Red Olive Plum (australe var.australe) fruiting at the Charles & Motee Rogers Bushland Reserve, Highfields.
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| Red Olive Plum (australe var.australe) |
Friday, May 6, 2016
Fruits of the Red Olive Plum
6 May 2016
Red Olive Plum (australe var.australe) fruiting at the Charles & Motee Rogers Bushland Reserve, Highfields.
Red Olive Plum (australe var.australe) fruiting at the Charles & Motee Rogers Bushland Reserve, Highfields.
Thursday, May 5, 2016
Iconic marks of the Red-Triangle Slug on a Sydney Blue Gum
05th May 2016
RED TRIANGLE SLUG MARKS ON A SYDNEY BLUE GUM TREE IN CHARLES & MOTEE ROGERS BUSHLAND RESERVE, HIGHFIELDS.
It was only in the last year that I learnt that these iconic marks, often seen on Sydney Blue Gum Trees on the Darling Downs, were from the Red-Triangle Slug. Thanks to Robert Ashdown, I now can recognize these marks easily, and am noticing them all over the Toowoomba Region.
Today, I was thrilled to see a large Sydney Blue Gum Tree with the Red-triangle Slug marks on it in the Charles & Motee Rogers Bushland Reserve. It was pleasing to know that these iconic looking invertebrates are living within our treasured suburban bushland reserve. I look forward to going back on a damp night to have a better look for the slugs themselves.
For further information about the Red Triangle Slug's of the Toowoomba Region, I suggest viewing Rob Ashdown's Blog here.
J.Gray
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| Red Triangle Slug marks on a Sydney Blue Gum at Charles & Motee Rogers Bushland Reserve, Highfields. 05/05/16 |
Web of the Leaf-curling Spider
05th May 2016
LEAF-CURLING SPIDERS AT CHARLES & MOTEE ROGERS BUSHLAND RESERVE, HIGHFIELDS.
The Leaf-curling Spiders (genus Phonognatha) are day-active orb weaving spiders that protect themselves from predators by sitting inside a silk seamed, curled leaf. At the moment, there are plenty of these marvelous looking web homes within the Charles & Motee Rogers Bushland Reserve. They are easy to miss and many people won't be aware that they are in-fact a speciality home to one clever little spider.
OTHER INFORMATION ABOUT LEAF CURLING SPIDERS FROM THE AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM:
Leaf-curling Spiders hoist a leaf from the ground and, using silk threads, curl it to form a protective cylinder, silked shut at the top and open at the hub.. They then sit in this cylinder with only their legs showing, feeling for the vibrations of a captured insect. The curled leaf protects them from birds and parasitic wasps. Sometimes other objects, such as snail shells (which come ready-curled), are used. In P. graeffei this leaf is suspended just above the centre of the web, but may be placed higher in other species. Juvenile spiders start off by bending over a small green leaf, but eventually graduate to larger dead leaves.
LEAF-CURLING SPIDERS AT CHARLES & MOTEE ROGERS BUSHLAND RESERVE, HIGHFIELDS.
The Leaf-curling Spiders (genus Phonognatha) are day-active orb weaving spiders that protect themselves from predators by sitting inside a silk seamed, curled leaf. At the moment, there are plenty of these marvelous looking web homes within the Charles & Motee Rogers Bushland Reserve. They are easy to miss and many people won't be aware that they are in-fact a speciality home to one clever little spider.
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| Leaf Curling Spider at Charles & Motee Rogers Bushland Reserve 05/05/16 |
OTHER INFORMATION ABOUT LEAF CURLING SPIDERS FROM THE AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM:
Leaf-curling Spiders hoist a leaf from the ground and, using silk threads, curl it to form a protective cylinder, silked shut at the top and open at the hub.. They then sit in this cylinder with only their legs showing, feeling for the vibrations of a captured insect. The curled leaf protects them from birds and parasitic wasps. Sometimes other objects, such as snail shells (which come ready-curled), are used. In P. graeffei this leaf is suspended just above the centre of the web, but may be placed higher in other species. Juvenile spiders start off by bending over a small green leaf, but eventually graduate to larger dead leaves.
Rogers Reserve a different view from a 12 year old with an iphone
5th May 2016
ROGERS RESERVE - A DIFFERENT VIEW - THROUGH THE EYE OF A 12 YEAR OLD WITH AN IPHONE
It is always interesting to see what grabs someones attention, and how they see the world. These photos below are taken all on an iphone by a Year 7 Student on site, at the Charles & Motee Rogers Bushland Reserve, Highfields.
J.G.
Common Bronzewing - Highfields
05th May 2016
COMMON BRONZEWING - CHARLES & MOTEE ROGERS BUSHLAND RESERVE HIGHFIELDS
This beautiful Common Bronzewing (Phaps chalcoptera) stayed perched in the sun, long enough for me to take a few photographs of this usually easily frightened bird. Common Bronzewing's call the Charles & Motee Rogers Bushland Reserve home, but rarely do we get a chance to get a decent photograph of them.
J.G.
INFORMATION FROM BIRDS IN BACKYARDS:
Common Bronzewings are medium-sized, heavily built pigeons. The male has a yellow-white forehead and pink breast. Both sexes have a clear white line below and around the eye and patches of green, blue and red in the wing, characteristic of all bronzewings. The Common Bronzewing is a cautious pigeon, and rarely allows close approach. If startled, it flies away with a clatter, keeping low to the ground while moving in a steady, direct manner. Young Common Bronzewings are duller and browner than the adults. The metallic wing patch is absent or not easily seen.
Feeding:
The Common Bronzewing feeds on seeds and other vegetable matter. The birds feed on the ground and in small parties. These small groups need to drink frequently, and visit waterholes during either the day or night.
Breeding:
Common Bronzewings build an untidy nest of sticks and twigs. It is normally placed low down in a tree or bush, but may be up to 20 m above the ground. The creamy-white eggs are incubated by both parents. Both adults also share the care of the young birds, which are born naked and helpless and are completely dependent on their parents. Bronzewings, like other pigeons, secrete a special milk-like substance from their crop, which is fed to the young chicks.
J.G.
COMMON BRONZEWING - CHARLES & MOTEE ROGERS BUSHLAND RESERVE HIGHFIELDS
This beautiful Common Bronzewing (Phaps chalcoptera) stayed perched in the sun, long enough for me to take a few photographs of this usually easily frightened bird. Common Bronzewing's call the Charles & Motee Rogers Bushland Reserve home, but rarely do we get a chance to get a decent photograph of them.
J.G.
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| Common Bronzewing (Phaps chalcoptera) Highfields (Photo J. Gray) |
INFORMATION FROM BIRDS IN BACKYARDS:
Common Bronzewings are medium-sized, heavily built pigeons. The male has a yellow-white forehead and pink breast. Both sexes have a clear white line below and around the eye and patches of green, blue and red in the wing, characteristic of all bronzewings. The Common Bronzewing is a cautious pigeon, and rarely allows close approach. If startled, it flies away with a clatter, keeping low to the ground while moving in a steady, direct manner. Young Common Bronzewings are duller and browner than the adults. The metallic wing patch is absent or not easily seen.
Feeding:
The Common Bronzewing feeds on seeds and other vegetable matter. The birds feed on the ground and in small parties. These small groups need to drink frequently, and visit waterholes during either the day or night.
Breeding:
Common Bronzewings build an untidy nest of sticks and twigs. It is normally placed low down in a tree or bush, but may be up to 20 m above the ground. The creamy-white eggs are incubated by both parents. Both adults also share the care of the young birds, which are born naked and helpless and are completely dependent on their parents. Bronzewings, like other pigeons, secrete a special milk-like substance from their crop, which is fed to the young chicks.
J.G.
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