Nature's Place

Sleepy fly on a herb seed pod in the nighttime garden.

Hungry fly, waiting by my lunch on the table on the veranda.

Came into the open bathroom at night, confused by the light.

Wandered around the stick a while and at one point …

… ended upside down on the floor. One confused fly, until I turned out the light.

And where there’s flies … come into my arms dear juicy one. … The garden is awash with webs in the morning, always walking into them.

The soft fruit and veg farmers favourite, fruit fly. … Guaranteed to devastate any crop but here enjoying the spent dew soaked butterfly bush flowers.

Can’t keep a good fruit fly down. Too dry for them now though, and nothing fresh in the garden to easily eat, yet. Pawpaw on the way.

After the possum feed the cockroaches (and rodents) get the crumbs. The geckos know this and get a few cockroaches, then leave little presents for the flies inclined to so feast.

Geckos leave a distinct signature, a white tip to their presents. It’s how the flies know where it came from … well, I know.

And this little fellow, all of 6mm long must be, on the bonsai moreton bay fig tree. Could barely see it unmoving, and then it was gone. Only on the mini fig tree.

Rainbow Lorikeet enjoying a few crumbs in the front garden after a night in the Jacaranda.

They will call out when they are hungry, knowing there is food to be had here at times.

And that is most I see them, with so little rain to water their usual feeding grounds.

And the Noisy Minah, a local character with a demanding way, as she swoops on my head.

Clack, clack, clacking her orders at me. Sometimes touching my hair as she goes.

For a little food, for her and her young. We know each other over generations now.

Just getting on with the business of living in this hot country of Australia.

No surprise to see what comes, it being the only ‘wet’ garden hereabouts. Oasis in an urban desert where people still cut down trees and rip out mature bushes – habitat and food sources.

The ‘season’ so far is hot and dry and summer has only just begun. Bushfires already in full swing, affected people doing their best with it.

I am inclined to make room for any creatures that appear but there are conditions in a small finite space. … All must abide if it’s to survive.

Observing an assassin bug wandering the butterfly bush over a few days. … What a mighty stabber she’s got, the better to eat with no doubt.

Eat what? What visits the flowers. … The honey bees have been enjoying the nectar bounty of the newly flowering bush the last few days.

And one thing follows the other. Nothing stays the same. … Slow moving bug captures the frantic paced bee. By watching, waiting, listening, sensing. … Something comes.

It always does. The flies came and joined the feast. The bee must have been leaking. … The carrion flies of the micro world always arrive to a fresh kill.

If this bug had lips she’d need to lick ’em. Must have been nice. … And then she went on her way.