Varanus

Lace Monitors are the garbage disposal units of the bush. There keen sense of smell will find them a decomposing meal from many hundreds of metres away!

Its Whats inside that matters!

Look closely at most gum tree leaves and you will find these galls. They are formed from the laying of wasp eggs into the leaves.

Flame Trees

I was looking for a painting sort of effect when taking this sunset pic on the Murray River, near Mildura. The sky remained like this for about 5 min's before darkness set in.

Leave me alone!

This tiger snake was very co-operative whilst photographing! I was however not able to get it away from that bit of grass that covered its nose!

No Racing Stripes

The Striped Legless Lizard (Delma impar) is one of Victoria's Endangered reptile species. I found this one while undertaking a survey for them around the Bendigo area. Strangely all that I found lacked their trademark stripes.

Lycosa

Lycosa is the Genus name of the group of spiders more commonly known as Wolf Spiders. They live underground in small holes and venture out at night to hunt. There eye shine can be seen for hundreds of metres under spotlight.

Spiders by the Bunch

Benita brought this plant home from work the other day (florist) and i just had to photograph the flowers!

Nikon D50 Tamron 1:1 Macro 90mm. Flash Nikon R1C1 TTL

Baby Brown

This Baby Eastern Brown Snake was under a pile of rubbish when i disturbed it. It kindly let me take some macro shots of it before it went on its way.

Nikon D50 Tamron 90mm Macro 1:1 Flash not fired.

Come to the Light!

This little guy was found near Swifts Creek, While working the bushfires.

He was amoungst a million other wonderful bugs that were attracted to the massive staging lights around the staging area.

Nikon D50 Tamron 1:1 90mm Macro.

A River Somewhere

The Edwards River near Pretty Pine just after sunset.

Nikon D50 18mm f5.6 3 mins. Flash fired.

R.I.P Kosmo

Ok, Todays post is not inline with the theme of this site, however I wanted to post this anyway.

Kosmo our 8 month old whippet was hit and killed by a motorcycle the night before last.

She will be missed by her playmate Billco, Benita and myself. R.I.P Kosmo.

Growling Grass Frog

Growling Grass Frogs like this are now a rare find in Victoria.

Mutation

This often occurs when insects of certain species lay their eggs inside gum leaves.

Nikon D50, Tamron 90mm Macro 32mm Extension Tube. Flash: Nikon R1C1 TTL.

Golden Flickers

Its amazing how much detail a common butterfly has in its face when you look hard enough.

Nikon D50, Apeture Priority, F36, Tamron 90mm Macro + 36mm extension. Flash: Nikon R1C1 TTL x2

The Ants Go Marching One By One

This Bulldog ant had only one thing on its mind when it came from its nest.. .. to attack my camera lens!

Nikon D50 Tamron 90mm Macro. Flash Nikon R1C1 1cm from subject.

Emerald Arachnid

Nikon D50 Tamron 90mm Macro 36mm Extension + Nikon R1C1 Flash TTL.

Hanging Around

I was having trouble deciding which weevil photo to post, i like them both for different reasons. Which do you prefer?

Weevil

One of many species of weevil found in the Greater Melbourne area. This one is feeding on Indigophera seeds.

Nikon D50, 90mm F32, Flash Nikon R1C1 TTL

Praying

The same mantis as last nights post was still sitting where I left her, so i thought id take some more shots.

Nikon D50, 90mm1:1 Macro - Flash: Nikon R1C1 TTL -1.7Ev steps.

A.L.F

No its not an Alien Life Form, Its a Praying Mantis. This girl was feeding on moths outside my bathroom window.

Nikon D50, 90mm Macro, Flash: Nikon R1C1 TTL.

Apprentice Butcher

Butcherbirds like this juvenile grey butcherbird are ferocious feeders, eating insects & small reptiles.

Nikon D50 90mm F32, Flash: Nikon R1C1 Speedlight.

Damsel in Destress

The difference between a damselfly and a dragonfly is that damsels rest with their wings folded and dragonflies rest with their wings apart.

Nikon D50, 90mm Macro 1:1 Flash Nikon R1C1 Speedlight TTL

"Aphids on the menu"

This Ladybeetle was determined not to raise its head for the camera, much to the frustration of the photographer. It took a good gust of wind to wake him up and look around.

Nikon D50, Tamron 90mm Macro + 62mm Extension Tubes. Flash: Nikon R1C1 Speedlight TTL -1.2EV

Tightrope

With no wings, its a long way to fall!

Nikon D50 90mm Macro F32, Flash: Nikon R1C1 TTL

Cheap Motel

Looks like these two opted for the cheapest accommodation.

Nikon D50, 90mm Macro Flash Nikon R1C1 TTL.

Growling at flies!

This endangered Growling Grass Frog contends with two not so endangered, annoying swamp flies!

Nikon D50, Tamron 90mm Macro Lens, Flash: Nikon R1C1 TTL.

Hover

Hoverflies like this one can be seen on warm days in the bush, zipping here and there, never appearing to rest!.

Nikon D50, Tamron 90mm Macro. Flash Nikon R1C1 TTL.

Blow Dried

A simple moth takes on new dimensions when seen this close!

NIKON D50 Tamron 90mm MACRO + 68mm extension tube. Flash: Nikon R1C1 TTL

King of the forest!

Arguably one of Australia’s most majestic parrots, the King Parrot lacks no charisma or charm!
Nikon D50, Tamron 300mm. Flash: Not Fired.

Sleepy, Doc or Dopey?

Don't you think this bearded orchid resembles one of the seven dwarves?
NIKON D50 Tamron 90mm MACRO. Flash: Nikon R1C1 TTL

Fairy Blue

This male superb fairy wren was kind enough to sit still just long enough for me to get this shot.

Males colour up like this during the breeding season from their normally drab brown colour.

Chestnut and Gold

Rather than give away what this is from, ill leave it to your imagination. Comments always appreciated.

Sienna Sky

This Central-Victorian swamp is essential habitat for wildlife, especially during times of drought when all else is dry. The suns early rays become alive with thousands of waterfowl lifting from the water.

Squama

This Wood Scorpion (Cercophonius squama) was stumbled across whilst poking around Central Victoria’s native grasslands. At only 2cm in length, he is perfectly coloured to blend into the dry soils.

Marsupial?

Often mistaken for the introduced field mouse, the Fat-Tailed Dunnart is not a mouse at all! Like the kangaroo, this critter is actually a marsupial, and carries its young around in a pouch. This species is under threat mostly from its habitat (native grasslands) being destroyed for housing or farmland.

Elusive

The Nocturnal Small-eyed snake is seldom encountered. It chooses to emerge on warm nights, in search of prey before seeking refuge again as dawn approaches. Little is known about the venom of this placid snake, however unfortunate victims have reported varied degrees of paralysis.

Amoena

This Charming Spider Orchid is one of only a handful of this species left in the world. Standing at 3 inches tall, it could easily be overlooked or trod on. This flower opened up on my birthday and only remained for 1 day before wilting. Considerable efforts are being undertaken by government agencies to keep this species viable, that we don't loose it forever.

Forward March!

Meat Ants live in Massive colonies in drier soils of Australia. Nests can exceed 2 metres in diameter. The fun thing about taking photographs of these guys is that each nest has dozens of entrance holes, so while your waiting at one hole, thousands of ants come out of the others and cover you from head to toe!

Maroon

Australia is home to thousands of native orchid species, most under 3 inches tall. This is the Maroon Hood. Pollinated by small insects, the flower only lasts a short time. Once finished flowering, the plant disappears for the rest of the year. With enough rain, it will reappear next year.