Mating Blue Skimmer

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

Bee Fly Exoprosopa, taken Nail Can Hill reserve.

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

Reed-warbler

Taken at Gateway Island, Wodonga.

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

Garden Orb-weaver

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

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

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

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

Bug

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

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

White Caper Butterfly

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

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

Giant green huntsman from Greenbank.

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

Unknown

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Black-fronted Dotterel

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

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

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