Wildlife February 2013

[Tim]

A little bird in an unusual position.

[Maggi Young]

I've never seen a Tree Creeper on the ground - his claws are certainly built for tree climbing aren't they?

We have them in the garden occasionally, though a pair seem to have moved in now.

[Tim]

First time iv seen one on the ground as well. There must be a lack of insects around at the moment as this one was scavenging under the bird feeders picking up bits and pieces.

[Anthony Darby]

Some amazing photographs on this New Zealand biologist's blog: http://dylanvanwinkel.wordpress.com/

[Anthony Darby]

I grow several types of milkweed (Asclepias and Gomphocarpus spp.) for monarchs that are common in my garden. Alas, they become infested with the orange oleander aphid (Aphis nerii), so I decided to check what biological control was going on with these introduced pests. The obvious ones were ladybirds, but first I noticed a twig of the plant covered with brown and clearly dead aphids. I then saw a small parasitic wasp which is smaller than its name Lysiphlebus testaceipes. The brown aphids were aphid 'mummies' and some had tiny holes in their backs where the adult parasitoid had emerged. I tried to take some pictures but they are not great. One blurry picture show the wasp in the act of laying an egg in an aphid. It was very quick and I wasn't.

Don't seem to be able to add pics just now. Get this message: The attachments upload directory is not writable. Your attachment or avatar cannot be saved.

[Maggi Young]

Don't seem to be able to add pics just now.

Anthony,  I expect this will be a temporary hiccup as Fred completes his work.  Bear with us!

[Anthony Darby]

Thanks Maggi. I wasn't sure as my computer has been misbehaving today.

[Maggi Young]

Testing  the system .....

 an ancient artifact- a bison carved from mammoth ivory


http://www.world-archaeology.com/news/ice-age-art-arrival-of-the-modern-mind/

Bison sculpted from mammoth ivory. About 20,000 years old, it was found at Zaraysk, Russia. Image: Zaraysk Kremlin Museum, Zaraysk, Russia


Edt by Maggi : I thought this beautiful object created from Mammoth Ivory was appropriate for a test when Fred is working on such a mammoth task! 

[mark smyth]

I've seen them on the ground at Susan Tindalls below seed feeders. At her feeding station I've seen them on the nut feeders

[Maggi Young]

I've seen them on the ground at Susan Tindalls below seed feeders. At her feeding station I've seen them on the nut feeders

 Bison or mammoths?

[Hoy]

Bison or mammoths?

Have to be bison. The mammoths went extinct some years ago.

[Maggi Young]

Have to be bison. The mammoths went extinct some years ago.

You are SO right! I am so stupid- should  know better.... bison it is.........

[mark smyth]

Both Maggi! Treecreepers

[mark smyth]

Out and about this afternoon I saw this Otter. I know they are pale below but what about cream moustaches?

[Maggi Young]

Great photos, Mark. Looks like a big  strong otter, too.
I think the amount of pale markings around their faces is quite varied - this one is going for the Hercule Poirot look, eh?!