Friday 16 May 2008

Australian Flora and Fauna in the Garden

Here... the sun shines every day...


Mike is a big guy...



and Auntie Dot...


and a family picture!


This beautiful Python Snake, common name is Carpet Snake, because of its pattern, lives since many years in my garden in this Staghorn fern. Here she is just going home, enjoying the sun for a while.



Emerging Banksia Robur flower

Banksia robur, commonly known as Swamp Banksia or, less commonly, Broad-leaved Banksia grows in sand or peaty sand in coastal areas from Cooktown in north Queensland to the Illawarra region on the New South Wales south coast. It is often found in areas which are seasonally inundated.
Though it was one of the original banksias collected by Joseph Banks around Botany Bay in 1770, it was not named until 1800 by Cavanilles, with a type collection by Luis Née in 1793.





Emerging flower of Banksia Robur



Growing Banksia flower






Lilli's Majolica Pottery, Possum with red flowered Eucalyptus. (Not for sale)





Rainbow Lorikeets on Banksia Robur flower.





The Rainbow Lorikeet, Trichoglossus haematodus is a species of Australasian parrot found in Australia, eastern Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, New Caledonia, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu. In Australia, it is common along the eastern seaboard, from Queensland to South Australia and northwest Tasmania. Its habitat is rainforest, coastal bush and woodland areas. The taxonomy is disputed, and it is often split into several species (see Taxonomy).
The Rainbow Lorikeet is very colourful as its name suggests. Almost every colour in the rainbow is used on the feathers of the rainbow lorikeet. They are not a huge bird with a Rainbow Lorikeets height ranging from 25-30 cm (9.8-11.8 in) in size, with a wingspan of about 17 cm (6.7 in) and vary significantly in colouration between the numerous subspecies. Their eponymous markings of the best known subspecies moluccanus are particularly striking: A dark blue or violet-blue head and stomach, a bright green back, tail and vent, and an orange breast and beak. Several have darker scalloped markings across the orange or red breast and the Weber's Lorikeet is predominantly green. Wikipedia


Lilli's Majolica Pottery, Pigmy Possum with Wattleblossom. (Not for sale)


Grevillia Honey Gem is a tough, for ever flowering Shrub.
Grevillea is a diverse genus of about 360 species of evergreen flowering plants in the protea family Proteaceae, native to Australia, New Guinea, New Caledonia, and Sulawesi. The species range from prostrate shrubs less than 0.5 m tall to trees 35 m tall. Common names include Grevillea, Spider Flower, Silky-oak and Toothbrush.
Grevillea flowers were a traditional favourite among Aborigines for their sweet nectar. This could be shaken onto the hand to enjoy, or into a coolamon with a little water to make a sweet drink. They might be referred to as the original "bush lollies".
Believe it or not:
Marsilio Ficino 1460 the greatest scholar in the world, translated 17 books of the Hermetic Text into Greek and Latin.


Organic Tip of the day: Do not use "Finish or any other commercial Rinse aid in your dishwasher. It leaves a bitter taste from the chemicals on the dishes. I use since years white Vinegar. The result, sparkling dishes without chemical residue. And it is much cheaper as well!























15 comments:

Barbara said...

Dass es ab und zu Schlangen in australischen Gärten hat (uuh!), weiss ich von Beryl und ihrem Aufenthalt in Queensland. Aber Känguruhs? Ich hoffe, sie richten keinen allzu grossen Schaden an! Diese exotischen Pflanzen sind ja wieder sooo schön!
Liebe Grüsse,
Barbara

Sisah said...

Fantastisch Eure Flora und Fauna...was ist da meine mickrige Ringelnatter gegen eine Python im Garten:-)...ein Biber gegen eine ganze Kängeruh-Familie..
Sind die tatsächlich in Eurem Garten??
Den Tipp mit dem Essig kannte ich noch nicht, muss ich mal ausprobieren. Vertragen das die Geschirrspüler auf die Dauer?
LG
Sisa

Katarina said...

It's so fascinating reading your blog. All those exotic plants that I've never even heard of. And fancy having a Python snake in your garden...
/Katarina

Laura said...

Quite the array of animals. do they all visit your garden? I have to watch out for the occasional bear, but thats about it in mine.

Anonymous said...

WOWZERS!
Trudi, you have a zoo in your Garden!! Snakes? Does it really just roam around? Fantastic pictures.
Confession: Your blog is addictive! :-)
~Maggie

Matron said...

Great tip about the rinse aid, I will try that. Are those kangas in your garden? I have enough trouble with slugs and pigeons!!

Sisah said...

Jetzt wollte ich Dir per Bltotanical antworten, aber es geht wohl nur über den direkten Weg und nicht über die "messages".
Du scheinst ja öfter mal bei mir reingeschaut zu haben, wie ich aus Deinem Kommentar herausinterpretiere. Das freut mich!
Dein Blog ist eine Entdeckung für mich, und ich bin ganz begeistert eine völlig andere Vegetaion und Fauna auf diese Weise kennenzulernen!
Den Unterschied zwischen Kängeruhs und Wallabies musst Du uns mal bei Gelegenheit erklären;Ich finde es absolut spannend in Deinem Blog zu lesen, weil das eine so ganz andere Welt für mich ist...ich bin über Europa noch nicht hinausgekommen.
Witzig finde ich, dass Du da unten in einer "Miele" spülst...und dann auch noch mit Essig als Klarspüler. Ich finde Deinen Denkansatz sehr logisch, und werde es demnächst mal nachmachen.

LG
Sisa

a d´almeida nunes said...

Hi Titania
Very nice photos.
I like very much the Grevillea tree. Here in Leiria-Portugal we have many grevillea robusta, i don´t know English expression.
But i have some posts about this tree. And some weeks ago i did receive one because i wrote a book talking about my council.
I´m much glad for it. And surprised.
Best wishes and regards from Portugal, middle-west side.
António

Kerri said...

Kangaroos...ahh...so good to see them again. But the snake I might not be so happy to see :) You seem to be quite content though, to have her in your garden, and that's good :)
Are the kangas near your home?
Trudi, your garden is a tropical delight! Those banksias are so different from anything we see here.
Lilli's pottery is very original and pretty.

Janice said...

Are all those animals visitors to your garden?If they are, thats wonderful. I only get birds, squirrels, and an occasional frog or two. I love all those plants too!

a d´almeida nunes said...

Please, Titania, see http://arvoresleiria.blogspot.com/2008/05/grevillea-robusta-em-flor.html

Look at a grevillea robusta in flower in a street near Leiria.

Regards
António

Lavender and Vanilla Friends of the Gardens said...

Thank you my garden friends for your interest in my blog.Your comments and messages are very much appreciated.

chey said...

Wonderful shots Trudi!! That's amazing that you have had a snake in your garden for all those years. Are the kangaroos in your yard as well? Great post!

LadyLuz said...

So interesting, visiting your blog. What a delight to see kangaroos and a python.

I was pleased to see what a blooming grevillia looks like too. We have recently planted two and need a lot of t.l.c. to enable them to face the hot summer here.

I shall be popping back to see what you're up to.

Hort Log said...

I truly envy your garden - especially the unique wildlife that visit it. Many people go all out to drive "creepy" animals like snakes out of their place - I am glad you did not do that - specially since that python is relatively harmless...and very pretty !