Reptiles on the move

With the hot pre spring weather of late my snakes have begun to awaken.

This shot is of Ruby out for a "walk" on the lawn.

Being part Diamond Python she needs her UV rays, as lack of them will cause problems with bone formation...a problem specific to this member of the python family.

Although she has a UV light in her enclosure, nothing beats the real thing.

Afternoon Feed

A quick video of a flock Swallows (Hirundo Neoxena) feeding on small aquatic insects.

I filmed this just last week (early August) and this scene replays itself every afternoon.

I will be interested to see how long it continues, as it will possibly depend on the transformation of the insects from aquatic to airborne creatures.

Conspiracy of Science - Earth is in fact growing

An interesting theory I came across some time ago.
Makes fascinating viewing.

If this does not link, It can be found here.

Thinking about Spring

Although the air is still cold, as the above vapor trails demonstrate, rare glimpses of spring are already underway and an awareness of this is apparent with the behavior of various birds in the area.
Denis Wilson, a bird watcher extraordinaire, told me to keep an eye open this season as it is proving to be a time of great interest for such activity.

Water fowl are already pairing off, with great squabbles over prospective mates....




Magpies have already begun swooping other birds around the nearby nesting site they have chosen and are already gathering building materials.

The kookaburras think the whole matter one of great hilarity...



Creatures, such as this Millipede, have also been seen out and about during the warmth of midday ....




Yes, winter has not let go of its grip yet though many are anticipating its arrival as the days slowly get longer...


With a veranda that will serve as a perfect watch platform this year, I shall follow the progression with interest.

A day at the zoo

Whats better than spending a day than to visit the zoo?
Spending a day to visit a zoo that works at preserving rare and endangered animals.

This site is dedicated to the wonders of nature, so it seems only fitting to give a mention to a great zoo that helps, through breeding programs, to save some of the animals most under pressure of extinction.

I am, of course, speaking of Mogo Zoo.

Located just south of Batemans Bay, on the far south coast of NSW, it is a well planned and growing concern.

I have posted pictures of some of the interesting creatures that can be found there....enjoy.




This Golden Lion Tamarin (above) is one of the most endangered primates in the world and was great to see at such close range.
Indeed most of the animals were able to be seen at very close quarters, such as these Cotton Top Tamarins pictured below....



There were a great range of primates....




Everyone seemed very relaxed in a environment that suited their needs well...



Not everyone way having a nap and the Meerkats were willing to have a family portrait done...



You could be forgiven, at times, feeling you were in the heart of Africa......




There is even a good collection of large cats....including a large pride of White Lions.....



Yes, it was a big day for all....




If you are interested in seeing this great zoo, check out their website for more info.
www.mogozoo.com.au

There are memberships and animal adoption schemes also available.

More Avians.....big and small

As previously mentioned there are a pair of Sea Eagles in my area.
Locals have told me that a nest is close handy, and the pair regularly do trips to and from the ocean, fixing those sharp eyes on all...including the lens of my camera.






I believe I photographed a product of that nesting the other day...pictured below.




I was able to get the following shots of this bird also....




Seems the young bird was collecting material for a nest...as we are well into nesting season now.
Since it is not yet mature I wondered if it was helping with the parents nest building....or starting its own.
Perhaps a little learning time is needed to build such a large construction successfully .

More info on these amazing birds can be found here

One a much smaller scale I was also able to photograph this little guy below.....



This Butcher bird was happy to have his photo taken and I have spotted at least three in the area.

Avians

Having been told that it is a great time to watch birds, there being a profusion both of numbers and species at the moment, I got the camera out for a day at the beach.
What I have presented here is, except for a Sea Eagle , some Seagulls, a couple of Crows and some Plovers, what I was able to see during a 3 hour walk.
I recognize the Sandpipers, though the others are a mystery...Perhaps there is an avian expert out there who could ID them? :)










The Black Swan is presently with its mate in a neighboring Dam, and seems to have taken residence there over Winter...along with some Ducks and Waterfowl

Where DID he go?

I have received much in the way of emails asking where I have gone.
Thank you to those of you who have missed my roaming's...camera in hand.
We will keep in touch...be it from a distance.
After spending much time in the beautiful Highlands area, having taken literally Gigs of material covering everything I could from wasps to waterfalls, I have moved camp to the far south coast.
I now live on a little seaside property with new and exciting flora and fauna to upload to this site.
To illustrate how far south it is I have loaded this shot.
(tongue in cheek)






Yes, some would say its the ends of the Earth though, for a nature photographer, it is paradise.
A pristine environment awaits my lens and you may expect natural wonders unseen in more populated areas.

A big thank you to Denis for all his help, and for some very interesting field trips during my time in Robertson....congrats also with your work in helping stop the Aquifer Project. Kudos

Droplets

In previous posts I have shown the surface tension properties of water, in regard to the shape of droplets and the crown like designs as the liquid hits a solid surface.
I couldn't resist adding this latest shot of droplets hanging on a spider web.
Water gives not only its amazing surface tension properties to create this shot, it also has the ability to act as a lens...giving the reflections of the plant behind it...producing a myriad of reflected forms.

Back online (kind of)

Well its been a long break from the life of a regular blogger...posting pics at will, with Internet at a safe distance from a good coffee though, with a little persistence, I managed today to align the satellite dish and so am able to send these few pics to you the viewer of my humble site.

Having returned from Germany, I have settled in in a new area with a whole new set of flora and fauna to post.
The following shots are, firstly, of a glorious sunset I was able to capture the other day...followed by some local fauna.




These avians are regular visitors to my area and are, I believe, a hawk and a sea eagle.
The hawk was hunting in my backyard for mice, and the sea eagle has a nest not far away and does regular patrols on the trip to the ocean and back.
I hope for more pictures of these two, and will post what I get.



This last shot was taken by Petra when we were at the beach the other day.
I am not sure what type of whale it was, though a group of three passed by and I look forward to a little whale watching over the next few months as well.


I have many pictures of Germany yet to post, and will do so as I go through the many Gigs that I have taken.
You, the viewer, may look forward to many interesting shots over the following months.

Back in OZ

Just a quick note to say I'm back in OZ.
As I have no internet connection at the moment I will amass a variety of photos and service will be resumed ASAP.
Take care all, and see you soon with some mind blowing pics of our natural world.