Bens Lens

Peron's Tree Frog

2011-12-10T19:24:00.002+10:00

Peron's Tree Frog, Litoria peroni, taken on the banks of the Murray, just outside Wodonga.

Nikon d70 : 1/60 : f/9 : 90mm : iso200

Grey Fantail

2011-09-22T21:44:00.003+10:00

Taken at Nail Can Hill Reserve

Nikon d70 : 1/800 : f/6.3 : 500mm : iso 200

wasp in the grass

2011-01-21T20:31:00.002+10:00

Taken Nail Can Hill reserve.

Nikon d70 : 1/60 : f/4 : 90mm : iso 200

insect on native flower

2010-11-23T21:11:00.002+10:00

Sorry, study, kids and lack of resources have made me a bit slack in getting IDs for my subjects. I'll get back in the swing some time soon (I hope).

Taken Nail Can Hill reserve.

Nikon d70 : 1/250 : f/11 : 90mm : iso200

The stalker is stalked

2010-10-30T19:01:00.002+10:00

Taken at Browns Lagoon.

Nikon d70 : 1/640 : f/6.3 : 90mm : iso200

Weevil

2010-10-10T20:33:00.002+10:00

Taken Nail Can Hill reserve.

Nikon d70 : 1/800 : f/7.1 : 90mm : iso200

Hanging around

2010-09-26T21:34:00.002+10:00

Beetle hanging around at Nail Can Hill reserve.

Nikon d70 : 1/800 : f/7.1 : 90mm : iso200

Superb Blue Wren

2010-08-17T20:57:00.003+10:00

Superb blue wren with a moth it caught for lunch. Taken at Mungabareena reserve.

Nikon d70 : 1/320 : f/5.6 : 300mm : iso 200

Moth

2010-08-08T21:49:00.002+10:00

Took this a few months ago, I don't know what sort of moth it is, but thought it worth some artistic merit.

Nikon d70 : 1/800 : f/7.1 : 90mm : iso200

Garden Orb Weaver

2010-08-02T21:57:00.002+10:00

Baby Orb weaver, taken at Mungabareena reserve.

Nikon d70 : 1/125 : f/8 : 90mm : iso200

Striated Thournbill

2010-07-26T21:24:00.004+10:00

Striated Thronbill with material to feathers its nest. Taken Nail Can Hill reserve.

Nikon d70 : 1/250 : f/5.6 : 300mm : iso200

Black-shouldered kite

2010-07-12T20:08:00.003+10:00

A juvenile black-shouldered kite, taken on the road side next to the Albury airport.

Nikon d70 : 1/1600 : f/5.6 : 300mm : iso200

Sawfly Larvae

2010-06-22T22:04:00.003+10:00

I'm going to take a punt and call these Paperbark aka Melaleuca sawfly larvae - Lophyrotoma zonalis. Taken at Nail Can Hill reserve.

Nikon d70 : 1/400 : f/9 : 90mm : iso200

Fly

2010-06-12T21:58:00.003+10:00

Haven't looked this one up to know what it is. Taken at Nail Can Hill reserve.

Nikon d70 : 1/200 : f/9 : 90mm : iso200

Wandering Ringtail

2010-06-01T19:20:00.002+10:00

Wandering Ringtail Austrolestes leda, taken on the banks of Bungambrawatha Creek.

Nikon d70 : 1/800 : f/7.1 : 90mm : iso200

Little Pied Cormorant

2010-05-14T20:48:00.002+10:00

Little Pied Cormorant enoying the morning sunshine. Taken at Mungabareena reserve.

Nikon d70 : 1/500 : f/5.6 : 300mm : iso200

Lacewing

2010-05-06T21:28:00.002+10:00

There are over 600 species, belonging to 14 families, of lacewing in Australia. This one was taken at Nail Can Hill reserve.

Nikon d70 : 1/160 : f/9 : 90mm : iso200

Red-browed Firetail

2010-05-01T21:44:00.003+10:00

Juvenile Red-browed firetail, taken at Mungabareena Reserve.

Nikon d70 : 1/800 : f/5.6 : 300mm : iso200

Mating Blue Skimmer

2010-04-20T21:39:00.002+10:00

Blue Skimmer Dragonfly Orthetrum caledonicum, in the "wheel" position. Found throughout Australia, taken Nail Can Hill reserve.

Nikon d70 : 1/500 : f/9 : 90mm : iso200

Bee Fly

2010-04-08T19:30:00.003+10:00

Bee Fly Exoprosopa, taken Nail Can Hill reserve.

Nikon d70 : 1/120 : f/4 : 90mm : iso200

Reed-warbler

2010-03-29T20:33:00.003+10:00

Taken at Gateway Island, Wodonga.

Nikon d70 : 1/160 : f/5.6 : 300mm : iso200

Garden Orb-weaver

2010-03-23T20:09:00.003+10:00

Taken at Nail Can Hill reserve. The Garden orb-weaver will bite readily, but won't harm you much, just a little pain for half hour or so. Its back leg is resting on its web keeping tabs for any fresh catches.

Nikon d70 : 1/500 : f/13 : 90mm : iso320

Nice to see you again

2010-03-17T21:07:00.002+10:00

It's been a couple of years (and a couple of kids!) and it's good to be back. I've moved to Albury and I'm excited about getting to know the local wildlife and share it with you.

Nikon d70 : 1/800 : f/8 : 90mm : iso320

Dinner time

2007-11-10T17:57:00.000+10:00

A St Andrews Cross has taken care of dinner for the day.

Nikom d70 : 1/60 : f/10 : 90mm : iso200

Bug

2007-10-28T15:14:00.000+10:00

Found this bug the other week, haven't had time to ID thought.

Nikon d70 : 1/60 : f/11 : 90mm : iso200

White Caper Butterfly

2007-10-15T08:09:00.000+10:00

It has been a while. Baby arrived mid September, so I've been a bit busy. For the record, we had a baby girl, and no, I wont punish you all with baby photos.

Instead, here is a White Caper Butterfly (Anaphaeis java) taken yesterday.

Nikon d70 : 1/250 : f/5.6 : 300mm : iso200

Soon to be dad

2007-09-06T13:24:00.000+10:00

Sorry I've been away for so long, but my wife and I are expecting our first child any day now. We have been spending all our time catching up with friends and family, getting ready for baby, making the most of our last months of "coupledom" and trying to stockpile sleep! As a result, I haven't been bush for a while.

I hope to get back to nature with the camera when I can take the little one for walks with me.

Till then, thanks for dropping by.

Giant Green Huntsman

2007-07-08T18:14:00.000+10:00

Giant green huntsman from Greenbank.

Nikon d70 : 1/60 : f/13 : 90mm : iso200

Unknown

2007-07-01T20:23:00.000+10:00

Another gritter from Mt coot-tha, only, I have now idea what it is. I looked on the web, in my books and I even had a quick look in at the local museum, still no ID. Anyone out there who can give my a heads up?

Nikon d70 : 1/60 : f/11 : 90mm : iso200

Thin Jumping Spider

2007-06-21T20:46:00.000+10:00

Opisthoncus necator found just up the creek from where I took the last two photos at Mt Coot-tha. The flash was held from above and behind, which, I think does a nice job of showing off its hairy legs and the silk from it rear end.

Nikon d70s : 1/60 : f/9 : 90mm : iso200

Butcherbird

2007-06-17T20:24:00.000+10:00

This is the same bird from the last post. It was sitting on my knee when I took this photo. For a bird in the wild, it certainly wasn't shy.

Nikon d70 : 1/125 : f/3.8 : 90mm : iso200

Butcherbird Feathers

2007-06-15T19:16:00.000+10:00

I was having a picnic at Mt Coot-tha today, when a Butcherbird joined us. It sat on my knee while I got a few close-ups with my macro lens. This one is of the feathers on the back of its neck.

Nikon d70 : 1/400 : f/5 : 90mm : iso200

Fiji Parrotfinch

2007-06-04T08:42:00.000+10:00

Bula! I've just spent 7 days relaxing in Fiji and one of the spoils was seeing lots of these finches. According to Post Fiji, who feature it on one of its stamps, it is "one of the Fiji's most attractive birds".

I'm off on more travels, this time staying domestic though. See you in a week.

Nikon d70 : 1/200 : f/5.6 : 300mm : iso200

Paradise

2007-05-25T21:13:00.000+10:00

No photos from me for about seven days. I'm off to relax in a place similar to this, and hopefully take plenty of photos while I'm there. Paradise

Nikon d70 : 1/500 : f/11 : 70mm : iso400

King Parrot

2007-05-24T08:55:00.000+10:00

This female King Parrot didn't appreciate having her photo taken!

Nikon d70 : 1/60 : f/5.6 : 300mm : iso200

Black-fronted Dotterel

2007-05-20T19:35:00.000+10:00

This Black-fronted Dotterel was feeding at the edge of the ever receding waters of the dam at Biambi Yumba Park. My flash shorted out before I got this shot, so I was glad it stood still long enough for me to get a sharp shoot.

Nikon d70 : 1/1.6 : f/5.6 : 300mm : iso320

Zebra Blue

2007-05-17T11:54:00.000+10:00

The Zebra Blue (Syntarucus plinius) is a measures in at a small 25mm. I found this one fluttering around my local sports field.

Ulysses butterfly

2007-05-15T12:41:00.000+10:00

The Ulysses butterfly (Papilio ulysses) is found through out the world in tropical regions. The male is attacted to blue objects, such as blue foil, thinking them to be female. It is one of the largest butterflies to be found in Australia. I snapped this one while I was at Airlie Beach last month.

Nikon d70 : 1/320 : f/8 : 250mm : iso200

Rainbow Lorikeet

2007-05-13T18:40:00.000+10:00

Those who a familiar with my blog will be well aquanted with the Rainbow Lorikeet. This photo however, is one of my first of the bird in flight.

Nikon d70 : 1/60 : f/7.1 : 90mm : iso200

Hawk Moth

2007-05-10T11:34:00.000+10:00

This Hawk Moth (Gnathothlibus erotus) didn't spread its wings all the way out for me, but if it did, you would see its bright red/orange hindwings. Next time maybe.

Nikon d70 : 1/320 : f/4. : 90mm : iso200

Bug

2007-05-08T19:40:00.000+10:00

I know this is a bug, but which bug? I think it is the last instar of the Pod-sucking bug, also known as the Brown bean bug.

Nikon d70 : 1/500 : f/14 : 90mm : iso200

From the Spiders Lair

2007-05-06T10:15:00.000+10:00

Spider emerges from its lair for a night time hunt.

Nikon d70 : 1/60 : f/14 : 90mm : iso200

Scarlet-sided Pobblebonk

2007-05-03T19:28:00.000+10:00

Went wandering around a friends yard at Greenbank with a torch the other night and came across this Scarlet-sided Pobblebonk (Limnodynastes terraereginae). It also goes by the alias' of Northern Banjo, Northern Pobblebonk, Red-thigh Pobblebonk and the Scarlet marsh frog.

Nikon d70 : 1/60 : f/14 : 90mm : iso200

Lemon Migrant

2007-05-01T12:13:00.000+10:00

Yellow Migrant (Catopilia pomona)flicks back its proboscis. And what is a proboscis? It's a straw like structure that acts as the butterflies mouth.

Nikon d70 : 1/1600 : f/8 : 300mm : iso200

Green Tree Ant

2007-04-29T12:21:00.000+10:00

This Green tree ant (Oecophylla smaragdina) stopped to pose for a photo at Airlie beach.

Nikon d70 : 1/125 : f/6.3 : 90mm : iso400

Brown Thornbill

2007-04-25T08:28:00.000+10:00

Another shot from Mt Coot-tha. The Brown Thornbill is from the "red-eye" family of thornbills. They like to hang out with warblers, silvereyes and honeyeaters.

Nikon d70 : 1/125 : f/5.6 : 300mm : iso200

Blue Tiger

2007-04-23T20:47:00.000+10:00

The Blue Tiger (Tirumala hamata) is rare in Brisbane, except every couple of years when large migrations of adults pass through town. Must be one of those years. Lucky me!

Unknown Bug

2007-04-22T15:30:00.000+10:00

I've been night walking again. Spotted this small bug (5mm) on a stem of wild grass.

Nikon d70 : 1/60 : f/10 : 90mm : iso200

Wanderer

2007-04-19T20:36:00.000+10:00

The Wanderer came to our shores in 1871, from North America, where it is known as the Monarch.

Nikon d70 : 1/1250 : f/5.6 : 300mm : iso200

Night Prowler

2007-04-17T20:36:00.000+10:00

One of the many spiders I saw last week at Mt Coot-tha in the dark of night. Tought it would be a fun photo for today. Sweet dreams!

Nikon d70 : 1/60 : f/8 : 90mm : iso200

Juvenile Red-browed Finch

2007-04-15T15:50:00.000+10:00

Part of the "firetail" family of finches, this juvenile hasn't yet developed its red eyebrow feathers. There was a flock darting back and forth of the walking track in Brisbane Forest Park.

Nikon d70 : 1/80 : f/5.6 : 300mm : iso200

Eastern Water Skink

2007-04-13T12:36:00.000+10:00

After walking the dog past these skinks for the last few weeks, I finally got around to taking my camera with me today get a shot.

Nikon d70 : 1/125 : f/5.6 : 300mm : iso200

Butterfly Pupa

2007-04-11T12:51:00.000+10:00

I haven't been able to ID the Butterfly that this pupa will turn into. There weren't too many images that I could find to compare it to. Maybe someone could drop me a line if you know.

Nikon d70 : 1/250 : f/4 : 90mm : iso200

Wolf Spider

2007-04-09T17:58:00.000+10:00

Found a couple of these female Wolf Spiders (family LYCOSIDAE) while spotlighting at Mt Coot-tha. This one is carrying her young on her abdomen. It is a roving spider, building retreats in shrubs, or, like this one, building trapdoors.

Nikon d70 : 1/60 : f/14 : 90mm : iso200

Red-necked Wallaby

2007-04-07T19:33:00.000+10:00

You can often seen these guys at sunset as you turn from the Ipswich highway onto the Centenary Highway coming into Brisbane.

Nikon d70 : 1/200 : f/8 : 300mm : iso200

Golden-eyed Lacewing

2007-04-03T20:08:00.000+10:00

I think this is Itaochrysa insignis, from the "Green" or "Golden-Eyed" lacewing family. You can find these Australia wide throughout the year, just turn on an outside light and wait to see if you can spot one.

Bye the way, this photo is upside down, for easy viewing.

Nikon d70 : 1/60 : f/8 : 90mm : iso200

Tawny Frogmouth

2007-04-01T15:13:00.000+10:00

I went spotlighting with a friend last night at the Bank Street reserve at Ashgrove. We managed to spot three of these Tawny Frogmouths. I took advantage of the extra hands by taking the shot with the flash unit held to the side, giving a bit more of a dramatic effect.

Nikon d70 : 1/60 : f/5 : 120mm : iso200

Queensland Fruit Fly

2007-03-30T12:20:00.000+10:00

We have a young orange tree in the backyard, it's not doing too well in the drought, but this Queensland fruit fly(Bactrocera tryoni) still seem to like it.

Nikon d70 : 1/320 : f/4.2 : 90mm : iso200

Moth Silhouette

2007-03-27T19:01:00.000+10:00

Nature in the inner city limits. This moth, resting on the underside of a leaf, is silhouetted by one of the many lights blazing away in the city every night.

Nikon d70 : 1/320 : f/4.5 : 90mm : iso200

Rainbow Lorikeet

2007-03-25T15:41:00.000+10:00

These Lorikeets are regulars on my blog, but being in Brisbane, there're just so many of the buggers, it's hard not to keep photographing them. This one was taken from the balcony of a friends place at Sandgate.

Nikon d70 : 1/20 : f/5.6 : 300mm : iso200

Banksia Moth Caterpillar

2007-03-22T11:58:00.000+10:00

This is an early instar (life stage) of the Banksia Moth Caterpillar (Danima banksiae). Found it as I was about to go home from the Bank Street reserve at Ashgrove.

Nikon d70 : 1/60 : f/9 : 90mm : iso200

Doing the Splits

2007-03-20T19:57:00.000+10:00

I've not been able to get a quick ID on this one. I just like the photo as I find it slightly childishly amusing how it is doing the splits.

Nikon d70 : 1/40 : f/8 : 90mm : iso200

Royal Spoonbill

2007-03-15T14:02:00.000+10:00

This Royal Spoonbill is a breeder. Note the long plumes on the back of its head.

Nikon d70 : 1/320 : f/5.6 : 300mm : iso200

Royal Spoonbill

2007-03-13T14:01:00.000+10:00

Non-breeding Royal Spoonbill stands at the edge of Enoggera Creek, Ashgrove.

Nikon d70 : 1/1000 : f/5.6 : 270mm : iso200

Magpie-Lark

2007-03-11T17:54:00.000+10:00

Magpie-larks are common through out Australia, except in Tasmania. Usually seen in pairs or small family groups, but in winter the young gather in large flocks to feed in wetland or pastures. This is a male, the female doesn't have a white marking under it eye.

Nikon d70 : 1/320 : f/5.6 : 300mm : iso200

Antlion Lacewing

2007-03-08T12:40:00.000+10:00

Can you see it? If hadn't seen it land on this twig, I wouldn't have noticed it at all.

Nikon d70 : 1/200 : f/7.1 : 90mm : iso200

Great Egret

2007-03-06T20:50:00.000+10:00

Great Egret tries to hide from me on the waters edge at Biambi Yumba Park. This one is a non-breeder, a breeder would have a black bill.

Nikon d70 : 1/640 : f/5.6 : 300mm : iso200

Brown Bunyip Cicada

2007-03-04T18:09:00.000+10:00

Cicadas or more often heard rather than seen, with the males singing from the trees on summer days. The young cicada (nymph) lives underground where it sucks the roots of trees, shrubs and grasses. When it is fully grown, the nymph emerges and climbs a treetruck, which it grips to enable it to spit its skin and emerge as a winged adult.

Nikon d70 : 1/100 : f/5.6 : 300mm : iso200

Narrow-brand Grassdart

2007-03-02T12:25:00.000+10:00

This is a butterfly from the sub family known as skippers or darters (FAMILY HESPERIIDAE). They get their name from their rapid and jerky flying style. They are mostly yellow, white or dark brown in colour.

Nikon d70 : 1/60 : f/4 : 90mm : iso200

Little Friarbird

2007-02-28T13:40:00.000+10:00

This Juvenile Little Friarbird will loose its yellow throat feathers when it matures. Photographed at Biambi Yumba park in Fig Tree Pocket (Brisbane).

Nikon d70 : 1/250 : f/5.6 : 300mm : iso200

Orchard Swallowtail

2007-02-26T13:24:00.000+10:00

This is the underside view of the the caterpillar from the privious post. Apparently these guys are noisy eaters, so loud, that you can locate them by listening to them eat!

Nikon d70 : 1/60 : f/10 : 90mm : iso200

Orchard Swallowtail Caterpillar

2007-02-24T21:06:00.000+10:00

This is a rather large caterpillar, as it should be, because it turns into a rather large butterfly (one of the largest in the Brisbane area at 110mm). When disturbed, it extrudes red tentacles from its head and emits a strong smell.

Nikon d70 : 1/160 : f/10 : 90mm : iso200

Three Sisters

2007-02-22T14:15:00.000+10:00

This is a fairly typical image of the Three Sisters in the Blue Mountains, taken from the vantage of Echo Point lookout. I could hardly travel all that way and not take the photo could I?

Nikon d70 : 1/200 : f/8 : 38mm : iso200

Silver Gull

2007-02-20T18:59:00.000+10:00

I re-evaluated some of my holiday photos and found I that I had infact snapped some nature photos, so I may as well post some over the next couple of days.

I was trying to make my way to the light house at Stockton ( near Newcastle) before the storm hit. I quite get there, but I managed to capture this abstract shot of a flock of silver gulls taking off.

Nikon d70 : 1/13 : f/4.5 : 70mm : iso200

Wasp

2007-02-18T11:08:00.000+10:00

Sorry to family and fans. It has been a long time since my last posting. I've been kept busy with visitors and travel and nature photo ops have been slim. I'm hoping to spend quite a bit of time this week walking around the bush to get more shots.

In the mean time, I found this wasp flying around the orange tree in the back garden.

nikon d70 : 1/500 : f/5.6 : 90mm : iso200

Naked Treefrog

2007-01-31T21:30:00.000+10:00

This is another find from my friends backyard at Greenbank. The Naked Tree frog is common in the western suburbs, breeding anywhere from flooded paddocks to temporary or permanent ponds. It measures only 40mm.

Nikon d70 : 1/60 : f/11 : 90mm : iso200

Ornate Burrowing-frog

2007-01-28T20:55:00.000+10:00

Found this little fella out at Greenbank in a friends backyard. It measures only 45mm, with a variable pattern and often a pale butterfly marking between its front shoulders.

Nikon d70 : 1/60 : f/11 : 90mm : iso200

Rainbow Bee-eater

2007-01-21T20:51:00.000+10:00

I first saw these guys last weekend while walking across Brisbanes' new "green bridge" at Dutton Park. I went back this evening with camera in hand and there were dozens of them in the same area.

Nikon d70 : 1/200 : f/7.1 : 300mm : iso200

Red-browed Firetail

2007-01-16T21:00:00.000+10:00

The basic definition of a Firetail is "a finch with a bright red rump". I've seen a group of about 4-6 feeding of grass seeds in the creekbed of Enoggera creek out at The Gap (the same place I've been seeing the snakes).

Nikon d70 : 1/50 : f/5.6 : 250mm : iso400

Yellow-faced Whip Snake

2007-01-14T19:28:00.000+10:00

Found this snake in the same area as I found the one chasing the frog last week. The Yellow-faced Whip Snake is wide spread through Australia, is found in open grass and woodland. It is active during the day, feeding on lizards. It's potentually dangerous, especially to children.

Nikon d70 : 1/250 : f/8 : 300mm : iso200

2007-01-10T19:05:00.000+10:00

Who said cockroaches were filthy, ugly critters? Who ever it was,they obviously haven't seen this one. The Austral Ellipsidion Cockroach is mostly active at night and is not a ground dweller, rather it spends its time on plants and feeds on pollen, honeydew and mould fungus.

Nikon d70 : 1/125 : f/4 : 90mm : iso200

Snake Attack

2007-01-08T20:06:00.000+10:00

The snake (I think it is a Rough-scaled Snake), was searching all around this shallow pool of water in Enoggera Creek at The Gap for the frog (no ID). It didn't do a very good job, it climbed over it, around it, under it (after the frog jumped in the water) for about 8 minutes, and still didn't notice it! By the time I left, the frog looked to be safe and on its way up the bank.

Nikon d70 : 1/60 : f/4 : 90mm : iso200

Green Tree Frog

2007-01-04T12:19:00.000+10:00

This image always makes me feel relaxed. It's the way I'd like to spend my days, sitting around, with not a care in the world.

Mikon d70 : 1/250 : f/5.6 : 300mm : iso200

Wattle Hopper

2007-01-02T18:25:00.000+10:00

I haven't got a specific name for this one, but I can go as far as to ID it as a Wattle Hopper. I found dozens of these on the trunk of a wattle tree at the base of Mt Coot-tha.

Nikon d07 : 1\80 : f/4 : 90mm : iso200

Sulphur-crested Cockatoo

2006-12-30T20:34:00.000+10:00

G'day again, it's good to be back in action with a new memory card. I still haven't been able to recover lost photos from the corrupted card.

There has been a large group of these Sulphur-crested Cockatoos hanging about along the highway at Toowong.

Nikon d70 : 1/80 : f/5.6 : 300mm : iso200

Striated Pardolote

2006-12-26T17:49:00.000+10:00

This is a back up photo I've been saving for a rainy day. Not only is it raining today, but I've lost Christmas eve wildlife photos and Christmas day family photos because my memory card failed! I hope to be able to run some recovery software, but I'm not going to hold my breath. Oh, the frustration!

Hover Fly

2006-12-24T16:38:00.000+10:00

A couple of Hover Flies join the Mile High Club.

Nikon d70 : 1/160 : f/6.3 : 90mm : iso200

Common Ringtail Possum

2006-12-22T20:34:00.000+10:00

These guys, as the name suggests, are common in Brisbane. Unfortunately, you often see them as road kill almost as often as you see them running across power lines. They also like to drive my dog mad by running up and down the back fence.

Nikon d70 : 1/60 : f/4.5 : 70mm : iso200

Tawny Grassbird

2006-12-20T13:01:00.000+10:00

This is another photo for my stay near Lismore. As my feild guide says, this guy is a "Warbler of long grass and reeds". Which is exactly where I found him.

Nikon d70 : 1/500 : f/5.6 : 300mm : iso200

Chestnut-breasted Mannikin

2006-12-18T20:42:00.000+10:00

I was a bit excited to see this bird and get a good photo, as it is the first finch I think I have ever seen in the wild. I came across it on a farm at Lismore, while it was flying in and out of the paddock collection material to build, what I'm guessing, was a nest. It was funny to watch it cutting and pulling at the stem of grass before flying back into the paddock with its prize.

Nikon d70 : 1/400 : f/5.6 : 300mm : iso200

Green Treefrog

2006-12-17T21:05:00.000+10:00

I went to a farm near Lismore on the weekend and found dozens of these Green Treefrogs in the garden. I had to be quick in taking photos because of the constant rain.

Nikon d70 : 1/60 : f/4 : 90mm : iso200

Pale-headed Rosella

2006-12-14T20:06:00.000+10:00

There have been a few of these around the Ithiaca and Enoggera creek area, usually seen in pairs or family groups.

Nikon d70 : 1/160 : f/6.3 : 300mm : iso200

Graphic Flutterer

2006-12-12T20:32:00.000+10:00

The Graphic Flutterer (Rhyothmis graphiptera) has a weak flight, fluttering and gliding and due to its markings is described as "unmistakable"

Nikon d70 : 1/320 : f/5.6 : 300mm : iso200

Blue-banded Bee

2006-12-10T21:12:00.000+10:00

The Blue-banded Bee is common in Brisbane gardens. They are solitary, but will nest in groups. They excavate burrows in sheltered areas. This photo is of the males, who will sleep in clusters, clinging to twigs or grass stems.

Watching the coming and goings of the guys as they started to settle in for the night, I noticed that as a new arrival worked its way up and down the line to find a spot, the bees that had already settled would kick out at it to move it on.

Nikon d70 : 1/125 : f/5.6 : 90mm : iso200

Creasted Pigeon

2006-12-09T19:49:00.000+10:00

Also known as the Creasted Bronzewing. You can recognise them in flight by the distinct whistle of there wings.

Nikon d70 : 1/200 : f/5.6 : 300mm : iso200

Giant Grasshopper

2006-12-08T12:33:00.000+10:00

It was a case of seeing who would blick first! I think I won, because I got to walk away with a great photo.

nikon d70 : 1/160 : f/6.3 : 90mm : iso200

Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike

2006-12-06T13:45:00.000+10:00

There are lots of these birds around my neighbourhood, not surprising really, since they are common throughout the country.

Nikon d70 : 1/500 : f/5.6 : 300mm : iso200

Fly

2006-12-05T20:29:00.000+10:00

Just thought this was a nice shot.

Nikon d70 : 1/160 : f/6.3 : 90mm : iso200

Pick-a-boo Grasshopper

2006-12-04T13:00:00.000+10:00

This fella was playing pick-a-boo with me in the the backyard.

Nikond70 : 1/250 : f/8 : 90mm : iso200

2006-12-02T23:57:00.000+10:00

Usually I will miss a day here or there in putting up a post and not be too bothered, but right now I am trying to post, I've been trying through out the day and now it's late and I'm tired and this crap blog still isn't uploading any photos.

And they call this the all new revised beta (better?) blogger.

Bullshit!