Common Grass-blue Mating

These little butterflys measure about 16mm and enjoy long mating sessions. I don't now how long they were at it before I found them, but they were still going long after I took this photo. Lucky buggers!

Nikon d70 : 1/400 : f/10 : 90mm : iso200

Common Grass-blue Buttrefly

I’m showing you this photo of the Common Grass-Blue Butterfly, so you can see the colours on the upper side of the wings. Tomorrow’s photo of the same butterfly(s) will not show this colour, but will be much more exciting. A word of warning though, if you have kids, get ready to either censor the photo, or be ready of the birds and the bees talk. :)

Nikon d70 : 1/400 : f/8 : 300mm : iso200

Pale-headed Rosella

The Pale-headed Rosella is only found in Queensland (ok, maybe northern NSW as well), and is part of the parrot family. This guy is a white-cheeked form, the blue-cheeked form can be found in far north Queensland.

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

Galah in Flight

Woohoo! I'm very proud of this photo. The Galah is from the Cockatoo family, usually hangs out in loud, noisy flocks and is common throughout the mainland. This is one of two I was watching yesterday. I managed to snap off a few shots, panning around as it flew towards me, then past me. Two shots came out great, so watch this spot for a rainy day, when I post the other one.

Nikon d70 : 1/1000 : f/5.6 : 220mm : iso200

Figbird - Male

I posted a female Figbird the other day. Thought I'd show you the male aswell. Both are of the southern form of Figbird. The northern form is similar, but with a yellow abdomen.

Nikon d70 : 1/160 : f/5.6 : 200mm : iso200

Bird in Fight

I know I posted a Blue-faced Honeyeater just the other day, but I felt I had to show off my first "sharp" photo of a bird in flight.

Nikon d70 : 1/400 : f/5.6 : 190mm : iso200

Jumping Spider

Another Jumping Spider, this one's from the Salticidae family. I followed it around the forest floor as it jumped through the leaf litter.

Nikon d70 : 1/400 : f/10 : 90mm : iso400

Blue-faced Honeyeater

The streets around my neighbourhood have been alive with birds lately. This Blue-face Honeyeater was looking for breakfast in the gravillia bush in front of my place. This is an immature bird, the skin around its eye will turn blue when it reaches adulthood.

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

White-faced Heron

Snapped this while out for a ride along the river down the road from where I live. Came across this White-faced Heron doing a spot of fishing as the sun was going down.

Nikon d70 : 1/250 : f/5.6 : 300mm : iso400

Jumping Spider

I know this isn’t really an anatomical photo, but I like it anyway. This little guy is only about 1cm in size and is one of over 234 species of jumping spider in Australia.

Nikon d70 : 1/250 : f/8 : 90mm : iso400

Figbird

A colony of Figbirds arrived in the neighbourhood last week (at least thats when I noticed them). This is a female having here morning breakfast.

Nikon d70 : 1/640 : f/5.6 : 220mm : iso200

St Andrews Cross

The St Andrews Cross (Argiope keyserlingi) gets its name from its habit of producing an obvious cross of zigzag web, which this one hasn't woven yet. When resting, the spider places a pair of legs on each arm of the cross. In one season an adult female, which this is, will produce several leaf-like, green egg sacs, and attach them to a wall or tree trunk in close proximity to the web.

Nikon d70 : 1/400 : f/10 : 90mm : iso400

Vietnam Vet

Yesterday, Australia commemorated the 40th anniversary since the battle of Long Tan during the Vietnam War. Little Johnny, the Australian Prime Minister, chose the occasion to offer an apology to the veterans for the way in which they were treated when they returned. Maybe this could be the first of many apologise to come. We could only hope!

Anyway, this is a photo of one of the veterans attending the service.

Nikon d70 : 1/100 : f/5.6 : 270mm : iso200

Victoria Bridge

One of the great things about this city is the CityCat. It's the mode of public transport used on the river, very cheap and great views. Took this snap while cruising on it the other night.

Nikon d70 : 1/80 : f/5 : 18mm : iso200

What's This Hopper?

Haven't got an ID on this one yet. It was fun taking its photo, as it kept flashing its bum at me to show off it false face, which I guess is meant to ward off any predators.

Nikon d70 : 1/400 : f/10 : 90mm : iso400

Power House

The Power House is an old electric substation on the banks of the Brisbane River, surrounded by parkland in New Farm. It has be recycled and renovated into a performing arts centre and art space. This is one of the external walls with a door way to a view.

Nikon d70 : 1/320 : f/9 : 24mm : iso200

Orb Weaver

One of the many Orb Weavers to be found in Queensland, of which, there are many different shapes and sizes. This one was packing its lunch of later!

Nikon d70 : 1/60 : f/4.5 : 90mm : iso200

Gum Tree Shield Bug

A Gum Tree Shield Bug nymph. I found it listed in a book as a Shield Bug, but a net reference has added the nymph bit. I just like the atmosphere of the shoot.

Nikon d70 : 1/60 : f/4.5 : 90mm : iso200

Dry Leaf Grasshopper

Have you spotted it yet? The Dry Leaf Grasshopper (Goniaea australasiae) is also known as the Dead Leaf or Gum Leaf Grasshopper. It usually rests on the ground among the dead, dry leaf litter, where it blends in well. It feeds on both dry and fresh gum leaves.

Nikon d70 : 1/250 : f/5.6 : 90mm : iso400

Red Percher Dragonfly

This is a male Red Percher (Diplacodes bipunctata), also know as the Common Percher or Wandering Percher. I took this photo today, on my first visit to the Bank Street Reserve in Ashgrove.

Nikon d70 : 1/500 : f/8 : 300mm : iso200

Lynx Spider

Another one from the back garden. The Lynx Spider (Oxyopes elegans) live on the leaves of lush garden plants, it doesn't form a web for catching insects but is an adept hunter.

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

Park

Just to show that, occasionally, I can step back and take in the bigger picture. This was taken in the park across the road from where I work.

Nikon d70 : 1\320 : f/9 : 18mm : iso200

Gum Treehopper

This cute critter is a Gum Treehopper or leafhopper (Eurymela fenestrata). I first saw it last week, but it was too windy to get a good focas on it. I was surprised, but pleased, to see it in the same spot this week, with the wind having died down.

Nikon d70 : 1/400 : f/10 : 90mm : iso400

Butterfly

I promise to get organised with referance books soon. Then I will ID the creatures that feature in my photos at the time of posting them up. Till then, I'll have get back to you on this butterfly.

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

Laughing Kookaburra

One of Australias best known birds, the Laughing Kookaburra is famed for its "laughing" call. It's has had sporting teams and equipment named after it and even a song written about it.

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

Black Spot Moth

As far as I can tell, this is a Black Spot Moth. It makes its home on the Bottlebrush, Gum and Tea trees. When mature, it will drop from the tree and make a cocoon in the leaf litter.

Nikon d70 : 1/80 : f/4.5 : 90mm : iso200

Assassin Bug

This guy has caught his lunch in the form of a fly. I'll get back to you with an ID. ....Found it! It is in fact an assassin bug.

Nikon d70 : 1/320 : f/9 : 90mm : iso200

Grey Butcherbird

This Grey Butcherbird has been hanging around my place for the last two weeks or so and has been very boisterous, but lovely to listen to.

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

Native Flower

Native plants aren't exactly my strong point, so you'll have to forgive the lack of identification on this one. Still, it looks nice.

Nikon d70 : 1/500 : f/5.6 : 270mm : iso200

Tent Spider

I see these Tent spiders just about everywhere I go around Brisbane, One made its home in front of the compost bin in the garden, and would have to re-weave its web every time I made a deposit! Still, it mustn't have minded, because it hung around for months.

Nikon d70 : 1/80 : f/5 : 90mm : iso200

Saw Fly Larvae

This is the larvae of a Saw Fly, which is actually misnamed, because the fly is really a wasp!

Nikon d70 : 1/80 : f/9 : 90mm : iso200