small Allocasuarina verticillata male flower

The male flowers of Drooping Sheoke

small Silvereye (Tasmanian Subspecies)

A Silvereye with the deep chestnut flanks typical of Tasmanian birds that migrate here in the winter. This photo gives me mixed feelings, Silvereyes love African Boxthorn- and so help this serious weed to spread.

Rock Correa

Rock Correa, Correa glabra flowers continuously through the cooler months, a reliable staple for small honey-eaters.

Australasian Pipit

Australasian Pipit at Bababi MAning, Cooper St Grassland in Campbellfield

Crested Pigeons basking

Crested Pigeons making the most of rare mid-winter sunlight in my backyard. The dead tree has been left specifically for such activities.

Possibly a Gall Fly

Careful inspection reveals a high diversity of tiny insects among the blossom. One way to demonstrate this is to beat some of the branches over a white piece of paper. Many unsuspected life-forms will drop out.

Camouflaged Bug among Silver Wattle blossom

Another insect among the Acacia blossom, this time a beautifully camouflaged Bug.

Silver Wattle in bloom, July

Silver Wattle, Acacia dealbata, the earliest local Acacia to flower, in our north of Melbourne area.

Chironomid Midge on Silver Wattle Blossom

A small Chironomid midge attracted to the Acacia dealbata blossom. The plentiful insect among the blossom is a boon for insect feeding birds in winter.