Reader Stuart Coyle from Oz sent a variety of photos, including one of a domesticated mammal. I’m glad that Australian readers chip in so much. But I’ll request more photos from readers as the tank is getting low.
My wife, two cats and I recently moved to Samford Valley, a town about half an hour out of Brisbane. I have taken a few photographs of the local wildlife that you and your
blogwebstite [JAC: my alteration] audience may find interesting. I’m not much of a photographer but I think these are mostly passable.The photos include a python over 2m long, that our cats stupidly decided to go after. I was bitten by one of the cats because I tried to get him away from a snake that could swallow him whole.
Tortoise Beetle, Cassida compuncta:
Tent Spider, Cyrtophora spp? [JAC: readers invited to identify]:
Carpet Python, Morelia spilota:
Red-Necked Wallaby, Macropus rufogriseus:
Mithra and Mitzy, Felis catus:
Finally, reader Mark Jones sent a deer photo. Enlarge it to see the amazing bug-eyes!
Here’s a shot of a (Scottish?) Red Deer [Cervus elaphus] I took recently; I like the symmetry of it and the rather surprised look. The deer is wild eyed but not wild – I took this at a local farm.
Nice shots. The red deer looks like it has been caught with it’s hoof in the cookie jar.
Imagine what it would look like in the headlights! Speaking of deer, and meese, we had hoped to make it to Thunder Bay, Ontario, this evening but stopped prematurely in Dryden so as to avoid the risk of hitting any of these fine critters in the dark. (28 hrs down, ~16 to go)
Thunder Bay is one of the most wonderfully named cities in the world. Actually, I can’t think of one any better. Even Kalamazoo is not in this class.
And Thunder Bay is also extraordinarily beautiful. I must have lived in Ontario for close to 30 years before driving the spectacular northern coast of Lske Superior.
(The southern shore is also beautiful).
When I go to Vancouver, I remark “It’s kinda like up north in Ontario.” Then I remember that we are up north since Southern Ontario is so far south.
Nice shots. Is that a carpet python?
I think we need interpretations of what the deer is saying.
“Oh deer, he still hasn’t finished the shoot, I’ve hold my breath for so long!”
Nice shots, Stuart! I love tortoise beetles!
And I also love studying snake–well, most reptile–scale patterns. It’s cool how the scales between the python’s eye and nostril look like little polished stones.
Mark–what did you say to that deer?!
Diane, I asked him what a deer with no eyes is called. He didn’t laugh when I told him.
Happily, that was Google-able.
Ha Ha!
Without googling, I’d guess, “I have no-eye deer.”
You, sir, are much sharper than I.
Tortoise Bettle, WTF, Evolution!?
Is the transparent edges a leaf camouflage? According to this they are hard to spot and slow moving: http://www.calodema.com/freefiles/214.pdf . But I can’t find any deeper ecological information, except they may be parasitized on a lot. [Ibid]
I do not know how their shiny colors can be camouflage. Maybe they mimic rain drops? But that seems improbable too.
The transparent and recurved edge may make them hard to pick up. Just guessing here.
Tortoise beetles are so pretty!
Love the look on the deer’s face
And that python looks so smooth and soft! If you touch a python, it won’t bite, right?
Brave kitties, but discretion is usually the better part of valor when tangling with a 2 meter long snake.
I’d sent some photos from my mom’s backyard (subject “baby bugs & flowers”) last time you had said your tank was low. I sent them to your university address from their website. Hadn’t heard anything back nor seen them posted. First time sending something so just wanted to make sure they got through. Thanks! 🙂
Hi,
If they include baby praying mantises, I do have them and they’re in the queue. I don’t acknowledge receipt, usually, but I do let people know when their photos are posted, as I will with yours. Thanks for sending them.
Awesome! Thank you very much!
Felis catus? Are you sure? Looks like Diablo gato to me.
The tortoise beetle looks like something you’d find in the ocean. I like Mark S’s idea above that they might mimic raindrops or dewdrops.
Beautiful python, glad curiosity didn’t, you know…
That bug-eyed deer looks like a cartoon. Too funny! Does the farm raise/take care of them to introduce back to the wild or for consumption? I know there are deer/elk farms here that harvest the meat. I think they are more humane than industrialized cattle farms. At least that’s what various menus had to say when I’ve seen the meat offered.
If the deer are raised for consumption, that might explain the worried look. 🙂
Is that called a red necked wallaby because of the lawn furniture?
I followed the link on the carpet python and no luck there, unless I missed it, in determining WHY it’s called a carpet python. Doesn’t look like a shag rug or anything so does anyone know the reason? Great pictures though.
From the first result that came up in a search:
http://seaworld.org/animal-info/animal-bytes/reptiles/carpet-python/
Good question! I was hoping it wasn’t because they like to hide in your carpet!