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| Scarlet robins, female and male (Petroica boodang) McKenzie Flora Reserve, Alexandra, Vic, 18 March 2012 |
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| Scarlet robin (female / immature) |
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| I was extremely disappointed withe these images of a White-throated tree-creeper (Cormobates leucophaea). I need to practice with small fast-moving birds in difficult light! But the images do demonstrate the amazing things these birds can do with their toes! |
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| Grey shrike-thrush (Colluricincla harmonica) with a very brightly coloured lunch! |
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| Rufous whistler, female / imm (Pachycephala rufiventris) The uncooperative male is below left seen not far from this Spotted pardalote (Pardalotus punctatus) |
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| Crimson rosella (Platycercus elegans) were plentiful although there were relatively few birds with this full adult plumage. |
A little History of the Reserve (lifted from the Southeast Australian Naturalists' Association website): The reserve is part of the Run of Donald McKenzie, who was an early pioneer squatter in the district. The land was not made a reserve until the 1970s. Prior to this it was grazed by cattle. Since then a variety of eucalypts have regenerated, including most of the boxes and peppermints. The understorey now has a wide variety of wildflowers and native grasses. There are also some weeds and invasive grasses. The area was burnt in the 1969 fires which stimulated growth. I am amazed how grazed paddocks can become bush in 40 years.  |
| A few typical scenes. McKenzie Flora Reserve |
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| Common brown butterfly (Heteronympha merope merope) The place was alive with these butterflies (there must have been thousands) |
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| This butterfly was actually back at the caravan park at Acheron. I believe it is an Orchard Swallowtail (or Large Citrus) butterfly. (Papilio aegeus aegeus) |
Butterfly identification made possible via the Museum Victoria Butterfly web page!
