The importance of invisible things

Newstead Landcare presentation by Patrick Kavanagh

Every day, we walk through another world hidden from our naked eye. A tiny world, on a scale of millimetres, best seen through a macrophotographer’s lens.

Join Newstead Landcare for a glimpse into this secret world, in the capable hands of our very own Patrick Kavanagh. Many will know Patrick from his blog posts on Natural Newstead, where he shares close-up photos of invertebrates, tiny plants and fungi, and breathtaking images of the starry night sky.

Patrick’s talks are known as a journey of storytelling, getting to know the critters and moments in time captured through each photo. Understanding more about the intriguing lives of invertebrates and their interactions is a joyful, comedic, and yes sometimes horrifying experience akin to the drama of a soap opera!

Peeking into this micro-world underlines the importance of these tiny forms of life most of us know nothing about, some of which are completely unknown to modern science. They are the foundation food for many of our more visible wildlife that we know and love, such as birds and mammals. Their importance to our ecosystems is sometimes forgotten, due to a lack of knowledge and opportunities to connect. Here is your chance to learn just how charismatic they can be when aided by a macro lens.

Patrick has lived near Newstead in Strangways for over two decades and has been Newstead Landcare’s invaluable secretary for the same duration. Many of his photos are taken right at home on his bush block, showing how much biodiversity can be found in one well cared for patch.

The presentation will be on Tuesday 16 July at 7.30 pm at Newstead Community Centre. All are welcome to attend and gold coin donations would be appreciated.

Mantisfly (Patrick Kavanagh)

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Ever wondered what that orange stuff is?

It’s all over the place. It’s quite attractive too…but what is it?

If you’ve ever asked that question, as we have, the answer is at hand, in the latest edition of Wombat Forestcare’s wonderful newsletter. In a typically informative article, ‘What is that orange stuff?’ John Walter gives us the answer:

On the Fryers Ridge. What is that orange stuff?

‘While it is often thought to be a lichen, it is actually a green alga belonging to the genus Trentepohlia.’ And he naturally follows up with: ‘I can hear the clamour of voices asking, “Why is it orange if it is a green alga?” The orange colour is the result of large quantities of carotenoids which mask the green of the chlorophyll.’ If you want to know more, you can find the newsletter here.

As usual the newsletter is packed with useful info: an enthralling article about native bees, and a distressing account of Vicforests continuing depredations in the Wombat.

Essential reading.

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FOBIF AGM: August 12, 2024

Local bird expert and photographer, Geoff Park will be the guest speaker at this year’s FOBIF Annual General Meeting on August 12. Most of our readers will be familiar with his website, Natural Newstead which he set up in 2010. It has since become one of the top 100 birding sites in the world, a mine of information with brilliant photos and consistently astute observations.

There will be a short formal AGM at 7.30 followed by Geoff’s talk. Supper will be provided and everyone is welcome.

If you wish to nominate for the FOBIF committee the form can be found here. Lynette Amaterstein who has been the FOBIF treasurer for many years will not be standing again. So if you would like to become our next treasurer consider standing for the committee. Lynette is happy to help a new person in this role for as long as necessary. There will be also be several other committee vacancies. Feel free to contact Marie Jones (0407 977 731), Bernard Slattery (0499624160) or Lynette (0409330069) if you would like more information about being on the committee. 

The AGM will be held in the Senior Citizens Centre, Mechanics Lane, Castlemaine (next to the library). 

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Short FOBIF walk in Whiskey Gully

 

A dozen people enjoyed winter sunshine on Mount Alexander (Leanganook) on Sunday’s short walk. We began at Dog Rocks and strolled down Whiskey Gully before looping back to the start. Recent rains meant there was abundant fungi and once again Joy Clusker’s expert knowledge was a terrific help in identifying the many species. Enthusiastic walkers explored fallen logs and ground cover sometimes lying on wet leaves to get that special photo. Highlights of the walk included the gigantic Mannna Gums which prefer the moister soil on the mountain and Lightwood trees which are common in granite landscapes.  

Thanks to Joy and Liz for organising a fungi walk on Mount Alexander for the second time in 2 years.  Our next walk will be in Drummond North, Fryers Conservation Reserve. See the walks page for more detail. Also check the website before the walk in case there are changes. 

Photo Bronwyn Silver

Walkers taking break. Photo Joy Clusker

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Long FOBIF walk along Boundary Creek

Photo by Kevin Cato

A small group of four completed the longish Boundary Creek loop and enjoyed beautiful winter weather and ideal walking conditions..

This year the creek wasn’t flowing but it still looked really pretty as it meandered between moss-covered rock walls or high grassy banks.

Along the sides beautiful white candlebarks stood out against the blue sky as we slowly made our way downstream criss-crossing to the sides or rock-hopping in the creek bed.

My thanks go out to the three excellent walkers who shared this more adventurous walk with me.

Photos below by Euan Moore

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