Category: photography

Turtle

December 7, 2020

I was focused on a bird, when I noticed what I thought was a stick move in the water. He looked at me and I quickly swung the camera around and ‘klicked’ just before he disappeared again.

This might be a friend of his. It was about a month ago. It was just starting to rain a little when my husband spotted him by the edge of the water.

I didn’t have my ‘big’ lens but managed to get quite close to him before he shrank back into his shell.

At least he stayed dry inside his shell.

Canna Lilies

December 6, 2020

I tried to grow Canna Lilies once and gave up. They might have been too dry. Last year I planted them in a spot where I couldn’t forget that they existed. They got plenty of water and did very well. I took seed and am growing some more in my glass house. This orange flower with the striking leaves is my favorite this week.

The flower is also very bright and eye catching.

I also have some red ones flowering at the moment. Perhaps I should have separated them. They may be growing too close together. The bronze leaves below are the orange variety. My grape is benefitting from the extra care the Cannas are getting.

The Darter Family

December 4, 2020

A family of Australasian Darters has a nest on the water’s edge very close to our house. I spent some time watching their behaviour and was lucky enough to get close enough to get some detailed photographs.

I’m only guessing that the dark bird might be the dad. He took his turn feeding the young and looking after the nest.

Here’s mum, at least I think it’s mum, taking her turn to look after the nest. There are three chicks, two much more active than the third.

And here’s the family portrait. There are three very downy chicks in the nest. The parent birds had their mouths full and fed the chicks. You can see the chicks with full mouths in the pic above.

More photos to come….

Forest Lily Seed Pods

December 3, 2020

A while back I posted a picture of a plant I could not identify. It was a forest lily.

Since then then flower has developed these seed pods. I’ve taken photos over time.

Over time it has developed seeds in the green pods.

I’m not sure how long to leave them before I try to propagate them.

Great Cormorants

November 30, 2020

These birds were lined up along the edge of rocks. Every now and then one would lean into the water and grab a fish.

This one suddenly got the urge to leap into the water, catch a fish and then fall back into line along the edge of the rocks.

Lovely Lantana

November 27, 2020

I’m almost ashamed to admit that this beautiful flower is a “Weed of National Significance’ in my state and I love it in my garden. It’s classified as a poisonous weed. Personally, I haven’t found it to be invasive, although it is thriving here where mostly it’s a struggle to get plants to survive. It is toxic to animals, but the bees seem to love it – so that’s another plus.