The Swarm of the Caterpillars

Recently the kids witnessed an interesting natural behavior of some hairy caterpillars.
These Caterpillars march along in single file obviously following some sort of chemical signal. When they get to their destination they congregate together.

This time they decided to take over a tree trunk.



These caterpillars are usually left to themselves as the hairs that cover them cause a skin rash on people. This rash can persist for months and in some people the rash can easily become infected.
I think these caterpillars are Ochrogaster lunifer.
I found some great info at the following site
http://lepidoptera.butterflyhouse.com.au/noto/lunifer.html

Mrs Gecko drops by

I was busy moving bricks when I discovered a little leaf tailed gecko (Saltuarius ssp.) sound asleep in its cold season hibernation.

It was slow to move so I was able to let the boys discover it.

The leaf tail was missing when I found it. I assume these leaf tailed geckos are able to drop the tail like other lizards in a response to a threat.


Boys4 and Boy6 were fascinated by its crocodile like eyes and amazing colours.

After about ten minutes they return it to a pile of rocks to find a new place to live. There was no argument and no tears, the Gecko was returned to the bush and they resumed their previous games. Perhaps this act is a sign that they are starting to grow up.

The Show and the Zoo

Sometimes there are these moments in life when you think to yourself... "This can't be happening, it is just too good to be true, I just have to be dreaming".

I am absolutely sure this is what Boy4 was thinking when this picture was taken at the local Zoo. Do you agree?
He just can not be this close to these native, colourful, noisy birds.

We also had a day at the show where snakes were cuddled and faces were painted.

A great day out at a fraction of the cost of going to the Sydney Show.

Fungi fun

It has been a while since the last rains however there is fungi fruiting everywhere. This one is growing out of a crack in a sandstone ledge.

Usually this occurs after an extended period of
wet, perhaps the fungi know something we don't.

Anyway here are a few pictures of some of the fungi that are popping up everywhere.















This light yellow coloured fungi looks like a soft coral. Something you would expect to find while diving and certainly not at home poking out of gum leaves.

When it does rain the gum trees produce their own wetting agent to help the water penetrate the hard dry soil. It looks like foam and collects at the base of the tree's trunk. Isn't it amazing how nature constantly adapts?




















There is always something to discover and appreciate when observing Nature doing its thing.

Crystal clear skies

The predawn sky these past few mornings have been crystal clear. The Southern cross hangs low in the sky lying on its side. It is so close to being upside down.... if there is such a thing for an object that continues on its endless circular path in our Southern sky.

The cold change has announced that the change in seasons is less than a month away. It is really starting to feel cold in the mornings. This morning there was no difference between the temperature inside the fridge and outside. It was a smart 4 degrees C!

Our trusty fire burnt all night long keeping us snug and warm. How great it is to wake to that lovely orange, flickering glow that lights the lounge room in the darkness. I really appreciate a stove that burns all night on a single load.

The peas in the garden have emerged from the soil and are gathering the sunshine as they reach for the sky. They are kept company with the young kale, cabbage, silverbeet, broccoli and broad-bean plants. This time is their season.

I am looking forward to the weekend nights when my telescope and I will spend some time exploring the dark, crystal clear night sky.