Wonderful World Wednesday - Deer spotting and a bush walk!

I am truly in my happy place when I'm out in nature! Since moving to Poatina there has been many an opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors! This walk was full of wonder as we had a good friend come along with us and he is a keen deer spotter!!

 

 

He told us how deer rub their antlers on young trees to scratch themselves and also to remove the velvet coating that is on their antlers. He spotted quite a few trees that were totally DEER LOVED and could tell us if it was from this season or last when it was used!

 

He found some tracks, (though this pic doesn't really show them very well) where there was clear evidence that a doe and her young had been walking together!

As well as all the deer facts we also found some fossils! WOW these are sooo awesome to come across!! I get SUPER excited when discovering a fossil!! (which I've only ever done since moving here!)

 

 Sophia liked this rock in particular as it looks like Tassie or a love heart.

Lastly we found these HUGE animal burrows, they really were HUGE!!! Wombats we were thinking but no sign of "doings" near the entrance made it hard to know for sure.

Autumn mushrooms are also popping up!

 Heading back home and time for a selfie with Sophia, 

 

 

 

So that was our Wonderful World Wednesday, truly wonderful in every way!
Smiles The Torrents'

Wonderful World Wednesday - Huntsmen for Dinner

Unlike some bugs/insects (like the slug, moth and spitfire caterpillar), spiders don't actually freak me out so much! Check this out, a spider eating/carrying another spider away!
With some research we think that the spider doing all the work is perhaps a White-tailed spider, of course his dinner is none other than the Huntsman.

 

Check out the hairs on the Huntsman's legs!

And you can make out the white tip... just!

Not sure how long it took for this guy to eat up his find but it was super cool to see!!
Smiles The Torrents'

Wonderful World Wednesday - Spitfire sawfly (caterpillar)

 

While walking a few months ago Sophia and I found THIS!!! I was quite intrigued by it as it was one of the larger caterpillars that we have found. Then as we picked it off the footpath with a stick it started oozing this yucky green slimy stuff!! That was pretty gross but still interesting!!

 

It wasn't till I got home and we did the usual Google search that I found out EXACTLY what it was!!! A horrible Spitfire Sawfly!!! SHUDDER, it makes my skin crawl just thinking about it, believe me I'm not looking too closely to the pictures right now... I HATE these things!!!!
WHY?? do you ask??
Well when I was young we had a small gum tree in our back yard, right at the top of the path. It provided great shade for us as children and we would often sit under it in the Summer! I remember that every Summer there were these YUCKY black caterpillars crawling all over each other in a HUGE ball and (as it would happen) a couple of them fell........

 

 

 

NOW to make a REAL GOOD story I could say that it fell on ME but to be honest I don't really remember that. I just remember that they are gross, disgusting and totally not something I would normally stop and study to closely (due to memories!!!)

SO there you have it, check them out if you're not totally YUCKED by them - The Spitfire Sawfly!
Smiles The Torrents'

Wonderful World Wednesday - Striped Ladybird

While eating our lunch the other day the girls spotted this Ladybug! Of all the insects around Sapphire is NOT scared of ladybugs! Ants..NO WAY, don't get near me, spiders, even the humble slater and worm she will not touch!!
So with a friendly ladybug to look out Esther and Sapphire were very happy.

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

We have found out it is a Striped Ladybird (Micraspis frenata) and it eats grasses and weeds and lays its eggs there too. Check out THIS information if you'd like to find out more!
How Wonderful Wednesdays are!
Smiles The Torrents'

Wonderful World Wednesday - Jelly Fungus

It's been awhile since sharing some Wonderful World Wednesday with you so we're here to show you one of our favourite finds over the Autumn...... JELLY FUNGUS!!

 

 

While walking around Holly Bank (Tasmania) we found these wonderful, bright Jelly Fungus. I came across THIS so I'm fairly certain that this is what it is! How fabulous is that colour!! You can even see the different stages of growth, from the tiny little "bud" to the longer stalk, flattened, fan looking top! God is soooo creative, I LOVE IT!
Smiles The Torrents'

Wonderful World Wednesday - The Beach in Winter

Have you ever been to the beach in Winter?? It's not something that you would probably think of, isn't that a Summer activity? Well yes, you are right, but the beach in the Winter is an amazing place full of surprises, well that's what we found in these last school holidays!
Headed for Friendly beaches on the East coast of Tasmanian, we enjoyed an AMAZING time of sunshine, rain, rainbows, discovery and enjoyment of God's awesome creation!

 

 

 

 

We also ended up at Coles Bay (after all it was only another 25 minutes or so down the road) where I took my children to a beach that I played on when I was little! A place that I hold very dear, memories full of happiness, it was wonderful to share that with our precious children.

Can't wait for our next trip,
Smiles The Torrents'

Wonderful World Wednesday - Praying Mantis

What do you do when the children find a Praying Mantis?? Gather round and look at it, oh and grab your camera too!
WOW this little guy was super amazing!! He/she (do you know how to tell the difference??) was sooo happy on my hand, and I was soo happy taking pictures of it! You can even see this little bug cleaning.... WOW AMAZING!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What cool insects do you like to watch??
Smiles The Torrents'