Saturday 22 March 2014

Reading, books and cats



via







Edward Gorey 
Eccentric American writer and artist noted for his illustrated books… and cats.








Saturday 15 March 2014

A spiny encounter


On our walk yesterday, we came across this little fellow.

All together now, awwwwww.


Totally and utterly uninterested that we were there, this Echidna (aka Spiny Anteater) excavated the hard dirt with his/her very powerful claws, in search of a late afternoon snack - ants or termites probably, or maybe a tasty worm.

Hubby and Jack stayed well back, while I watched him in wonder, and was able to get quite close, as he was lost in his foraging.
After a short while, he set his sights on more humus (and insect) rich soil... across the road.

 Down the kerb and off I go.


He was happy to have me accompany him and watch for cars, blissfully unaware of the dangers. He had a firm idea of where he was going, and nothing was going to stop him. And, with those spines, who was I to argue?


This was one of those times I cursed that I didn't have my camera. I used hubby's iPhone, so some of the images aren't too sharp and, I never know where to put my thumb, hence the pink tinged shadow - sorry folks :)

Once safely on the other side, we left him, happily burrowing deep into what seemed the promise of a good meal.




What a fine encounter with one of Australia's wonderful inhabitants.





 

Thursday 6 March 2014

Bugged out


There are times when I’m grateful for my forgetfulness.

I left my camera in the glove box the other day, and kept meaning to go get it (I don’t like to leave it in the car), but was distracted each time I thought of it.
So yesterday, when I pulled into the local shops car park and saw, “The Bug Guy”, I paused and then smiled as I reached for my camera.

The last time I saw this guy at the shop, I had no camera with me, so the opportunity went begging.
Not this time.

He was already somewhere in the store when I hurriedly dashed through the turnstile, grabbing a basket and pulling my camera out of my pocket.
With neither grace nor subtlety, I lurched from aisle to aisle, staring intently down each one.

Now, the way I excitedly stalked the man in the little black hat, you’d think I was five, not fifty.

I bailed him up in the bread section.
The slightly manic look in my eyes had him stepping back a pace or two.

What’s the reason for my behaviour, you ask? Aside from the fact that I’m an oddball, and unusual things tickle my fancy?

This...

(you can click on the photos for a closer look)




He walks around with live massive insects clinging to him!

These seem a lot like the garden variety stick insects, only much, much larger. Aren't they lovely?
They're commonly known as Children's Stick Insect or, Yellow Winged Spectre. Cool.

When they feel threatened by a predator, they will attempt to bluff it by displaying the "eye blotches" on their wings.


 via

Delicate and beautiful.


Although, I have to admit that I was just a little bit disappointed, as the last time I met him, his companions were these little guys...



Spiny Leaf Insects.
 
And, they have the cutest faces - like little aliens  :)




The Bug Man, aka Alan, takes his "bugs" to festivals and generally out and about, to inform and educate children and adults about some of our weird and wonderful insects.
Be fascinated, not afraid. Respect.

And no, none of his friends ever leap off him and end up in the mixed lettuce bins in the fruit & veg section.
He always leaves with the same number of critters he goes in with  :)



Snakes, bugs, birds, animals… they all interest me. Everything has its place on this earth, and are so fascinating to meet and learn about.








 

Saturday 1 March 2014

Dog Days: March


His ears were often the first thing to catch my tears.
 ~Elizabeth Barrett Browning, referring to her cocker spaniel, Flush





 These velvet black ears have caught many of my tears over the years.