Tag: nature

phyllocnistis citrella

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The citrus leafminer is a very small, light coloured moth that arrived in California from Mexico in 2000 and has now spread throughout most of California. I’ve never seen an adult, but the larval action is very evident in my yard, especially on the young lime trees. They only infest fresh growth, which of course is just about all a little tree has!

I’ve been removing the affected leaves, but today I read that it’s not a good idea, because it just creates even more fresh growth for the larvae to mine. Apparently the insects will die off over the cooler months; here’s hoping, too, that natural predators come along to help create balance.

lagopus lagopus

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Willow ptarmigans (Lagopus lagopus) in the Arctic change colour throughout the year, from completely brown in mid-summer to completely white in mid-winter. The transition (which starts from the head and moves down) is triggered by changing day length, not by temperature.

With a warming Arctic, we are now seeing snow-white birds in a snow-less landscape. Where once they were perfectly camouflaged as the seasons changed, now they are sitting ‘ducks’ for predators. The climate change is happening too quickly for them to evolve to meet the new conditions.

The willow ptarmigan’s scientific name, Lagopus lagopus is derived from Ancient Greek lagos (λαγως) ‘hare’ + pous (πους) ‘foot’, in reference to the bird’s feathered feet which allow it to negotiate frozen ground.

Thanks, Max Romey, for introducing me to this bird and its story.

sharing the love

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Twenty 7-12 year olds (and their parents) now know the difference between a valley oak and a coast live oak, though hopefully that’s not the only thing they gained from our time together 🌿💚

Making the Junior Ranger pledge. Photo by Kerry Perkins.

where the light isn’t

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Shadows can reveal things we may not otherwise notice. We might see new details or shapes, or even additional organisms that were not at first obvious. Shadows also highlight the shape of the object on which the shadow is cast, and show which parts of the organism are touching the surface. They can help explain complex shapes and how parts fit together.

Thanks to natural science author and illustrator Robin Lee Carlson, I now understand why a water strider’s shadow looks like it has big round feet. Fascinating.

springbrook

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Springbrook National Park is astoundingly beautiful. I can’t believe I lived in south-east Queensland for ten years and never went there; so happy that situation was rectified today.

The Park is part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area, one of Queensland’s five World Heritage properties.

Spectacular waterfalls, lush rainforest, ancient trees, impressive views, exceptional ecological importance and natural beauty makes Springbrook an outstanding place to visit. My sketch in no way does the scenery justice. You need to go there for yourself.