moloch05
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Here are a few photos of the herps and flowers from this past week.
Broad-tailed Gecko (Phyllurus platurus) -- I made a trip up to see “my” leaf-tails that live in a rocky area near Wollongong. The night was mild and I found a number of these geckos.
The gecko in the following photo arched the tail and then moved it from side to side as I photographed it. This gecko has its original tail.
... regenerated tail:
Anepischtos maccoyi – a common skink that lives in cool, damp areas within the wet eucalyptus forest.
Eastern Water Skink (Eulamprus quoyii) – a common and beautiful skink.
Golden-crowned Snake (Cacophis squamulosus) – This snake was large for the species and quite heavily built. While I photographed it, I became aware of blood on its face. This is the second time now that I have seen blood appear on a golden-crowned while I photographed the snake. I am beginning to wonder whether they burst blood vessels when stressed. The snake moved freely and otherwise did not show any signs of injury as one would expect if it had been clipped by a car.
I went out again today (Sunday) for a couple of hours and found another Mustard-bellied Snake (Drysdalia rhodogaster). It seems really odd to find two a week apart after several years of searching. They are great little snakes and pose nicely for photos. Their tongue flicks are pronounced but I just could not seem to catch it. Here are pics of today's snake.
I also found a Marsh Snake (Hemiaspis signata):
This big Common Blue-tongued Skink (Tiliqua scincoides) was out and about.
... a blue-tongue "growl":
... possibly a relative of the Flat Spider:
... Wolf Spider?
... tiny species of Crane Fly:
Duck Orchid (Caleana major) -- I only know of one small colony of this bizarre but beautiful orchid.
Epacris sp. -- these Australian heaths are lovely plants and common in sandy or rocky areas.
a multi-branched Sundew -- these perennials are just now develping their new leaves. A couple of insects have already been caught in the second photo below.
Match-heads (Comesperma ericinum) -- a pretty plant of family Polygalaceae.
Dusky Coral Pea (Kennedia rubicunda) – a colourful twining vine that is numerous near the top of the escarpment west of Wollongong.
Hibbertia
...other
1 -- pea, 2 -- Pattersonia sp., 3 -- pea
456 -- Streaked Rock Orchid (Dockrillia striolata)
7 -- Epacris obtusifolia, 8 -- Dracophyllum secundum, 9 -- Epacris sp.
10 -- bud of Caleana major, 11 -- Caleana major, 12 -- Prostanthera sieberi
Here are more photos of my favourite flower for the area, a Waratah:
... and one of its pollinators, a small wasp:
... a pretty Dampiera:
Regards,
David
Broad-tailed Gecko (Phyllurus platurus) -- I made a trip up to see “my” leaf-tails that live in a rocky area near Wollongong. The night was mild and I found a number of these geckos.
The gecko in the following photo arched the tail and then moved it from side to side as I photographed it. This gecko has its original tail.
... regenerated tail:
Anepischtos maccoyi – a common skink that lives in cool, damp areas within the wet eucalyptus forest.
Eastern Water Skink (Eulamprus quoyii) – a common and beautiful skink.
Golden-crowned Snake (Cacophis squamulosus) – This snake was large for the species and quite heavily built. While I photographed it, I became aware of blood on its face. This is the second time now that I have seen blood appear on a golden-crowned while I photographed the snake. I am beginning to wonder whether they burst blood vessels when stressed. The snake moved freely and otherwise did not show any signs of injury as one would expect if it had been clipped by a car.
I went out again today (Sunday) for a couple of hours and found another Mustard-bellied Snake (Drysdalia rhodogaster). It seems really odd to find two a week apart after several years of searching. They are great little snakes and pose nicely for photos. Their tongue flicks are pronounced but I just could not seem to catch it. Here are pics of today's snake.
I also found a Marsh Snake (Hemiaspis signata):
This big Common Blue-tongued Skink (Tiliqua scincoides) was out and about.
... a blue-tongue "growl":
... possibly a relative of the Flat Spider:
... Wolf Spider?
... tiny species of Crane Fly:
Duck Orchid (Caleana major) -- I only know of one small colony of this bizarre but beautiful orchid.
Epacris sp. -- these Australian heaths are lovely plants and common in sandy or rocky areas.
a multi-branched Sundew -- these perennials are just now develping their new leaves. A couple of insects have already been caught in the second photo below.
Match-heads (Comesperma ericinum) -- a pretty plant of family Polygalaceae.
Dusky Coral Pea (Kennedia rubicunda) – a colourful twining vine that is numerous near the top of the escarpment west of Wollongong.
Hibbertia
...other
1 -- pea, 2 -- Pattersonia sp., 3 -- pea
456 -- Streaked Rock Orchid (Dockrillia striolata)
7 -- Epacris obtusifolia, 8 -- Dracophyllum secundum, 9 -- Epacris sp.
10 -- bud of Caleana major, 11 -- Caleana major, 12 -- Prostanthera sieberi
Here are more photos of my favourite flower for the area, a Waratah:
... and one of its pollinators, a small wasp:
... a pretty Dampiera:
Regards,
David
