Saturday, November 28, 2009
Coast of Burrum Heads to Hervey Bay
You can see the coast of Hervey Bay across the water from this point about 5 kms from Burrum Heads.
This image is looking towards Toogoom.
I walk every day with my sandals tied behind on my belt, and a plastic bag for collecting shells.
There are shells everywhere...they are on the beaches along the water and along the edge of the sand.
I collected them firstly to decorate the edge of the garden, then to fill a large bowl, and now to make hangings and wind chimes.
The sand is pristine white and squeaks s you walk on the fine dry sand at the edges, which is edged by the Nature Forest.
It is very beautiful.
This image is looking back to Burrum Heads. You can see the tip of the Left Head at the entrance to the Bay.
This image is looking towards Toogoom.
I walk every day with my sandals tied behind on my belt, and a plastic bag for collecting shells.
There are shells everywhere...they are on the beaches along the water and along the edge of the sand.
I collected them firstly to decorate the edge of the garden, then to fill a large bowl, and now to make hangings and wind chimes.
The sand is pristine white and squeaks s you walk on the fine dry sand at the edges, which is edged by the Nature Forest.
It is very beautiful.
This image is looking back to Burrum Heads. You can see the tip of the Left Head at the entrance to the Bay.
Kookaburra Sings at Dawn
There are many Kookaburras in the trees.
Laughing Kookaburra
Scientific name: Dacelo novaeguineae
Family: Halcyonidae
Order: Coraciiformes
The Laughing Kookaburra is instantly recognizable in both plumage and voice. It is generally off-white below, faintly barred with dark brown, and brown on the back and wings. The tail is more rufous, broadly barred with black. There is a conspicuous dark brown eye-stripe through the face. It is one of the larger members of the kingfisher family.
Laughing Kookaburras feed mostly on insects, worms and crustaceans, although small snakes, mammals, frogs and birds may also be eaten. Prey is seized by pouncing from a suitable perch. Small prey is eaten whole, but larger prey is killed by bashing it against the ground or tree branch.
Laughing Kookaburras are believed to pair for life. The nest is a bare chamber in a naturally occurring tree hollow or in a burrow excavated in an arboreal (tree-dwelling) termite mound. Both sexes share the incubation duties and both care for the young. Other Laughing Kookaburras, usually offspring of the previous one to two years, act as 'helpers' during the breeding season. Every bird in the group shares all parenting duties
http://birdsinbackyards.net/bird/37
Listen to the sound that wakes me up at Dawn...and he is not singing...he is telling all about his territory and warning them off...
http://birdsinbackyards.net/images/audio/dacelo-novaeguineae.mp3
Laughing Kookaburra
Scientific name: Dacelo novaeguineae
Family: Halcyonidae
Order: Coraciiformes
The Laughing Kookaburra is instantly recognizable in both plumage and voice. It is generally off-white below, faintly barred with dark brown, and brown on the back and wings. The tail is more rufous, broadly barred with black. There is a conspicuous dark brown eye-stripe through the face. It is one of the larger members of the kingfisher family.
Laughing Kookaburras feed mostly on insects, worms and crustaceans, although small snakes, mammals, frogs and birds may also be eaten. Prey is seized by pouncing from a suitable perch. Small prey is eaten whole, but larger prey is killed by bashing it against the ground or tree branch.
Laughing Kookaburras are believed to pair for life. The nest is a bare chamber in a naturally occurring tree hollow or in a burrow excavated in an arboreal (tree-dwelling) termite mound. Both sexes share the incubation duties and both care for the young. Other Laughing Kookaburras, usually offspring of the previous one to two years, act as 'helpers' during the breeding season. Every bird in the group shares all parenting duties
http://birdsinbackyards.net/bird/37
Listen to the sound that wakes me up at Dawn...and he is not singing...he is telling all about his territory and warning them off...
http://birdsinbackyards.net/images/audio/dacelo-novaeguineae.mp3
Hand of God
The Hand of God reached out through the evening sky
As the sunset went into the next stage, rays of sun poured out.
It was magical.
I was feeling sad and a bit pensive. The Sunset always renews my Soul and makes me whole again.
I was feeling Empty and forsaken and a little bit alone.
Then I saw the Hand of God and realised that I was not alone in the world.
The Hand Reached out to me, and said I was always loved and Looked after.
I remembered the blessings in my life and felt humbled that the Hand had come to remind me of God's Love.
I watched the sunset grow into a blaze of light with the Rays of the sun reaching out towards the hand.
I felt at peace and was blessed by the Hand.
I share it with you...May it Bless You too, as it blessed me.
.....There is more too....my creativity is back and I am painting again.
As the sunset went into the next stage, rays of sun poured out.
It was magical.
I was feeling sad and a bit pensive. The Sunset always renews my Soul and makes me whole again.
I was feeling Empty and forsaken and a little bit alone.
Then I saw the Hand of God and realised that I was not alone in the world.
The Hand Reached out to me, and said I was always loved and Looked after.
I remembered the blessings in my life and felt humbled that the Hand had come to remind me of God's Love.
I watched the sunset grow into a blaze of light with the Rays of the sun reaching out towards the hand.
I felt at peace and was blessed by the Hand.
I share it with you...May it Bless You too, as it blessed me.
.....There is more too....my creativity is back and I am painting again.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Pelicans on the Beach
Pelicans know when there are fish in the water.
They wait at places where the fish are.
They wait at places where the fish are.
Tide is coming in at 5 pm...
The tide came in at a very fast pace.
One moment I was walking on the edge of the water out in the bay, then I was almost at the edge of the shoreline as the tide followed me.
You could see the water coming in in swirling waves.
It was very beautiful
One moment I was walking on the edge of the water out in the bay, then I was almost at the edge of the shoreline as the tide followed me.
You could see the water coming in in swirling waves.
It was very beautiful
November 25th Sunset at Burrum Heads
It wasn't exactly spectacular, but I, (and many midgees nibbling on me), was there to see it.
Pelican Grooming
Finally the Pelicans on the Bay did not fly off immediately.
They stayed with their entourage of seagulls, and let me take photos.
They stayed with their entourage of seagulls, and let me take photos.
Tree Lopper takes down a Tree
This was fascinating.
The tree was old, and discarding leaves and branches,and because it was in a caravan park where safety is an issue, it was chopped down.
The birds who made this their regular haunt flew off in total dismay.
The area around the tree was cleared.
The cherry picker was positioned and the man with a hand-held electric saw went up in the cherry picker.
He carefully cut branches and threw them down to where two colleagues collected them and put them straight into the shredder.
The branches were shredded into bark, which was later used to put back into gardens.
Neatly, carefully, efficiently the huge tree that had taken maybe 50 years to grow, was demolished in less than a hour, and shredded into reusable tree bark.
The annexes were returned, the area swept and cleared of debris, and life continued on for all except the tree.
The tree was old, and discarding leaves and branches,and because it was in a caravan park where safety is an issue, it was chopped down.
The birds who made this their regular haunt flew off in total dismay.
The area around the tree was cleared.
The cherry picker was positioned and the man with a hand-held electric saw went up in the cherry picker.
He carefully cut branches and threw them down to where two colleagues collected them and put them straight into the shredder.
The branches were shredded into bark, which was later used to put back into gardens.
Neatly, carefully, efficiently the huge tree that had taken maybe 50 years to grow, was demolished in less than a hour, and shredded into reusable tree bark.
The annexes were returned, the area swept and cleared of debris, and life continued on for all except the tree.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Goanna...Monitor Lizard
He lives in the Caravan Park.
I was sitting outside reading a book, when a scratching sound realised a small goanna crawling through the fallen leaves from under my Unit.
He walked across the road to the lusher garden opposite and sat on a rock and surveyed the world before retiring to the green
The goanna ('go-anna') is an Australian reptile that is also known as the monitor lizard. Some species of goanna can grow up to 2 m (around 6 ft) long.
Goanna
is the name given to any of the various Australian monitor lizards of the genus Varanus, as well as to certain species from Southeast Asia.
There are around 20 species of goanna, 15 of which are endemic to Australia. They are a varied group of carnivorous reptiles that range greatly in size and fill several ecological niches. The Goanna features prominently in Aboriginal mythology and Australian folklore. Traditionally, it formed an important part the diet of many Aboriginal peoples.
Being predatory lizards, goannas are often quite large, or at least bulky, with sharp teeth and claws. The largest is the Perentie (Varanus giganteus), which can grow over 2m in length. Goannas prey on all manner of small animals; insects, lizards, snakes, mammals, birds, eggs.
Most goannas are dark in coloration, whites, greys, blacks and greens featuring prominently. Many desert dwelling species also feature yellow-red tones. Camouflage ranges from bands and stripes to splotches, speckles and circles, and can change as the creature matures; juveniles sometimes being brighter than adults.
Like most lizards, goannas lay eggs. Most lay eggs in a nest or burrow, but some species lay their eggs inside termite mounds. This offers protection and incubation, additionally the termites may provide a meal for the young as they hatch. Unlike other species of lizards, goannas do not have the ability to regrow limbs or tails.
http://www.walkaboutpark.com.au/index.php?id=228
Goannas (aranus gouldii) have flat bodies, long necks, big claws, well-developed teeth and forked tongues and they make very good bush tucker.
Twenty of the world's 30 monitor species are found in Australia. Goannas are carnivorous and live off insects and small animals and love to eat eggs. They usually walk around on all fours, but will rise up on their back legs to defend themselves from attackers.
I was sitting outside reading a book, when a scratching sound realised a small goanna crawling through the fallen leaves from under my Unit.
He walked across the road to the lusher garden opposite and sat on a rock and surveyed the world before retiring to the green
The goanna ('go-anna') is an Australian reptile that is also known as the monitor lizard. Some species of goanna can grow up to 2 m (around 6 ft) long.
Goanna
is the name given to any of the various Australian monitor lizards of the genus Varanus, as well as to certain species from Southeast Asia.
There are around 20 species of goanna, 15 of which are endemic to Australia. They are a varied group of carnivorous reptiles that range greatly in size and fill several ecological niches. The Goanna features prominently in Aboriginal mythology and Australian folklore. Traditionally, it formed an important part the diet of many Aboriginal peoples.
Being predatory lizards, goannas are often quite large, or at least bulky, with sharp teeth and claws. The largest is the Perentie (Varanus giganteus), which can grow over 2m in length. Goannas prey on all manner of small animals; insects, lizards, snakes, mammals, birds, eggs.
Most goannas are dark in coloration, whites, greys, blacks and greens featuring prominently. Many desert dwelling species also feature yellow-red tones. Camouflage ranges from bands and stripes to splotches, speckles and circles, and can change as the creature matures; juveniles sometimes being brighter than adults.
Like most lizards, goannas lay eggs. Most lay eggs in a nest or burrow, but some species lay their eggs inside termite mounds. This offers protection and incubation, additionally the termites may provide a meal for the young as they hatch. Unlike other species of lizards, goannas do not have the ability to regrow limbs or tails.
http://www.walkaboutpark.com.au/index.php?id=228
Goannas (aranus gouldii) have flat bodies, long necks, big claws, well-developed teeth and forked tongues and they make very good bush tucker.
Twenty of the world's 30 monitor species are found in Australia. Goannas are carnivorous and live off insects and small animals and love to eat eggs. They usually walk around on all fours, but will rise up on their back legs to defend themselves from attackers.
Baby Frogmouth
This has to be my favorite photo and favorite Owl.
I thought it was an owl, and just discovered it is a Frogmouth.
They are still there in the same tree and growing bigger.
One always seems to be awake each time I visit.
They are birds that are awake at night.
They are not owls.
They eat insects, frogs and small animals.
Their covering is feathers.
They hide by staying still looking like a tree branch.
The Tawny Frogmouth is often thought to be an owl, but is in fact related to nightjars. There are 14 species, or kinds, or frogmouth.
Habitat and Distribution (where they are found)
Frogmouths are commonly seen throughout Australia, but not in rain forests or deserts. Tawny frogmouths prefer open eucalyptus woodland.
Appearance and Behaviors
Frogmouths do not have strong talons (claws) like owls.
Males and females look alike, and are 35-50 cm long.They have yellow eyes and a wide beak topped with a tuft of bristly feathers. They make loud clacking sounds with their beaks and their call sounds like drumbeats.
Photograph by Mike Dyson, with permission
Owls fly around at night hunting food, but Tawny Frogmouths generally remain sitting very still on a low perch, and wait for food to come to them. They catch prey with their beaks, and sometimes drop from their perch onto the prey on the ground.
Tawny frogmouths hunt at night and spend the day roosting on a dead log or tree branch close to the tree trunk.
Their camouflage is excellent - staying very still and upright, they look just like part of the branch.
Diet
The Tawny frogmouth feeds on rats, mice, cicadas, beetles, frogs and other small prey. They catch their prey with their beaks rather than with their talons, another way in which they are different from owls.
Life Cycle
Tawny frogmouth pairs stay together until one of the pair dies. They breed from August to December. They usually use the same nest each year, and must make repairs to their loose, untidy platforms of sticks. After mating with the male, the female lays two or three eggs onto a lining of green leaves in the nest. Both male and female take turns sitting on the eggs to incubate them until they hatch about 30 days later. Both parents help feed the chicks.The chicks move to the edge of the nest and direct their droppings over the edge. About 25 days after hatching, the chicks are ready to leave the nest and lead their own lives.
http://www.amonline.net.au/factsheets/tawny_frogmouth.htm
Sydenham, S. & Thomas, R. Tawny Frogmouth [Online] www.kidcyber.com.au (2003)
I thought it was an owl, and just discovered it is a Frogmouth.
They are still there in the same tree and growing bigger.
One always seems to be awake each time I visit.
They are birds that are awake at night.
They are not owls.
They eat insects, frogs and small animals.
Their covering is feathers.
They hide by staying still looking like a tree branch.
The Tawny Frogmouth is often thought to be an owl, but is in fact related to nightjars. There are 14 species, or kinds, or frogmouth.
Habitat and Distribution (where they are found)
Frogmouths are commonly seen throughout Australia, but not in rain forests or deserts. Tawny frogmouths prefer open eucalyptus woodland.Appearance and Behaviors
Frogmouths do not have strong talons (claws) like owls.
Males and females look alike, and are 35-50 cm long.They have yellow eyes and a wide beak topped with a tuft of bristly feathers. They make loud clacking sounds with their beaks and their call sounds like drumbeats.
Photograph by Mike Dyson, with permission
Owls fly around at night hunting food, but Tawny Frogmouths generally remain sitting very still on a low perch, and wait for food to come to them. They catch prey with their beaks, and sometimes drop from their perch onto the prey on the ground.
Tawny frogmouths hunt at night and spend the day roosting on a dead log or tree branch close to the tree trunk. Their camouflage is excellent - staying very still and upright, they look just like part of the branch.
Diet
The Tawny frogmouth feeds on rats, mice, cicadas, beetles, frogs and other small prey. They catch their prey with their beaks rather than with their talons, another way in which they are different from owls.
Life Cycle
Tawny frogmouth pairs stay together until one of the pair dies. They breed from August to December. They usually use the same nest each year, and must make repairs to their loose, untidy platforms of sticks. After mating with the male, the female lays two or three eggs onto a lining of green leaves in the nest. Both male and female take turns sitting on the eggs to incubate them until they hatch about 30 days later. Both parents help feed the chicks.The chicks move to the edge of the nest and direct their droppings over the edge. About 25 days after hatching, the chicks are ready to leave the nest and lead their own lives.http://www.amonline.net.au/factsheets/tawny_frogmouth.htm
Sydenham, S. & Thomas, R. Tawny Frogmouth [Online] www.kidcyber.com.au (2003)
Pelican on the Shore
Pelicans are around.
Sometimes in large groups, but mostly in pairs
Scientific name: Pelecanus conspicillatus
Family: Pelecanidae
Order: Pelecaniformes
There are seven species of pelicans in the world, all of which are similar in shape and, with one exception, are primarily white in colour. Males are larger than females. The most characteristic feature of pelicans is the elongated bill with its massive throat pouch. The Australian Pelican's bill is 40 cm - 50 cm long and is larger in males than females. Pelicans have large wings and a wingspan of 2.3 m - 2.5 m.
Pelicans are highly mobile, searching out suitable areas of water and an adequate supply of food. Pelicans are not capable of sustained flapping flight, but can remain in the air for 24 hours, covering hundreds of kilometres. They are excellent soarers and can use thermals to rise to considerable altitudes. Flight at 1,000m is common, and heights of 3 000 m have been recorded. By moving from one thermal to the next, pelicans can travel long distances with a minimum of effort, reaching air speeds of up to 56 km/hour.
The bill and pouch of pelicans play an important role in feeding. The bill is sensitive and this helps locate fish in murky water. It also has a hook at the end of the upper mandible, probably for gripping slippery food items. When food is caught, the pelican manipulates it in its bill until the prey typically has its head pointing down the pelican's throat. Then with a jerk of the head the pelican swallows the prey. The bill is delicately built. The lower jaw consists of two thin and weakly articulated bones from which the pouch hangs. When fully extended, the bill can hold up to 13 liters. The pouch does not function as a place to hold food for any length of time. Instead it serves as a short-term collecting organ. Pelicans plunge their bills into the water, using their pouches as nets.
Once something is caught, a pelican draws its pouch to its breast. This empties the water and allows the bird to maneuver the prey into a swallowing position. The pouch can also serve as a net to catch food thrown by humans, and there are sightings of pelicans drinking by opening their bill to collect rainwater.
The Australian Pelican may feed alone, but more often feeds as a cooperative group. Sometimes these groups are quite large. One group numbered over 1,900 birds. A flock of pelicans works together, driving fish into a concentrated mass using their bills and sometimes by beating their wings. The fish are herded into shallow water or surrounded in ever decreasing circles.
Pelicans have an extremely light skeleton, weighing less than 10% of their total body weight.
Facts and figures
Minimum size: 160 cm
Maximum size: 180 cm
Average size: 170 cm
Breeding season: At any time of year
Clutch size: 1 to 3
Incubation: 35 days
Time in nest: 28 days
http://birdsinbackyards.net/bird/82
Sometimes in large groups, but mostly in pairs
Scientific name: Pelecanus conspicillatus
Family: Pelecanidae
Order: Pelecaniformes
There are seven species of pelicans in the world, all of which are similar in shape and, with one exception, are primarily white in colour. Males are larger than females. The most characteristic feature of pelicans is the elongated bill with its massive throat pouch. The Australian Pelican's bill is 40 cm - 50 cm long and is larger in males than females. Pelicans have large wings and a wingspan of 2.3 m - 2.5 m.
Pelicans are highly mobile, searching out suitable areas of water and an adequate supply of food. Pelicans are not capable of sustained flapping flight, but can remain in the air for 24 hours, covering hundreds of kilometres. They are excellent soarers and can use thermals to rise to considerable altitudes. Flight at 1,000m is common, and heights of 3 000 m have been recorded. By moving from one thermal to the next, pelicans can travel long distances with a minimum of effort, reaching air speeds of up to 56 km/hour.
The bill and pouch of pelicans play an important role in feeding. The bill is sensitive and this helps locate fish in murky water. It also has a hook at the end of the upper mandible, probably for gripping slippery food items. When food is caught, the pelican manipulates it in its bill until the prey typically has its head pointing down the pelican's throat. Then with a jerk of the head the pelican swallows the prey. The bill is delicately built. The lower jaw consists of two thin and weakly articulated bones from which the pouch hangs. When fully extended, the bill can hold up to 13 liters. The pouch does not function as a place to hold food for any length of time. Instead it serves as a short-term collecting organ. Pelicans plunge their bills into the water, using their pouches as nets.
Once something is caught, a pelican draws its pouch to its breast. This empties the water and allows the bird to maneuver the prey into a swallowing position. The pouch can also serve as a net to catch food thrown by humans, and there are sightings of pelicans drinking by opening their bill to collect rainwater.
The Australian Pelican may feed alone, but more often feeds as a cooperative group. Sometimes these groups are quite large. One group numbered over 1,900 birds. A flock of pelicans works together, driving fish into a concentrated mass using their bills and sometimes by beating their wings. The fish are herded into shallow water or surrounded in ever decreasing circles.
Pelicans have an extremely light skeleton, weighing less than 10% of their total body weight.
Facts and figures
Minimum size: 160 cm
Maximum size: 180 cm
Average size: 170 cm
Breeding season: At any time of year
Clutch size: 1 to 3
Incubation: 35 days
Time in nest: 28 days
http://birdsinbackyards.net/bird/82
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Magic Sunset
This was truly amazing...mostly pinks
The sunsets from the shore should be the start of a whole new blog...
I simply love sunsets, and always have.
This does have a touch of Ladymaggic and is truly a Magic Sunset.
"Sunsets bring a promise of a new start...its the closing of one day, the starting of the night, and then the sunrise heralds another dawning"
The sunsets from the shore should be the start of a whole new blog...
I simply love sunsets, and always have.
This does have a touch of Ladymaggic and is truly a Magic Sunset.
"Sunsets bring a promise of a new start...its the closing of one day, the starting of the night, and then the sunrise heralds another dawning"
Seagulls...Pacific Gull
It is interesting that I could not find 'Seagulls' via Google, and had to search 'seabirds' to find the Pacific Gull, which is the correct name for the bird loosely called 'seagull'.
Interesting is also the fact that there are not many seagulls in Burrum Heads.
We bought some take away and looked for birds to feed with scraps and there weren't any. This area does not attract birds that scavenge or look for food scraps. Maybe they find enough fish and sea-life as the shores are laden with small sea-life.
This large flock was sitting on the waters edge.
The birds here are very nervous of humans. They fly off if you venture closer.They are not used to people.
Sea birds are most commonly found on, over or near the ocean. However many sea birds may be found at other water sources, such as lakes and wetlands, and can become common in urban areas.
http://birdsinbackyards.net/feature/seabirds.cfm
* Adelie Penguin
* Australasian Gannet
* Australian Pelican
* Black-browed Albatross
* Black-faced Cormorant
* Caspian Tern
* Common Tern
* Crested Tern
* Emperor Penguin
* Fairy Tern
* Flesh-footed Shearwater
* Great Cormorant
* Gull-billed Tern
* Kelp Gull
* King Penguin
* Little Black Cormorant
* Little Penguin
* Little Pied Cormorant
* Little Tern
* Pacific Gull
* Pied Cormorant
* Short-tailed Shearwater
* Silver Gull
* Sooty Shearwater
* Wandering Albatross
The Pacific Gull is a very large black-backed gull with a massive yellow bill, broadly tipped with scarlet. The upper wings and wingtips are wholly black with a narrow white inner trailing edge, the tail is white with a broad black band near the end. The legs are yellow to orange-yellow. Juvenile Pacific Gulls are mottled dark brown with pale face and the bill is pink with a black tip. The immatures have dark brown wings, whitish mottled body and a black-tipped yellow bill. There are two forms of the Pacific Gull: the eastern form (race pacificus) has a white eye and a complete red tip to the bill while the western form (race gergii) has a red eye and an incomplete red tip to the bill.
http://birdsinbackyards.net/bird/249
Interesting is also the fact that there are not many seagulls in Burrum Heads.
We bought some take away and looked for birds to feed with scraps and there weren't any. This area does not attract birds that scavenge or look for food scraps. Maybe they find enough fish and sea-life as the shores are laden with small sea-life.
This large flock was sitting on the waters edge.
The birds here are very nervous of humans. They fly off if you venture closer.They are not used to people.
Sea birds are most commonly found on, over or near the ocean. However many sea birds may be found at other water sources, such as lakes and wetlands, and can become common in urban areas.
http://birdsinbackyards.net/feature/seabirds.cfm
* Adelie Penguin
* Australasian Gannet
* Australian Pelican
* Black-browed Albatross
* Black-faced Cormorant
* Caspian Tern
* Common Tern
* Crested Tern
* Emperor Penguin
* Fairy Tern
* Flesh-footed Shearwater
* Great Cormorant
* Gull-billed Tern
* Kelp Gull
* King Penguin
* Little Black Cormorant
* Little Penguin
* Little Pied Cormorant
* Little Tern
* Pacific Gull
* Pied Cormorant
* Short-tailed Shearwater
* Silver Gull
* Sooty Shearwater
* Wandering Albatross
The Pacific Gull is a very large black-backed gull with a massive yellow bill, broadly tipped with scarlet. The upper wings and wingtips are wholly black with a narrow white inner trailing edge, the tail is white with a broad black band near the end. The legs are yellow to orange-yellow. Juvenile Pacific Gulls are mottled dark brown with pale face and the bill is pink with a black tip. The immatures have dark brown wings, whitish mottled body and a black-tipped yellow bill. There are two forms of the Pacific Gull: the eastern form (race pacificus) has a white eye and a complete red tip to the bill while the western form (race gergii) has a red eye and an incomplete red tip to the bill.
http://birdsinbackyards.net/bird/249
Magpie..Young Juvenile
He was more brown going more towards black and white...a young bird
http://www.birdsinbackyards.net/bird/24
The Australian Magpie is black and white, but the plumage pattern varies across its range. Its nape, upper tail and shoulder are white in males, grey in females. Across most of Australia, the remainder of the body is black. In the south-east, centre, extreme south-west and Tasmania, the back and rump are entirely white. The eye of adult birds is chestnut brown.
The Australian Magpie walks along the ground searching for insects and their larvae. Birds will also take handouts from humans and will often venture into open houses to beg for food.
The Australian Magpie has one of the world's most complex bird songs.A loud musical flute-like song, often performed as a duet or by groups. An uncommon alternative name for the Australian Magpie is Flute Bird.
http://www.birdsinbackyards.net/images/audio/gymnorhina-tibicen.mp3
Facts and figures
Research Species: Yes
Minimum size: 36 cm
Maximum size: 44 cm
Average size: 40 cm
Average weight: 317 g
http://www.birdsinbackyards.net/bird/24
The Australian Magpie is black and white, but the plumage pattern varies across its range. Its nape, upper tail and shoulder are white in males, grey in females. Across most of Australia, the remainder of the body is black. In the south-east, centre, extreme south-west and Tasmania, the back and rump are entirely white. The eye of adult birds is chestnut brown.
The Australian Magpie walks along the ground searching for insects and their larvae. Birds will also take handouts from humans and will often venture into open houses to beg for food.
The Australian Magpie has one of the world's most complex bird songs.A loud musical flute-like song, often performed as a duet or by groups. An uncommon alternative name for the Australian Magpie is Flute Bird.
http://www.birdsinbackyards.net/images/audio/gymnorhina-tibicen.mp3
Facts and figures
Research Species: Yes
Minimum size: 36 cm
Maximum size: 44 cm
Average size: 40 cm
Average weight: 317 g
Mangos
The Mango trees are now bearing huge crops of fruit.
Queensland produced 33,000 tonnes of mangoes with a gross value of $75 million in 2004-05. About 90% of the state's production goes to domestic markets. The main production areas are the Atherton Tableland, Burdekin, Bowen, and Rockhampton.
http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/26_7716.htm
Sapburn occurs when the sap that first squirts from the fruit at destemming comes in contact with the fruit skin. It is worst in Kensington Pride. Use harvesting and handling techniques that minimise sap coming in contact with mango skin.
Q: Which sapburn protectant should I use?
A: The choice of protectant chemical depends on the harvest and desapping system being used.
The fruit is covered with detergent before the stalk is removed to prevent sap directly contacting the skin. As the fruit are placed on the packing line water sprays remove the detergent and any sap residue. The best choice in this situation are detergents such as Cold Power® or LOC or wetting agents such as Agral®. The mixing rate is 1 mL or 1 g per litre of water. Staff who desap fruit must keep their hands clean of sap as a lot of sapburn has been attributed to ´sappy fingers´.
Queensland produced 33,000 tonnes of mangoes with a gross value of $75 million in 2004-05. About 90% of the state's production goes to domestic markets. The main production areas are the Atherton Tableland, Burdekin, Bowen, and Rockhampton.
http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/26_7716.htm
Sapburn occurs when the sap that first squirts from the fruit at destemming comes in contact with the fruit skin. It is worst in Kensington Pride. Use harvesting and handling techniques that minimise sap coming in contact with mango skin.
Q: Which sapburn protectant should I use?
A: The choice of protectant chemical depends on the harvest and desapping system being used.
The fruit is covered with detergent before the stalk is removed to prevent sap directly contacting the skin. As the fruit are placed on the packing line water sprays remove the detergent and any sap residue. The best choice in this situation are detergents such as Cold Power® or LOC or wetting agents such as Agral®. The mixing rate is 1 mL or 1 g per litre of water. Staff who desap fruit must keep their hands clean of sap as a lot of sapburn has been attributed to ´sappy fingers´.
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Pinks reflect in the Waters (Burrum)
http://www.ga.gov.au/geodesy/astro/sunrise.jsp
To use this facility you need to know the latitude and longitude of the location for which you want to calculate the rise and set times. There are several ways you can determine this:
* Use the National Gazetteer of Australia (AUSTRALIA only)
* Enter your known location, or
* Click the Maporama logo with link to other than Australia place name searches logo to determine Latitude and Longitude of locations outside of Australia.
Rainbow Lorikeets on the fence
There are many parrots that live around the coast where the nectar is rich in the grevilleas and gums.
You can see them swaying as they cling to the flowers.
At the caravan Park a feeder attracts the birds after the sunset and before they roost for the night
Rainbow Lorikeet
The Rainbow Lorikeet is unmistakable with its bright red beak and colourful plumage. Both sexes look alike, with a blue (mauve) head and belly, green wings, tail and back, and an orange/yellow breast. They are often seen in loud and fast-moving flocks, or in communal roosts at dusk.
The Rainbow Lorikeet mostly forages on the flowers of shrubs or trees to harvest nectar and pollen, but also eats fruits, seeds and some insects.
The eggs of the Rainbow Lorikeet are laid on chewed, decayed wood, usually in a hollow limb of a eucalypt tree. Both sexes prepare the nest cavity and feed the young, but only the female incubates the eggs
Facts and figures
Research Species: Yes
Minimum size: 28 cm
Maximum size: 32 cm
Average size: 30 cm
Average weight: 133 g
Breeding season: June to January
Clutch size: 2
Incubation: 23 days
Time in nest: 45 days
http://www.birdsinbackyards.net/bird/97
You can see them swaying as they cling to the flowers.
At the caravan Park a feeder attracts the birds after the sunset and before they roost for the night
Rainbow Lorikeet
The Rainbow Lorikeet is unmistakable with its bright red beak and colourful plumage. Both sexes look alike, with a blue (mauve) head and belly, green wings, tail and back, and an orange/yellow breast. They are often seen in loud and fast-moving flocks, or in communal roosts at dusk.
The Rainbow Lorikeet mostly forages on the flowers of shrubs or trees to harvest nectar and pollen, but also eats fruits, seeds and some insects.
The eggs of the Rainbow Lorikeet are laid on chewed, decayed wood, usually in a hollow limb of a eucalypt tree. Both sexes prepare the nest cavity and feed the young, but only the female incubates the eggs
Facts and figures
Research Species: Yes
Minimum size: 28 cm
Maximum size: 32 cm
Average size: 30 cm
Average weight: 133 g
Breeding season: June to January
Clutch size: 2
Incubation: 23 days
Time in nest: 45 days
http://www.birdsinbackyards.net/bird/97
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