Category Archives: Nature Observations

Touch base with the changing world

Posted on 29 June, 2011 by fobif

The blogroll on the right of this page is an indicator of the intense local interest in happenings in the natural world. We would be the first to admit that you can spend too much time in front of a … Continue reading →

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It’s winter in Mount Alexander

Posted on 8 June, 2011 by fobif

It looks like we’re going to get another real winter: cold, and a sense of moisture in the air, whether as mist, drizzle or proper rain. There’s still plenty to see in the bush, however, even as we approach the … Continue reading →

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Autumn ends

Posted on 1 June, 2011 by fobif

One sign of autumn is the prolific seeding of the local coffee bush [Cassinia arcuata]. Cassinia is one of the good soldiers of ruined land, which is why you see it recolonising mining sites. This is what the Cassinia flower … Continue reading →

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Advance of the micro kingdoms

Posted on 1 June, 2011 by fobif

Alison Pouliot delivered a lively and informative Connecting Country presentation last Thursday to an audience of about 75 people on ‘Fungi: the mysterious kingdom’. No one leaving the Campbell’s Creek Community Centre that night could be in any doubt about … Continue reading →

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Uncommon beauty conceals a deadly trap

Posted on 23 May, 2011 by fobif

Carnivorous plants can trap prey in a various ways: pitfall traps, flypaper traps, snap traps and lobster-pot traps. The well-known local carnivorous Scented Sundew Drosera whittakeri uses the flypaper trap method. Insects are captured in the sticky dew exuding from … Continue reading →

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It’s pretty, but it’s a weed

Posted on 11 February, 2011 by fobif

Ian Higgins identified this flower as a Gladiolus specie, probably G.undulatus. It is a weed that several FOBIF members found growing in great numbers beside a roadside in Sutton Grange. Unfortunately, as in the case of Gazanias, Gladiolus undulatus, it is still sold … Continue reading →

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