Southern Highland Wildlife
A week of rain has sent the rivers flowing high in south-east Australia, but the wildlife persists.
Raindrops hang from the lace-work leaves of Narrow-leafed Conesticks Isopogon anethifolius a common shrub on the sandstone cliff edges.
The tight flower heads of the Hairpin Banksia Banksia spinulosa glisten with water.
The unique form of the Mountain Devil Lambertia formosa flowers hold up nectar for the insects and birds.
Mosses, ferns and lichens rich in saturated colours.
A caterpillar of a Common Gum Snout Moth Entometa fervens creeps along a twig, unnoticed by birds. Its feet and the sides of its belly are covered with `hairs' to help conceal the movement. Thanks to Suzi Bond for the ID.
When it realised it had been spotted, it reared up into a threat display, showing its horns, two bright blue bands and upturned tail.
A face on view, but I still cannot make out what or if it is mimicking anything that might frighten away any potential predator.
Down in the gullies, the Superb Lyrebirds were singing. I saw two calling from branches rather than their display platforms on the ground. Neither gave full displays, they seemed to be just marking their territories by their songs.
This bird was quite confiding, as I watched him from a nearby path. He seemed to be quite content to go about his business, stretching out his tail and preening between bursts of song.
They are such magnificent birds, with such magnificent feet.
