From the category archives:

Flora

Pink Pond revisited

December 13, 2007

A couple of years ago (16 December 2005) I ran the above photo along with a Mary Oliver poem “Pink Pond”. What I didn’t mention then, but will do so now, is that the pink leafy Duck Weed, although beautiful in its colouring of greens and reds, is considered a pest in most ponds because [...]

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A mathematical genius

December 5, 2007

It is generally assumed that humans are superior to chimpanzees in all cognitive functions, but a study published this week in “Current Biology” provides proof that chimpanzees are better than humans at basic numeric memory. In a simple mathematical test devised by Kyoto University cognitive scientist Tetsuro Matsuzawa, “Ayumu” (the most prodigious of the six [...]

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Sauntering along

November 8, 2007

Now that spring is here the cute echidna has come out of hibernation and can be seen sauntering along in its hungry way looking to terrify any ant colony she finds. A walk along the “Peace?” path reveals upheaved ground where sharp claws and a pointy snout have wrecked havoc on the peaceful ants who, [...]

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Mutual protection

November 9, 2006

Below is a photo of the two structures I have had to build over the years to protect the vegetable seedlings so that they can reach their highest, fullest and most delicious potential. Yes, protect them with a covering of chicken wire from munching possums, wallabies and the larger birds. Protect them from the drying [...]

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Mellow Yellow

August 31, 2006

I know that I’ve recently written about the struggles encountered when planting trees, but don’t get the impression that Windgrove is a barren landscape. Yes, there are former pasture areas that need replanting, but there are other areas that are pretty well full of trees. Walking around the property at any time of the year [...]

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The usual sequence?

January 18, 2006

What is the natural order of things? Who or what follows whom? Is there a correct sequence to events in the world? Do things move along a prescribed path? Take, for instance, fruit on a tree. The botany class I had as a youngster taught me that trees flower in spring, get pollinated by bees [...]

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Partnerships

January 7, 2006

Many lichens are extremophiles. Great word, isn’t it? Extremophile: lover of extreme conditions. Whether the hottest, driest, wettest or coldest place on earth, lichens can be found living there. Lichens maintain a symbiosis with cyanobacteria which photosynthesise for the lichen in return for safe housing and a supply of nutrients. In terms of biomass, the [...]

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Rent-a-Crowd

November 17, 2005

Here’s an interesting fact: If all the 6 billion people on this earth were to be placed in Tasmania (about the size of Ohio or Ireland), every person would have the equivalent space around them of a small back yard in which to live. Considering how over populated the world is, this almost seems an [...]

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Done and smiling

August 25, 2005

Nothing like a little bubbly out on the point at sunset to celebrate today’s completion of planting out 1,500 trees; around four times the norm. Visiting resident artist, Melanie, joins in with a deserving glass after having taken time out from her studio throughout the week to give a helping hand with over 300 trees. [...]

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Circle of hope

May 18, 2005

Even though I have been planting the equivalent of a tree every day for the past 13 years (4,500 to date), there are still sections of Windgrove that bear the scars of inappropriate land management. This is especially noticeable near the cliff face on the southern side of the property where grazing sheep and the [...]

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