What A Colourful World

FF
What would the world be without colour? No wonder artists wanted to learn how to mix colour and record what they experienced in the world they roamed in. We are so lucky to have the eyes and a soul and the ability to see with each.
FF
Water Lily Nymphaea violacea
FF

FF
FF


FF

FF
Red-collared Lorikeet Trichoglossus rubritorquis
feeding on
Swamp Bloodwood Eucalyptus ptychocarpa
FF

FF

FF

FF

FF

FF

Canis lupus dingo Like Any Other Canine

FF
One of the greatest pleasures I have in the bush is observing wild animals going about their ordinary daily activities unconcerned with my presence. From my own experiences with canine pets, it was so easy to recognize the candour and exuberance this dingo showed as he marked his territory and carried out secret men’s business.
FF
Canis lupus dingo
FFFF

FF

FF

FF

FF
We were both being watched from close range by a second dingo
FF

FF

Kakadu Escarpment Outliers

FF
Walking lots, I came across many Pityroidia shrubs. What I sensed was that this plant likes the escarpment outliers islands situated in sandy river overflow plains so it doesn’t perish up in smoke because of the high incidence of agriculture by fire burn-offs. Two species of Pityroidia were in full bloom and I was amazed at the significant number of insects that were interested in this source. Insect eating birds were nowhere to be seen, perhaps because of the chemicals this plant imparts to those who choose to dine on its leaves and flowers. Several four hour walks, at various times of the day gave some insight into the diversity in just one escarpment valley for just one week of the year.
FF
Leichhardt's Grasshopper Petasida ephippigera White
FF

FF
Acacia torulosa
FF

FF
Alyxia ruscifolia
FF
FF
Bush Katydid Unidentified Caedicia sp. Kakadu
FF
FF
Charcoal-winged Percher Diplacodes nebulosa
FF
FF
Cockroach Polyzosteria sp. Kakadu
FF

FF
Commelina ensifolia
FF

FF
Haemodorum coccineum
FF

FF
Hypanthus aurantiacus
FF

FF
Lined ground Cricket Unidentified Salmonites Kakadu
FF

FF
Meadow Katydid Conocephalus sp. Kakadu
FF

FF
Melaleuca cornucopae
FF

FF
Chrysomelidae Nisotra sp.
FF

FF
Northern Rosella Platycercus venustus
FF

FF
Rainbow Pita Pitta iris
FF

FF
Sandstone Friarbird Philemon buceroides Race ammitophila
FF

FF
Skink Carlia longipes
FF

FF
Schoenus falcatus

FF

FF
Sundew Drosera petiolaris

FF

FF
Swamp Tiger Danaus affinis
FF

FF
Galactia sp.
FF

FF
Treehopper Derbidae sp. Kakadu
FF

FF
Vertically Refined Wheel-Web Spider Eriophora sp. Kakadu
FF

FF
Yellow Lynx Spider Oxyopes variabilis
FF

FF

On The Hunt For Leichhardt’s Grasshopper

FF
When I first saw a picture of Leichhardt’s Grasshopper I was amazed that any insect could look that impressive and especially one that lived so close to me. But as I tried to find any information about the grasshopper it became obvious that Leichhardt’s Grasshopper was going to be difficult if not impossible to find. So I guess I became obsessed with finding it. Well its taken three trips to Kakadu, but I finally managed to see the grasshopper. I saw nothing the first trip, just the lay of the land. The second trip I located the sole plant on which it lives, but no grasshoppers. On the third trip, when I finally started seeing grasshoppers on the Pityrodia jamesii it was confusing because they were very small and did not look like the beast I expected. On the afteroon I arrived, the scent of the aromatic Pityrodia jamesii was very strong and hanging on every breeze, the humidity had dropped as it was late in the day and it was obvious the plant attracted a wide variety of guests. However, I examined many Pityrodia jamesii shrubs but without any luck. Because the plant was flowering, it was easier to see and I even located more shrubs among the rocky scarps, but no big grasshopper. I came back the next day to find the small grasshoppers exactly where I had photographed them the previous afternoon. I thoroughly checked every Pityrodia jamesi shrub in the vicinity, even finding several I had not found the previous day, but no big fella. I walked down to a small babbling creek and was resigned to going back empty handed. But as I worked my way back towards the road re-checking previously checked shrubs, I noticed a very small Pityrodia jamesi growing amongst some broken slabs of sandstone pediment. On one of the stems there was a very large and darkish figure, and to my joy, a full grown Leichhardt’s Grasshopper. I am not sure wether I yelled for joy or just release but the moment was intense. As the adrenalin wore off I was amazed at just how much fauna was related to the flowering of this and other flowering plants in the area.
FF
According to Aboriginal thinking “At this time of year, Leichhardt's grasshopper is said to be out and about looking for the lightning in its new gaudy outfit. Namarrgon is commonly depicted in the regions rock art with axes hanging from his body, which he uses to strike the clouds. Around Kakadu the axes on his head represent grasshopper's antennae.” Source: Gaudy grasshopper brings on the wet By Janet Parker
FF
Namarrgon The Lightning Man
FF

FF
Lesser Wanderer Danaus chrysippus
FF

FF
Common Crow Euploea core
FF
FF
Grevillea dryandri ssp. Dasycarpa
FF
FF
Haemodorum coccineum
FF
FF
Unidentified Leaf Beetle Family Chrysomelidae
FF
FF
Leichhardt's Grasshopper Petasida ephippigera White
FF
FF
Leichhardt's Grasshopper Petasida ephippigera White
FF
FF
Minyacris nana (SjÖstedt)
FF
FF
Perbellia picta SjÖstedt
FF

FF
Ungee-gungee, Desertaria lepida (Walker)
FF

FF
Asteromyrtus magnifica
FF

FF
Melelueca symphyocarpa
FF

FF
Silver-crowned Friarbird Philemon argenticeps
FF

FF
Unidentified Leaf Beetle Family Chrysomelidae
FF

FF
Yellow Lynx Spider Oxyopes variabilis
FF

FF