Purple Swamphens

Regular visitors to our garden are the Purple Swamphens.

They particularly love to stop off on their way through our yard to have a dip in the birdbath.

In sunlight, their plumage shines with an intense blue sheen.

......doing a little dance

Another one joins in for a dip.
I just love watching the antics of these colourful birds.

Sandi x

Wattle Pigs

One of my favourite little bugs are the 'Wattle Pigs'. It is a type of weevil (Leptopius).

As it's name suggest these guys feed on our native wattle tree leaves.

A kid friendly bug that doesn't bite and is fairly slow moving.

Wattle pigs have a bumpy hard shell covering their wings.

 

........and are well camouflaged to blend in with their surroundings.

Keep your eyes peeled, you never know what you may find in your garden.......

Happy bug hunting,

Sandi x

A Curious Caterpillar

Look at all those long hairs covering this little caterpillar.

It was quite a sight walking along.
** now identifed as the caterpillar of the  Lichen Moth Cyana meyricki  courtesy of Don Herbison-Evans from the Coffs Harbour Butterfly House.

Sometime later.........
Aha! That's what all those long hairs are for -
 to weave a protective shelter whilst it is pupating.
So neatly built.
What a clever little thing!

Sandi x

**Edited 24th June to add this photo
Photographer Dr David Britton, Australian Museum

This is what the little hairy caterpillar turns into!

Beautiful!

It's not easy being green

Having a cuppa on the verandah, I noticed a frog (trying to be inconspicuous) hiding amongst the agapanthus leaves.(photo taken in april) This little beauty is a 'Graceful Treefrog'.

It is amazing how they cling to the leaves with their padded toes.

I love the way they sit with their legs all neatly folded in.

Can you see Mr Roo in the background? He is quite used to me running off to get the camera to photograph the wildlife for the blog.......

Cheerio for now,
Sandi x

It arrived with the wood

A big centipede came with our load of  winter wood.
Luckily we were wearing gloves at the time. These guys can give you a nasty bite. In the photo above, the head end is on the left.

Here it is heading for the safety of the wood stack. Hope we don't see it again!

We have had some brilliant winter weather these last few days.
Lovely sunny days and cool, cool nights - just perfect for sitting by the fire in the evenings (with wine glass in hand).
Cheers,
Sandi x