Common Garden Snail (Cornu aspersa)

Close up of a Common Garden Snail (Cornu aspersum), which was introduced to Australia from Europe. They are edible and commercially raised in Australia and exported to countries such as France where it is eaten as 'escargot'.

1/200 - f/9 - ISO200 - 55mm macro
 

Wolf Spider - Lycosa furcillata

 

Another shot of a Wolf Spider,  (Lycosa furcillata), hiding amongst the blades of grass in late winter.

The Wolf spider (Lycosidae) is a fascinating and relatively common arachnid species found throughout Australia. Known for their speed, agility, and fierce hunting abilities, these spiders are considered beneficial to the ecosystem as they help control insect populations.

The Wolf spider derives its name from its hunting strategy, which closely resembles that of a wolf. Rather than creating intricate webs to catch their prey, they rely on their excellent vision and agility to actively hunt and pounce on their victims. Armed with eight long and hairy legs, they can quickly sprint across a variety of terrains, including forest floors, grasslands, and even sandy deserts.

One distinguishing characteristic of the Wolf spider is its unique eye arrangement. They possess eight eyes arranged in three rows. The two forward-facing larger eyes provide exceptional vision, enabling them to spot potential prey or predators from a distance. This keen eyesight also aids them in navigation and helps them locate suitable mates.

With a body length ranging from 1 to 30 millimeters, the appearance of Wolf spiders can vary greatly depending on the specific species. However, most have robust bodies covered in bristle-like hair, enhancing their ability to sense vibrations, temperature changes, and humidity in their surroundings.

Despite their rather intimidating appearance, Wolf spiders are generally harmless to humans. They are non-aggressive and avoid confrontation when possible, but they may bite if they feel threatened or cornered. The venom of the Wolf spider is usually not considered dangerous to humans, causing only localized pain, swelling, and redness.

These spiders are excellent mothers, showing a high level of parental care. After mating, the female carries her egg sac attached to her spinnerets until the spiderlings hatch. Once hatched, the babies ride on the mother's back like a tiny mobile nursery. This behavior protects them from potential predators and ensures their survival during the vulnerable early stages of life.

One common misconception about Wolf spiders is their association with tarantulas. Despite some similarities in appearance, Wolf spiders belong to a different family and are not considered tarantulas. They are solitary creatures, often found alone, except during mating or when a mother is caring for her offspring.

In conclusion, the Wolf spider in Australia is a captivating and often misunderstood creature. Their incredible hunting abilities, unique eye arrangement, and parental care make them an intriguing species to observe in the wild. These spiders play a crucial role in maintaining the balance of Australia's ecosystems by controlling insect populations naturally.

1/200 - f/9 - ISO400

Abandoned Bird Nest

 

While walking through a local woodland, I came across this bird nest that appears to be abandoned. The nest was about medium sized and only about 6ft above the ground.

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1/160 - f/5.6 - ISO400

Black Field Cricket (Teleogryllus commodus)

 

The Black Field Cricket, (Teleogryllus commodus) is a cricket species native to Australia.They are significant pests to most plants in Australia and New Zealand. The species originated in Australia but with time they were introduced to New Zealand. They are known to cause significant damage to pastures and gardens. They inhabit rocky surfaces or ground with large amounts of cracks as it gives them shelter from the sun, and are most active at night.

1/200 - f/9 - ISO100 - macro - diffused flash

Rufous Grasshopper

 

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The Rufous grasshopper or Gomphocerippus rufus (synonym Gomphocerus rufus and others), is a medium-sized, broad, brown, 'short-horned' grasshopper with clubbed antennae that are tipped with a conspicuous white or pale colour. It is fairly large, averaging 14 to 22 mm in length. It is of the subfamily Gomphocerinae in the family Acrididae, the predominant family of grasshoppers. This species is present in most of Europe, in the eastern Palearctic ecozone and in the Near East. It can be encountered from late July through mid-December, usually in dry or slightly moist habitats. The environments in which it typically resides include dry grassland on calcareous soils, sheltered valleys with scrub, and the open borders of forests. It feeds on grasses and various herbaceous plants. It is known for its distinctive courtship song and accompanying display.

1/200 - f/9 - ISO100 - 55mm + 31mm macro extension - diffused flash

Uloboris congregabilis Spider

 

The Uloboris congregabilis spider, of the family Uloboridae, is widely common through out Australia, yet has no known common name. They are quite a small spider with a body length of about 6mm, and are distinct in appearance by their humped abdomen. Uloboridae spiders do not have poison glands.

1/200 - f/8 - ISO200 - reversed 55mm - diffused flash

Zebra Cactus Flower Macro

 

Here's a macro shot of a Zebra Cactus flower, (Haworthia fasciata), isolated from the background using a telephoto lens and macro extension tube.

1/250 - f/8 - ISO200 - 135mm + 31mm macro extension

Shaggy Jumping Spider (Hypoblemum griseum)

 

This Shaggy Jumping Spider, (Hypoblemum griseum), was photographed on the side of a house. The spider appears to be protecting a nursery web, which probably contains the eggs and/or hatchlings.

1/200 - f/11 - ISO200 - 55mm + 31mm macro extension - diffused flash

Honey Bee (Apis mellifera)

 

A Honey Bee, (Apis mellifera), snapped just as it was landing on a Clover flower.

1/200 - f/8 - ISO100 - macro

Echeveria Pulvinata

 

Flowers of Echeveria pulvinata, called the plush plant, is a species of flowering succulent plant in the genus Echeveria, native to southwest and central Mexico. It has stems tipped with small rosettes of green spathulate leaves covered with silvery-white hairs. The plant produces yellow and orange, bell-shaped flowers.

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1/200 - f/11 - ISO100

Geometrid moth (Crypsiphona ocultaria)

 

The Geometrid moth, (Crypsiphona ocultaria), of the family Geometridae, is one of the most common moths found in Australia. As larvae they are green and feed on eucalypt leaves. When threatened the grub stands still, pretending to be a stick.

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1/200 - f/9 - ISO200 - diffused flash

Passionvine hopper (Scolypopa australis)

 

Passionvine hopper, (Scolypopa australis), is native to Australia and has been introduced to New Zealand. Despite its name, they are found not only on passion vines, but on many plant species, including kiwifruit and the lantana. They are brown with partly transparent wings, about 5–6 mm long as adults and 4-5 mm as nymphs.

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1/200 - f/8 - ISO100 - macro - diffused flash

Barred Skipper (Dispar compacta) Butterfly

 

The Barred Skipper, (Dispar compacta), butterfly is a small type of "skipper". The adult butterfly is brown, with a few white and yellow markings on the wings. It has a wingspan of about 45 - 50 mm. The Barred Skipper is found mainly along the eastern side of mainland Australia.

1/100 - f/7.1 - ISO400 - macro

Fruit Fly (f. Tephritidae)

 

A major agricultural problem for fruit growers in Australia is Fruit fly, (f. Tephritidae). These flies inhabit fruits and vegetables to which they cause severe destruction and degradation. There are strict border controls in place for the transport of fruit across state borders in Australia.

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1/200 - f/8 - ISO100 - macro - diffused flash

Ladybird Beetle (Coccinella transversalis)

 

The common spotted ladybird, (Coccinella transversalis), is bright orange with black dots on its back. They're voracious predators of aphids, scale insects and mites. Ladybirds are very common in gardens all around Australia.

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1/200 - f/8 - ISO100 - macro - diffused flash

Fringe Lily (Thysanotus patersonii)

 

There are many native wildflowers in Australia. The Fringe Lily, (Thysanotus patersonii), is among the more common, they produce purple flowers between July and November across southern Australian states.

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1/125 - f/5.6 - ISO200

Thread-legged bug (Stenolemus bituberus)

 

One of the strangest, yet most interesting insects I've ever encountered. A Thread-legged bug, (Stenolemus bituberus), spends almost it's entire life in spider webs and feeds mainly on spiders, moving from one web to the next, devouring the web creator.

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1/200 - f/8 - ISO100 - macro

Ghost Moth (Elhamma australasiae)

 

Macro close-up of a Ghost Moth, (Elhamma australasiae), from the family Hepialidae, also known as Swift Moths. There are about 150 species found in Australia. These moths fly in late summer and Autumn into early winter. They sometimes emerge on mass after rains.

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1/200 - f/9 - ISO200 - macro - diffused flash

White-tailed spider (Lampona cylindrata)

 

White-tailed spider (Lampona cylindrata)

The White-tailed spider (Lampona cylindrata) is a moderate-sized arachnid native to Australia. Despite its name, it is primarily recognized by the cream or gray coloration of its abdomen, which features a distinctive white spot at the tip, rather than the color of its limbs. Measuring around 1.5 centimeters in length, the White-tailed spider possesses a slender body and long legs, which aid in its rapid movement.

A distinguishing feature of the White-tailed spider is its prominent jaws or chelicerae, which contain venom glands. These spiders are known for their unique hunting technique, whereby they actively search for prey instead of relying on webs to catch their food. Although they primarily feast on other insects, they have been known to occasionally prey on other spiders as well.

Habitat-wise, White-tailed spiders are commonly found in both urban areas and natural environments throughout Australia. They tend to favor dark and moist sheltered areas, such as under bark, rocks, or inside homes. While usually avoiding direct contact with humans, these spiders have gained notoriety due to their potential for biting humans if they feel threatened or trapped.

The venom of the White-tailed spider can cause localized reactions in humans, such as pain, swelling, and itchiness. However, severe cases resulting in necrotic lesions or ulcers have been a topic of debate among experts, as the association between these symptoms and White-tailed spider bites remains inconclusive.

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1/200 - f/9 - ISO200 - macro - flash

Charles De Gaulle Rose

 

The tiny dropplets of early morning dew glittering on the petals in this close-up of a Charles De Gaulle rose, taken with a telephoto lens.

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1/1600 - f/5.6 - ISO200 - 135mm