Stephanie the Stick Insect

 Allow me to introduce you to the newest member of our family. We discovered Stephanie under the ever enlarging leaves of the broccolini in our greenhouse. She too has grown over the months and is now about 15cm long.

Stephanie in the broccolini leaves

Her appearance in the greenhouse, and the fact that she is alone, prompted me to do some research and I was surprised at what I read. In Australia there are about 150 species of stick insect; the largest is the ctenomorpha gargantuan which grows to 56cms!

They are often not easy to spot because of their ability to blend in with the foliage; and that's because they look like sticks or in some cases, leaves. They are so good at hiding themselves that they often can't find each other! So nature has provided a solution. Female stick insects don't need a mate to reproduce. The female can lay her unfertilised eggs that hatch into females. And if she does find a mate, then her eggs will hatch into both females and males.

Unlike other insects, stick insects eat the entire leaf, so its hard to see where they've been. They will sway slightly if surprised or drop to the ground and look just like a snapped stick. When threatened, some flash open their wings to reveal a bright colour and vibrate loudly. Others may drop a leg which, in the young can be regrown at their next moult.

Basically, they are peace-loving vegetarians and I'm happy for Stephanie to occupy her place in our greenhouse.

At the Zoo

Last Saturday morning I went with three friends to the Tasmania Zoo, just twelve kilometres up the road at Riverside, and what a wonderful experience it was!

We were the first patrons in that day so we were easily able to make our way past the meerkats to the pygmy marmosets and other primates, and on to the big cats: lions, caracals and servals. We had just reached the Sumatran Tigers when suddenly a deafening, terrifying roar reverberated through the zoo: two of the lions were facing off.

Recovered, we wandered across to the gentle wombats who were eating breakfast and passed the Tasmanian Devils before stopping for a rest and a cuppa. We then continued on to the koalas and nocturnal bilbies.

Next were the otters and capybaras. I have recently 'adopted' Morgan, one of two adult females capybaras, and it was a delight to finally meet her and the rest of her family.

Jurassic Swamp was calling, where Velociraptors share space with Brontosaurus, and Tyrannosaurus Rex opens his terrifying jaws! Then it was on to the Australian Dog and dingo, cassowary, alpaca and huge collection of roosters and hens.

Finally we saw the most beautiful birds, from various parts of the world, and the gorgeous red panda!

By this time the zoo was alive with people so we browsed the shop and then headed home. Two and a half hours had passed quickly and we had walked kilometres, all very worthwhile.

Each time I visit the zoo more exhibits are being constructed, all of them state-of-the-art and well kept. The animals are clearly loved and cared for and it is a privilege to be in their company, if only for a short time.

Weekend at Bicheno

We have just spent a lovely three nights on Tasmania's stunning East Coast. Some weeks ago we booked a room at the Beachfront Hotel in Bicheno and then saw last Friday that rain was forecast for the entire weekend. Fortunately the rain didn't really arrive until Sunday.

We arrived in Bicheno on Friday afternoon and after checking in drove to the Blowhole. It was 21 degrees, the ocean was a spectacular blue-green and the sky was clear. What a beautiful day!

The views from our room

At the Blowhole

On Saturday morning, fearing rain was on the way, we headed early to East Coast Natureworld, just a few kilometres from town, and a sanctuary for injured, sick or orphaned animals, birds and reptiles. Despite a roaring gale we enjoyed wandering through the park and seeing a great selection of Tasmanian animals. We were two of over fifty visitors that morning and the hours just flew by.

Wedge Tailed Eagle

Jim feeding a Forrester Kangaroo

with Cape Barren Geese in the background

Echidna

Emu

Quoll

Tasmanian Devils

Our guide was passionate about his work

and provided us with fascinating information about the Devils

Albino Wallaby

... and my personal favourite - the wombat!

On Sunday we drove to Coles Bay but unfortunately the Hazards in Freycinet National Park were covered in thick fog, so we continued on to Swansea and lunched at the historic Bark Mill Tavern.

It rained all Sunday night and on Monday we had breakfast at the wonderful Blue Edge Bakery in Bicheno before heading home. Despite the weather, it was a fabulous weekend!

 

Let it snow!

 And snow, it did. Last Tuesday night as we were driving to our regular HASH pub meal, I noticed the raindrops on the windscreen were a little heavy, like sleet. Whilst at the pub, one of our friends showed us a video his daughter had just sent of his granddaughters catching snowflakes in their backyard at Prospect Vale. And by the time we arrived home, it was lightly snowing at Riverside.

We went to bed not realising what lay ahead. At 12.45pm I woke and looked outside. It was snowing, really snowing! I woke Jim and grabbed the camera and we both stood under the open garage doors and took photos.

The next time I woke it was still dark and when I glanced at the digital clock on the bedside table I realised we had a blackout, so I got up to light the fire. It was around 5.30am and the light was slowly dawning outside. Our property was a sea of thick, white snow.

I have never lived anywhere where it snowed. And since we are told the last snow event in Launceston took place in the 1970s, we consider ourselves very fortunate to have had this experience! It was an exciting 24 hours, one I'll never forget.

Aussie Animals - collectively

We've all heard of a flock of birds, a colony of bats and a herd of elephants. But did you know our own Australian animals have some pretty interesting collective names:

Bask of crocodiles

Company of king parrots

Convocation of wedge-tailed eagles

Lounge of blue-tongued lizards

Mob of kangaroos

Ostentation of peacocks

Paddle of platypus

Parade of echidnas

Parliament of barn owls

Smack of jellyfish

Wedge of black swans

Wisdom of wombats

As nobody seems to know what we call a group of koalas, I'd like to suggest a Cuddle of koalas!