CMunzel

One of the many anti-government / anti-vaccination protests we have had in Australia since Covid-19 started. This one was in Melbourne near Finders St station late 2022.

Apparently we have over 550 different cockroaches indigenous to Australia. There are six different cockroaches that are pests that spread bacteria, as you were referring to, Clicker, and only two of them are indigenous to Australia. This is new to me as I thought only the introduced ones were pests.

Are you serious, Paul? You’ve never seen a cockroach?

I’m advised by one of the biodiversity guys in this locale that this is a native cockroach.

I like that very much. The bright colours and composition work well. I’d love to go to Havana.

Ahh well, that is fascinating.

Unique design. Very sharp photos.

Cute. We have no squirrels in Australia at all but I saw them in England and US and was surprised how small they were.

What is it, Paul?

NO idea what sort of fly this is. Its iridescent and attracted to flowers.

Painted Lady. I don't know if this is the Australian Painted Lady (Vanessa Kershawi) or the Painted Lady that globally distributed. Do you have Painted Lady butterflies in the UK?

how do you know it’s female, Paul?

Actually it was flash plus afternoon light which explains the reflection on that shiny shell and the black background. Paul may have some skills in photographing shiny bugs without reflections? of course, I could get rid of them in PS.

Neither could I see it, then it was there in its alien looking glory.

Thanks. It was late afternoon lighting…my favourite time.

This baby praying mantis climbed into my hair when I was picking boysenberries. It's got attitude and I've become attached to it so have set it up in an enclosure. I may have crossed a line there....

I hope you all enjoyed the festive season wherever you are. Here in Australia, our Summer arrived finally with a heat wave just in time for Christmas. Seems lots of you had lots of things competing for your time, like I have, judging by the low number of posts here. For the POTW, I've chosen the macro photo of a fly from Paul's set, Warmer Tonight. Paul's skills in capturing tiny creatures continues to inspire me. See the original post and set that this image first appears in by using the link below .... https://www.tipf.co.uk/forums/topic/57448-warmer-tonight/

Excellent macros photos, Diedre. Great to see some of your images again.

Always lovely to see you posting, Fuji. You are looking well in your photo with the Italian Proprietor. Great mono photo too.

I love steam punk though I don't think it's much of a thing here in Australia. Pity. The van is fantastic.

Gruesome business: the life of a woodlice. I think we call them Slaters?? #3 the fly is fabulous in its detail.

Excellent as always, Paul. Funny how it has a hairy derrier. I wonder if we have these in Australia. New to me if we do.

I can imagine. That’s very cold! It’s now Summer here with 37 degrees Celsius today for Boxing Day. Both extremes.

I’ve enjoyed Paul’s Marco photos of frost but hadn’t seen this one. It’s lovely.