Canberra, Australia – Turns out we have our fair share of tools.

I downed gardening tools the other day to go for a short walk with my love. I’ve spent a lot of time looking down lately at the garden so it was a nice change to look up.

March got a little merry when I met up with Mary. Hairy Mary, aka Anthela varia, mistook me for a tree. It crawled up the inside of my trouser leg. It was a good photo opportunity. No nudity involved. Check it out.

Many of my readers know that I have been focussing on some landcare activities at my local park over the last year. I have met some wonderful people doing that, but every now and then, such as when people continue to illegally dump their garden and other household waste in the park, or when they pull out our plants, or they ignore our greetings, it is dispiriting. I am actually shocked by the mean and petty behaviour we have encountered. I would be really embarrassed if I have behaved like that. Anyway, if I have few words to say here on this space, that is the reason why.

So my sanity saving strategy is just to plug away, pick up their rubbish, plant our government-approved plants and complete the government-approved weeding. And hope like hell that the culprits’ dicks rot off. One can only hope.

Now, where was I? The small woodland birds have returned from their summer homes in the hills. Their migration through our woodland is proving unexpectedly challenging due to the increased presence of larger predators attracted by the increase in insect numbers. [L-R Grey Fantail chick, Spotted Pardalote]

I have learnt that there is a subtlety to an Australian autumn. How have I not appreciated this quite so much before?

Boisduval’s Autumn Moth waited for the cold front to arrive before she emerged.

Take care, everyone.

Kind Regards.
Tracy.

37 thoughts on “March 2024”

  1. I’m sorry anti-social types are running around in your country too. Grr. On the plus side you have a clutch of great photos here, and good works too. Keep it up!

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  3. Such a shame that some people seem determined to spoil the things that the rest of us take pleasure in 😦 However, it’s great to see your lovely birds here in particular, species we don’t get here in the UK!

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  4. The world, unfortunately, is full of fools. Regardless, there are many like you who care and that continues to give me hope. I have never cared for moths, but I recently took a webinar by the Uof S on the night garden and I now have a new respect for moths as pollinators. I am intrigued by the Boisduval Autumn Moth such an interesting pattern. All the photos are wonderful!

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    1. It is not hard to get hooked on moths, Heather. They really are sublime in their patterns and their contribution to a healthy ecosystem. They deserve to be on the catwalk of the animal world. 😍.
      I have found that the kids are really into it. It’s possibly more fun than a gaming device!

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  5. Hairy Mary is adorable. Looks like she would be itchy, but she is cute.

    People pull up your plants?! What in the hell?? I don’t know what to think, but Tracy, your photographs are lovely.

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    1. The plant pullers either don’t know or care about providing habitat for the little birds. It’s disappointing, Lois, so instead I chat to people who want to learn. Still, they’re annoying and that’s probably their intent.

      Hairy Mary is adorable but felt a bit creepy on my leg.

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  6. We have many gardens here that are maintained by volunteers. When I see them weeding and planting, I always recognize them and their work. They see my camera, and I tell them that without them I couldn’t enjoy what I do. Your photos are beautiful, especially Hairy Mary.

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  8. I don’t know, Tracy. You’re going to have to pick up all those dicks if they rot off in your sanctuary. You might want to add something to your curse indicating WHERE. Just an idea. I love the photos and your project.

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  9. When you wish their dicks rot off, aren’t you being gender biased?😉
    Love the photos, Tracy and honestly reading your post after a long-long time made my day. Sending lots of love to you. ❤️

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    1. We women seemed to have perfected the skill of putting the green waste in the green waste bin. Also there is a green waste recycling depot three minutes away by car which just makes it all the more confounding, Punam. Even I can back my car up and empty my weed bags.
      There is so much happening at the patch, I could spend all my time taking photos. 😊. Yeah, thought people might have been wondering what was up. Sending my love to you too.

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  10. So many in our societies that are under the illusion that they are above all rules and regulations not to mention thinking of others and mother earth. Lovely images and I’m positive I would’ve been doing a merry dance if that hairy mary was up my leg.

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  11. I’m down on the Mornington Peninsula and the majority of people seem to have lost their ability to respond to a cheery “G’day” or even a “Hi” surely that transcends all languages. On the bright side, oh the subtle changes of autumn, that feeling of change in the air. Keep up the good work!

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  12. Lovely to see a new post from you, Tracy.

    My pet peeve is people littering the streets. Mainly in strip shopping sites. If someone drops their rubbish, I immediately say to them “Excuse me, I think you dropped something”. I take great delight in pointing it out (and hope for no blast of cursing). 

    Perhaps it would be better if I said “Excuse me, you’ve dropped some money.”

    Whether it be plastic bottles and netting in our oceans or paper/foil in the streets, I’d like to stuff it down their throats and see how they like it (in defence of our marine and animal life).

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  13. Looks like the indigenous denizens of your park is benefitting immensely from your hard work and dedication, Tracy, and I hope that you’re finding a huge sense of pride from that! I am so sorry to read that people have not learned to behave better.

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    1. Hi Dries, I was pretty sure I had replied to your post but it seems to have gone missing. Yes, the park is bursting with wildlife. I hope residents can see and hear the difference. It is just wonderful, although a bit cutthroat for some of those denizens.

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  14. Volunteers are the lifeblood of so many organisations and in many cases are unappreciated, so well done Tracy joining their ranks. I smiled at the thought of that “hairy Mary” climbing up your leg. I love autumn, it is my favourite season. But this year seems to be a bit late arriving. After a few coolish days we have now gone back to hot and humid, with a big storm forecast for tonight. Ah well at least I can put the aircon on…

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  16. Thank goodness you know to do the right thing because it is the right thing to do. There will always be people who don’t care. Let not be them. cool autumn moth and I love hairy Mary.

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