Autumn in Mount Alexander Shire


The Chewton Bushland was steaming with fog the morning after the big rain on Saturday 6 March.


Chewton Bushland
Photo: Antoinette Birkenbeil, March 2010


Marie Jones demonstrates the breadth of this ancient Yellow Box at Expedition Pass.

Yellow Box (Eucaluptus melliodora)

Expedition Pass
Photo: John Ellis, March 2010


John Ellis also took this photo of Expedition Pass Reservoir spilling into Forest Creek.

Forest Creek

Expedition Pass
Photo: John Ellis, March 2010


Noel Young found this silver-plated Orb Weaver as well as a gift-wrapped Hakea in a track off Whitegum Road, Fryers Ridge.

Golden Orb Weaver (Gasteracantha)

Fryers Forest
Photo: Noel Young, March 2010

Bushy Hakea (Hakea decurrens)

Fryers Forest
Photo: Noel Young, March 2010


John Ellis also found a Golden Orb Weaver. This one was eating a millipede.

Golden Orb Weaver (Gasteracantha)

Expedition Pass
Photo: John Ellis, March 2010


This pair of Tawny Frogmouths was noticed by Mitchell Parker when he heard their distinctive deep call from his verandah in the middle of the afternooon. It is unusual to to see them by day. They are perched on a Yellow Gum branch, with the female on the left and the male on the right.

Tawny Frogmouth (Podargus strigoides)

Walmer
Photo: Mitchell Parker, February 2010


This little fledgling flew out of a hollow stump, in Dishpan Gully Road, Chewton Bushlands. The Owlet-nightjar is Australia's smallest nocturnal bird. 

Australian Owlet-nightjar (Aegotheles cristatus)

Dishpan Gully Road
Photo: Antoinette Birkenbeil, January 2010 

 

Antoinette has found four ants' nests made from Wallaby Grass seeds that have survived the recent rain. This is one of them.

Ants' Nest made from the seeds of Wallaby Grass (Austrodanthonia caespitosa)

Chewtown Bushland
Photo: Antoinette Birkenbeil, February 2010