Kite out on a limb

We have one large Eucalyptus tree in the front paddock and it is a favourite perch for birds of prey to cast their eyes across the terrain for their next meal. Today there was a Black Shouldered Kite surveying the scene; most of my sightings of Black Shouldered Kites are on the wing, often hovering in the same manner as Kestrels, searching for a rodent or insects.

Yellow Robin

Ever watchful, the yellow robins like a perch low to the ground where any insect that dares to move is instantly swooped upon, unlike other flycatchers that generally catch their prey on the wing.

Cicadas beware

With so many Cicadas around at present their predators have gathered to make the most of the abundant offerings. Whilst the birds are the most obvious of the hunters the Cicada-killer wasp takes the prize for taking on a prey much larger than itself. The Cicada-killers or Club Wasps belong to the family SPHECIDAE and there are around 420 species of these predatory wasps in Australia. Their prey includes spiders, caterpillars, beetles, and many other insects. The Cicada-killer Wasps Exeirus lateritius are very obvious around the house as they are very large at around 40mm and their strong colour combination makes them stand out as they feed on nectar (as the prey is for their larvae) with a particular favourite flower being the Honey Gem grevillea with its nectar laden flower spikes.They also are regular visitors to the lily tub to get a sip of water.

Australia Day

The kangaroo is probably our most identified Australian, so thought I should post a photo of one of our regular visitors, a female Eastern Grey Kangaroo. We generally have at least one female that likes to spend time close to the house, particularly when she has a small joey in the pouch.

Amongst the foliage

Lewin Honeyeaters are one of our larger resident honeyeater species and the photo is typical of how they like to be; amongst the foliage. They are quite territorial and chase the Yellow Face honeyeaters and Eastern Spinebills out of the bush or tree where they decide there is only room for one.