Autumn well underway

 Autumn is well underway with wet cold weather driven by powerful east coast lows giving snow above 1500m. Here hasn't been so bad with most of the extreme weather being coastal.

 

A shift in lighting has occurred with short spectacular evenings followed by crisp nights.

Here the moon rises above clouds, the scene tinted by the low sunlight, followed by an overview of Tumut in the NSW Southern Tablelands displaying Autumn colours.

 

 

Below is a case moth caterpillar.

Back in October I found a case moth caterpillar at the start of a late spring.

Both were advanced specimens with cases measuring around 20cm in length.

Both found at the opposing boundaries of winter.

 

 

 

With not much in the way of fresh greens left and a cold winter on the way these caterpillars have a few months before warmer weather affords new growth. They seem to have a number of suitable plant species producing leaves to eat. This may allow winter feeding though all food plants observed so far have been deciduous.

 

 

 

Back after the heat

Little did I know the fun we were in for over summer back in late October at the time of my last post.

With over 2 months of searing heat consistently reaching the mid 40's in the Celsius scale and some nights still 30 Celsius at midnight the skies were free of birds and creatures great and small retreated to whatever haven they could find from the relentless temperatures.

It was within this oven like environment I found myself and awaited for more than the industrious ants and my dying garden to shoot. 

Autumn has brought some relief and some needed rain ( I think we had about 10 mm total over summer)

so I am back at it.

Considering how rare the following scene has been I shall start with this. Storm clouds bringing much needed rain and helping bring back life to all.

Still awaiting the big thunder storms to produce some good lightning shots.

Just may get a chance before winter sets in.

Last of the Autumn Colours

With winter well established I stopped at a spot along Blowering Dam to grab these following shots.
Most leaves have already fallen, with this striking display of yellow being Autumn's last hurrah.

Winter is almost here

With winter fast approaching trees are losing their leaves and, with a move to a more highland environment, I am able to enjoy the seasons that such an inland elevation affords.

Below are a couple of pictures that illustrate the colour on display.

Insects are few, though this little Leaf Spider must have thought there were a few around and gave me a chance to test out my new macro lens a little early.

Im looking forward to some majestic landscapes as the snow season starts soon.

End of Autumn

Snow falls in the Southern Alps have seen temperatures plummet of late, ending the unseasonably warm weather we have been experiencing recently.
Deciduous trees have at last got the message and most are now free of foliage.



















The cooler weather has also seen an increase in low level morning mists, allowing photographers willing to brave the early morning chill to get some shots with interesting lighting.
This one (above) taken up near the showground off Caalong St, Robbo.


































Even with the cold weather, some plants continue to flower, such as this Cobra Orchid.
This Bloom was one of a cluster located within a small area protected from temperature extremes.
Thanks to Denis Wilson for the chance to get this shot.