eastern yellow robin – bushboys world

Robin takes a bath

Published on June 14, 2017 by bushboy8 Comments

A few days ago the weather was cool and rainy. I felt uninspired, so it was time to get about and take some photos. I walked about the verandahs at my besties place, camera in hand trying to find that photo or two that would satisfy. From the trees and shrubs in the garden I could hear birds chatting away.

Suddenly I spied a flash of yellow as it zoomed through the garden heading for the bird bath. Camera at the ready, I slowly moved along the verandah, already hearing splashing from the bird bath.

A little Eastern Yellow Robin, one of my favourite birds, was at the bird bath darting in and out of the cold water.

Maybe I’ll go in one more time but that water looks cold.

Brrr….that is so cold. I better shake the water off as quick as I can.

Look how clean I am.

Just a few more feathers to sort out and I’ll be off.

The Yellow Robin had a lovely time in the bird bath. I hope you have enjoyed bath-time with Robin.

My April: Full of Flowers Birds and Insects

Published on May 2, 2017June 7, 2017 by bushboy7 Comments

April. An Autumn month where the hot days give way to warm days, a hint of rain and cool nights. Migratory birds stop off, some plants flower and the weather is great for getting into the garden.

My garden helpers. Well maybe not all the time but they can help out with the insect control. They are constantly digging somewhere.

The end of March saw floods around the region and as a result, the floodwaters that entered the ocean caused the beaches to become foamy wonders. Here is a selection of the water at Sharpes Beach near Ballina.

I love the structural shapes in cacti

Some cacti were flowering

Other flowers bloomed in their own showy way. The camellias were beautiful this year.

Other flowers were just as spectacular

The Hibiscus is one of my favourites

The deep red of the Dahlia is stunning

The bees are loving the Pentas.

The fungi were everywhere in March but now just the few last fungi are popping up here and there. This is a wonderful pink fungi.

It looks almost planetary from the top don’t you think?

On a young eucalypt I found this amazing growth which I was informed is called Witches Broom. The ants seem to enjoy scurrying over it.

I have had a visitor in my house since early this year. She has been moving from room to room but has moved into the laundry. She is the biggest Huntsman Spider I have ever seen. When she stretches her legs she has a 16cm span. How big is your hand?

One day out in the garden, I dug out some old plants and also dug out a spider. At first I thought it was a Funnel Web Spider but it was a Mouse Spider. Both species of spider are quite venomous. It was too fussed about being disturbed.

The Line Blue Butterfly stopped for a rest on the hanging pot support.

The Eastern Yellow Robins have been zooming around the garden chasing one another. The female Robin sat on the bush just outside of the window. I think she was looking in the window.

The Yellow-faced Honeyeaters have returned for the winter.

The Plumed Whistling-Ducks have also come to rest for a while. I found a large flock in Waterview Heights, a outer suburb of Grafton. They were walking up and down the edge of a dam, chatting among themselves.

The ever present Kookaburra is not far away when I am digging in the garden, either sitting in a tree or like this bloke, on a fence post.

That was a bit of Bushboys World in April. Hope you liked stopping by.

Here is December so far

Published on December 29, 2016 by bushboy13 Comments

December has been quite warm to hot and I wish it would rain. The birds are coming into the garden for the watering places I have set out for them. The garden is getting drier but most of the plants are hanging on.

The Red-necked Wallabies are hanging around the house. Some have taken to the cool under the house or in the shade offered by the house and sheds.This bloke just hopped into the garden and lay down for a rest.

The Pink Lilli Pilli had a fantastic flowering this year, and the insects and birds made the most of what was on offer. The bees were buzzing around and sampling the Lilli Pillis wares.

I never get tired of watching Blue-banded Bees scrunch into the Blue Ginger flowers so their blue bums are on show.

When the Crocus flower, the Stingless Native Bees come flying in the early morning when the flowers first open for the day. How much more pollen can a bee fit into its pollen sac?

First off, I must apologise for the poor photo of this Planthopper. It was in the kitchen late one night and I have never seen one at my place before. It wouldn’t sit still enough to get a good photo. The black with stunning orange spots and those eyes!!!!

On a hot day the Australian Painted Lady came onto the verandah. The colours are far more prominent than the other Australian Painted Lady butterflies I have found.

The hanging pot bird bath, the subject of so many bird photos, also hosts insects as well as birds looking for a drink.

Yes it is hot. The little White-throated Honeyeater does look he needs a drink doesn’t he?

“Well George, do you come here often?”

On a hot day, everyone has to share. The Scarlet Honeyeater and White-throated Honeyeater both enjoyed a drink.

The female Scarlet Honeyeater thought it was a good time for a bath. A quick dunk in and out.

Meanwhile at the other bird bath, the King Parrot enjoyed the bird bath to himself.

At my besties bird bath, the birds who arrive in the afternoon for a quick bath and drink are different to the ones at my place, although the Eastern Yellow Robins are at my place too.

A very fluffy Eastern Yellow Robin after a number of dives into the water.

A view from the back shows the yellow feathers aren’t just on the chest of the Eastern Yellow Robin.

The Eastern Whipbirds always look at their legs and feet when they get out of the water!!! Remember this blog

The Red-browed Finches come to the bird bath in a large flock. Some have better eyebrows than others lol

The Superb Fairy Wrens arrive at the same time as the Finches. They are such delightful birds.

The males are so different to the females. I like the Jenny’s eye make-up.

It’s the same with the Scarlet Honeyeaters. The females are so different.

I think this one may be a juvenile male just starting to get his scarlet colours.

Soon he will be as striking as this Scarlet Honeyeater male.

Meanwhile, from high atop the gum tree, a Peaceful Dove watched what was going on in and around the chook yard.

My poor Flame Tree gave it its best shot this year. The dry resulted in sparse flowers but the Little Friarbird still enjoyed what was on offer.

The Satin Flycatcher likes to visit as you saw in my last blog. Here is his lady who was peeping out from the bushes.

For the first time a gang of Grey-crowned Babblers came into the garden and had a quick snack in the fig tree. They are normally in the forest away from the house and in the semi-open country under the power lines. It was lovely to see them forage around the garden with their constant chatter..

The last full moon, my bestie and I were lucky to be home to see the Moon Flower bloom. In the afternoon she said that the bud looked like it was ready to open so late that night we went into the garden to see this amazing flower.

We used torch light to get the photos.

The Moon Flower is so alien looking when you look deep inside the bloom.

Thanks for stopping by and looking at what I have found this December. I love taking photos and sharing.

See you next year

Brian x

This is my August

Published on August 31, 2016 by bushboy5 Comments

August. The final days of winter and the early spring flowers begin to emerge. The weather has been so nice, typical north coast days of mid twenties with cool nights. The nights are cool at my place especially as the cold breezes blow down the Gibraltar Ranges bringing quite chilly evenings and mornings. Didn’t get below zero degrees at the house this winter but there were frosts in the lower part of my property.

As usual, we have been driving around just checking out our world, discovering new things and rediscovering stuff. On one such drive-about, we came across some little Brown Quails warming in the afternoon sun by the side of a back road near Billen Cliffs

Quail are such funny looking birds but have a certain amount of cuteness that makes you smile when you find them bustling about.

The sun was almost set when a cacophony started heading toward us as we stopped at my besties house. The Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoos had come from the pine forest and up to the gums around the house to roost for the night. There were around twenty to thirty birds squawking in the trees. It was getting dark and I was surprised that I managed to get a photo.

At my place, there has been activity among the trees as some of the eucalypts, Tallowwoods and Bloodwoods, are flowering. Most of the birds are here nearly all year round. The Yellow-faced Honeyeaters can be heard chip chip chipping away during the day.

It seems like I have a photo of an Eastern Yellow Robin in most of my blogs but they are such a lovely little bird. This time here is a rear view for a change.

The Grey Fantails are so busy swooping around the garden.

I was sitting in the study when a bird flew up and down the verandah. It didn’t sit still for very long (I have another entrant in “this is where the bird was a second ago” photos). The Spotted Pardalote sat still long enough for a photo through the glass door.

The King Parrots always drop by and have a look through the door to see what I am doing!!!

My besties bird bath has been the source of so many bird photos. The little Striated Thornbill looks like it saw me as it landed on the bird bath.

One drive took us to Ballina where a late lunch of fish and chips by the estuary near where we have a swim in summer. The tide was out and there were a number of waders way out sifting the sand for their lunch. This Masked Lapwing patrolled the area of sand in front of us, wandering up and down. It was funny to see it on the sand and not walking around the grass in the park.

The White-faced Heron was always finding something to eat as it wandered with purpose on the sands.

In a nearby tree, a Little Cormorant gave me a suspicious look, but still sat looking over the estuary.

The butterflies are just starting to be a regular sight in the garden. Don’t you think that the Orange Streaked Ringlet looks rather angry? I liked the colours as it sat on one of the garden ornaments.

One morning the sun filtered through the trees and highlighted some spider webs in the garden. I just had to stop washing up and grab my camera.

I don’t normally have such luck with spider web photos but these two really made my day.

One afternoon driving home along the Gwydir Highway, I spotted something out of the corner of my eye as I went over the Tindal Bridge. I was sure it was Wedged-tailed Eagles but they were sitting on the ground not far from the edge of the road. See my last blog on the Wedged-tailed Eagles if you haven’t already seen it. When they took to the sky it was a magnificent sight.

At my place, the Red-necked Wallabies are always hanging around. This morning, the young Joey was being brave, until they sensed I was watching from the kitchen window. Some days they Joeys have a great time hopping about. A while ago this Joey was having a great time.

“Is he still there Mum?”

“Oh dear. I better hide so he won’t see me!”

The Joey finally decided to sit in the warming morning sun to contemplate the day ahead.

The Bottlebrush had so many flowers this year, it was a magnet for the birds. The Friarbirds had taken over the garden and spent a lot of time chasing the other birds from the Grevilleas and this Bottlebrush. The bees in the Bottlebrush made the garden buzz

Guess who came in for a snack?

The Rainbow Lorikeets certainly add a splash of colour to the garden.

The Friarbirds look so prehistoric don’t they?

The little Yellow-faced Honeyeaters were also chased about by the Friarbirds.

The Blue-faced Honeyeaters didn’t care either way when the Friarbirds carried on. At the Honey Gem Grevillea, their don’t care attitude was evident in The Battle for the Grevillea

Well the sun is going down……….

…….and the Moon is on the rise. Thanks for reading

June had something new as well as old

Published on July 5, 2016 by bushboy3 Comments

The rain finally came in June. The big dam, which leaks, almost filled which is lovely to see even though it only lasts a few weeks before it’s a puddle again. The frogs certainly liked the water and there were a number of different types of frogs calling.

The frogs were also on this little dam which is more of a wetland than a functioning dam. The animals drink from here as well as some birds. Dragonflies were flitting about on both dams.

As usual, we do our drives around the north coast and one day, as we were heading west out of Casino we came across this Long-necked Tortoise in the middle of the road with cars and trucks speeding by. A quick rescue mission unfolded and it was taken to the dam up a side road not far from where we picked it up.

At my besties one of the old farm sheds, this one was a piggery, we have created a studio space for art exhibitions and rent the Lady Shed for workshops by all manner of people. We love rearranging and decorating the Lady Shed with all sorts of things found or created

I love this owl!!!

Quite often when pillows or things are moved there are skinks that scurry away. This day it was a bit cold and some of the skinks were a bit too cold to move too fast.

Spiders are also disturbed as we do a bit of a cleaning and moving stuff around when there is someone else going to use the Lady Shed Studio. I have lost my spider ID book so I can’t tell you what is this one.

There is a lovely cane light shade in the Lady Shed Studio. We always check to ensure that no one has decided that the light shade would make quite a nice house. Most times a spider or two is moved on or a mud daubers nest is removed. This time a little micro bat with only a face a mother could love had taken up residence. Luckily it had gone the next day before the workshop has started. I think it may be a Lesser Long-eared Bat.

In the insulation, just under the corrugated iron, lives a Carpet Snake. It is a lovely warm place for a snake to spend winter. This Carpet Snake has been living in the Lady Shed Studio for ages and sometimes can cause a bit of angst among the workshop participants.

One afternoon I was driving home from work when I spied a Black-necked Stork patrolling after the rains had replenished a wetland. When he saw me he just casually walked away.

On the drive west of Casino in a place called Piora, we came across a little watercourse that had a couple of Spoonbills, some ducks and a Heron. The Spoonbill was the only one who didn’t move off when the car stopped.

As it has been very dry at my place with only occasional showers and 2 days of good rainfalls. The normally abundance of birds has deserted the garden and surrounding bush. The Lewins Honeyeater has stayed waiting for the blossoms to appear. The rain bought out the Honey Gem flowers.

The Satin Bowerbirds have also stayed around as they steal snacks from the chook yard. They also have a been stealing all manner of blue things from the surrounding properties.

The number of Satin Bowerbirds usually increases when it gets a bit cold in the Gibraltar Ranges. This day when I took these photos the trees were full of the mad chattering of Satin Bowerbirds.

I did a bit of a bush walk one day. Just near the dam in the first photo there has been a bower for a number of years. The blue objects were strewn in all directions from the bower up to 2 metres away.

So many blue objects. I have no idea whose place they get the blue bottle tops from as I don’t have any and my recycling is always in a sealed wool bale sack. I do think the strips of blue are from a disintegrating tarp in my building materials area.

The bird bath is always kept with water in it for the birds. Actually I have three places where the birds can get a drink and a wash. This one is one of the favourites. You can always hear the constant call of Eastern Yellow Robins in the bush and they come to the garden for an insect snack or head to the bird bath.

The little Striated Thornbills are regular bird bath regulars. They only stay for a quick wash and drink before they are off.

One day I heard a call I didn’t recognise at the bird bath. At first I didn’t see anyone but then a head popped up whilst the bird was clinging to the edge of the bird bath with its tail in the water. Just then, another bird flew in a sat on the edge. The big feet gave it away. This was the first time I had seen the White-throated Treecreepers in the bird bath.

At my besties there are always Eastern Whipbirds calling and foraging in the garden. This one was muttering to itself while it turned over leaves and small rocks hoping for a bite to eat.

Of course there a the little Eastern Yellow Robins in her garden as well. They are such a cute little bird don’t you think?

The year so far

Published on May 30, 2016May 30, 2016 by bushboy8 Comments

So far this year I have found some allusive birds, some bees doing what bees do, lovely flowers, insects, a new bird that was very accommodating to be photographed and a photo or two that viewer discretion is advised.

Yes, this blog does contain images of sexual behaviour. Consenting sex I may add. The sexual activity did occur over quite a while although use of the word activity may be a stretch of the imagination. Most of the time both partners didn’t engage in much activity at all!!!

So it may be best if I start with “those” images. That way your titillation can be catered for straight away and you wont be scrolling through and perhaps missing other images that can perhaps be stimulating. The moths decided that near the back door, on the verandah was a good place to procreate.

How did I know that there was something mothy happening. Perhaps the next image is more explanatory.

They were indeed attached, chosing a cactus to add that extra bit of spice to the act perhaps.

I had a hard time trying to get a good photo of this insect. It was on a mission and kept marching along the leaf, which thankfully was a large leaf.

The bes were having a real buzzy time around the garden. There were plenty of flowers to choose.

The Blue-banded Bees love the Blue Ginger flowers even if you have to really scrunch up to get at the flowers goodness.

The Camelias were quite striking this year. As an added bonus, can you count the little Stingless Bees on the flower? One little bloke has even got a water drop drink!!!

I love this cacti flower. It is just a balloon like structure and when it opens there is nothing inside. The colour is lovely don’t you think?

The Blue Ginger flower. Now you can see why the bees love visiting.

The little Violet flowers love the cool and the shade. Plenty of water sees the plant send up lots of flower shoots to add small splashes of colour around the garden.

High up in the Bangalow Palm, the Lewins Honeyeater contemplated his vast bounty of seeds.

While the White-headed Pigeon observed hoping for some lunch after a quick dip and drink at the birdbath.

The Bar-shouldered Dove walked around looking for a tasty morsel amongst the leaf litter. He looks spectacular with those red legs.

The allusive Green Catbird. They can be heard throughout the forest in the mornings and late afternoons but here, they are quite shy and hop along the branches, never sitting still for long.

A drink and a bath at the little hanging birdbath is a family affair for the White-throated Honeyeaters

I love this photo. The antique wrought iron garden chair is a lovely resting place for the Eastern Yellow Robin, a constant visitor to the garden.

Now for something new. We went to Macleay Island in Moreton Bay. The island is home to lots of Beach Stone Curlews. These pair were having a sleep at the back of the house, opening an eye to see what I was doing. This is the first time I have seen Beach Stone Curlews so it was rather exciting.

After a while one decided to get up and walk a little way into the bush.

I don’t think that he was impressed at being woken. During the night, they were calling with their mournful call. Actually it seemed like all night they were calling. No wonder they didn’t like being disturbed.

Well, that’s what I have found, refound and photographed so far this year. I was excited photographing the Curlews and the Green Catbird. I hope you have enjoyed my images.

Birds and butterflies and perhaps a snail

Published on April 18, 2016 by bushboy6 Comments

I really enjoy sitting down and writing. Something I haven’t done a lot of lately so this little bit of writing includes a lot of photos. I was intending to do a series of birdbath photos. Instead here is a selection of the two birdbaths, my besties birdbath and the small hanging pot that I found some of the birds at my place love to visit.

First off is the birdbath that has been a regular feature in a lot of my blogs. I still remember the first time I saw a Noisy Friarbird. They are so prehistoric looking. I tell visitors that they are Australia’s only vulture. Naughty aren’t I? Their songs are one of the most distinctive as they call in the bush. I love seeing them when two Noisy Friarbirds sing in unison, both doing the same movements as well.

The little Eastern Yellow Robin must have had a hot tail as he sat with his tail in the water for quite some time.

The White-browed Scrubwren was far more interested in what the other scrubwrens were doing underneath the birdbath.

“Oh for goodness sake, tidy yourself up!” The Spangled Drongos having a lovely time at the birdbath.

I wonder what the Little Wattlebird was giving the Drongo the stink eye about?

Here is the little hanging pot. One day the hole in the bottom was blocked with some leaves and dirt. It filled with water after the rain and I heard some birds having a good time, drinking and having a splash about. I sealed the bottom and now keep it filled with water. The small birds, especially the honeyeaters, are the ones who use it the most.

The White-throated Honeyeaters are regular users. They are here every afternoon to have a drink or a bit of a splash in the water.

One has a bath while the others keep a look out.

The Brown Honeyeater caught with his tongue out after taking a drink.

The Lewins Honeyeaters are in the garden most of the day. This one came for a drink in the middle of a rather warm March day.

Another tongue out shot. This time of a White-throated Honeyeater.

You can see why I need to keep the water up to the birdbath. The Lewins certainly enjoy a good splash.

The White-throated Honeyeaters are a bit more refined in their bathing habits.

I love seeing the little Thornbills in the garden. They always seem to have something to investigate.

The Whipbirds are always hiding behind something or rustling about in the garden under the bushes.

Enough of the birds. I also love Dragonflies. We were doing some bush regen down at the spring, when this Dragonfly took an interest in what we were doing. Yes, that is one of the lantana bushes he is sitting on that got pulled out.

After a bit more zooming around, I realised that he was doing something other than watching what we were doing. At least it reminded us to have a break and a snack.

Speaking of snacks. There was a loud buzzing and upon investigating, there was the fly caught in the web and a Daddy Long Legs getting ready to wrap the fly up for his dinner. Fly wrap anybody?

I don’t think it is fair to be called common but the butterfly world has many “common” butterflies. This Common Crow was very obliging to have its photo taken.

The Pentas are a great flowering shrub for butterflies.

Butterflies are so delicate as they stand on flowers to gather nectar.

Getting your proboscis right in there seems to be the way to go.

The Orchard Butterflies were in the garden a lot in march. These two were having a good time fluttering around the garden.

Quite often their dance became quite close and eventually there was a lot of blurred photos as they mated. As this isn’t one of “those” blogs I haven’t included the very blurry photos, mainly as they were very blurry

Aren’t they beautiful big butterflies?

Oh. That’s right. I did mention a snail didn’t I. One evening I went into the bathroom and saw something high up on the wall. The soft-shelled native snail was very shy and seemed to sense when I was close trying to get a photo and went into it’s shell. At least I know what was making holes in the leaves of the plant in the bathroom.

I am glad you have gotten to the end of one of the longest blogs I have done. Did you enjoy the journey? What was your favourite photo?

December’s Discoveries

Published on December 22, 2015 by bushboy2 Comments

So much to do in the next few days. I wanted to get a little bit of my world out there for you to enjoy. I looked at some of the photos and there are some that are recurring from years gone by. I guess that’s what happens in nature. The cycles just keep rolling on. I wonder if you can spot the photos subjects that have appeared before. All of the flower and insect photos are from my besties fantastic garden. I love wandering around her garden discovering flowers and insects.

I took many photos of this tree as the textures and lines are so good. It was so hard to settle on one photo.

The air ferns are increasing in the bush and around the garden. They are so primitive looking don’t you think?

The way the moss just cascades over the old tree trunk, filling crevices giving life to the dead wood of a large tree from the past.

The water vine grew in the fork of the tree long ago and now it looks like the tree has an appendage. The vine is still alive reaching up into the canopy.

The flowers of the Silk Tree aren’t around for long. The birds sure make a mess of the flowers when they come to gather the bit of pollen or nectar the flowers supply.

This hibiscus flower grows high in the tree and sends the occasional flower to hang down adding a splash of red to the garden.

The little balls laden with pollen usually have native bees buzzing around except when I was taking photos.

The delicate blue centres of the white hydrangea are quite stunning when you get close to the large white flower ball.

These tiny daisies are popping up all through the garden. They are about 10mm in diameter.

I love the Cats Whiskers with their purple tips.

I am not sure what this orange flower is called but it makes a bold statement in the garden’s borders.

Flowers aren’t just to be seen in the garden, they are also a source of joy in the house or even in the lady shed.

I can’t find my spider book so I can’t let you know the names of these spiders. This little one is quite small but very fast.

Another tiny spider who sat still for a photo or two then decided that enough was enough and jumped onto the camera.

When we were fixing up the studio I came across a few insects, mainly black ants by the thousands, but this long skinny spider was staying where he was, pretending to be a stick I guess.

There have been lots of dragonflies flitting around my besties garden and mine as well. There have been blue and large red dragonflies at my place, whereas there appears to be a lot of these orange/yellow ones at her place. This one was happily flying around the rainforest near the creek.

This dragonfly is one of the bigger dragonflies in the rainforest.

Back at my place I have been keeping an eye on the Friarbirds nest.

I think the female or juvenile Satin Bowerbird spotted me as I was staking out the bird bath.

The tiny Thornbill didn’t seem to care as it contemplated taking a plunge into the water.

As usual the garden has its resident Easter Yellow Robin. I love the way they seem to enjoy landing on vertical things.

We went to Broken Head for the afternoon. There are always White-bellied Sea Eagles soaring on the currents around the headland.

It was a surprise to see the Sooty Oystercatcher strolling around the beach. It looked a bit tired so maybe it was the first landing on its migration?

The little bit of rain I have had has certainly sent the frogs into a cacophony of a night. I think these tadpoles may be Bleating Tree Frogs as I hear them around the pool.

I think the one on the right may enjoy getting its pictue taken.

That’s all for the time being so if I don’t get to post another blog soon, have a great Christmas. Remember to look after our nature because it’s the only one we have.

The end of May

Published on June 10, 2015June 10, 2015 by bushboy10 Comments

I cannot believe how the months are whizzing by!! I have been meaning to bung a bit about what’s been happening for ages. Life gets in the way of good intentions. There have been some interesting things I have found in my blog stats, especially in what people have been searching for, and ending up at my blog, sometimes in one of the blogs way back in the archive. This has sent me looking at the earlier stuff I have posted. I was thinking of doing a “best of” blog with your favourite photos that you have told me you have liked…..but then again I need a bit of time and motivation to do that don’t I?

This small lot of photos have been sitting here waiting for me to write a few words about them. I love this tiny stem of flowers from a Spider Aloe. I didn’t get back in time to see them open so maybe next year?

The weather in May was a few showers here and there, plus some very warm days, so the fungi has been popping up all over. I love the orange wood fungus. It can always be seen adding a splash of colour in the bush or even on a bit of wood near the chooks yard.

Some of the larger fungus are much easier to spot. I love the frills under the cap.

One of the latest birds to appear in the garden are the Rose Robins. This little one was always on the look out for a snack.

Down by the Clarence River in Grafton, we were having lunch when one by one the seagulls appeared.

Later in the afternoon, having a wander about town, a tree suddenly became the place to be if you are a Rainbow Lorikeet looking for a roost for the night.

I can’t resist putting a Golden Whistler in as they are the bird of the month and are everywhere in the garden.

The only bird who has taken to being in the garden are the lovely Eastern Yellow Robins. I love seeing them hop about the garden.

Here is a close up of that young Rose Robin. What a cutie to have around.

The days in May have seen the Moon setting during the day. I love the blue sky behind the Moon instead of the usual inky blackness don’t you?

Now to get started on the photos and stuff for June.

Thanks for stopping by and if you have a favourite photo from the past please let me know so I can include your favourite photo in the favourites blog.

Birds, bugs and things in April

Published on April 22, 2015April 22, 2015 by bushboy2 Comments

As you know I love to get about when I can, discovering new things or rediscovering stuff. I love living in a bio-diverse region where the trip to the mountains or to the coast always sends a surprise encounter. Over the month so far I have seen so many wonderful things this world has, sometimes it may just be something that I saw that I found to be wonderous whereas others have just walked by probably thinking what the hell is that bloke doing with that camera.

So…..this wander through my days I hope fills you with a bit of love for our nature and environment in which we inhabit as it does for me.

I do find butterflies amazing creatures, as you probably have noticed as a lot of my blogs seem to have a butterfly or two. This small butterfly, about 17mm in size, has been whizzing around my besties garden and mine as well – a Small Green-banded Blue butterfly.

I was wading through the water at Taylor Lagoon when all bout there were dragonflies zipping here, zipping there on their mission to do…..waht do dragonflies do when they zip about like that. Well after a while some settled on the sticks poking out of the water. Their irridecence was amazing to see. Unfortunately the dragonfly isn’t quite in focus but I love the effect of the water, don’t you?

This dragonfly has a great grip on the stick.

While wading in the shallows I looked at the water and the reflections of the over-hanging bottlebrush and sedges around the edge. I think it was facinating the way the image always changed as the water rippled and moved with the wind. This photo was my favourite of the couple I took.

The shadow of the tree looked like it was walking across the rock face. What do you see?

I love the contrast of colours, the shadows and where the rock landed (or was put by my bestie lol)

Shells. I love seeing the shells and stuff that is on the beach. The light shining through the shell caught my eye form a distance.

I wonder how the small creatures can survive when the tide is out or is it how do they survive when the tide is in? This one found a nice little niche in the rocks. Aren’t the colours subtle but striking at the same time?

The number of tiny sand balls that were spread all along the shore was incredible. Some of the patterns made were so artistic.

And here is the little bloke who spend a large amount of its life making those tiny sand balls.

“OK fella…..how about a bit of privacy. I didn’t come down to the beach to sit in the shade of my lovely green umbrella just to have you come along taking your photos….”

“If you are going to hang around with that camera, I’m off….”

As I was walking along the shore, all of a sudden there was a whoosh and a couple of Pelicans came flying along looking for a place to land. They are so big up close.

As we walked along the beach, we were discussing how we hadn’t seen any White-bellied Sea Eagles or Brahminy Kites, which are nearly always here. All of a sudden, at the other end of the beach, there was a commotion with Seagulls wheeling about and then appeared the Sea Eagle with a fish. Even with the lens at full stretch they were still a long way a way.

Here is a close up as best as I could manage. The image is heavily cropped just to show the size of the fish.

There was also another White-bellied Sea Eagle just soaring around the sky looking for it’s own fish.

Meanwhile at the waters edge, a group of Crested Terns were having a bath and preening themselves trying to get their “hair” in order.

I have no idea what this plant is but the spots of white among the rocks certainly stood out.

Even the Eastern Spinebill was too heavy for the Pentas making hanging on a bit of a chore.

The Whipbirds are always pocking around in the garden, flicking over leaves and bits of bark to try and find some insects and bugs to snack on.

Over the past few weeks the Eastern Yellow Robins have seemed to appear in numbers in the garden. This one was sitting out front on the warm gravel early one morning. They are such sweet little birds.

Heading into town early one misty morning, I spotted this Black-necked Stork (I really prefer Jabiru) stalking about the small pond where the “Tyre Turtle” lives. It was one of a pair. The other one was further back in the paddock in the ffog.

Aren’t the colours great. I never noticed their red cap before either.

The Water Dragon has set up home in my besties garden. Such a lovely prehistoric looking creature.

But they still enjoy a good laugh. Not really. He really enjoys a few bits of apple. The inside of his mouth is so pink.

That’s the end of what I have found in April so far. Hope you enjoyed seeing what I have seen.

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