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Archive for May, 2011

‘Nature’s Palette’ – a lorikeet love story!

Rainbow & Scaly. Love at first sight?

I am thrilled to be able to bring to you ‘Nature’s Palette’, a written and photographic record by Trixie Benbrook of her ‘once in a lifetime’ experience observing the behaviour of lorikeets and the development of their young.

Trixie is a like-minded environmentalist and wildlife carer, who also enjoys photography – which in the case of ‘Nature’s Palette’ proved not only enjoyable but highly challenging! 

I thank Trixie very much for her mammoth effort in producing ‘Nature’s Palette’, and for allowing me to use it on my site.

(Access ‘Nature’s Palette” by clicking on the page link in the right-hand side bar).

PS. Don’t forget to also have a look at ‘The Agony & the Ecstasy’. This is Trixie’s behind the scenes look at producing ‘Nature’s Palette’, which reveals not only persistence and dedication, but also that Trixie has a great sense of humour (which I might add, is an essential ingredient in being a wildlife carer!)

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Native drone fly (Eristalinus punctulatus)

I found this fascinating and handsome looking creature on our chrysanthemums recently, and couldn’t resist taking its pic! I had no idea what it was except that it buzzed like a bee, but wasn’t a bee – so I just called it my ‘Stripey Fly’.

Some Googling revealed that it was a hover fly, a Native Drone Fly. It gets its name from the fact that it drones (buzzes) like a bee, and this is to trick the bees into thinking it is a bee (as are its stripes), so it can get to share their nectar source with them. Pretty clever heh?!

It’s larvae also eat aphids, making it a VERY good Aussie bug – they are welcome in our garden any time!


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