A Brief Walk on Black Mountain; a rain cheque!

The best laid plans etc - a family emergency intervened this week, so the second part of our series on the Southern Hemisphere conifers must wait another week. (And I must prepare for a radio interview this evening on my new book!) Instead here's a very brief report on a walk in which I participated last weekend, on Black Mountain, the hill that looms over central Canberra, part of Canberra Nature Park, dominated by dry sclerophyll forest. 

Part of the walk route, especially dry at the end of summer.
The main trees in this picture are Brittle Gum Eucalyptus mannifera.

The walk was organised by the active community-based Friends of Black Mountain, and led by Dr. Suzi Bond, Canberra's butterfly guru, and author of the recent and excellent Field Guide to the Butterflies of the Australian Capital Territory. As soon we arrived at the top of the mountain we were surrounded by active Imperial Jezebels, 'hill-topping', ie a gathering of displaying males for mating purposes, also known as a lek. They were manically chasing and showing off, impossible for me to photograph, but here's what one looks like sitting still!

Imperial Jezebel Delias harpalyce, National Botanic Gardens, last September.

A couple of others I did manage to photograph - ie they did sit still!

Marbled Xenica Gleitoneura klugii.

Tailed Emperor Charaxes sempronius.I found this one to be especially striking, and it was new for me
(I really am very much a beginner in this game!).

Of course there are always other animals to be seen too.

Young Jacky Lizard Amphibolurus muricatus, sunning on a rock.
This is a common little dragon locally.

Golden Orbweb Spiders Nephila edulis mating.
He's the little one and there's an 80% chance that this will the last thing he does before she eats him...

Another orb web spider wrapping a packed lunch; I think this was another Xenica,
but the whole process took less than 30 seconds, so it was hard to tell!

And on that somewhat macabre note I must leave you for this week; next time things should be back to something slightly closer to normal!

NEXT POSTING THURSDAY.

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