A burst of hot weather heats it up

A burst of hot, dry weather has seen the veranda getting more use in the early evenings as things cool down, though space is limited as more and more insects vie for a place to meet under the glow of electric lights.

This dragon fly stopped by for a visit,

as did this cicada.

                                    

Beetles of all shapes and sizes abound in whirring confusion, with the odd Christmas beetle still in attendance as well.

 The increased action has not escaped the eyes of predators either.

This huntsman keeps an eye on the proceedings.

Green spotted tree frogs have been around for the last few months and don't miss too many opportunities for a meal as they deftly climb the walls. 

Evenings are a busy place on the veranda, with sitting under the lights just not a comfortable option.

The show that is put on each and every twilight makes it an interesting place nonetheless.

Recent weather sparks insect activity

Hot days with periods of high humidity has seen insect activity on the increase.

The mossies being no exception.

Larval casings of larger insects such as Robberflys, can easily be found in their environments with a large number of prey insects to support this and other predators such as the Dragonfly.


Accompanied by producer and photographer Andrew Jones, I made the trek to a number of small waterfalls such as the one pictured.

To get the shot you need low light with long exposures, so we are sitting at dusk in a mossie infested rain forest getting shots when I'm buzzed by a Dragonfly like insect. It being too dark to photograph or identify more clearly.

I thought them heat of the day hunters, though was proven incorrect by the near dark antics of this creature.

Not the one, pictured below, though this particular insect is in good numbers in many areas at the moment.

In The Field

My apologies for the hiatus in postings over the last two months. Spring into Summer is a great time for insect and arachnid lifeforms, and I have been busily snapping away so as to provide some stunning photos for you the viewer of this page.
The photo above was taken by Denis Wilson on one of our field trips (looking forward to more in the new year Denis).
Denis and myself, along with Richard Jones, Andrew Jones, and Margo Hallowell will be staging an exhibition in the new year at the Fettlers Shed Gallery in Robertson.
Come along if you get the chance as it will showcase some great local talent ( I'll be there too :) ).

Hoping all had a great christmas, and wishing all a happy new year.
Some of the photos taken over the last little while are below, with dragonflies being the the focus (no pun intended) of late.