End of Year, Wollongong

[moloch]

Greetings everyone,

Firstly, I would like to wish you all a Happy New Year. This past year was a good one for me with plenty of travel. I am also pleased to have found the Butterfly Circle forum. It really is nice to see your high quality shots and interact with such helpful people.

I have been on holidays for the past week. The last few days have been good with mostly sunny conditions and warm to hot temperatures. I've been heading up to Mt Kiera at least once per day.

Here are a few shots of the place where I spend lots of time on walks or stalking butterflies (and reptiles!). There is a ring track around the hill as well as other tracks to lookouts on top of the cliffs. Lantana is thick along the roadsides and in places along the trails. As you know, this is a top plant for attracting butterflies.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Butterflies/Gong31Dec2010/MtKIera2.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Butterflies/Gong31Dec2010/MtKiera4.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Butterflies/Gong31Dec2010/MtKiera3.jpg


The reddish plants on the hillside above are flowering Pigeonberry Ash (Elaeocarpus kirtonii) and the white clumps are flowering Cabbage Palms (Livistona australis). Both are popular with fruit-eating birds such as Topknot Pigeons and parrots.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Butterflies/Gong31Dec2010/MtKieraPigeonberryAsh1.jpg


View of Mt. Kiera from a nearby lookout:
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Butterflies/Gong31Dec2010/MtKiera.jpg


This clump of Lantana has been very productive early in the morning. Most of the butterflies here seem to feed from the flowers until the temps climb around mid-morning. After that, most of them vanish.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Butterflies/Gong31Dec2010/MtKieralantana1.jpg

Varied Sword-grass Browns (Tisiphone abeona) are nicely patterned browns. They only stop in early in the morning and then retreat to the surround thickets of sword grass and Lomandra:
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Butterflies/Gong31Dec2010/TisiphoneabeonaVariedSwordgrassBrown2.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Butterflies/Gong31Dec2010/TisiphoneabeonaVariedSwordgrassBrown3.jpg

[moloch]

Bronze Flats (Netrocoryne repanda) are nice looking skippers. These are the first of the species that I have encountered this year.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Butterflies/Gong31Dec2010/NetrocorynerepandaBronzeFlat1.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Butterflies/Gong31Dec2010/NetrocorynerepandaBronzeFlat2.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Butterflies/Gong31Dec2010/NetrocorynerepandaBronzeFlat3.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Butterflies/Gong31Dec2010/NetrocorynerepandaBronzeFlat4.jpg


Macleay's Swallowtails (Graphium macleayanus) are one of the most common species at the lantana. They always seem to be in a hurry and rarely spend more than a second or two on a cluster of flowers. Their wings are in constant motion.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Butterflies/Gong31Dec2010/GraphiummacleayanusMacleaysSwallowtail2.jpg


Black Jezebels (Delias nigrina) are common in the area but they don't seem to stop often at the lantana. I usually see them flying high through the forest canopy.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Butterflies/Gong31Dec2010/DeliasnigrinaBlackJezebel1.jpg


Yellow-spotted Jezebel (Delias nysa). I saw these for the first time at the end of the last summer. They have recently returned to the area. It seems odd but several will arrive at the lantana at the same time, feed for a couple of minutes and then all will depart together.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Butterflies/Gong31Dec2010/DeliasnysaYellowSpottedJezebel.jpg


Here is the competition to the butterflies. It is an Eastern Spinebill, a member of the Australian Honeyeater family. These seem to be ecological counterparts to the sunbirds. They will hover in front of the flowers and sip nectar.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Butterflies/Gong31Dec2010/EasternSpinebill.jpg

[moloch]

These Bright Coppers (Paralucia aurifer) were a new species to me. So far, I have only seen a few in a single clearing on Mt. Kiera.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Butterflies/Gong31Dec2010/ParaluciaauriferBrightCopper3.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Butterflies/Gong31Dec2010/ParaluciaauriferBrightCopper2.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Butterflies/Gong31Dec2010/ParaluciaauriferBrightCopper1.jpg


Common Grass Blues (Zizina labradus) are the most abundant butterfly in the hills. I see them on small flowers growing from the forest floor as well as visiting lantana flowers.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Butterflies/Gong31Dec2010/ZizinalabradusCommonGrassBlue2.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Butterflies/Gong31Dec2010/ZizinalabradusCommonGrassBlue1.jpg


This White-brand Grass Skipper (Toxidia rietmanni) was another new one to me. It is a small species that is distinctively marked. Female.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Butterflies/Gong31Dec2010/ToxidiarietmanniWhite-brandGrassSkipper1.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Butterflies/Gong31Dec2010/ToxidiarietmanniWhite-brandGrassSkipper2.jpg


Brown Ringlets (Hypocysta metirius) are numerous on the forest floor.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Butterflies/Gong31Dec2010/HypocystametiriusBrownRinglet1.jpg

[moloch]

I was happy to see this Tiger Snake (Notechis scutatus) in the same place as I encountered it last year. I think that it is the same animal due to the tick scars on its neck. This year, it was about to shed so its eyes were blue and its body did not show much pattern. My pleasure at seeing it again was not shared by the snake. It flattened its neck to show that it was annoyed by my presence. It hissed and launched itself at my legs a moment after I took the second photo below.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Butterflies/Gong31Dec2010/NotechisscutellatusTigerSnake2.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Butterflies/Gong31Dec2010/NotechisscutellatusTigerSnake1.jpg


Eastern Small-eyed Snakes (Cryptophis nigrescens) are often social. Here are two that were sheltering together.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Butterflies/Gong31Dec2010/CrypthophisnigrescensEasternSmalleyedSnake1.jpg


I always enjoy seeing these Mainland She-oak Skinks (Cyclodomorphus michaeli). They probably are not rare but seldom do they venture into the open.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Butterflies/Gong31Dec2010/CyclodomorphusmichaeliMainlandSheoakLizard1.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Butterflies/Gong31Dec2010/CyclodomorphusmichaeliMainlandSheoakLizard3.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Butterflies/Gong31Dec2010/CyclodomorphusmichaeliMainlandSheoakLizard2.jpg


Golden Water Skink (Eulamprus quoyii) is one of the most common lizards on Mt. Kiera.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Butterflies/Gong31Dec2010/Eulamprusquoyii1.jpg

[The Plane]

David, Happy New Year to you too. The Bronze Flat is really nice, beautiful. :thumbsup: This is my favorite :



http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Butterflies/Gong31Dec2010/CyclodomorphusmichaeliMainlandSheoakLizard3.jpg


Thanks for sharing :cheers:

[moloch]

Thanks, CKCHNG. I also think that the flat is a really nice one. The She-oaks are strange skinks. When disturbed, they often hold their legs tight against their bodies, elevate their head and then flick their long, blue tongue. I could not get a photo of the tongue flick this time since it always was too quick. The idea is that they are mimicking a snake and this may help them to frighten off a potential predator.


I also visited the Korrongulla Wetlands, a small reserve about 10 minutes from my home. This is a swampy area with sandy soil and lots of lantana. There also many clumps of sword grass and Lomandra. It always is good for butterflies and especially skippers.

Here are shots of the area:
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Butterflies/Gong31Dec2010/korrungulla3.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Butterflies/Gong31Dec2010/korrungulla2.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Butterflies/Gong31Dec2010/korrungulla1.jpg



Painted Sedge Skipper (Hesperilla picta)
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Butterflies/Gong31Dec2010/HesperillapictaPaintedSedgeSkipper1.jpg


Splendid Ochres (Trapezites symmomus) are common. They seem to loose their rich colouring with age.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Butterflies/Gong31Dec2010/TrapezitessymmomusSplendidOchre2.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Butterflies/Gong31Dec2010/TrapezitessymmomusSplendidOchre1.jpg


Not certain about these. I think that they are Telicota but am not certain of the species. Telicota colon is one of the possibilities.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Butterflies/Gong31Dec2010/TelicotacolonPale-orangeDarter2.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Butterflies/Gong31Dec2010/TelicotacolonPale-orangeDarter1.jpg

[moloch]

No idea about this one. Seems to be in good condition but I can't find it in the guide.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Butterflies/Gong31Dec2010/skipper1.jpg


Macleay's Swallowtail (Graphium macleayanus): female. This was a rare sight -- a Macleay's that was not moving. A male arrived and hovered around it for awhile but then gave up and zipped off.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Butterflies/Gong31Dec2010/GraphiummacleayanusMacleaysSwallowtail1.jpg


Australian Painted Lady (Vanessa kershawi)
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Butterflies/Gong31Dec2010/VanessakershawiAustralianPaintedLady1.jpg


Mixed flock of Little Black and Little Pied Cormorants. There also is an Australian Darter right in the middle of the photo.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Butterflies/Gong31Dec2010/korrungullacormorants.jpg


These birds nest in the wetlands:
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Butterflies/Gong31Dec2010/korrungullacormorants2.jpg

[moloch]

I saw one of these beautiful skippers today on lantana at the top of the hill. It was cooperative and allowed me many photos. It is a Spotted Sedge Skipper (Hesperilla ornata).
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Butterflies/Gong31Dec2010/skipper1-1.jpg


Male White-brand Grass-skippers (Toxidia rietmanni) were also numerous at the hilltop. These had me confused until late in the afternoon when I found one with open wings. The long sex-brand is distinctive.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Butterflies/Gong31Dec2010/skipper3.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Butterflies/Gong31Dec2010/ToxidiarietmanniWhite-brandGrass-Skipper1.jpg


Yellow-spotted Jezebels (Delias nysa) were common in the morning on lantana. Almost all were worn and tattered.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Butterflies/Gong31Dec2010/Deliasnysa2.jpg


Lantana is well loved by about all of the butterflies of the area. Here is a Yellow Admiral (Vanessa itea) sipping from lantana flowers.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Butterflies/Gong31Dec2010/Vanessaitea3-1.jpg


This photo illustrates the normal behaviour of Macleay's Swallowtails. They just don't stop moving. I would need to shoot at high speeds to freeze the wingbeats.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Butterflies/Gong31Dec2010/macleays.jpg



Here is a Splendid Ochre that was also at the hilltop. Before this, I had only seen these at the Korrongulla Wetlands.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Butterflies/Gong31Dec2010/SplendidOchre.jpg

[Peacock Royal]

The butterflies are lovely and well-captured.
Your scenery shots really entice me visiting Australia in the future.
David, thanks for sharing.

[bluefin]

Thanks David for sharing such beautiful butterfly images and all the scenic locations. :cheers:

It feels great to see something different. :grin2:

[moloch]

Thanks, Federick and Nelson.


The butterflies are lovely and well-captured.
Your scenery shots really entice me visiting Australia in the future.
David, thanks for sharing.

I hope that you visit sometime. I think that you would enjoy all of the different plants, animals and scenery.