Exotic feed station

We have an Agavae desmettiana (varigated) in a pot and this year it has sent up a large flower spike and the flowers are starting to open much to the delight of our local honeyeaters.

An Eastern Spinebill demonstrates that you can sip nectar whilst hanging below the flower.

A Lewin Honeyeater finds a more upright position for a sip.

 

Nectar attracts others as well as honeyeaters and a bee almost got out of shot before the Lewin Honeyeater snared it as a tasty addition to the nectar diet.

A moth my first post for some time.

Back home after having a most enjoyable holiday touring around England and Scotland visiting castles, ruins,cathedrals, museums and taking in the scenery. Intended doing a blog on the trip but found the ipad not particularly friendly and usually out of time as we crammed so much into each day.

Since getting back organising and editing photos has been taking up most of my spare time and not taking many photos. We are experiencing the coldest winter for some years and the wildlife is on the scarce side as they are taking shelter from the bitter winds.

Today I found a moth clinging to the flyscreen door and it was one not seen before so a photo was required.

Identified as belonging to the ARCTIINAE family Nyctemera secundiana a species which is often seen flying in daylight. Found in NSW and Qld. and the larvae are known to feed on one of our most prolific and difficult weeds, Fireweed although unfortunately not enough caterpillars to make any impact.