moloch05
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Here are a few pics from areas near Wollongong. I visited the hills above Wollongong, Carrington Falls and Dharawal in the last couple of weeks. The weather has been pretty good with mostly warm days and a little rain.
The hills above Wollongong are covered with wet eucalyptus woodland. The forest is thick and gullies often contain subtropical rainforest with lots of palms.
Along the top of the escarpment, I often see Eastern Small-eyed Snakes (Crytophis nigrescens) beneath tin and other debris. These little elapids are the most common species of snake around Wollongong.
... I saw young on a couple of occasions. These were both tiny, only about 15cm in length but both defended themselves vigorously. This one would rear, feint strikes and pose nicely.
Eastern Blue-tongues (Tiliqua scincoides) are out in numbers. This one was in the hills but my son found a large one in our backyard a few days ago. I was not home but it sounds like it would have made a good photo with its threat display directed at my dogs.
I have visited Dharawal (20 minutes drive) on a couple of occasions. Spring flowers are beginning to wane but there are still some nice ones to be seen.
... red spiderflower (a Grevillea).
Frogs are out in good numbers. One of my favourites is the beautiful Blue Mountains Tree Frog (Litoria citropa). At night, the males call from rocks along the creek.
... this citropa had an unusually large amount of green on it.
Females are not so brightly coloured. Here was an unusual situation ... a male Lesueur's Frog (Litoria lesueuri) amplexant with a female Blue Mountains Tree Frog.
A mixed group of tadpoles. I assume that most of these would be the young of L. citropa.
Male Lesueur's Frogs (Litoria lesueuri) were also numerous on the rocks but not quite as common as L. citropa.
Peron's Tree Frogs (Litoria peronii) are definitely the noisiest frog near the creek.
I am not certain but I think that this is a Common Eastern Froglet (Crinia signifera). It was a tiny frog with a surprising loud "crick" call.
I also have visited Carrington Falls (40min drive) a couple of times. This is rocky gorge country. The area just above the falls is always good for a variety of reptiles and flowers in the spring.
members of Epacridaceae:
Rock Orchids are in full flower at the moment. Their growth form reminds me a little of vanilla pods.
Carrington Falls is a good place to see Black Rock Skinks (Egernia saxatilis). Here is a cooperative juvenile:
... and a much more wary adult:
Eastern Water Skinks are abundant (Eulamprus quoyii).
There are a few Eastern Water Dragons (Physignathus lesueurii) along the river but they are shy and hard to photograph.
I think that this is a female Lesueur's Tree Frog.
Regards,
David
The hills above Wollongong are covered with wet eucalyptus woodland. The forest is thick and gullies often contain subtropical rainforest with lots of palms.
Along the top of the escarpment, I often see Eastern Small-eyed Snakes (Crytophis nigrescens) beneath tin and other debris. These little elapids are the most common species of snake around Wollongong.
... I saw young on a couple of occasions. These were both tiny, only about 15cm in length but both defended themselves vigorously. This one would rear, feint strikes and pose nicely.
Eastern Blue-tongues (Tiliqua scincoides) are out in numbers. This one was in the hills but my son found a large one in our backyard a few days ago. I was not home but it sounds like it would have made a good photo with its threat display directed at my dogs.
I have visited Dharawal (20 minutes drive) on a couple of occasions. Spring flowers are beginning to wane but there are still some nice ones to be seen.
... red spiderflower (a Grevillea).
Frogs are out in good numbers. One of my favourites is the beautiful Blue Mountains Tree Frog (Litoria citropa). At night, the males call from rocks along the creek.
... this citropa had an unusually large amount of green on it.
Females are not so brightly coloured. Here was an unusual situation ... a male Lesueur's Frog (Litoria lesueuri) amplexant with a female Blue Mountains Tree Frog.
A mixed group of tadpoles. I assume that most of these would be the young of L. citropa.
Male Lesueur's Frogs (Litoria lesueuri) were also numerous on the rocks but not quite as common as L. citropa.
Peron's Tree Frogs (Litoria peronii) are definitely the noisiest frog near the creek.
I am not certain but I think that this is a Common Eastern Froglet (Crinia signifera). It was a tiny frog with a surprising loud "crick" call.
I also have visited Carrington Falls (40min drive) a couple of times. This is rocky gorge country. The area just above the falls is always good for a variety of reptiles and flowers in the spring.
members of Epacridaceae:
Rock Orchids are in full flower at the moment. Their growth form reminds me a little of vanilla pods.
Carrington Falls is a good place to see Black Rock Skinks (Egernia saxatilis). Here is a cooperative juvenile:
... and a much more wary adult:
Eastern Water Skinks are abundant (Eulamprus quoyii).
There are a few Eastern Water Dragons (Physignathus lesueurii) along the river but they are shy and hard to photograph.
I think that this is a female Lesueur's Tree Frog.
Regards,
David
