Wildlife Corner

[Cathy]

We have those Caterpillars in Australia too.

[Stanley]

Frightening!

[Wendyf]

I think this might be a hawkmoth hiding under my cucumber seedling.

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[Stanley]

Sharp eyes to spot that Ma'am!

[Cathy]

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Cheeky or clever?
. One parrot gets the cockatoo‘s attention, while the other one plucks out a tail feather. Ouch!

[Stanley]

I'd say clever Cathy....

[MickBrett]

Due to the heavy rains we have had recently the local turtle population has been out in force here.
I watched one dig a hole and lay eggs in the back garden but didn't try to get a pic as I didn't want to disturb it.
Fascinating to watch though.

[Cathy]

That’s awesome Mick, keep an eye out in 6-8 weeks , and have your camera ready.

[Stanley]

If my geography is right Mick you've not got a nearby sea! What body of water do the turtles live in?

[plaques]

Other than the singing group 'The Turtles' my knowledge is pretty limited. Don't they hatch on full moons when the tide is in. Mick will have to go on nightshift to get a photo.

[Tripps]

Who needs the sea?

Oklahoma Box Turtles

[MickBrett]

If my geography is right Mick you've not got a nearby sea! What body of water do the turtles live in?

Yes, no sea anywhere near us. They seem to manage quite well in any wet, marshy areas.
Some are huge, some not quite as huge like this one I spotted a couple of years ago.

[Stanley]

I remember once coming across one at Northfield MN and was told to keep away from it as they were savage little buggers. Was it called a 'snapper'?

[MickBrett]

Yes, Stanley. Snapping turtles are not to be messed with.
I didn't know this when I first met one and was quite shocked when it actually jumped off the ground slightly in response to me bending down to touch it.

Here's one that came visiting us a couple of years ago. They look a bit prehistoric.

[Stanley]

You're right Mick. It looks very old!

[Tizer]

Stanley, I was watching lots of bumble bees enjoying our chive flowers yesterday, they love them and keep coming back for more. You could easily grow chives in your garden, they look like wild flowers, flying insects love them and you can eat the leaves!

[Stanley]

I have chives Peter but they are not flowering yet. I suspect they need digging out and splitting.

[MickBrett]

I have a small plant pot of Chives I planted around 12 years ago. All I do is water them and they Winter out.
They must be pretty hardy.

Mine flowered around a week or so ago and I saw plenty of bee activity around them.

[Stanley]

They are hardy Mick. Mine have done twenty years outside.....

[Stanley]

The wildfower garden is really moving now.....

[Cathy]

Looks like it will be well worth the wait

[Tripps]

I have a small 're-wilded area' - actually a gap between two concreted areas.
Gets no attention, but grows whatever blows in. Doing quite well at the moment

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[MickBrett]

Some of that looks like Sage.

[Tripps]

Thaty would be good, and possible, since next door has a sage in his front garden. Taste test tomorrow.

[Stanley]

That was well spotted Mick!