Snapshots of Beauty

MOUNTAIN IN FRAME

2012-02-13T08:20:00.001+10:00

Mt Tibrogargan dwarfed by a huge cloud formation, which in turn is casting a huge shadow from the setting sun, on the clouds above it. Quite an interesting effect I thought.

Taken around 6.30pm on Saturday from the car, speeding along at 110kph.

FROGGY FRIDAY

2012-02-10T21:54:00.002+10:00

Look who came to dinner tonight... I had left the outside light on so I assume he came looking for some moths. He didn't jump away and seemed quite happy to pose for photos. I didn't like to be too intrusive so left him (no doubt blinded by the flash) to his search for a meal.

"WHAT'S THIS?" WEDNESDAY XIX - STRIPED PUZZLE WITH A TWIST

2012-02-08T16:35:00.002+10:00

This week's What's This? is a bit different. I found this beautiful feather in the gutter during my walk this morning and was immediately transfixed by the stripes and colour and wondered which bird had dropped it. Nothing comes to mind really. Some sort of tiger eagle perhaps? Any other suggestions? Meanwhile, I've planted it in a potplant which also houses other feathers in my collection. Perhaps the mystery bird will grow there?

I found the galah feather, below, this morning too and photographed it in situ because it was so tiny.

LOCH NESS SWAN...

2012-02-07T12:04:00.003+10:00

I've posted before about the wildlife visible from the balcony at work and now there's a new critter to add to the mix. This black swan has taken to cruising the creek outside. The photo above was taken as he raced to beat the rest of the residents when he spotted me on the balcony in case there were treats to be had. He was going so fast his back leg is visible out of the water! I thought this photo made him look a bit like the Loch Ness Monster. Not sure if it's the same bird or 2 different ones and the other is sitting on a nest somewhere.

The photo below clearing shows one of the myriad turtles that inhabit the creek trying to run him off. At one stage I saw three of them having a go but he 'stood' his 'ground'.

These ducks flew in for a look as well. I was wishing my lunch break was longer that 30 mins. I saw two different types of duck, water hen, white ibis, shags, water dragons, turtles, fish and an eel using the creek the other day.

TURF WARS

2012-02-02T15:35:00.000+10:00

Whilst busily photographing my new obsession (spiders) I noticed what I think of as an ant dairy. Read about it here. That's when another couple of photos I'd taken a few weeks ago made sense.

This lady beetle was on my lime tree (thanks again Pam) and I noticed everywhere the beetle went, this ant went too. The ant was running the beetle off his ranch apparently because, although I didn't notice it at the time, there are aphids on the lime and lady beetles love to eat aphids. More about that here. I'd best go and get rid of them or I won't get any limes as all the goodness will be sucked out of the bush by the aphids.

"WHAT'S THIS?" WEDNESDAY XVIII - [SOLVED] ORANGE BUNCHES OF BEAUTY

2012-02-01T12:23:00.005+10:00

Before I started "What's This Wednesday", I posted about this unusual looking tree back in February 2010, 2 years on and it's still nameless (to me anyway). The tree was absolutely covered in bright orange bunches of flower. Rainbow Lorikeets are also big fans (you can see one enjoying the flowers in the last post). Last year the tree had one flower bunch on it. Fortunately, this year, conditions have been better for it and I found 2 other trees close by that are also flowering beautifully.

But what is it?
[edit 2/2/12: I cunningly put a link to this post on my facebook account and one of my clever friends went looking and found out it is Colvillea racemosa, native to Madagasca, read about it here. Thanks Lee, maybe I'll change What's This Wednesdays to Facebook Fridays!]

The bunches just before they burst forth.

RAIN, RAIN GO AWAY....

2012-01-29T16:38:00.006+10:00

After Pam's photos of 'The Wet' I thought I'd show you what's happened to my local creek. The first photo was taken 3 days before the 2nd one which I took from as close to the same spot as I could get. That was difficult because the creek was a good 2m above its normal level but must've risen quite a bit more than that during the interim judging by the high tide marks everywhere, not to mention big logs and trees thrown around. Aside from the first one, these photos were all taken on the same morning walk.
[30/1/12 edit: I've removed the slideshow as there was a problem and replaced with these photos]

That picturesque rock wall is under here somewhere.

Rain dappled gum flowers cheered me up closer to home.

IT'S WET OUT THERE

2012-01-28T07:13:00.001+10:00

SOME GUYS ARE HAVING FUN IN THE RAIN...

2012-01-27T11:50:00.002+10:00

[edit 29/1/12: Here are the fairy mushies (sans fairy, sorry) today, quite different but still sweet]

This morning's walk revealed some revellers after the rain. These fun guys ^ just need a fairy peeping over the edge of the stump to set the mood I think.

These fellas ^ looked like they'd just woken up, pushing their little heads out of the mulch!

I have to report that these 2 varieties ^ (which I photographed 3 days ago) have been washed away by the nearby creek which came up over the walkway I use.

Guess you're not having much fun guys.

AUSTRALIA DAY IS FOR THE BIRDS THIS YEAR

2012-01-26T10:40:00.002+10:00

Wet weather and subsequent flooding has put the kybosh on many Australia Day celebrations around the country, including here on the Sunshine Coast @ Rainy Coast but I have seen examples of these two Aussie birds today so decided they could star in this post. The sulphur crested cockatoo is shy and favours high trees so is more difficult to get a decent shot of but the magpie obliges and this particular one is a bit of a poser as you can see.

"WHAT'S THIS?" WEDNESDAY XVII - WEEDY MYSTERY SOLVED?

2012-01-25T09:40:00.001+10:00

Today's What's This? is one of those plants that you'd overlook easily. I think it's a weed to be honest and the photo below shows it growing in a drain; this example is quite bushy but other examples I've seen are leggy with no real form. Close up, it has small, pink flowers which grow in spikes. The flower buds seem to be enclosed in bracts with colourful green veins which remind me of Golden Candles or justicia.

STOP PRESS! After typing that I was reminded of justicia, I went searching and I think this mystery is solved.

I found photos of justicia betonica or white shrimp plant. Would you agree? It's listed as a herb on some sites, not a weed.

STAR WEAVER

2012-01-23T08:59:00.004+10:00

What a clever spider to weave a star into her web. Perhaps this tiny arachnid, which is just over .5 cm from the tip of her front legs to the tip of the back legs, is a celebrity spider? Interestingly, this morning there is no star in the web. Another of life's mysteries for me to ponder.
[edit 25/1/12: Well, Pam pondered it and she noticed that in the first photo there are only radiating silks but in the next photo there are threads crossing those, no doubt dragged out from the central star design. They're both jolly clever.]

LAVENDER BEAUTY ON AN OVERCAST DAY

2012-01-20T10:16:00.003+10:00

Isn't she beautiful? I was being rained on during my walk this morning and feeling a bit miserable and then I saw this. Cheered me right up. After all, the rain was really only a sun shower (minus the sun). It's a very prolific bush too, as you can see below. I would have to vote this as one of the prettiest hibiscus I've ever seen.

HEART OF STONE

2012-01-15T15:04:00.004+10:00

A bit of whimsy for you today. I have a habit of picking up interesting stones I see, whether that's at the beach, in the garden or on my walks. This damaged, little stone heart was found at the beach but is recovering in my garden now.
***
PS: scroll down to find out what the last What's This Wednesday is...

HELLO BOYS. FLYING MY WAY?

2012-01-13T20:02:00.003+10:00

I spotted this female Wanderer butterfly also known as the Monarch butterfly on my walk this morning. I'm not really so knowledgeable that I can tell a female from a male but on reading up on them today could see by comparing the pictures that this is a female. I thought she may have been asleep because I got quite close at first before she took off, however, it may be that she was waiting for a male to give him 'the come on'. It appears they spread their wings and try to look alluring to attract males. She was in the same spot yesterday but I couldn't get close enough for a shot and, unfortunately, today I did not see any other butterflies winging her way. Hope she didn't have to wait long. I had also been wondering about that plant she's sitting on, having seen it and photographed it previously.

While researching the butterfly I discovered that it's a narrow leaf cotton bush or milkweed (the caterpillar will only eat milkweed apparently). Those interesting looking flowers turn into hairy green orbs which burst open releasing fine, white strands like cotton. Another What's This? Wednesday avoided.

FRANKENSTEIN FOTO - ANOTHER BIRD EXPERIMENT

2012-01-12T14:56:00.002+10:00

I've been mucking around with Photoshop again and have come up with this very strange effect. A plump pigeon sitting in a tree outside pasted again a lavender sky, after it had been slightly misaligned. Hopefully, I won't need to repeat the steps I took because it was a total accident. It's a bit surreal ("a bit?" I hear you say) but I think it's pretty and can imagine it blown up on a canvas.

"WHAT'S THIS?" WEDNESDAY XVI - MORE MYSTERY [SOLVED] PINK [CASSIA]

2012-01-11T13:01:00.004+10:00

Once again showing my ignorance, I present another What's This? I was pleased to find this tree flowering nearby. Unfortunately, it's such a tall tree, it's difficult to get close up shots of the flower. If only I had access to a crane or a hot air balloon. I did drive past an even more beautiful example last weekend but, alas, there was nowhere to stop to try for a photograph. It reminds me of poinciana but with larger leaves, although the trees are far less common than the glorious poinciana which are still hogging the horizon around here.
[edit 15/1/12: My daughter found out that this is a pink cassia, pink shower tree or cassia bakeriana. It's a native of Thailand and is drought resistant.]

BEAUTIFUL EVEN IN LOUSY WEATHER...

2012-01-10T18:54:00.000+10:00

A view south from Point Arkwright on the Sunshine Coast during rainy weather. Still beautiful even if it wasn't perfect on this particular day.

AWAY FOR THE HOLIDAYS....

2012-01-06T09:23:00.003+10:00

At first, we thought (from a distance) that we'd found the first Christmas beetle of the year but of course it is a discarded cicada skin. There is a fascinating time sequence display here which shows how they do it and lots more interesting info you didn't know you needed. Did you wear these as jewellery when you were kid? And speaking of Christmas beetles, where are they? I haven't seen one this year. You'll be the first to know when I do.
[edit 10/1/12: just found this photo I took a couple of months ago, didn't notice what was hanging from the water lily petals until now.]

WHITE CREPE MYRTLE BLOOMING BEAUTIFUL

2012-01-04T13:25:00.003+10:00

White crepe myrtle is apparently not as common as the various pinks and lavenders currently in bloom around SE Queensland but just as beautiful. The yellow stamens seem to be more prominent but maybe that's my imagination. I think this is only the second example of white crepe myrtle that I've seen compared to hundreds of pinks. Perhaps I need to get out more?

BUCKET LISTS. GOT ONE?

2012-01-02T10:28:00.003+10:00

No doubt because of my advanced years, I have started thinking about a Bucket List. I haven't, as yet, actually written anything down but from time to time I see something and think, "I'd like to try that one day." Kite surfing is one of those activities I should have tried before arthritis and bursitis started trying to take over my body, of course. Watching that guy yesterday made me wish I'd been more adventurous when I was younger. Youth really is wasted on the young isn't it? Maybe I'll start writing that list.... tomorrow.
[edit: Found a list of Zen thoughts and decided this one was particularly apt: "Inside every older person is a younger person, wondering what happened"]

RIP 2011 AND SWEET MAGNOLIA

2011-12-31T17:06:00.006+10:00

Another year has been and gone at warp speed without my fulfilling one resolution. I'll also be mourning the loss of this sweet magnolia...

Originally posted on 31/7/10, I said:

"I only hope that when/if the vacant lot it's growing on is sold that the new owners don't cut it down (when it's not flowering) not realising what it is."

At first the tree remained a thing of beauty, flowering strongly while construction continued all around it. Then, a couple of months ago, after flowering had finished, I realised it was gone. I was very upset at the time and now have to avert my gaze as I come around that corner because its savaged, bare truck stands as a stark reminder of the loss of such beauty. I feel like putting a shame sign on the fence with a photo of the flowers saying, "Murdered by Builders!". RIP Sweet Magnolia...

THE TWO-L LLAMA...

2011-12-29T16:25:00.003+10:00

These pretty (and curious) creatures were encountered during a walk while staying with friends and reminded me of one of my favourite poems from high school (by Ogden Nash):

The one-L lama,

He's a priest.

The two-L llama,

He's a beast.

And I would bet

A silk pyjama

There isn't any

Three-L lllama.

This poem was only rivalled by another favourite:

I Eat My Peas with Honey
By Anonymous
I eat my peas with honey;
I've done it all my life.
It makes the peas taste funny,
But it keeps them on the knife.
Source: The Random House Book of Poetry for Children (1983)

I remember many parents thought it ridiculous that these poems were part of the curriculum particularly for high school students. We, on the other hand, loved them.

VIEW FROM MY BEDROOM...

2011-12-24T09:10:00.000+10:00

Not quite Vienna or any other far-flung wintry destination, but I appreciate their efforts and I'm sure you get the message!

MEET THE GRAND(FUR)KIDS..

2011-12-20T19:46:00.001+10:00

I have the pleasure of sitting my new grandfurkids this week. Meet Luna (red harness) and Odin, just 8 weeks old, they are Labrador cross and already stealing the hearts of all who meet them. They are balls of energy although they sleep well after a round of puppy play. Odin practically slept right through getting his vaccination, the first time I've taken a pet to the vet that it wasn't a hassle. Welcome to the family little ones.

TAKE ME TO YOUR LEADER.......?

2011-12-19T20:37:00.001+10:00

I THINK NOT!!!! :))

One of the interesting attractions(?) seen wandering around amongst the public at the BrisStyle Twilight Market held last Friday night in Brisbane city.

An amazing market I have to say!

Actually this one looks a wee bit like a Dalek with an inflated ego! :))))) (my DH's questionable humour!)

POTATO TREE? TO BE SURE, TO BE SURE...

2011-12-17T09:30:00.001+10:00

You'd think such a tree would be Irish wouldn't you? But no, the potato tree (Solanum wrightii) comes from Brazil. This specimen was found in the Brisbane Botanical Gardens; the flowers are fragrant and transition from white, lilac to purple much like the Yesterday-Today-and-Tomorrow shrub which is also from Brazil. The photo below, shows how prolific the flower is but I've yet to find anything to suggest you can eat the 'fruit' that comes after. The solanum genus includes potatoes, tomatoes and aubergine.

SHAGADELIC BABY! YEAH!

2011-12-15T16:31:00.001+10:00

Check out the shag-pile carpet on this guy's back! Yeah! He lives in a creek which runs alongside the building in which I work along with several other turtles, various fish, water dragons and birds who all entertain me during my breaks. I'm reliably informed (thank you Mr Google) that this is a turtle (those webbed feet are a dead giveaway apparently) although the carpet appears to be of his own devising.

WHAT'S IN A NAME?

2011-12-13T16:07:00.004+10:00

I found this lush flower in the Brisbane Botanical Gardens at Toowong (not that it was lost you understand). It's called Climbing Oleander or Strophanthus gratus, is from tropical West Africa and has a sweet fragrance. I know Oleander is considered to be toxic and so is this, read more about that here. As well as being known as Ouabain, I found it can be called Rose Allamanda. A plant of many names and uses, including arrow poison!

2011-12-11T15:42:00.000+10:00

I love the colour of this frangipani and am thrilled to see and smell them out in force. You know summer is just around the corner when they appear. This colour reminds me of the sun which is a rare commodity here at the moment with the number of storms we've been having. My pink frangipani is rarely out of flower, usually having at least one bunch out all year round although it's been a bit sick this year. At the moment it's looking quite healthy and sporting lots of pink. There's also a white one in a tub which is also beautiful. I think the apricot is my favourite though, maybe I'll get one.

FEATHERED RODENTS?

2011-12-09T15:50:00.003+10:00

I'm so used to seeing Australian White Ibis rummaging in bins and strutting around parks that it seems strange to see them nesting in a tree. They're quite ugly birds really, with a rep as a pest nowadays and I've heard them called Rats of the Sky. These chicks are enjoying some sunshine after a few days of rain. A friend saw Mum (or is it Dad?) perched above the chicks during the rain with her wings spread over them like an umbrella. That's motherly love, rat or no.

MORE OF THOSE B.. B... & B.... B.....BEES

2011-12-08T09:59:00.001+10:00

Sorry but I can't help myself! Luving these guys so much!

They're such a hoot to watch the way they hang on with their 'mandibles' and wave their legs and bodies around whenever one of their buds tries to land on the same twiggy branch.

Had found that only one of them was coming home to roost through the cooler months, but now it's warming up, there have been up to 13 of them coming in in the evenings now! (which is why this had to be taken with a flash, given that I'm not a great taker of pics!) Right in under our back deck beside our stairs. Excitement indeed in the camp!

You can tell I don't get out much. ;^)

"WHAT'S THIS?" WEDNESDAY XV - PINK ICING

2011-12-07T16:13:00.002+10:00

The first time I saw this plant I was reminded of pink icing. It is growing along a footpath not far away and looks fabulous in full flower. I would love to know the name. I showed the photo to a nursery person, who was unable to help. Can you?

[EDIT 8/12/11 - Many thanks to Florez Nursery for educating us on this one. It's bauhinia corymbosa and of course, now I can see the resemblance .]

IT WAS A MASSACREEE!

2011-12-06T18:47:00.000+10:00

I'd like to say this rather cute specimen is all that's left of the cloud of baby grasshoppers feasting on my Allamanda yesterday but I've found at least a dozen since. The group below was just one of several clusters chomping their way around the garden. I was reluctant to dispatch them until I thought about the damage they'd do once they got bigger. I went on a bit of a rampage; still felt bad though. He's really quite charming and was most accommodating to sit still for me. It could have been the shock of seeing his siblings brutally squashed of course.

THREE GREEN MICE, THREE GREEN MICE, hear how they sing...

2011-12-04T11:51:00.003+10:00

I have previously shown the beautiful heliconia here and here, but felt the need to share this example, discovered in the Brisbane Botanical Gardens Tropical Dome. I think it's heliconia wagneriana from photos I've seen on-line. An upright version of the pendula.

People think of the rainbow coloured bracts as the bloom, however the true flowers are the sepals which stick up out of the bracts. I think they look like a choir of green mice. Or perhaps hungry frogs calling for their mother to come feed them. Whatever they are, they were the reason I took the photos. Aren't they cute?

SITTING PRETTY

2011-12-01T10:30:00.002+10:00

Took me ages (and many failures) to get this shot because the dragonfly wouldn't sit still when he landed on the water lily bud. Perhaps he was wary of the big toad lurking in the pond. Surely, he didn't notice me?

WHAT'S THIS? IT'S BARLETTINA SORDIDA OF COURSE!

2011-11-29T19:28:00.000+10:00

I first posted about this fluffy number in September this year and have now found out that it is related to asters and daisies, which I find surprising. It is a native of Mexico and if you read Spanish, you can read more about it here. I discovered it growing in the Brisbane Botanical Gardens yesterday, with a nice plaque giving its botanical name: Asteraceae barlettina sordida.
.

HIDDEN GEM

2011-11-25T13:04:00.001+10:00

On my morning walks I pass a very unkempt garden....

but this morning could see something yellow in one of the trees (above the staghorn) so crossed the road to see what it was. Look what I found!

Beautiful yellow orchids.

It was difficult to get a decent photo without trespassing but I think it's a real hidden gem. Proving that even the most unloved garden can harbour some forgotten beauties.

MS L BIRD RESTING UP FOR THE TRIP HOME.

2011-11-22T10:38:00.002+10:00

This photo is really all about the ladybird but the flower she's resting on is worthy of mention too. I think the variegated petals of this gerbera compliment Ms L Bird beautifully.

BEACHED

2011-11-20T19:06:00.001+10:00

I found this pretty shell on the beach at Stradbroke Island. I wonder what creature used to live inside? I left it there in case they returned...

GONE TO SEED

2011-11-14T14:19:00.005+10:00

I had never seen parsley in flower before yesterday and I've decided I love its sweet little flower. This is Italian parsely but I guess other types of parsley have a similar flower. Pretty isnt it?

SAGE ADVICE

2011-11-08T15:51:00.001+10:00

This little blue flower is the showy part of the herb, sage. I confess it's not a herb I use much but I do love the smell of it.

BIRDS OF A FEATHER?

2011-11-05T21:43:00.000+10:00

This osprey was perched on a sculpture of a seagull at Kings Beach. He seemed to be waiting for a free ride I thought or perhaps just enjoying the view.

SILKY OAK FURNISHING COAST VISTAS

2011-10-28T16:55:00.002+10:00

I don't think the flower of the silky oak looks like much close up but when the tree is a mass of flowers, the effect is quite different. They're in flower all around the Sunshine Coast at the moment and the yellow and brown of the flowers makes quite a statement and because the trees are often so tall, they are easily seen, hogging the skyline all around the Coast. I was interested to read that they are cultivated extensively in other countries, for instance in South Africa where native timbers can no longer be cut for timber. The timber of the silky oak is very striking and was used in furniture making extensively.

SPIDER ROLL - PERFECT HALLOWEEN FOOD?

2011-10-27T17:12:00.001+10:00

This is my favourite dish from Cherry Blossom Sushi at Sunshine Plaza, Spider Roll. Yu-um. It struck me today as I was wolfing it down, that it's the perfect Halloween food (if you have any interest in that rather American tradition) because it looks a little spooky and scary. Trust me, it's delicious; crispy soft shelled crab rolled up with avocado, carrot and cucumber served with delicious sauces and today a spoonful of roe. I don't bother with selecting plates from the train any more. Just a plate of this and I'm happy.

YOU TALKIN' TO ME??

2011-10-25T19:32:00.000+10:00

Loved the look on this guy's face. He certainly kept his eyes on me at all times. Praying for me to leave no doubt.

TREE ORCHIDS

2011-10-24T13:40:00.000+10:00

This is the flower of the bauhinia also know as Hong Kong Orchid Tree which has been flowering beautifully in SE Qld recently. I had a white one which died but below are shots of its flowers. One can see why they'd be called an orchid tree.

OUT OF THE RAIN

2011-10-22T14:13:00.003+10:00

Just a sweet little photo for your enjoyment, roses come in from the rain...

NATIVE UPRISING

2011-10-21T15:09:00.002+10:00

Here are two examples of Australian native hibiscus, no idea of their correct names but the top flower has velvety, soft leaves and the bottom flower has stiff, almost prickly leaves. I've also seen some white ones around and will make an effort to get a shot of it too. Not quite as exotic as some hibiscus (see at bottom) I've seen of late but still pretty.

ANIMAL CRACKERS XIV - SPIDERWORT

2011-10-20T17:06:00.005+10:00

I believe this pretty little flower is spiderwort, and that unfortunate name derives from the web-like filaments around the stamen. Please correct me if you know it as something else. Some of the spiderwort photos I found look nothing like this vibrant beauty, which is cultivated in a friend's garden. Another article I found stated that they could detect radiation!
[edit 22/10/11 - Tradescantea x andersoniana it is, but all the sites I've trawled list it as spiderwort so it fits my animal crackers series! :)]

CULTIVATED WEED

2011-10-17T15:17:00.003+10:00

Most Australians know that Lantana is a noxious weed but I've always loved it since childhood, no doubt because we had numerous cubbies in any clump of it we could find. If my children had done the same I'd have had a heart attack. What was my mother thinking? Didn't she know snakes love the stuff too? Fortunately, we escaped unharmed, mostly.

This pretty plant is a cultivated form of lantana which is non-thorny, produces few seeds and is compact in shape and used as ground cover in a resort style living estate I visited recently.

PARROT ROYALTY

2011-10-16T19:32:00.002+10:00

You'd think with a name like King Parrot that these birds would lord it over the rest. However, this lone male, visiting a friend's rural garden seemed cowed by a bunch of rainbow lorikeets. He flew off to partake of some peaches instead when they flexed their wings.

-oOo-
I felt sorry for this pale-headed rosella which wasn't any luckier, also falling victim to lorikeet bullies and was chased off the feeders.

And here are the bullies, although the noisy miners weren't put off because they're also quite aggressive.

PURPLE ON MY MIND

2011-10-14T10:10:00.001+10:00

Purple on My Mind today, join in at Down to Earth.

Driving near Australia Zoo, Pam and I spotted what we thought was a tree sporting a purple flush of flowers and returned later to investigate. Turned out to be Petrea vine also known as sandpaper vine apparently which was growing vigorously over a stand of umbrella trees. It's absolutely the most gorgeous thing when in full flower as you can see. Just as beautiful close up.

NATIVE FRANGIPANI

2011-10-13T16:43:00.001+10:00

I'd often wondered what this flower was and was pleased to find a name for it. Native Frangipani or Hymenosporum flavum. This particular tree only had a slight fragrance but I've read that they can have quite a sweet scent but then there is also talk about a red centre, which these definitely didn't have. Maybe it depends on the area or type of tree. I have to confess that nice as these are, I prefer their more famous (and colourful) namesakes.

KERMOTH

2011-10-11T17:01:00.001+10:00

How cute is this green moth? I'm sure he and Kermit the Frog would be best buds. He was about 4cm across and a very good subject who never moved throughout the ordeal. Perhaps he was asleep.

REFRESHINGLY MINTY

2011-10-09T17:37:00.001+10:00

This very pretty flower decorates the Australian Mint Bush and yes, it does smell minty. I mistook it for a late hovea until I got closer.

Quite the stunner isn't it? This example was found in the Maroochy Regional Bushland Botanic Gardens.

ON MY MIND...

2011-10-07T08:55:00.003+10:00

As part of "On My Mind" as posted on Down To Earth, I was looking at bees on my clover and thinking how very important they are to us, yet we rarely give them a second thought.

I now make the effort to look down when I walk on clover to avoid squashing any. Look at the size of the honey bags on this guy. Regular readers would also know I have a bee-mad son-in-law who has installed native bee houses in my backyard, however, they're a lot harder to photograph, being so small. But here's one I found on a paper daisy:

MY HIPPIES.....and I don't mean the ones just below my waist!

2011-10-06T15:03:00.000+10:00

I was so proud of these shots that I thought I'd publish them. Of course please bear in mind that this comes from the mouth of barely even a novice shooter. But.....I like what I likes!

.....and I liked, no LOVED, this so much that I made it my wallpaper.

.....and I liked how the little guy on this one came up.

This of course is the long(?) shot of my Hippeastrums that I'd hoped would take to their new bed after I re-located them a little while back. Apparently they don't mind it too much at all.

Although I'm sure I had some white with red stripe in amongst them all. Sigh....oh well.

WHAT'S THIS? IT'S A LITTLE CURRAJONG!

2011-10-05T16:48:00.001+10:00

My visit to the Maroochy Regional Bushland Botanic Gardens solved at least one mystery for me as well as providing information and nature at its best.

My "What's This?" post from last Wednesday turns out to be a Little Currajong, Brachychiton bidwillii. This one, in the Gardens, is a lot smaller than the previously posted tree with smaller flowers but I'm 99.9% sure they're the same.

BOTANICAL BEAUTY

2011-10-05T15:32:00.000+10:00

Today, I joined a bunch of people who probably also read in the paper about some delightful, multi-coloured orchids currently blooming at the Maroochy Regional Bushland Botanic Gardens. I'd been meaning to visit the Gardens again and the article prompted me to head on over. Volunteers, Joan and Debra, showed us around the Gardens and answered our many questions. Highlight of the tour, of course, was these beauties, Phaius tankervilliae, known as swamp orchids or Nun's orchid or Nun's cap.

Just stunning aren't they?

BERRY NICE ALL WHITE

2011-10-04T09:15:00.002+10:00

It's mulberry time and I've found a white mulberry tree down the road in a vacant paddock. The fruit is delicious although quite different to the usual purple variety.

Luckily for me, everyone else thinks they're not ripe and not a silk worm in sight.

MAY BE SO, MAYBE NOT..

2011-10-02T16:58:00.000+10:00

This is a close up of a flower on a shrub I know as May Bush which is flowering in Queensland now so obviously named for the month it flowers in the Northern Hemisphere; read about it here. It's so pretty and a good shrub will be covered in flowers. Each ball of flowers is usually about 3-4cm wide and packed with a dozen or so tiny flowerettes although of course they vary greatly.

SEE DA TREE?

2011-09-29T15:23:00.000+10:00

My white cedar tree is in flower and this is what the flower looks like (they're often too high up to photograph). The flowers have a slight fragrance too. It's lovely and shady in summer.

"WHAT'S THIS?" WEDNESDAY XIV

2011-09-28T19:15:00.003+10:00

I drove past this flowering tree the other day and made a point of returning later to take a photo and check out the flower. It looked like a flowering peach or similar to me as I hurtled past at 60km/hour.

Imagine my surprise when I found these. Absolutely gorgeous and growing straight out of the branch. But what is it??
[later edit: after looking at these for a while it occurred to me they look a lot like another What's This? posted here. I'll have to go on a hunt to see if that pink one is in flower and whether the leaves are the same]
[even later edit: couldn't find the tree!]

SPIDER DANCE

2011-09-25T13:46:00.003+10:00

Yesterday I busied myself with some tidying up in the garden, during which time I had cause to do the spider dance. Hopefully, none of the neighbours were witness to it. I must say when I've performed said dance inside the privacy of my home, it's much more unrestrained than in the yard. There's a lot of shrieking, hair flapping, back slapping and general mayhem. The reason for the dance is terror. Terror that an unknown (undoubtledly venomous) spider has just dropped onto me somewhere or worse, out of my hair! Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaargh!

Which is what this bloke did, drop out of my hair, hence the hair flapping (and some mild shrieking). After all, who knows how many of his family may have joined him up there?

Once I had my wits about me again, I noticed how pretty he was because that white you see was flashing silver in the dying sun. So naturally, I ran inside to get the camera. He's an Argiope keyserlingi spider, commonly called the crucifix or St Andrew's spider because of the way they sit in the web.

I probably owe this one an apology, must've stuck my head into his web. Ugh. I'm sure he was more frightened than I was and of course now has to build a new home.

'Scuse me, got to go dance just in case, I think I feel something in my hair.

BOUGANS COME TO TOWN

2011-09-24T08:49:00.002+10:00

As stunning as bouganvillea in full flower is, they're often unruly, untidy and seemingly plonked anywhere along a fence so I was pleasantly surprised to find this one making a glorious welcoming arch for visitors to the house.

"WHAT'S THIS?" WEDNESDAY XIII

2011-09-21T19:46:00.000+10:00

The breathtakingly beautiful flowers on this tree don't last long but gee whizz they make a statement when they arrive suddenly and you know spring is here. The yellow is so vibrant you can't help but notice the tree.

Before starting this post I thought I'd found out its name, having asked the owner of the tree. "Golden Rain Tree" he said. I've already posted an article about the Rain Tree which isn't this tree and Google tells another story. Vibrant yellow does enter into the description of Golden Rain tree flowers but these are your basic trumpet shape, like a giant yellow jacaranda, totally unlike what is pictured on other sites. Perhaps Golden Rain is a local name. Anyone know what this is?

NOT CLEVELAND, OHIO

2011-09-18T12:40:00.001+10:00

I do seem to have rabbited on about North Stradbroke Island a lot recently I know (it was so lovely, I couldn't help myself) so here are a couple of shots of Cleveland where we caught the ferry to that paradisiacal place. Such an industrial looking site but with the still water, it took on a life of its own. Even the crows seemed to be excited about the ferry coming in.

MOONING ABOUT

2011-09-17T11:47:00.003+10:00

I've always been fascinated by the moon; specifically why sometimes you feel you could reach out and touch it and other times it's so far away. Why does it appear during the day so much? Why the variation in colour? I know I could google all about it but then I think I'd be a bit knowledgeable and blasé wouldn't I? Much rather stare in awe and wonder why.

The top photo was taken 6 weeks or so ago during the day and the bottom one just on dusk looking out to sea, away from the sunset but using the same camera, the colours of the sky are beautiful. Big difference in the visibility of my moons.

BUSH WEDDING BOUQUET

2011-09-16T17:53:00.002+10:00

During my recent trip to Stradbroke Island I was amazed by these white flowering shrubs. They lined the tracks and roads and made a gorgeous show. I was determined to find out the name and am pleased I did. Its common name is Wedding Bush (Ricinocapros pinifolius) and it's apparently native to coastal areas from Qld to Victoria but grows in all states. Some shrubs were absolutely covered in flowers and other were more sparsely decorated.

HOUSE FOR RENT

2011-09-11T13:33:00.000+10:00

No sign of former tenant. Reasonable rent, must be of very short stature and love the outdoors....

GNARLY WAVE DUDE!

2011-09-10T09:23:00.002+10:00

Caught these guys surfing just south of Point Lookout on North Stradbroke Island. They were a fair way out so I reckon I was lucky to get the shot. We later saw them doing the same manoeuvre closer to shore while we were lunching on fresh prawns. We wondered briefly what the rest of the world was doing. Pure bliss.

To me, this is an iconic view of Australia. Golden sands bordering blue green seas, surf life savers, surfer board riders and swimmers enjoying a sunny day. Point Lookout again. Beautiful one day perfect the next.

KOALA KAPERS

2011-09-09T16:42:00.004+10:00

Yesterday, I visited North Stradbroke Island with my daughter and on a day that was predicted as "overcast with possible light showers", I have to say the weather was glorious. North Straddie is a true paradise although of course mid-week in the off season may not be a true indication.

I took the top photo at Amity Point where we saw this koala mum performed some acrobatics for us, jumping from tree to tree with her baby hanging on tightly. Usually, unless they're in captivity, they are so high up in the trees that you can't see them. We were all captivated by this unexpected treat.

Amity doesn't seem to have changed a whole lot from the days I visited as a teenager. There are many more holiday homes there now but essentially, it had the same untouched feel to it. I loved the reddish colour of the sand in the photo below. The water was so clear you could see to the bottom from the jetty at Amity. I felt quite nostalgic for the old days. We travelled around with Goanna Adventures who looked after us very well and we enjoyed the ferry ride over as well.

No, your eyes do not deceive you; this Koala is sitting in a banksia tree. What the? We all know they eat eucalyptus leaves so I can only speculate that as it is supposed to be mating season at the moment, he was wandering around looking for a mate and got disoriented. Hopefully, the poor chap will find a partner soon and a suitable tree.
(My daughter took this shot with my camera as I couldn't seem to find him in the viewfinder. Thanks Kyles)

"WHAT'S THIS?" WEDNESDAY X

2011-09-07T07:06:00.002+10:00

This very attractive shrub is growing in a neighbour's yard but she didn't know what it is either. The compact flower heads were approx 8cm across although the bottom picture shows a more loosely arranged head which is a lot bigger; no discernible fragrance. Very pretty, perhaps I'll call it the purple chenille plant.

CYGNET-URE PARENTING

2011-09-06T21:20:00.003+10:00

Ma and Pa Swan guarding their babies on the Hyatt golf course. There is a second little ball of fluff hiding behind dad. It was quite the wildlife park there today with these two wallabies enjoying the succulent looking grass as well; not to mention the ducks and waterhens.

THIS WILL MAKE YOUR EYES WATER....

2011-09-04T13:51:00.001+10:00

Being the big sook that I am, I have never tried this chilli which grows in a pot in my backyard. I like the look of it but have been assured that it is practically off the richter scale (or whatever scale they use for chilli) hot and I value my taste buds too much to try it. The fruit is black and could pass as a miniature egg plant before turning red so it makes a nice ornamental chilli too. As to the name, I thought it might be Black Pearl, of the capsicum annuum genus, although an article I read said they're perfectly round which this is not, perhaps I should have saved it for What's This Wednesday.

They get much brighter red than this but I loved the colour of this one against the leaves.

MORE ORCHID MOMENTS

2011-09-03T18:54:00.005+10:00

Today I visited one of the participating gardens in Australia's Open Garden Scheme called Orchid Grove in Buderim Qld. Last year I posted some of the beauty from that garden when I was given a private tour by the owner, unfortunately on an overcast day. Today's weather was similar but hopefully the photos will do them justice. Above is an example of Zygopetalum. What a stunner and it has a lovely fragrance. Below is another favourite although I don't know the name. I have gold dipped orchid earrings in this shape from Singapore.

I was so enamoured of these plants that I bought a small one, below, isn't she cute? It's called Dendrobium "Bardo Rose" which I thought was an Australian native, however according to what I've read is not the case. Oh well, I love it anyway. Also has a delicate fragrance.

TASTY SPRING FLOWERS

2011-09-02T10:03:00.000+10:00

As it's now spring here in Australia, I thought I'd share a beautiful bouquet I made for a male friend after an operation. For men who love lollies, this would be more welcome than girlie flowers.

BLOOMING BEAUTIES

2011-08-28T12:10:00.001+10:00

Here are two examples of glorious azalea, from my daughter's garden. We have no idea of their names as they were planted many years before she moved in. I love the becoming pink blush on the white azalea below. These photos seem to show they may have a disease going by the colour of the leaves, but whatever it is hasn't slowed down their flowering.

ANIMAL CRACKERS XIII - TICK ORCHID

2011-08-27T09:25:00.001+10:00

The name of this pretty orchid is derived from the shape of the leaves which look like fat ticks (uggh!) but is also called thumbnail orchid which,I guess, is a slightly less repulsive nickname for such a beautiful flower. Read more about it here.

LADYBIRD LADYBIRD FLY AWAY HOME....

2011-08-20T10:22:00.000+10:00

No, she's not in the fire, just sitting on a poinsettia. She did fly away shortly after I took this snap though. I love ladybirds.

'WHAT'S THIS?" WEDNESDAY XIII

2011-08-17T21:32:00.003+10:00

At the moment this very pretty white native is in flower and I've noticed it in scrub all along the highways here on the Sunshine Coast. The flower looks like Geralton Wax but the leaves are wrong and is white (I remember GW as being pink). Actually, just realised I took these 2 photos on different sides of the motorway. Perhaps they're 2 different natives because the bottom one has 5 petals and the top flower has 6. Whatever it is, it's very eye catching.

PRETTY POPPETS

2011-08-14T17:35:00.001+10:00

These bright little faces attracted the lens of my camera this morning. It's been ages since I've seen poppies in a suburban garden. The bees love them too as you can see.

PURPLE PICK-ME-UP

2011-08-12T17:57:00.001+10:00

If you've noticed splashes of purple in the scrub on the side of our roads recently, this is most likely what you're seeing: hovea, with masses of sweet faced pea flowers. It's one of my favourite Australian natives and always gives me a boost when it starts flowering.

It also comes in white as I discovered on my recent trip to Fairhill Nursery and Botanical Gardens. Not sure which I love most. I love them both equally????

"WHAT'S THIS?" WEDNESDAY XII

2011-08-10T18:11:00.000+10:00

I first noticed this flower growing on a local dam I pass every morning on the way to work. The dam is home to a plethora of wild and domestic ducks and I stopped one morning to take a few shots of ducks and flowers. I was surprised at how pretty the flower is. But what is it? Possibly a water weed gone out of control, any suggestions?

ICONIC BEAUTY IN SEASON

2011-08-07T11:30:00.004+10:00

Wattle is out in force now and some varieties (there are over 600!) have been for a month or more up here; the spikey one above (bottom left) possibly for the last 3 months and is now dying off, then suddenly I noticed a similar wattle (bottom right) started replacing it. It's a stronger yellow. I'm always thrilled to see wattle and love the different colours and shapes of both flowers and leaves although their fragrance is often too strong for me and gives me headaches. I know anyone who suffers from hayfever won't appreciate them quite as much as I do either.

I think above left might actually be our iconic golden wattle and the one on the right is just as attractive, only not so yellow and the balls of fluff are quite tiny.

MESMERISING ANGEL FISH

2011-08-06T09:08:00.001+10:00

This pretty fellow lives in the aquarium at my chiropractor's waiting room with a few different and less striking fish but this one (and his mate) is definitely the star of the show. Once you start watching them, it's difficult to tear your gaze away. They are camera shy though so I was thrilled to finally get a shot that wasn't a black and silver blur last week. I believe he's a marbled angel fish or pterophyllum scalare.

ANIMAL CRACKERS XII - KANGAROO PAWS

2011-08-03T21:34:00.000+10:00

Kangaroo paws are such an unusual looking plant aren't they? Of course, nowadays they come in all sorts of different colours and sizes.

GIANT CANDLE BANKSIA

2011-07-31T12:29:00.002+10:00

I photographed this Giant Candle banksia yesterday at Fairhill Nursery, Yandina. This specimen was about 20cm high which I found eye catching as I'm used to seeing the smaller banksia integrifolia flowers around the area which I posted about earlier this month.

ROADSIDE BEAUTY - NAMED

2011-07-29T17:52:00.001+10:00

In June last year I posted this photo not knowing what it was. Well, finally I can name it, Japanese Sunflower despite originating from Central America! What? You knew all along? Why didn't you tell me then? I still love it despite what the DPI says about it here. Apparently it (or something very similar) is also called a Mexican Sunflower.

SURF'S UP!

2011-07-27T17:35:00.000+10:00

I'm sure I'm not alone in being fascinated by cloud formations and was amazed at how like the seaside surf these 'white caps' were the other day. Surf was up at the beach and in the sky that morning. Perhaps I'll take some more interesting clouds in future. I think they're Cirrus but I could be wrong. The cloud below was taken on the same morning (at 7.20am) but closer to home when the rainbow blob caught my eye. Read about interesting clouds here.

ANIMAL CRACKERS XI - PIGEON PEA

2011-07-25T20:39:00.000+10:00

I'd never heard of this plant before seeing it at the Queensland Garden Expo earlier this month. Read all about it here; it has the usual lovely flower of the pea plant of course, although no pods to be seen on this plant yet.

DRAGON GIVES ME THE EYE.

2011-07-22T18:06:00.001+10:00

Nearly stepped on this guy when I walked out of the Spirit House Restaurant last week. He's a fearsome fellow isn't he? Not sure who was more scared, him or me. See previous post here.

"WHAT'S THIS?" WEDNESDAY XI - OLD FASHIONED BEAUTY

2011-07-20T19:56:00.001+10:00

This plant reminds me of my childhood because our grandparents had a big shrub or two in their garden. I love the smell of the fleshy leaves and would crush them up for a bit of a 'fix'. Oo-ah! Does that mean I was a child druggie? I'll have to ask Mum if she remembers the name of it.

WHAT'S THIS? IT'S A PEANUT TREE....

2011-07-17T10:26:00.002+10:00

Back in February this year I posted this plant, not knowing what it was but interested to know if it was edible (what a gutz I am). Well now I know thanks to my local council, it's a

Peanut Tree - Sterculia quadrifida

50-80 x 30-40 mm

This tree grows up to 20m in drier monsoon forests of Cape York, WA, NT, the Wet Tropics and as far south as northern NSW. Its leaves have mostly dropped off by the time the tree bears fruit around Oct-Nov. The large orange or scarlet pod has a velvety surface and splits open to release several dark, bluish-black seeds. These delicious seeds have a nutty flavour and can be eaten raw or cooked.

AND THE SPIRIT MOVED ME

2011-07-14T18:47:00.001+10:00

Today, I had the pleasure of attending a cooking class at the wonderful Spirit House Restaurant & Cooking School in Yandina with friends. The location is a restful place full of secluded nooks and quirky surprises. These photos show a few things which took my eye, like this bearded dragon found sunning himself near the lagoon.

And what a wonderful bunch of cooks we turned out to be! We enjoyed a delicious Thai lunch prepared and cooked by ourselves (and another dozen or so strangers) under the expert tutelage of Annette. I would highly recommend taking a class there, and this was my fourth or maybe fifth, I forget. I'm feeling full to bursting now because after our relaxed lunch we farewelled our cooking colleagues and went to the Restaurant (a separate pavilion to the Cooking School) for dessert and coffee. Really we didn't need it but I guess we didn't want the day to end too quickly. My biggest regret was not taking a photo of our spectacular (and delicious) desserts before we devoured them. I guess it gives me a reason to go back soon?

ANIMAL CRACKERS X - IT'S A DOG BANE LIFE

2011-07-11T21:28:00.000+10:00

I thought I was going to have to start a new segment for this one under "Monday Mystery" because when I went on line to read about this plant, what was described and pictured was totally different. However, I've persevered and eventually found the right Dog Bane. I saw it at the Queensland Garden Expo and immediately thought it was fat lavender.

It is called dog bane because dogs don't like it apparently and it can be made into a spray to use as a repellent.

LATTICE HAVE A LOOK HERE.

2011-07-10T18:39:00.000+10:00

Now you're probably thinking that these are palm trees. But you'd be wrong!! Oh yessiree Bob!

I believe these to be the lattice tree.

Didn't you always wonder where all that lattice came from that gets put on verandahs and front porches and fences etc?!

Now you know!

MORE CHRISTMAS IN JULY

2011-07-10T11:44:00.005+10:00

I was recently able to identify this plant as the New Zealand Christmas Tree or Pōhutukawa (Metrosideros excelsa). It had been raining the day I took this shot which made it look like the shrub was decorated for an early Christmas.

Even these buds look like baubles don't you think?
I've only seen the plant as a shrub or hedge but apparently it grows to a sizeable tree and it seems to be a popular Council plant judging by the number of examples I see planted on footpaths here on the Sunshine Coast. It's been in flower for ages too although I read it flowers from November through to January; perhaps that's only in New Zealand.

BIG BAD BANKSIA NOT SO BAD

2011-07-09T09:06:00.004+10:00

This banksia tree grows on the footpath near my workplace and I walk under it every weekday. I love the look of the leaves from underneath as opposed to the dark green one usually sees topside. This speciment is banksia integrifolia.

These are the flowers in various stages.
I've come to appreciate the plant more as an adult. I was wary of it as a child no doubt thanks to May Gibbs and her "big bad Banksia Men".