to arachnophobes! ;D
Now that she is getting some male attention I guess we can expect an egg case soon....and a couple of additions to the debris trail! :o
cheers
fermi
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How many spiders can you see in this pic?
cheers
fermi
Not even going to look ;D
Angie :)
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Every room in the house should have a spider to get rid of the flies.
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Today we can only see the female and one of the males!
cheers
fermi
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Today we can only see the female and one of the males!
cheers
fermi
Raising a family can be very hungry work!
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Well one suitor is getting very familiar with spidey!
But the other is still around!
Suitor #1 make a quick getaway!
But both are still there ..... at the moment ;)
cheers
fermi
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Let's move on from scary spiders, shall we?
Here's a little visitor I discovered in our laundry last night!
This is apparently a little marbled scorpion, Lychas marmoreus.
The pics were taken while it was in a jar. I wanted to take a pic of it on the ground when it was released (far from the house!) but it was pretty quickly out of sight!
cheers
fermi
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Quite a busy day in the garden today. The birds seem to be pairing up, with wood pigeon, robin and blackbirds collecting nest material. There were two goldcrests catching midges near the ivy (an uncommon visitor). I have been feeding mice in the garden for several years. There used to be wood-mice but the latest ones are house mice. Grey squirrels are always here. I have seen them scale house walls where stone chippings have been applied. Two song thrushes were in a tree, with one singing. I don,t think there is more wildlife, because we see more in our gardens. I think this is the result of "developers" destroying the countryside and wildlife habitats.
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Goldcrest.
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Robin.
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Goldfinch.
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It has been dull and fairly cold today but spring is not far off.
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House mouse.
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Grey squirrel.
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Song thrush.
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New Holland Honey-eaters (Phylidonyris novaehollandiae) seem to enjoy Zauschneria flowers - despite being told that we need native flowers to keep them fed!
cheers
fermi
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A few more pics of the New Holland Honey-eaters
cheers
fermi
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The common garden skink - Lampropholis guichenoti - is definitely common in our garden!
Often seen with stubby tails because they will drop their tails when in danger, later regrowing them slowly,
cheers
fermi
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Holly blues, Celastrina argiolus, are in the garden. The first of this year.
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How nice it is to sit in the back garden with a cup of tea and listen to the songs of house sparrows, blue tits, blackbirds and lawnmowers.
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Rosellas - Platycercus elegans - are beautiful birds but wish they would leave us some fruit!
The juveniles are greenish coloured
cheers
fermi
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During the hot weather it is good to remember that wildlife need water to drink and water to bath in. Even a small dish is useful, as this blackbird demonstrates.
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This photo is from Ian the Christie Kind, who says ...." Our friendly couple Pied wagtail have nested again in our Hepatica glasshouse very pleased to to share."
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I wish there was a way to attach an mp4 file, to share with everyone. Martin and I took a short minute long video last night (nothing really to look at, just took it for the soundscape). At twilight and beyond, our ponds become a symphony of singing frogs and toads. The ponds support at least seven species of amphibians. Right now, the soundscape is dominated by 'Spring Peepers' (Pseudacris crucifer), and 'American Toads' (Bufo americanus). Later on, the Bullfrogs will add their thrumming to the chorus. There have already been a few nights when the singing was so loud, I had to shut the window in order to get to sleep, but their songs are music to my ears. (I posted the video to the SRGC facebook page, hopefully that will work!)
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I hope that the video can be seen via this link .... (and heard too, as Gordon points out in the next post! )
https://www.facebook.com/ScottishRockGC/posts/1241455732652156 (https://www.facebook.com/ScottishRockGC/posts/1241455732652156)
or this one....
https://www.facebook.com/ScottishRockGC/?hc_ref=ARRtKiZU8Sf41WiZLSySliM1JZT0EokaXE4sLS2jJQbnnghJD7WjonpPk3VXyXqwods (https://www.facebook.com/ScottishRockGC/?hc_ref=ARRtKiZU8Sf41WiZLSySliM1JZT0EokaXE4sLS2jJQbnnghJD7WjonpPk3VXyXqwods)
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More so heard! I hope everyone who checks it out, turns up their speakers.
When we first expanded the old overgrown and silted in pond, the ensuing silence was deafening.It is a joy to hear the first peepers of Spring.
Many thanks, Maggi, for adding the links.
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From Oron Peri - "Two beauties in the nursery today: Calochortus clavatus and a Stone Curlew chick. It is the 3rd year this pair manage to raise a healthy chick."
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Had a visitor in the garden yesterday, (Erinaceus europaeus) It ran into a small opening at the bottom of a pier in the wall to escape from the dog and couldn't get out again. I had to do a little bit of excavation to release it. Kept it overnight and fed it some dog food which it ate. Was released today at the edge of a small forest and ran away quite happily. :)
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Some time ago I made a bird bath from the end of a plastic barrel. It is used a lot. This morning I noticed a movement in the bath and saw this frog having a swim.
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There have been more "Laughing Kookaburras" - Dacelo novaeguineae - around due to the large number of mice!
Although the song would have you believe that they sit in "old gum trees" they also use power-lines and other artificial structures
cheers
fermi
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A blue parakeet has been around the back gardens since yesterday.
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We were watching what I presume is a black shouldered kite (Elanus axillaris) when it was swooped by a magpie (Gymnorhina tibicen)
cheers
fermi
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The parakeet seems quite happy to be free.
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I thought I saw a lily beetle, but it was someone else:
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I hope he is a goody, I left it in peace.
This year I see more beetles around my garden than ever before. Maybe the 'woodland patch' with a lot of dead wood and hiding places pays off.
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A robin taking a bath in the saucer, birds need water to wash in as well as drink. I decided to trim some ivy branches which were overgrowing the lawn. When I cleared the branches I noticed a small neat nest. It looks as though it has not been used yet so I replaced it in the ivy. I don,t know whose nest it is. It could be hedge sparrow, robin or goldfinch. All have been in the ivy. It shows it is still too soon to prune.
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Timely reminder, Ian, of the need to wait a while yet before pruning and hedge trimming. Here there have been lots of little birds collecting the dog hair I put out for them to line their nests, presumeably for a second brood at this time - but they are certainly still busy nesting.
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Maggi, the resident pair of blackbirds are on their third clutch of the year already, maybe going for a record.
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My word - they must be run ragged with all that work - some years our house sparrows have been on the same challenge - we get tired just watching all the feeding flights!
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Less than a week ago, a house sparrow was plucking the fluffy heads off my Dryas suendermanii to line a nest with. I too, have a plant saucer out with water for the birds. I don't get the lovely variety I had in my last garden, but I get a lot of enjoyment watching the sparrows drinking and bathing. In the winter, a blackbird bathed after first breaking the thin covering of ice!
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I wonder if anyone can identify this bee like creature that has burrowed into one of my Sempervivum pots. It is carrying plant segments into the hole which I presume will feed a grub.
Will it do any harm to the plants?
The attached photos aren't great but I hope they are clear enough for an i.d.
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I think it’s a Leafcutter Bee.
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I think it’s a Leafcutter Bee.
Thanks Steve, that seems to be what it is. I had never heard of one let alone seen one.
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Thanks Steve, that seems to be what it is. I had never heard of one let alone seen one.
They’re quite useful wee beasties Graham. They do “manicure” the odd leaf but they are great pollinators (better than Honey Bees as they don’t wet the pollen they collect and so are more efficient pollinators).
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A couple of days ago I had a strange find.
I had a plant of Helichrysum corralloides plunged in a greenhouse bed which suddenly looked worse for wear. I checked and it wasn't dry. I lifted the pot out of the sand and noticed a number of tunnels / galleries in the sand with dead insects in them.
They look like Common Froghopper, Philaenus spumarius but what were they doing tunnelling in the plunge and why did they all die? I found about 15-20 just around a 3.5 inch pot.
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They’re quite useful wee beasties Graham. They do “manicure” the odd leaf but they are great pollinators (better than Honey Bees as they don’t wet the pollen they collect and so are more efficient pollinators).
I see what you mean Steve. Whilst doing some general garden maintenance this morning I noticed that the bee is partial to deciduous Rhododendron (Azalea) leaves. Some of the holes are almost circular and all are very neat. These leaves are very close to the ground and had I not been weeding in the vicinity I wouldn't have noticed. As you say this wont do the plant any harm. Good to know that I have been of service to this useful creature.
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Had to share this pic of a family of baby skunks that Gabriela has in her Canadian garden at the moment - I don't think she is too keen to have them around indefinitely, though. :-\
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From other links and comments it seems that baby skunks won't spray unless greatly provoked - it is debilitating for them. Also that skunks don't re-locate very well. ......
From a link shared by Lori Skulski of a pdf from the Alberta Institute for Wildlife Conservation..... some tips for those with a skunk invasion!
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Someone mentioned relocation? but I'm soooo cute! :)
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Skunks are always around many neighborhoods here. As long as they don't settle on a property they do no harm, just taking their stroll at night to feed on various.
Yes relocation is not good but in this particular case is the best option; the den is on the neighbor property and he can, at any time, call a Pest Control removal, who supposedly will catch and relocate them humanely :-\
I hope to be ahead of him and relocate in a controlled manner, meaning making sure there is a source of water nearby and food provided for a while until they get their ways around the new place.
The rate of survival after the first winter (even without relocation) is 10%.
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These cute little guys are lucky to have you on their side, Gabriela! Their survival rate at the best of times is not good - hope you can help this bunch beat the odds.
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I found one in my garden yesterday and another today. Haven't made much impression on the Willowherb.
Caterpillar of Elephant Hawk Moth. Would love to see the adult. I need to make a point of walking round the garden at dusk in June when they should be about.
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Insects seem to have multiplied rapidly since we've had some rain.
Hoverflies on Allium wallichii
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There are some good clumps of heather (Calluna vulgaris) in my ponies pasture which get well trimmed in winter. They are past their best now but were attracting Small Copper Butterflies and Ladybirds. Also lots of ladybirds suddenly appeared in the garden.
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Roma the other day I thought it was raining but it was all the hoverflies bouncing off the conservatory windows . I have never seen so many.
Angie :)
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We were in northern Tuscany for a week. In the mountains of Monte Albano. Every evening we got a visit from different lizards on the house walls. I was able to take one. Unfortunately I don't know the exact name of this beautiful species.
Thomas
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Moorish Gecko (Mauergecko) Tarentola mauritanica
Enjoy your holidays!
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Moorish Gecko (Mauergecko) Tarentola mauritanica
Enjoy your holidays!
Hi Rudi
Thank you for the quick identification.
I've seen other lizards. Unfortunately, most of them were too fast for photography. Also very impressive was the sound colissa through the cicadas.
We really enjoyed our stay...I think the following picture says it all...
Ciao Ragazzi 😎
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We were in northern Tuscany for a week. In the mountains of Monte Albano. Every evening we got a visit from different lizards on the house walls. I was able to take one. Unfortunately I don't know the exact name of this beautiful species.
Thomas
Beautiful indeed Thomas and perfect mimicry - well, a gecko as Rudi said.
Picture-perfect Tuscany!
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We occasionally have small flocks of red-browed firetail finches (Neochmia temporalis) in our garden. presumably feeding on grass seeds and small insects.
Colloquially they are called "red-bums" :o for obvious reasons
cheers
fermi
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Every year I plant a camphor basil hybrid for watching bees and bumblebees -
these insects have a special preference for the flowers
Gerd
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Sulphur-crested cockatoo (Cacatua galerita) in the garden...and then up in a tree.
Unfortunately they can be very destructive at times, ripping daffodils to shreds, taking out trees' top growth and flower-buds and demolishing fruit crops.
cheers
fermi
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Such beautiful birds, but I can imagine, that they can do a lot of harm
to your precious plants.
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Sulphur-crested cockatoo (Cacatua galerita) in the garden...and then up in a tree.
Unfortunately they can be very destructive at times, ripping daffodils to shreds, taking out trees' top growth and flower-buds and demolishing fruit crops.
cheers
fermi
Beauties! Hope they keep a little distance from the garden...lol
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Every year I plant a camphor basil hybrid for watching bees and bumblebees -
these insects have a special preference for the flowers
Gerd
Nice! Vegetable Brassicaceae are also great for pollinators, lots of butterflies!
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Anaxyrus boreas/ Western Toad/Boreal Toad; There are always a few of these around the house/gardens; they like the rock gardens since they sometimes bask. This is a smallish individual for this sp, roughly around 3 inches, usually a little bigger. This was during a few warm dry weeks in August, so when this one was moving away from where I was weeding in the Xeric/ Native Beds toward where I had a sprinkler I was using off and on to give some water for insects etc, I turned it on very low, and the toad moved toward it-- in the last couple of shots it was sitting where a very light spray bathed it from drops hitting a rock .... August 14, 2018
some other visitors here:
https://urbanehillbillycanada.blogspot.com/2018/08/gardening-companions-wildlife-in-yard.html
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Cohan,
You must be so lucky to have these wonderful amphibians around there -
where I live in our immediate neighbourhood they are long gone.
Only a few came during their spawning period to a gardenpond nearby before it was filled up.
Gerd
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Cohan,
You must be so lucky to have these wonderful amphibians around there -
where I live in our immediate neighbourhood they are long gone.
Only a few came during their spawning period to a gardenpond nearby before it was filled up.
Gerd
Yes, I love seeing the toads-- we have had them here since we moved to this property in the 70's ( I was gone for many of those years)-- and they were probably here before that... there are wetlands in several directions, and I have learned these toads travel quite far, both daily and annually. We also have lots of frogs Rana sylvatica and Pseudacris maculata-- this last one I only realised this year, as they look similar to small wood frogs. It was a surprise, since we hear them in the sloughs singing in the spring, and I didn't realise they leave there in summer-- I have seen them on the rock gardens! Last week I saw three in the same bed within a short time, and each was a different colour/pattern...
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A few unrelated wildlife pictures
A baby toad I disturbed when weeding
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A common blue butterfly in the garden yesterday. I rarely see them nowadays. It didn't stay still long enough for me to capture the beautiful blue of its open wings.
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I found this beside the drive this morning. I believe it is a Common Shrew. I have seen pygmy shrews before but do not remember seeing a common one. I had seen a local cat a couple of weeks ago catch and eat what I thought was a very dark coloured mouse but too far away to see properly'
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Roma, could your shrew be a water shrew?
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Roma, could your shrew be a water shrew?
Possibly, Ian though the one I saw the cat catch was in the wood at the back of the house well away from any water. I am not familiar with either species. The pygmy shrew is the only one I have seen before.
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Could someone identify this insect for us? I guess it is some form of cricket? It was in our garden here in Somerset. Didn't measure it the size but it was large - several centimetres long.
Thanks
Paul
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I think it might be a female Great Green Bush Cricket (Tettigonia viridissima) Paul.
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Ok with Steve, no problem.
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Thanks Steve & Karaba; having looked up what you said I'm sure you are right. Was an impressive insect!
Cheers
Paul
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On Sunday I surprised an eastern brown snake sunning itself on a rock shelf in the garden - not actually sure who was more surprised! :o
I snuck back after half an hour or so and was able to get some pics - using the zoom facility on the camera ;D
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The next day I was even more surprised to see that it was replaced by a blue-tongue lizard (skink).
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I doubt that it had eaten the snake but they are reputed to be mortal enemies!
cheers
fermi
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This photo is from Ian the Christie Kind, who says ...." Our friendly couple Pied wagtail have nested again in our Hepatica glasshouse very pleased to to share."
(Attachment Link)
Very impressed to see 6 eggs in the nest. Do they usually lay that many? I hope they all made it!
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These super shots of a Great Horned Owl ( one of two seen) were taken yesterday by Bob Nold, as he walked his dog ( the pure bred border collie, Mani) near his home by Denver, Colorado....
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What beautiful creatures!
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On Sunday I surprised an eastern brown snake sunning itself on a rock shelf in the garden - not actually sure who was more surprised! :o
I snuck back after half an hour or so and was able to get some pics - using the zoom facility on the camera ;D
(Attachment Link)
(Attachment Link)
(Attachment Link)
The next day I was even more surprised to see that it was replaced by a blue-tongue lizard (skink).
(Attachment Link)
(Attachment Link)
I doubt that it had eaten the snake but they are reputed to be mortal enemies!
cheers
fermi
What an interesting garden fauna you have. Apparently ( according to one of your local snake hunters) the second most venomous snake on the planet and bad-tempered with it!
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Hi David,
Yes, it wasn't deadly enough to make it onto this "Tourism promotion:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kdihHnaOQsk (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kdihHnaOQsk)
;D ;D ;D
cheers
fermi
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The Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo, Calyptorhynchus funereus, only come into this area when the pine-cones are ripening.
Only managed a few distant shots of one sitting high in a Pinus radiata at the bottom of our garden
cheers
fermi
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The Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo, Calyptorhynchus funereus, only come into this area when the pine-cones are ripening.
Only managed a few distant shots of one sitting high in a Pinus radiata at the bottom of our garden
cheers
fermi
A very handsome fellow; they would do well over here with all the Pinus radiata we have. What else do they eat/damage?
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A very handsome fellow; they would do well over here with all the Pinus radiata we have. What else do they eat/damage?
Hi David,
sorry for the delay in replying but I'm not sure what else they damage. I think before the Monterey Pine was introduced they feasted on Bunya Pine nuts https://www.nationalarboretum.act.gov.au/living-collection/trees/tree-descriptions/forests-and-trees/forest-71 (https://www.nationalarboretum.act.gov.au/living-collection/trees/tree-descriptions/forests-and-trees/forest-71)
Yesterday morning we noticed a male superb fairy wren (Malurus cyaneus) perching on a branch of a "Mountain Ash" (Sorbus not eucalyptus!) a female appeared on the branch above. Soon they were together preening each other.
Presumably they have a nest in the Sorbus :)
cheers
fermi