Author: glenys mahler

I live in Patho, Australia.

Terricks Trip

March 24, 2021

These were seen on my recent trip to the Terrick Terrick National Park, about 10 km away as the crow flies. (30 if you go by road).

This is a prickly pear (Opuntima, I think). It a very invasive plant and illegal to cultivate. The ‘pears’ are apparently edible. There were a few plants growing wild.

My husband spotted this bird. I don’t know what it is. Any ideas?

The Mighty Murray River

March 23, 2021

In Australia the Murray River separates the two states New South Wales and Victoria. The river is about 5 km from where I live. I live on a lagoon that adjoins the Murray. (an oxbow lake). It looks very different to the Murray.

The Murray River cuts deep into its bank, exposing the gum tree roots.

More Orb Weaver

March 22, 2021

I love my photos of this spider in its web, so I thought I’d post some more.

From different angles… If you missed the other pics of it click here.

Orb Weaver – Trichonephila (family Araneidae)

March 21, 2021

My next door neighbour told me about a huge spider in his yard and of course I just had to go see it. It’s web was amazing stretching out up to 3 metres. It was attached to the door of a wrecked car. To take these photos I scrambled in through the passenger side door and climbed over into the passenger seat. I took some blurred photos through the window, but I wasn’t happy with those. Then, I very gently lowered the window. The web stayed intact and I got these close ups through the open window, always keeping a look out in case it had friends lurking about inside the wreck. I was very uncomfortable so close to the spider.

I posted the photo to a web site and it was identified for me, It was apparently discovered by a Frederich Dahl in 1911.

I’m wondering if the last photo shows its eggs being stored in the web for later on.

Bird on a wire

March 17, 2021

Two different cuties today. The first is a wagtail, doing what it’s named for. I realised I haven’t taken any pictures of them, and when I decided it might be a good idea, they were few and far between and wouldn’t stand still for me! More of the swallows. This one was happy to pose.