The House(s) of Fran_mart

We are again fortunate enough to have a pair of Tawny Frogmouths breeding in the large Yellow Box on our lawn.  I had hoped t be able to do some detailed timings on the event, but they started somewhat earlier this year and  I believe the hatching occurred while we were in Peru.  Theer are two chicks in the nest, although one is much smaller than the other - presumably a later hatching female compared to a male which was first out of the egg. Here is a picture of the larger chick and the proud Dad. While this image shows both (look on the lower RHS of the image).  It gives a good indication of the relative sizes. The photo isn't too good as it is difficult to focus while being bombed by a pair of very bad-tempered currawongs.  I intend to make them pied (in the sense of inserted in a crusted object) in the near future.

This reserve, just North of Goulburn has been established to protect an unusual orchid (Calochilus imberis) and was visited by the  ANPS Wednesday Walkers on 28 October.  We didn't find any of the target species, but I did take some photos of interesting plants and insects.  Here they are - I will try to improve the labellin later. Dianella Lomandra

.. or indeed here again. This blog has been rather quiet recently due to us being in Chile and Peru for 3 fantastic weeks.  We are now back and most of my energy is going into composing a blog covering out trip.  I hope to have completed that by next Sunday (25 October) although stuff like gardening, local birding comittments and Veteran's Athletics keep getting in the way. The small dog enjoyed her holiday in beautiful downtown Aranda also.  I think she has adjusted to the lower quality of life back on the ranch.