Christmas Eve

Last night I joined a small group of eight people taking one of Rick’s Tours … this one driving up to The Mt Cootha Lookout, then on the way back viewing various Christmas lights installations.

This one is the newly opened bridge from Kangaroo Point into Brisbane CBD, with the bridge done out in Christmas livery and the new casino on the left with its festive—dare I think festive anytime?—lights. Time will tell.

I wasn’t quick enough taking photos for the most part as it was a drive, and we couldn’t hold up the traffic. Did have some success videoing.

This an amazing display in a frontyard in a nearby suburb. The owner begins the installation process on November 1 and finishes taking it down late February. Totally dedicated. The electricity bill must be off the planet.

Wall to wall with people, kids, dogs, inscense, perfume, fragrances, meaning I had to go sit in the van quite soon. I saw at least two families in their pyjamas all alike. Six or seven fancy dogs.

Everything was blinking. I had intended to make a donation but couldn’t see where and the fragrances … as above.

The best for our little group was the display in the CBD. Hundreds of people there too but roomier and out in the open at Brisbane City Hall and its attached Square.

A whole story was shown but a couple or three of videos, the longest one of 43 seconds … we’ll make do with a frame. (I’ve just started learning about my carbon footprint in relation to mobile phone use)

One of my favourites (frames) … representing an Australian Christmas carol from my teens … Six White Boomers … where boomers mean large kangaroos.

The Build 8, 7 Dec 24

There’s been work on the escape route into Banchory Court. This will be a one lane access road that cuts through the middle of the site. The asphalt and parked car in the background of the photo below are in fact in Banchory Court.

While Surbiton Court is mostly one level and floodable along most of its length, Banchory rises quite quickly to higher ground, even useful for workers on the site, given we’ve now had two flood events in the past month.

This machine was a surprise giant in the elbow of the little road where it exts the site at the base of Parkland building. Working in the distance, flattening once more the piles of ‘fill’ dug from the lower part of the site, it looks much more proportional.

And speaking of flattening piles of dirt, JW and I standing chatting, were seeing that in action. That was a couple of days ago. And here, on Saturday (20 December 2024) there’s more flattening happening …

Looks like overtime but could be the schedule is running behind … too many days lost to rain.

One Cocoon …

Is what eventuated.

And this from a caterpillar that hung from the branch like a dead thing for over eighteen hours. Transformed overnight.

Cocoon in the upper mid left area, quite well camouflaged.

Just lucky I didn’t tidy the whole thing away, which I didn’t do because the leafy wild lemon branches donated at the last minute had on them a very young instar.

Starting the whole cycle again.

Here’s Hoping …

I’m hoping for this https://www.google.com/search?q=wasp%20parasite%20on%20Orchard%20Swallowtail&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-b-m#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:81f10512,vid:rC4PssRlfx0,st:9

to happen some time in the next couple of hours. We’ve got 34 degrees Celsius forecast today. There are only three leaves remaining. Only three caterpillars.

Yesterday the predators were starting to gather …

A tiny parasitic wasp … probably intending to lay its eggs in a caterpillar or two

This evil looking fly …

Also sitting and waiting …

Then there is the evidence of an Asian gecko in the scene … a loud call and its droppings … I suspect that it took number four.

Four remaining …

Caterpillars, that is. I wish they would just hurry up and pupate. They’re so exposed. And they’re doing weird stuff like this … (this photo from indoors looking out)… three congregating at the top of the largely denuded bush?

The one with what turned out to be a tiny white spider moult stuck on its back, is still eating. There are maybe six whole leaves left and a few halves.

Below, photo snapped from afar, number four is still eating …

I wouldn’t have been able to get citrus leaves till tomorrow, so I told my contact don’t worry we’ll have to let nature its way. They’re still a worry.

Cat Diary 22

Although we are more or less back to normal, there is a slight flavour of a new normal. For one thing, the old woman still has not tried to pick me up. A good thing that.

For another, she made my puzzle board about six times harder to find kibbles on. Not so good.

Everything is a different height and there is a little person sitting on it staring at me.

Another good thing is that she made more room at the edge of the balcony for me to sit and peer under it at the people passing by. I’m OK with that now.

I’ve been here four and a half months and I think I’ve done pretty well getting accustomed to some of the strangest things a cat has got to put up with. I mean, who has ever heard of puzzle boards for the likes of us?

And do you know, the only time I get a swag of kibbles in a bowl is at bedtime?

Ecosystem 1

Saw this idea, I’ll get his name later, and am going to try it. Drag you along with me, of course!

A handful of soil and a slurp of water since the soil was quite dry. Wack the lid on and watch what happens. Did that a few hours ago.

Now, at 3.45 pm, telling me there’s life in there exploring its new boundaries.

The tiniest of worms/nematode? Makes me wonder did I add too much water?

Can even see its gut with food in it?