Brandy Flat Hut
(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF40mm f2.8 STM [ISO 125, 40mm, f/14 and 1/80 SEC])

Hiking the Brandy Flat Hut Track - Namadgi National Park, ACT, August 2024

Jon Steinbeck September 16, 2024

In late August I undertook the roughly 11 km Brandy Flat Hut Track from the northern end. This route is considered easier than the southern route because there is less climbing but it is still an interesting trail. The trailhead was easy to find and the trail route was mainly on a fire trail so it was easy to follow. I would recommend the trail, with the hut being the turnaround spot, and a convenient place to take a rest and a snack. There was also a lot wildlife to be seen on the day I did the walk, even if the season was winter.

On top of things, an Eastern Yellow Robin on a garden statue
(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 1000, 400mm, f/8.0 and 1/400 SEC])

Bird visitors to a garden - Narooma, NSW, 2024

Jon Steinbeck August 3, 2024

A garden can be a realm of nature that surrounds a house, however it is more than just a collection of plants. A thriving garden is also a thriving ecosystem where various interplays happen between a variety of organisms all living out their own life cycles. The rear garden of the house in Narooma is a green sanctuary that is not large but I can enjoy and wander around in. It is also a place that a variety of birds visit. We are lucky having a lush nature reserve behind us that birds visit our garden from. One visitor we had was an Eastern Yellow Robin. Fortunately, I was walking up the stairs to the garden with my camera when this little bird decided that a garden statue of a cowering dragon made the perfect perch. It landed on the dragon’s head, like that was the cause of the dragon’s distress. I was worried that lifting my camera would scare the little robin away but it disregarded my movements. It remained there long enough for me to take several shots, trying out slightly different angles as well. The bird was delightfully posed and made my afternoon with its presence. I was really happy with how the shot turned out and I hope you enjoy the photographs below.

Great Egret catching a pipefish among the oyster lines
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 125, 400mm, f/9.0 and 1/500 SEC])

Egrets and Sea-eagles, some constants of Spring - Narooma, NSW, Spring 2023

Jon Steinbeck November 15, 2023

A Great Egret walked through the water, paralleling a row of damp, black oyster bags that sat across the water’s surface. The bird was advancing slowly until it jabbed forward with its yellow beak and one of its wings half-opened to balance it. Withdrawing its head from the water a pipefish wiggled hard, trying to escape. The egret climbed onto the oyster bags and carefully readjusted the pipefish in its beak through a couple of rapid openings and closings, before swallowing the fish. Whereupon the egret returned to patrolling along the top of the bags. I was able to witness the whole encounter from just a few metres away where I was sitting in my kayak on a lovely Spring morning on Wagonga Inlet in Narooma. The inlet is coming alive with a lot of birds and other creatures. I spent a fair bit of time paddling around the inlet enjoying some beautiful mornings and wonderful encounters with birds. I hope that you enjoy the photographs below.

Little Wattlebird in Cape Honeysuckle
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 160, 400mm, f/8.0 and 1/400 SEC])

A quiet house with a living garden - Beautiful Narooma Part 3, Summer 2022/23

Jon Steinbeck March 9, 2023

The back garden of the house we were staying in at Narooma was relatively secluded from our neighbours on either side. To the rear was a nature reserve with well established eucalyptus and other trees, but also with an understory for smaller birds to seek shelter in. Over the summer the house’s garden was rich with blooming flowers that honeyeaters enjoyed and attracted insects for the insect-eaters to prey on. The garden was alive with life that barely cared if I was there. Hanging out the washing on the back clothes line always took a while because I was constantly distracted. I started carrying my camera with me because I wanted to capture some of this activity. One day a Little Wattlebird was sampling the nectar from the well established Cape Honeysuckle. The bird wood have some nectar from a few flowers in the group before flying to another group, only to return to the original group a little while later. It was the embodiment of being spoilt with riches and wanting to have it all but not knowing where to eat next.

Very happy with this head shot of a female Eastern Grey Kangaroo that almost hopped into me
(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 400, 400mm, f/8.0 and 1/400 SEC])

Happy with a kangaroo head portrait and different angles of birds - Aranda Bushland Nature Reserve, October 2021

Jon Steinbeck November 30, 2021

Sometimes there is an unexpected moment with a wild animal that makes for a special encounter, even with a very common animal. I was fortunate to have such a moment with a female Eastern Grey Kangaroo at Aranda Bushland Nature Reserve one Sunday in October 2021. I was walking through some light scrub heading towards a dam when a kangaroo bounded along from the opposite direction. I stopped when I noticed the movement but the kangaroo was still moving, abruptly halting her progress just five metres from me. She stood up on her hind legs, taken aback a little by this human unexpectedly in front of her. She stared at me, possibly considering what I was doing. While she was looking at me I raised my camera carefully to take some photos. I was too close for my lens to get her whole body so I focused on her head. The sun was almost directly behind my shoulder, nicely lighting her eyes. After a few seconds of this meeting she shifted weight, jumping off around me into the scrub that I had just come from. I really enjoyed the brief encounter during a visit when it was a challenge to find many animals. Despite the difficulty in finding animals it was nice to be out and I hope that you enjoy the photographs below.

Male Superb Fairy-wren, still displaying his breeding season blue plumage, on a frost-covered plant(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 400, 400mm, f/8.0 and 1/400 SEC]) — Male Superb Fairy-wren, still displaying his breeding season blue plumage, on a frost-covered plant
(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 400, 400mm, f/8.0 and 1/400 SEC])

Frosty morning with small birds at Callum Brae Nature Reserve - May 2021

Jon Steinbeck May 24, 2021

The Sunday dawned with the forecasted sub-zero temperature accompanied by a heavy frost. I had been thinking about the forecast the whole week, watching It firm as a morning below freezing while the weekend approached. I was wondering how I could use the conditions to my advantage to take some winter-like photographs. Eventually I decided that I would head to Callum Brae Nature Reserve again so that I could walk through the narrow connecting corridor to Jerrabomberra West Nature Reserve with its open, grassy fields. I was hoping that the grassland would provide some opportunities for frosty morning photography. During my trip I was happy that along the way I saw some beautiful little birds, including a Striated Pardalote that was in a nicely lit part of a tree. I hope that you enjoy the photographs below.

Silvereye on a blackberry bush in the morning sun(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 250, 400mm, f/8.0 and 1/320 SEC]) — Silvereye on a blackberry bush in the morning sun
(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 250, 400mm, f/8.0 and 1/320 SEC])

Big spiders and small birds made the Cotter Reserve interesting in February 2021

Jon Steinbeck February 27, 2021

The Australian Capital Territory’s (ACT) rather elongated shape is because when it was seperated from New South Wales (NSW) the new Federal Government decided that the soon to be created national capital, Canberra, needed to have its own guaranteed water supply. In this part of Australia the water generally flows from the Australian Alps, south of Canberra, so the ACT was given access to rivers that would supply it with fresh water. One of these rivers was the Cotter River, which was damned soon after the founding of Canberra to create the Cotter Dam. To help preserve the quality of water there is no urban development around lake, just the regenerated natural environment created by what is known unofficially as the Cotter Reserve.

Speckled Warbler in a tree(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 1000, 400mm, f/8.0 and 1/200 SEC]) — Speckled Warbler in a tree
(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 1000, 400mm, f/8.0 and 1/200 SEC])

Speckled Warbler, Orange-winged Sittella and, at last, frogs! - Photographing at Cuumbeun Nature Reserve on Sunday, 4 October 2020

Jon Steinbeck October 11, 2020

Heading east out of Canberra towards the coast most of Canberra’s residents will use the Kings Highway. We all know that highway well as it winds its way to the refreshing coastal waters during a Canberra summer. I also decided to go for a drive one Sunday morning in October but with the intent to stop much closer to Canberra. I probably expect that most people who drive that road think that the bit of natural bush land on the southern side of the highway just after it climbs out of Queanbeyan is an uncleared development waiting for Queanbeyan to expand. I also had not really given it much thought until I became curious as to what the land was and whether I could photograph on it. The land is part of the Cuumbeun Nature Reserve, which is open to the public. It is a 709 hectare reserve only created in 2001.

Silvereye on Silver Wattle looking for its next place to feed(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 1000, 360mm, f/8.0 and 1/640 SEC]) — Silvereye on Silver Wattle looking for its next place to feed
(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 1000, 360mm, f/8.0 and 1/640 SEC])

Honeyeaters, Rufous Whistler and a multitude of small birds - Photographing at Paddys River on Sundays, 6 and 13 September 2020

Jon Steinbeck September 25, 2020

While I have visited where Paddys River meets the Cotter River, I have only ever driven across the bridge over Paddys River further upstream on my way to Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve but never given a thought to stopping there. So I decided it was time to stop at that bridge to explore that area underneath it to see what animals there were. In the end, I visited the area over two successive weekends because I found so much of interest. I was focussed more on the birds but there was other life around, all of which will make me include this location on my regular visit list. It was so tranquil yet so full of life with different species of honeyeaters, and so many small birds whirling around me. Plus there was the reassuring gurgle of Paddys River flowing past me on both visits.

Yellow-rumped Thornbill looking for food in the grass(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 100, 400mm, f/8.0 and 1/320 SEC]) — Yellow-rumped Thornbill looking for food in the grass
(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 100, 400mm, f/8.0 and 1/320 SEC])

Yellow-rumped Thornbills, Scarlet Robin and Red-necked Wallaby joey - Photographing at Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve on Sunday, 30 August 2020

Jon Steinbeck September 10, 2020

Sunday, 30 August was just such a beautiful morning it would have been a waste to stay home, sleeping in. Instead, I headed out early for Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve to the south of Canberra. Unfortunately, I was too keen, the gates were still closed when I arrived, which was a little unusual because in the past I have driven straight in, even before 7 AM. This day, may be it was a new rule to actually abide by the opening hours, the reserve did not open until its scheduled time of 7:30. While it was frustrating that I could not drive straight in, I spent the time wandering around just outside the entrance photographing things.

Australian Wood Duck female calling by a small pond(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 800, 400mm, f/6.3 and 1/320 SEC]) — Australian Wood Duck female calling by a small pond
(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 800, 400mm, f/6.3 and 1/320 SEC])

Superb Fairy-wrens, Australian Wood Duck and Galahs - Photographing at Goorooyarroo Nature Reserve on Sunday, 16 August 2020

Jon Steinbeck August 19, 2020

Sunday’s weather might not have been great but the available light was better than it had been for a while so I decided to head back to Goorooyarroo Nature Reserve. The recent heavy rains across Canberra meant that the reserve was very wet. At one stage I found myself walking up a slight hill yet there was pooling water amongst the grass, even on a slope. Lighting wise, there was a bit of cloud hanging about but the sun was coming through. Canberra is at the end of winter so the days are getting longer and the birds appear to be starting their mating preparations, with the Wood Ducks calling and male Fairy-wrens showing their blue plumage. I went a slightly different way to the path I travelled last time, wanting to explore more, although I still found myself climbing up a hill. I am glad I went out for the morning and I am glad the light gave me a chance to get some shots. I hope you like the photos below.

Australian Pelican flying over Sunset Beach at Sunset, one of my last shots of the trip and I love it:-)(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF70-200mm f/4L IS II USM [ISO 2000, 200mm, f/14 and 1/200 SEC]) — Australian Pelican flying over Sunset Beach at Sunset, one of my last shots of the trip and I love it:-)
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF70-200mm f/4L IS II USM [ISO 2000, 200mm, f/14 and 1/200 SEC])

Australian Pelican, Blue-faced Honeyeater, Lace Monitor and other amazing wildlife - Photographing north of Newcastle, Australia in November 2019

Jon Steinbeck August 12, 2020

This blog post also starts with an apology as these photos are from November 2019 when I was doing some temporary work around Newcastle Airport. I have been busy with a number of other things since then so it took me a while to process all the photographs I had taken. In the past, while I was away for work, when I finished for the day I did not really do much but that November was the first time I was away for work since I took up photography, and I just wanted to go out to shoot photographs. I had taken my Canon EOS 6D Mark II, Canon EF70-200mm f/4L IS II USM and Canon EF100mm f2.8L Macro IS USM with me for this very purpose. From the first day I was determined to head out to photograph. I was very close to the Tilligerry State Conservation Area but there is no public access allowed so I had to contend with walking around the edge. I ended up finding this creek that ran along the western side and there were no signs saying I could not walk along this creek. That creek was fantastic because I could follow it beside the conservation area and move away from the roads. I also wandered off to other locations, trying different directions to see what I could find. I found a number of different areas like marshy ground or overgrown farm fields. I did not have a car with me so I was limited to moving on foot. Except on the last afternoon when I went with a friend down to Sunset Beach for dinner. I was so happy with all the wildlife I saw and I really missed not having my Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM to get better shots. That said, my lens combination really worked out well and that camera gear sat in a small back pack I could take as cabin luggage on the compact aircraft Fly Pelican used for the Canberra to Newcastle route. I had two weeks of solid photography, by myself, just walking around the area, it was a lot of fun. I enjoyed myself and I hope you enjoy the photographs below.

A pair of Australian Wood Ducks with 16 ducklings(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 250, 400mm, f/11 and 1/400 SEC]) — A pair of Australian Wood Ducks with 16 ducklings
(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 250, 400mm, f/11 and 1/400 SEC])

A large Australian Wood Duck family and macro shooting, including my first frogs - Photographing around Canberra in April 2020

Jon Steinbeck May 9, 2020

I am still trying to get back into a routine but life always seems to get in the way but at least I got out a number of times in April. I was happy to get out at night a couple of times to do some night-time macro shooting. My son even came out with one time to Aranda Bushland Nature Reserve and pointed out my first frog, which I had already walked straight past. As there were school holidays we went out for some afternoon walks around Red Hill Nature Reserve and he patiently waited for me to take some photographs. Even though Canberra was still in the middle of the COVID-19 restrictions it was an enjoyable April and I also made another video that you can watch in this post. I hope you enjoy the photographs below.

A male Gang-gang Cockatoo preening the head of a female(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 800, 400mm, f/10 and 1/500 SEC]) — A male Gang-gang Cockatoo preening the head of a female
(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 800, 400mm, f/10 and 1/500 SEC])

Gang-gang Cockatoo in a hollow, another Dollarbird and some interesting insects - Photographing around Red Hill Nature Reserve on Sunday, 24 November 2019

Jon Steinbeck November 30, 2019

The birds on Red Hill Nature Reserve were fantastic this Sunday morning despite the overcast and cloudy conditions. There were so many Gang-gang cockatoos around, including a quiet male being a sentinel at the entrance to a hollow. I saw another Dollarbird on a different part of the hill to the one last week, as well as my first ever Cicadabird. I was also glad I had my macro photography set-up with me as there were some interesting insects, including from the day before when I went walking around my yard with the macro camera. I hope you enjoy the photographs below.

A White-eared Honeyeater getting some morning sun in the top of a tree(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 400, 400mm, f/8.0 and 1/500 SEC]) — A White-eared Honeyeater getting some morning sun in the top of a tree
(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 400, 400mm, f/8.0 and 1/500 SEC])

A White-eared Honeyeater looking for food in wattle and my first Double-barred Finches - Photographing around Hall on Sunday, 15 September 2019

Jon Steinbeck September 27, 2019

Hall is a small town, a village really, which existed in this area before Canberra was established. When Hall was absorbed into the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) its residences lost some of their rights as they moved from under New South Wales to the federal administration of the non-self-governing ACT. This was my first trip to Hall and I loved the place and the birdlife. I mainly wandered along the One Tree Hill track that starts on the north side of Hall. I did not go far but I saw honeyeaters, finches, a Grey Thrush-shrike and a number of other wonderful birds. I hope you like the photographs below.

One of the Grey Fantails momentarily perched on a tree, before it started moving again(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 400, 400mm, f/8.0 and 1/400 SEC]) — One of the Grey Fantails momentarily perched on a tree, before it started moving again
(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 400, 400mm, f/8.0 and 1/400 SEC])

So many Grey Fantails, some other small birds and even a Nankeen Kestrel - Photographing at the Tharwa Sandwash on Sunday, 8 September 2019

Jon Steinbeck September 15, 2019

Australian Capital Territory. It was a quiet little spot at the end of an unsealed road but with a tranquil beauty despite the strong wind blowing that morning. I really did not care if I saw any birds or not, I was just happy to soak up the peaceful. quietness of this location. The car park was almost at the river bank, with large, shady gums providing a canopy over the short walk to the river edge. The Murrumbidgee River was slowly slipping past in an almost imperceptible way. Everything about this spot seemed to reinforce that it was a location to slow down in. I had originally had a plan to climb a nearby hill but, in the end, I barely covered much distance, I just stayed very close to the river. I really enjoyed my quiet Sunday morning there and I hope you enjoy the photographs below.

A White-throated Treecreeper who may have found some food(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 400, 248mm, f/8.0 and 1/250 SEC]) — A White-throated Treecreeper who may have found some food
(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 400, 248mm, f/8.0 and 1/250 SEC])

A White-throated Treecreeper searching for food and the lovely blue of a male Superb Fairy-wren - Photographing at Red Hill Nature Reserve on Saturday, 27 July 2019

Jon Steinbeck August 4, 2019

Red Hill Nature Reserve is a lovely place to start a weekend. The weather was a little overcast so I figured I needed to be on the north facing aspect to take advantage of whatever sun there was. Unfortunately, while I was photographing the fog rolled in to block the sunlight on what had been developing into a lovely day weatherise. Despite the fickle weather I was able to find some interesting subjects, including a White-throated Treecreeper who was happy to be on a tree in close proximity to me. I also took some low-light shots of two juvenile male Eastern Grey Kangaroos fighting as well as a shy Red-necked Wallaby. I hope you enjoy the photographs below.

A Sulphur-crested Cockatoo looking out from a tree hollow(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 400, 400mm, f/8.0 and 1/250 SEC] with Canon 430EX III-RT flash) — A Sulphur-crested Cockatoo looking out from a tree hollow
(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 400, 400mm, f/8.0 and 1/250 SEC] with Canon 430EX III-RT flash)

Sulphur-crested Cockatoos in tree hollows - Photographing around Red Hill Nature Reserve on Saturday, 20 July 2019

Jon Steinbeck July 29, 2019

Red Hill Nature Reserve was again where I found myself on Saturday morning. My initial focus was to play around with an old Canon 40mm f2.8 STM pancake lens I had from 2008, not the later model. I had recently started using the lens but I was not sure how it suited my style of photography. Sorry, there are a few experimental photos with that lens below so feel free to skip those to the see the birds below. I had a good play around with it before I went back to the telephoto lens to see what wildlife was around. It was another fantastic morning to be out on Red Hill. I again came across two species of pardalotes before encountering different Sulphur-crested Cockatoos checking out two separate tree hollows. Later that day I found myself at Lake Burley Griffin. It was a social occasion rather than a photographic one but I still had my camera with me, once again seeing what I could do with a 40mm lens. I have included some of those photos at the bottom, including of a pair of Magpie-larks. I hope you enjoy the photographs below.

A female Australian Wood Duck nicely reflected in a still pond(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 800, 400mm, f/6.3 and 1/100 SEC]) — A female Australian Wood Duck nicely reflected in a still pond
(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 800, 400mm, f/6.3 and 1/100 SEC])

A pair of placid Australian Wood Ducks and two beautiful Crimson Rosellas - Photographing at Aranda Bushland Nature Reserve on Sunday, 7 July 2019

Jon Steinbeck July 10, 2019

Aranda Bushland Nature Reserve is a small reserve to the west of Black Mountain Nature Reserve. Given the time of year I was not planning on walking the usual routes through the reserve because there would probably not be too much wildlife to see. I decided to try some small ponds that were in the bushland. I had not been to these ponds before so I was not sure what to expect. The first pond was close to a road and there was not much life on the water. The second pond was further in among the trees and my initial thoughts were that there was not much there either. Fortunately, while peering through some branches I noticed a pair of Australian Wood Ducks. I was able to spend some time quietly photographing them. They were aware of me but grew used to my presence. I am beginning to make a habit of sitting by small ponds on cold Sunday mornings. Beyond the pond, I was fascinated by some lichen. With a bit of an imagination I am sure I could see a tree spirit’s face in the pattern on one tree. No, I do not believe in spirits, but it was nice to indulge my inner child. I hope you enjoy the pictures below.

A Little Pied Cormorant and a White-faced Heron share a resting spot at Uriarra Crossing(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 400, 400mm, f/8.0 and 1/320 SEC]) — A Little Pied Cormorant and a White-faced Heron share a resting spot at Uriarra Crossing
(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 400, 400mm, f/8.0 and 1/320 SEC])

Water birds in the fog and Brown Thornbill looking for food, plus some amazing looking insects - Photographing at Uriarra Crossing Reserve and home on Sunday, 2 June 2019

Jon Steinbeck June 15, 2019

I enjoy being beside a slow-moving river, there is something relaxing in the sound of the water leisurely flowing past. I enjoy it even more when there is birdlife going about its business while I watch the events unfold. That is probably why I again found myself sitting beside the Murrumbidgee River on a cold, foggy Sunday morning at Uriarra Crossing thoroughly engrossed in the moment without worrying about the frigid temperature. There were some lovely birds down near the river, including a Little Pied Cormorant and a White-faced Heron sharing the convenience of a toppled-over tree. This post also includes some photographs at the bottom that I took at home later that morning, when I was supposed to be cleaning up the backyard. In moving some wood I came across some fascinating creatures I just had to photograph, before I returned to cleaning up the garden.