CM Simpson: Writer & Gamer

In addition to the sulphur-crested cockatoos, we had a flock of galahs come to enjoy the fruit on the backyard trees. It makes a change from seeing them grazing on grass seeds. Of course, not everyone had the hang of landing. Those trees can be tricky to perch on, don't ya know? Even when you manage to get set down, there's still the delicate balancing act. Before the serious business of feeding and grooming can be undertaken.

So, this 1-inch/3-centimetre long spider was sitting on my kitchen wall - probably trying to get out of the rain. It's not deadly, with a bite that can cause mild local pain, redness and swelling. I've also seen it called a 'bug-mimicking swift spider', 'wasp-mimicking spider', and 'tribal mask spider'. When they move, they're rather difficult to photograph. Sites used to find out what spider this was include: http://www.sciencentre.qm.qld.gov.au/Find+out+about/Animals+of+Queensland/Spiders/Modern+Spiders+Infraorder+Araneomorphae/Swift+Spiders#.U0DYt1fis08 http://www.brisbaneinsects.com/brisbane_spiders/SpidersFieldGuide.htm https://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/16163582 http://australian-insects.com/swift-ground-spider.php http://calamvalecreek.awardspace.com/swifty.html

It's amazing what comes wandering up to the back fence. These guys were quite happily foraging for insects until I started taking photographs, and then they became rapidly shy.

The trees in our backyard are very popular with the local birdlife - for which I'm very grateful, although I didn't expect to see these big fellows just outside my backdoor. And I guess they didn't expect to see me, either. But this one didn't let the camera clicking interrupt his dinner. Although, he did keep a good eye on me. Probably, thinking bad cocky thoughts about paparazzi spoiling lunch.

This beautiful pair have come every year. I haven't seen the cygnets yet, but I guess they're working on that. They swam below the polluted pool. Climbed the bank. Ate. Returned to the water. And swam some more. The sun glare was a menace today. It's something I'll have to remember to take into consideration in future.

These two spur-wing plovers were stalking something in a nearby field. And, I guessed they were catching it, too! They worked apart, competing with the swallows. (See if you can see the swallow in the picture below!) And together. They were a formidable couple But I needed to get much closer <sigh>

These guys were enjoying the morning sun on the highest point they could find. They came. They sat. They preened. They munched on the power-line. They stared at me staring at them. And put on a good display. Then they went. But even this large cockatoo is scared of magpies!