Wildlife on Wednesday ... the Cicada Cacophany.

Oh yeah, you know it's summer here in northern Oz when the deafening drone of the Cicadas begins!  It's been going on for a couple of weeks now and it's already driving me completely barmy!  Take a listen!

First, I'm going to ask you to go to the sidebar and stop the playlist music... and now you can prepare yourself for the noise.

 

Yes, folks, this goes on ALL day!  The most common Cicada found out in the bushland here is Thopha sesiliba ... or more commonly known as the 'Double Drummer'.  It sure lives up to its reputation!

The males all band together out there in the bush and belt out their song from early morning till evening.  These creatures sing so loudly that they actually drive away many of the birds that usually frequent the hills here.  Did you notice the almost complete absence of bird song?

Apparently the noise of the Double Drummer can be painful to some birds and will interfere with the communication of others.  Of course, this is all just a cunning trick to keep the birds away ... these Cicadas sure know how to keep away predators!!!!  Even the large Kookaburras keep away most of the day.

Right now, if you were to drop by for a visit, this would be a sight that would greet you in every corner of the property as you were leisurely strolling about.  Empty cicada skins can be found everywhere on trees ...

... on the ground ...

and even stuck to the garden bed walls.

These are the outer skins of the nymphs.  They dig themselves from underground, climb up onto a tree and emerge as fully winged adults,  They will then join the droning throng.

There are other types of Cicada that hang around for the show during our summer here.  This is Psaltoda claripennis ... commonly known as the Clanger!  You've just gotta love these names!

The song of the Clanger is a bit more like a very rapid and loud rattling clanging sound!  Music to the ears!

If only all this sound would keep away the snakes.  I spotted this one this afternoon on the kitchen roof gorging on something tasty!  Sorry the photo is a bit fuzzy ... I had no intention of getting any closer!

So ... did you want to come on over for a cuppa? ... while watching slithering snakes dine on small creatures, get bitten by March flies and/or mosquitoes, all the while listening to that cicada din in surround sound?  Hmmm ... no!  Much rather sit and watch the snow fall gently outside?  Yes, well I'm sitting inside too ... I retreat to the air-conditioned office for some peace and quiet at this time of year!

Mosaic Monday ... It's a Hot, Loud and Proud Summertime!

Here in Oz Summer has begun.  In my particular north-eastern corner it's hot, humid and horrible.  Outside the temps hovering around 34 deg C (93 F), but the 'true' temperature is more like 40 ... the high humidity levels we experience here definitely make a difference!!!

One of the most common sights during Summertime in gardens everywhere, including mine, right now is the flowering Delonix regia - the Poinciana.  Nothing says 'Summer' in the northern tropics quite like the splendid display of the Poinciana.

Another common Summertime sight is the Cassia fistula, or Golden Shower Tree, in full bloom.  This is mine ... visible behind the Courtyard Garden beds.

It's holiday time for me now ... the school year is over and time to relax!  Unfortunately it's not a time when I can spend hours in the garden ... far too hot and sticky!!!  We've had the air-conditioning on for the first time since the end of last Summer so instead of whiling away the summer hours in the garden, I can now catch up with all those blogs I've been too busy to visit over the last few weeks.  

Hopefully, the work I've put in over the last few weekends preparing the garden for the onslaught of our summer will be enough to get all my beloved plants through the trials and tribulations of the next couple of months.  Fingers crossed!  At least I know my little selection of Bromeliads, Costus and Curcumas will get through ... they love this time of year.

I'm joining in Mary's meme Mosaic Monday, so make sure you pop over to check out all the fabulous mosaic.

I'm also joining in Noel's meme Hot, Loud and Proud, so please visit his blog as I know you'll enjoy seeing all the terrific posts there.

The end of our Downunder Spring is nigh!

As Spring is drawing to a close downunder, here in my part of Oz it's been rare to spot blue sky.  It appears briefly, raising our hopes for a fine day and then disappears without a trace.  Here's one of those rare moments of blue-sky splendour.

Today I'm taking a look at what's blooming in my outdoor flower garden bed.  Some may remember a previous post about this wayward child of mine - My Wilful Younger Child  - well, it's looking a whole lot better these days.

My Sprekelia formosissima has risen out of the ground and the first flower has appeared for this year.  Commonly known as Jacobean Lily or Aztec Lily, these flamboyant red flowers look fantastic tucked in behind the Russelia.  I wish I had planted a whole more of these lilies ... they would terrific in a huge clump.  I think I'll have to find another spot where I can do that.

Another stunning beauty that's in flower right now is Turnera subulata - the White Alder.  I love the bright cheery flowers of this plant.  They have a yellow halo around a black centre.  Flowers open around sunrise (unless it's a really dreary overcast day!) and close before sunset.  It's a lovely sight on those mornings when the sun does make an effort!

Another of my Hemerocallis - Daylilies - started blooming this week.  This is Hemerocallis 'Continental Holiday' ... mmm oh how I wish!

The Angelonia serenas are flowering.  They will continue throwing out new bloom spikes for a few months now as they seem to thrive during the Summer months.

This is my favourite Salvia ... Salvia farinacea 'Victoria Blue'.  I just adore the beautiful colour of this.

Another Salvia that I do love is this ... Salvia splendens 'Van Houttei'.  It has the most gorgeous dark burgundy red colour and while it's certainly taking a while to fill out and flourish, it always has a little flower spike on it somewhere.

This brilliant red Gerbera makes a statement next to the white Angelonia serena.

Another plant that's taken a while to establish in this outdoor garden bed is my Scutellaria suffrutescens - the Pink Texas Skullcap or Cherry Skullcap.  Planted last year, it's waited until this Spring to start spreading.  I'm looking forward to seeing it really fill out.

I'm joining Mary at Little Red House for her Mosaic Monday meme, so please take a visit to see other wonderful mosaic posts.

I'm also joining Tootsie for her Flower Flaunt/Fertiliser Friday meme which is always a great place to see what's flowering in gardens all over this great world of ours.

Flower Flaunt on Friday - as Spring draws to a close.

Here we are, it's time for Flaunt Your Flowers/Fertiliser Friday ... and what a dismal day it is here!  We've had more rain, thunderstorms and practically no sunshine for quite some time.  I find myself wishing for and dreaming of our usual bright, sunny Spring days once more.

Some plants are suffering ... as these are not the usual weather conditions here at this time of year ... but not the Plumeria.  It's showing off some lovely flowers.  I just had to include a shot of the petals from the back as well ... it's such a pretty sight.

One thing that is still putting on a show are my Hemerocallis - Daylilies.  However, I've had a surprise this year.  The latest bloom is supposed to be Hemerocallis 'Bela Lugosi'.  This is the bloom that opened up a week ago on the plant ... as it did last year.

However, this week, the plant has thrown up flowers that look like this ...

... it's from the same plant, so my question is ... huh?  There are a couple of flower spikes on this plant, so I'm looking forward to seeing what blooms next.

Elsewhere, around the garden:
Dypsis lutescens - Golden Cane Palm in flower

variegated New Guinea Impatiens

Ixora

Lobelia

Murraya paniculata, or what we call Mock Orange

Osteospurmum ecklonis

Finally, the Marigolds ... they are craving some decent sunlight.

Around the property and out in the bushland, there are Eucalyptus trees in flower ...

 ...and some of them are attracting quite a bit of birdlife.

Spot the Rainbow Lorikeet!

The beautiful Pale-Headed Rosella ... sorry the photo is not all that clear.  They were a little way off and it was a very dreary day.

The Scaly-Breasted Lorikeet ... the only Lorikeet with a completely green head!

 I swear this fellow was just showing off for the camera!!!

For more Fertiliser Friday posts, pop over to visit Tootsie at Tootsie Time

 

I'm also joining in Katarina's meme Blooming Friday  Do make sure you visit and have a look at more wonderful posts for this Friday.