Just discovered the magic of sharing images with others on Flickr. I am simply amazed at the quality of many of the images posted there and also quite envious when comparing quality of my images to the work of others. I have posted some links in the sidebar to some outstanding sites that showcase nature, particularly on the NSW Far South Coast but also others that contain exceptional photography.
You can also visit my Flickr page here
http://www.flickr.com/photos/8215416@N06/
Cheers
Pete
Showing posts with label Nature. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Nature. Show all posts
Thursday, 24 May 2007
Butcherbird Visits Again
My little friend the Grey Butcherbird - Cracticus torquatus paid a visit again. Often aligned with magpies etc, but more likely to be related to the kingfishers, he's a fearless and cheeky character that always puts a smile on my face when I see him. He sometimes sits and quietly sings, a truly marvelous sound which more than matches the Magpie in its beauty.
"Cracticus torquatus"
Grey Butcherbird
I catch the occasional mouse in a trap from time to time and he snatches it up and takes it to one of the trees he uses for a larder. Butcherbirds are capable of capturing quite large prey in comparison to themselves and so they use a convenient fork in a branch to lodge their meal and tear it into smaller morsels, at times they even impale their meal on a convenient stick or thorn. This trait is the reason they've been given their very apt common name. Always alert and on the lookout for an errant insect or wayward reptile for a quick snack, the Butcherbird is a swift and agile flier and more than a match for many of the winged creatures on which it dines. Butcherbirds are usually solitary creatures in their feeding habits and I have seen this one fly into a tree and hide food for later, disguising his booty by placing it on the end of a branch and covering it with a dead leaf it plucked from nearby.
"Watchful"
The Grey Butcherbird is similar in look to the Pied Butcherbird - Cracticus nigrogularis but the latter tends to have more markedly defined plumage. The two species overlap in much of their range, however they tend to favour differing habitats, so where one species is recorded it is rare to see the other. Grey Butcherbirds can be found over much of southern mainland Australia and also in Tasmania. There is also an isolated population found in the north of Western Australia and the Northern Territory.
"I'm Not a Penguin"
Butcherbirds tend to be sedentary in their habits and an established pair may form a permanent territory that the hold for several years. They breed from July through to January depending on location and build a well formed cup shaped nest from fine grasses and other fibres. It is only the female which incubates the 3 to5 eggs for the three and a half weeks it take them to hatch. The ale stands guard at this time to defend the nest, he also brings food to his mate. once the young Butcherbirds have emerged from their eggs, both parents share in the duties of raising, feeding and protecting their offspring. The one in the images is the male and it is not often that I've seen his partner around the place. She tends to be a little more tentative in her reactions to having humans in close proximity and so may prove to be a somewhat more difficult subject to capture.
"Waiting"
Well I hope that gives you a small insight into the life of this magic little birds and a real icon of our avian fauna. I trust those unfortunate souls who've not yet managed to see this magnificent bird will one day have the opportunity.
"Cracticus torquatus"Grey Butcherbird
I catch the occasional mouse in a trap from time to time and he snatches it up and takes it to one of the trees he uses for a larder. Butcherbirds are capable of capturing quite large prey in comparison to themselves and so they use a convenient fork in a branch to lodge their meal and tear it into smaller morsels, at times they even impale their meal on a convenient stick or thorn. This trait is the reason they've been given their very apt common name. Always alert and on the lookout for an errant insect or wayward reptile for a quick snack, the Butcherbird is a swift and agile flier and more than a match for many of the winged creatures on which it dines. Butcherbirds are usually solitary creatures in their feeding habits and I have seen this one fly into a tree and hide food for later, disguising his booty by placing it on the end of a branch and covering it with a dead leaf it plucked from nearby.
"Watchful"The Grey Butcherbird is similar in look to the Pied Butcherbird - Cracticus nigrogularis but the latter tends to have more markedly defined plumage. The two species overlap in much of their range, however they tend to favour differing habitats, so where one species is recorded it is rare to see the other. Grey Butcherbirds can be found over much of southern mainland Australia and also in Tasmania. There is also an isolated population found in the north of Western Australia and the Northern Territory.
"I'm Not a Penguin"Butcherbirds tend to be sedentary in their habits and an established pair may form a permanent territory that the hold for several years. They breed from July through to January depending on location and build a well formed cup shaped nest from fine grasses and other fibres. It is only the female which incubates the 3 to5 eggs for the three and a half weeks it take them to hatch. The ale stands guard at this time to defend the nest, he also brings food to his mate. once the young Butcherbirds have emerged from their eggs, both parents share in the duties of raising, feeding and protecting their offspring. The one in the images is the male and it is not often that I've seen his partner around the place. She tends to be a little more tentative in her reactions to having humans in close proximity and so may prove to be a somewhat more difficult subject to capture.
"Waiting"Well I hope that gives you a small insight into the life of this magic little birds and a real icon of our avian fauna. I trust those unfortunate souls who've not yet managed to see this magnificent bird will one day have the opportunity.
Saturday, 19 May 2007
Scaevola Aemula
This little native is a favourite of mine and very common around the area I live. I just love the colours and the way they change depending on the light. Both these images are of the same flower and the colours are natural, just the light that's changed.
Unknown Coral Fungus
I came across this little species of coral fungus growing in my lawn Narooma NSW.
Coprinus comatus
The Shaggy Inkcap - Coprinus comatus is an edible species and one that is sort after in many regions where people harvest wild mushrooms. This species of fungi is one that self digests an so it needs to be picked young and cooked within a day. I am yet to sample its culinary qualities but I happen to know where there are some growing and with 20mm of rain here yesterday I'm thinking there may well be some nice young ones emerging. I'll keep you informed on how I find them.
The last couple of images show Coprinus as it almost completes digesting itself. This is a very good means of identification.
The last couple of images show Coprinus as it almost completes digesting itself. This is a very good means of identification.
White Moth ID
The white moth that I found earlier now has an identity thanks to one of the regulars on the Scribblygum forum. It is Trichiocercus sparshalli or the Sparshalli Moth.
Monday, 23 April 2007
Some South Coast Fungi
As I mentioned in my last post I recently bought myself a digital camera. Whilst trying to work out all its functions and the best way to use them, I decided to focus on taking images of some of the local fungal flora I've come across (they don't move and you can get nice and close without scaring them).
The world of fungi is a mysterious and fascinating one due to the sheer diversity of species. Many people think of fungi as plants and whilst it is true that fungi share many similarities, they are differ from plants because they are heterotrophs and rely on external sources for their nourishment. Plants on the other hand are able to produce their own food through the process of photo synthesis. The ways in which various fungi reproduce is also unique and a branch of biology that is still poorly understood. Whilst fungi aren't plants, many species live in a close symbiotic relationship with plants and are unable to survive without them. The converse is also true in many instances, with plants relying on fungal mycorrhiza in the soil to break down nutrients and supply them to the roots. Phosphorous is one element in particular that plants take up this way. Fungi can also help protect the plant from disease and pathogens. Not all relationships are mutualistic, as some fungi are parasites and cause minor or severe damage to their host. Many other species live on dead and decaying vegetable matter and, along with bacteria, are the most important organisms involved in decomposition of dead plant material.
Most of the following images were all taken in fairly close proximity to one another on an area of bushland around 70 acres in size. I have been able to make a positive ID on some of the species, others I have narrowed done to a particular genus, whilst with others, your guess is as good as mine. If I have made any errors or if you can help me identify a particular specimen, I will gratefully welcome any comments.
Unknown sp.
Gymnopilus junonius
Omphalotus Nidiformis.
It has the trait of bioluminecence and soon I
hope to capture an image of it glowing.
It has the trait of bioluminecence and soon I
hope to capture an image of it glowing.
Unknown Bolete
Unknown sp.
Aseroe rubra
This is one of the stinkhorns, which truly
live up to their common name.
They emit a foul odour that attracts insects,
which help the fungus spread its spores.
This is one of the stinkhorns, which truly
live up to their common name.
They emit a foul odour that attracts insects,
which help the fungus spread its spores.
Austroboletus sp.
Unknown Amanita sp.
Gymnopilus junonius
I plan to post about some of the various groups in more detail shortly as I become more educated in the magical world of these wonderful organisms. There is so much to learn just to have a minor and basic knowledge of the life of fungi.
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