Back in time for Spring

Well I never intended to have such a lengthy hiatus in posting, though I'm back with some macros in time for Spring.

 

A burst of hot weather and a little rain has seen an explosion of colour and the insects haven't been to far behind. A great time for a few macros.

 

 

This ladybird was on the hunt for a few aphids

 

 

No need for sprays even with this sort of infestation.

Within a week most will be cleaned up by the various predators.

 

As golden sunshine replaces cold and icy winds, frosty mornings and pleasant days are on the increase.

 

Look forward to a new burst of postings to follow.



Fellow nature lovers

I would like to thank Jasmine Hall from onlineclasses.org for sending me some great links under the heading " 12 coolest  TED talks for nature lovers".

The talks are well worth viewing and so I have decided to include them for your enjoyment.

Below is a sample of what the link has to offer. 

The following video is from a talk on Bees by Dennis vanEngelsdorp and makes compelling viewing.

The rain continues

 A good amount of rain has fallen in our area since late November.

Last night it was accompanied by unusual lightning in the form of "bursts" within the clouds that seemed quite limited in area lit though very charged.

Strong wind gusts accompanied this storm and it was this wind that afforded me the following two shots.

They are of a hive of European Bees that were living within a hollow branch.

Although the weather was still quite cool, there were 100 or so "sentries" keeping a cloud around the immediate area. 

I am trying to get the swarm collected by resident apiarists and have yet to get a reply at the time of this post..

The last two weeks have been damp enough to allow the emergence of  fungi, some of which I have pictured below.

This lovely yellow bracket type is quite small and was growing from an old wagon wheel.

 Immediately above is a type of Puff Ball measuring around 3cm diameter.

The cup like fungi pictured below I have seen in the rain forests of the Southern Highlands, though was a new find for me here on the far south coast.

These small Puff Balls started brownish, though quickly went orange, as in the next shot, deflating as the slightest sunlight and warmth approached.

Birds and the Bees

Spring, especially in an area where the seasons are so pronounced, is a time to get into the act of reproduction while the food sources and climate support the raising offspring.

These pictures below are of Reproduction of two sorts.

The insects are male and female, requiring sperm from the male to fertilise eggs within the female.....whereas the snails are asexual (each being effectively male and female ).

This means that they supply 1/2 of the genetic material needed and both produce young (lay eggs).

The snail below is of the same species, though shows colour differences to those above.

It is redder in appearance and, if I had the time, would be interested to cross snails of both colours.

It would be interesting to see the ratio of light to dark snails, and mixed shells, through this method of reproduction.

...and if you have ever wondered what a bumble bee looks like compared to a regular bee....wonder no longer

....of course, all the regular predators are out taking advantage of the increased food sources.

...and even a little fungi.

This bracket fungi is similar to its Australian counterpart, though was very white and seemed of much denser composition. This is possibly due, in part, to differing climatic conditions from those I have observed in detail in places like Robertson Nature Reserve ( see previous posts).

I would like to wish Denis Wilson and his colleagues much success with their fungi exhibition being held at Robertson NSW Australia. Perhaps a few pics of the exhibition Denis?

Trip to Bergisches Land

A trip to a nature reserve in Bergisches Land, Germany, proved to be of interest with panoramic scenery as pictured below.
The patchwork of mixed colours a visual treat as new foliage erupts.








The fields are alive with flowers, and trees have regained their leaves... with a sunny 25 degree C day making for a pleasant walk in the Wald.
Although the water was still icy it made for a refreshing dip after a long hike.




I promised Denis a few bird shots and, with the warmth of the day, it didn't take long to fulfil his request.
More shots are on the way, with some interesting observations on springtime behavioural pattens.
( if I can just photograph the quick little avian I am after) :)




Even the Bumblebees were out and about



With a trip to the North Sea planned next week, it will be interesting to observe the local fauna and flora there in relation to this area that lies some 600Km south.

A year of Blogging

Today is the anniversary of this blog, and to celebrate I am going

to say little and let the photos speak for themselves.

As a site devoted to the natural world, the following photos reflect

the wonders that surround us all if we just take the time to have a look.

Take the time to care for this world of ours.

It is a truely amazing place