Remember last year, around this time, when this blog expressed frustration about the rarity of female Common Brown butterflies, and how difficult they were to photograph? Of course you do! Well, this year for some reason, we are faced with virtually the opposite situation. The gals are everywhere, but the male of the species is …
The other day Archie and I were going for walkies through Braidwood, taking in the essential Australianness of our our surroundings: the gum trees, the Kookaburras, the utes chugging by on the King's Highway. And then something popped into this scenario that caused a bit of a jolt -- a reminder of a different time, …
We've now traced the happy narratives of two bird families -- the Sacred Kingfishers and the Grey Wagtails. Now, sitting inside during another extended period of La Niña rain, I'm reminded of a less-happy story: that of the Reed Warblers. This takes us back to the heady days of spring, when trudging down the path …
When I said these little birds grow up fast, I had no idea just how much. On sneaking up to the nest last Monday morning, I noted immediately that it was empty. Not the kind of empty you'd see when the chicks were tiny (all of three weeks ago) and no parent was sitting on …
Sometimes guesswork and baseless supposition turns out to be true. When I surmised the other day that momma Willie was sitting a bit higher in the nest than usual, and that the bits of fluff around the edge of the nest might signal that the eggs had hatched, this turns out to be the case! …
It’s a matter of some wonder – and a little concern – that this birdy couple has constructed its home so close to the path where you’d think it was vulnerable. I’m grateful, of course – that’s how you get to take photos without having to resort to scaffolding and ropes. It reminds me a …
Off to Sydney last week looking for work, so the Willies were left to their own devices for four days or so. Somehow I don't think they minded much. Yesterday, late afternoon, I took Archie down to Commonwood Farm to check on progress -- and work out the kinks after driving back from the metrop. …
There's been a bit of rain about, including a noisy and soaking thunderstorm yesterday, so it seemed necessary to venture down the Commonwood path this afternoon to check on Ms Willie and her clutch. She's still there, incubating her birdie butt off and resolute as ever. No sign of hatchlings yet, but it's all to …
'Tis the season to procreate, and once again the flora and fauna of Braidwood and surrounds is having at it with gusto. We've been fortunate to witness the courtship and subsequent shacking-up of a number of feathery species, and rather late in the day, it occurred to me that this would make interesting 'content' (to …
The old saying, "one swallow does not a summer make" is undoubtedly true. You'd think so, too, given that it can be traced back to Aristotle, pretty much the father of western thought. Or possibly another even earlier ancient sage. The point of the proverb is that a single instance of a phenomenon doesn't necessarily …
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