Category Archives: Nature Observations

It’s winter in Mount Alexander

Posted on 8 June, 2011 by fobif

It looks like we’re going to get another real winter: cold, and a sense of moisture in the air, whether as mist, drizzle or proper rain. There’s still plenty to see in the bush, however, even as we approach the … Continue reading →

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Autumn ends

Posted on 1 June, 2011 by fobif

One sign of autumn is the prolific seeding of the local coffee bush [Cassinia arcuata]. Cassinia is one of the good soldiers of ruined land, which is why you see it recolonising mining sites. This is what the Cassinia flower … Continue reading →

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Advance of the micro kingdoms

Posted on 1 June, 2011 by fobif

Alison Pouliot delivered a lively and informative Connecting Country presentation last Thursday to an audience of about 75 people on ‘Fungi: the mysterious kingdom’. No one leaving the Campbell’s Creek Community Centre that night could be in any doubt about … Continue reading →

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Uncommon beauty conceals a deadly trap

Posted on 23 May, 2011 by fobif

Carnivorous plants can trap prey in a various ways: pitfall traps, flypaper traps, snap traps and lobster-pot traps. The well-known local carnivorous Scented Sundew Drosera whittakeri uses the flypaper trap method. Insects are captured in the sticky dew exuding from … Continue reading →

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It’s pretty, but it’s a weed

Posted on 11 February, 2011 by fobif

Ian Higgins identified this flower as a Gladiolus specie, probably G.undulatus. It is a weed that several FOBIF members found growing in great numbers beside a roadside in Sutton Grange. Unfortunately, as in the case of Gazanias, Gladiolus undulatus, it is still sold … Continue reading →

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