What can I say about a great statement such as "The Earth Goddess turned it on" coming from naturalist Denis Wilson other than it was good enough to be the title of this post.
I hope you found your visit good fun. We all did here ...even though Petra has to make another batch of rocky road :)
Denis and I, just like old times, hit the road again to look for some of natures wonders.
His post on our travels can be found
here.
The variety we saw was amazing, such is the diversity of life on the far south east coast.
Denis out amongst the tall grasses at the verge of a tidal lake while a Swamp Wallaby watches from a safe distance.
Farmers are to be found everywhere, with this ant checking on its Scale Insects.
Another farmer is the Bell minor, pictured below, with the Lerps they farm.
We were at a spot where the Bell birds were thick, and Denis imitated another bird.
To our surprise we were instantly surrounded by about six Bell birds eager to chase us out of their Lerp farm. Seems that they like to eat the casings of the Lerp and move the creatures up to sap producing leaves - protecting them from intruders.
That didn't stop us giving the casings a go, finding them mildly sweet to the taste.
You would need quite a few in your cuppa though :)
Tidal environments can be found way inland sometimes and it was in a little creek that these two crabs were found.
The one with the orange claws I believe to be male and, as the other approached his hole he began to show a defensive posture, though relaxed with her crabby charms.
Seems that some things are universal :)
This Toad fish is evidence proper of the tidal nature of the creek.
An interesting creature that is the bane of any fisherman.
While at the creek this Golden Whistler was lucky to catch a moth for lunch.
This White Throated Tree Creeper also found an insect while using its large clawed feet to navigate the vertical surface of this tree.
This Restless Flycatcher was living up to its name also within this limited, though diverse, area.
Just as tidal creatures can be found way inland, so can inland creatures be found rather close to the sea.
Within splashing distance of high tide I found these mosquito larvae.
Pelicans and Seagulls alike did well from the scraps of the bountiful catch that the sea provided for two fishermen.
The day ended well with a trip to Mimosa Rocks for a little scenery.
Later that night, with all larger predators safely tucked up in their nests and such, another show began.
This large Huntsman presented itself sporting an infestation of Mites.
It allowed Denis and I to photograph it repeatedly without a flinch, giving the impression that it was not in the best of health with its hitchhikers.
Even a Preying Mantis was out and about keeping an eye on the mass of moths that were circling the veranda lights.
All in all a great show for the day, and great to have Denis come down to share the wonders of this varied environment with me.
This last shot was taken some 3 days earlier around some small watercourses near Tathra.
Reptiles are the flavour next time Denis.
I look forward to seeing you then.
