Canberra has been reasonably lucky with COVID-19. As spring arrives there are no lockdowns and people are able to go out with minimal restrictions to enjoy the bush that surrounds and enters Canberra. While I still love getting out to the lovely natural areas around Canberra I can still find some interesting photographic subjects around my own home. Spring has brought out flowers, that have attracted insects and the birds are coming back as well. I thought I would gather some recent photos into a single post of some of the things that I photographed in my garden; subjects that did not really fit into other posts.
In walking around my garden I have seen three case of the Entomophthora fungus on flies. I have now become fascinated with this fungus ever since I first noticed it on a fly that was stuck to a fly screen. That initial fly is still stuck to the fly screen after over a month. I read that the strange appearance of the fly, with its wings unnaturally high assists the spread of the fungal spores. I have not noticed any increase in the spores on the initial fly but in some species of this fungus it forms distinct, solid bands around the fly’s abdomen. Ultimately, in some species of fungus, the fly’s abdomen becomes filled with spores that explode sending these minuscule carriers out onto the wind to find another hapless fly victim. The shot immediately below shows half a fly, and I wonder if its spores led to an explosion The second shot is a recent photograph of the initial fly that is still attached to our fly screen.
Remains of a muscid fly with Entomophthora fungus on it
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 400, 100mm, f/8.0 and 1/160 SEC])
The long-term Entomophthora-covered fly that I have been monitoring since early August this year
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 100, 100mm, f/4.0 and 1/20 SEC] with multiple shots focussed-stacked)
Near the door to our garden shed are these beautiful purple and white flowers that have a very comforting fragrance which makes going to the shed such a lovely experience.
Fragrant purple and white flowers
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 100, 100mm, f/8.0 and 1/125 SEC] with multiple shots focus-stacked)
Also close to our shed we have some olive trees. I was looking to see what creatures may be at home on these small trees when I came across a Slender Green Orb-weaver (Araneus talipedatus) under a leaf. In trying to identify this spider I came across a very similar sighting in Canberra on Canberra Nature Map. In that sighting the spider was also lurking under an olive leaf. This spider was not doing anything and I could not see its web. I suspect that this spider will be more active at night.
Slender Green Orb-weaver on the underside of an olive leaf
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 100, 100mm, f/8.0 and 125 SEC])
This is my wife’s favourite flower in our backyard. It is over over our wooden back deck and produces lovely purple and white flowers at this time of the year. I like the way that the pistil seems to explode with colour inside the petals.
Purple and white flower
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 100, 100mm, f/11 and 1/80 SEC] with multiple shots focus-stacked)
The centre of the flower
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 100, 100mm, f/11 and 1/80 SEC] with multiple shots focus-stacked)
We always have Sulphur-crested Cockatoos (Cacatua galerita) visiting our yard to eat the seed. These are large birds that let you know when they are around. Sometimes, when they are being cautious, they will land on a branch then use their feet and beak to lower themselves down that branch to get close to the feeding station. When they have assured themselves that they are safe they fly the short distance to land on the bowl. This one was by itself, cleaning up the remains of the seeds.
Sulphur-crested Cockatoo
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 100, 100mm, f/8.0 and 1/320 SEC])
After I drafted the plan for this post I had an encounter in my back yard with wild Gang-gang Cockatoos (Callocephalon fimbriatum) that made my spirts soar. Because I had already titled this post and set down the framework, I sort of just had to tack this encounter and photographs onto the bottom of this post but I wanted to share my experience. Gang-gangs are listed as vulnerable in NSW/ACT so it is always great to see them, although the challenge for them is to find breeding trees at this time of the year.
On a weekday afternoon I was putting my bike away after my ride home from work when I heard some Gang-gangs fly into a tree in our yard. Somewhat strangely, the female, the all-grey bird, started coning down a branch towards the shed door where I was standing after putting my bike inside. I thought she was heading for some blooms at the end of the branch but she kept coming down closer. I was not sure what she was doing but I filled up a small tub with bird seed and held it out. She then flew to the top of the open shed door beside me and walked along it towards my position. I held up the tub and she started eating from it. The male, with the wonderful red crown, built up his courage and also flew to the top of the shed door to get some food. I held up the tub for a little while but thought I had better go in the house as the sun was starting to set.
I then took the tub of seed over to a small feeding table I have for the local birds. I put the seed in the bowl and the Gang-gangs landed straight onto the table while I was still standing beside it, allowing me to take the photo at the bottom with my iPhone. I did later go inside to get my proper camera but the light had gone a bit by then. Still, it was a nice way to end the day. These were completely wild birds, I have never fed them before like this. I know Gang-gangs are exploring a hollow in our yard but I think it is too shallow for them to nest in but I am always happy to see them. These birds form monogamous pairs so it is likely that this was breeding pair. Hopefully they will be successful this year.
The Gang-gang Cockatoo pair eating at the feeding station
(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 1000, 158mm, f/6.3 and 1/250 SEC])
A close up of the male eating
(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 1000, 400mm, f/6.3 and 1/250 SEC])
A close-up of the female eating
(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 1000, 158mm, f/6.3 and 1/250 SEC])
A shot I took with my iPhone right after I put the food out; showing how close I could get
(Apple iPhone SE [ISO 25, 3.99mm, f/1.8 and 1/30 SEC])
Another addition was a Silverfish (Acrotelsella devriesiana) that I found in a box we were throwing out. Most people consider these primitive and ancient insects to be pests because they eat cloths, books, almost anything precious made of a fibre that has been stored away. These are among some of the earliest insects that evolved, hence why they are described as primitive. They do not have wings but they do have compound eyes. Some species of these insects can live for four years and can do without food for a year if there is water. So, while they may be pests, and my clothes have suffered from them as well, it may be worth remembering two things. That there are native Silverfish, which normally exist outside of homes, and that these creatures evolved into an effective animal before the dinosaurs and have stayed that way ever since.
Silverfish in a box that was being thrown out
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 400, 100mm, f/5.6 and 1/200 SEC])
I often just head out around the house during the weekend to see what I can find, especially when the weather is nice. I always find something and it is always convenient to photograph. I also like when I get surprised by visitors like the Gang-gang Cockatoos. The creatures that reside permanently in my garden and the visitors really add to th enjoyment of living in Canberra.
Thanks for reading this post and thanks also for looking at my photos. I hope you come back again to read more about some of the wonderful natural things that the Australian Capital Territory has on offer. All the best until the next post.