CNC- A Meditation On Diversity- Terry (gecko9)
Rod sent information about this years’ CNC BioBlitz and I was pleased to be a part of Geelong’s effort, exactly a year after I joined inaturalist. In the main my observations have been restricted to our front and back yards so the BiolBlitz was really just an extension of what I have been doing all year, but with more incentive to record as many species as possible each day.
Though certainly lacking the excitement and rewards of field trips to a range of habitats, there is still wonder aplenty to be found in observing the many fascinating creatures that share our domestic spaces.
I was completely unaware of the rich diversity of life right in front of my nose, until I started really looking, and recording with my iPhone. I mean, taking a walk around the garden at different times each day, visiting hotspots of activity - like the sheltered southwest corner at the back where the orange lion’s paw grows against the fence and the cape gooseberry sprawls in the autumn sun, and the shy Chinoneides tasmaniensis with a geometric pattern on its back soaks up the first warm rays each morning. Or recording the raucous conversations of the Rainbow Lorikeets in the lemon scented gum nearby - as tall as a church spire and nurturing a whole universe of birds.
Each garden outing becomes a meditation on diversity, and each engagement a rich experience. Who could fail to be enchanted by an encounter with the White-banded House Jumping spider, Maratus griseus, or members of the Opisthoncus genus, like tiny bearded aliens matching your gaze with their telescopic eyes? The glistening wings of the Ladybird beetles, (Large Spotted, Spotted Amber, & Fungus Eating), and the antics of the Boatman Flies, Pogonortalis docile, forever rowing in circles, are perennial highlights for me too.
Absorbed by my daily explorations the four days passed quickly. It was good to find so many different species thriving in our garden, and I was delighted with some of the new finds. I’m looking forward to the Great Southern BioBlitz in October.
Terry (gecko9)
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