Monday, December 31, 2012
Sunday, November 25, 2012
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Diamond Doves in Trumpet Tree
Main Street Kangaroo Point is alight with Pink Trumpet trees (indigenous to Brazil) as are Jacarandas, now flowering in Brisbane parks and along many byways – evidently all seeded from the original plantings in the Botanic Gardens. The city is looking marvellous.
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
The Bees Knees orchids
Encyclia alata is and orchid classic being so named for 180 years. Because the yellow/brown flower heads form clusters resembling swarming bees local gardeners refer to it as the bees knees. Whatever. With such a pungent perfume it's a popular call bird. Lemony, but I sense honey in there somewhere. However, the Little Yellow Thornbill is not here for nectar as much as the tiny insects gardens grow. Slightly in more shade a Hoya cumingiana will likely supply some bird breakfasts as well.
Monday, October 15, 2012
Saturday, October 6, 2012
Friday, October 5, 2012
Friday, September 7, 2012
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Thursday, August 9, 2012
Friday, August 3, 2012
Check out these two new subjects from my Bird-'n-Bush portfolio
Drawn freehand on the Mac in Adobe Illustrator.
Wompoo Fruit Dove in fruiting Bangalow palms : The marvellous colours of the Wompoo Pigeon are rarely seen. Also known as the Fruit Dove the rather shy bird is a bit of a loner and lives high in treetops, feeds on palm berries along sub-tropical East Coast Australia.
Lyrebird with Swamp orchid : The shy Lyrebird is a tricky mimic and happily imitates other birds and sounds of the forest, car horns, cell phone rings, barking dogs, electric saws – you name it. Habitat, deep dark ferny forests. The Swamp orchid, however, grows alongside creeks and dams. It's a bit of a jump to unite them in the one visual. Then again they are both great Aussie icons not often seen in the wild. They seem to fit together in my way of thinking..
Sunday, July 15, 2012
Thursday, July 12, 2012
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Aphrodite Moon Orchids
Progeny of Phalaenopsis amabilis are commonly called the Moth Orchids but I use the lesser known title Moon Orchid. (Indonesian: anggrek bulan meaning "moon orchid"). It is one of the three national flowers in Indonesia and enjoys shade not direct sunlight. A variation called ‘Aphrodite’ grows in North Queensland but these in the illustration are crosses grown commercially. Seemed appropriate to arrange them in an outdoor setting. The little birds added to the mix are Chestnut-breasted Mannikin (Lonchura castaneothorax). Some seasons flocks of as many as 500 fly to the giant Jacaranda that flowers around October (Spring). The Moon Orchids stand in pots around the base of the old tree.
Stanhopea nigroviolacea
My brain almost exploded when I saw my first Stanhopea pop. An upside down orchid that flowers through its nether regions. Those crazy Latins! The collection grew to nigh on a dozen different species but the old nigroviolacea (tigrina?) – never really knew the difference – was divided time and again to provide new plants for half of the Noosa hinterland. The collection was recently sold but one specimen waits in a friend's garden in Sydney for the next instalment – a courtyard garden in Kangaroo Point, Brisbane. Stay tuned.
Laelia gouldiana
For years this guy has bloomed in the greenhouse. Thought it was out of Africa. Wrong! It's from The Americas. A beauty from Mexico.
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