Wildlife: Northern Barred Frog

We found this little brown fellow hiding in the grey water pipe during a recent pump replacement. I think it is a northern barred frog and a very junior one at that. If you think I'm wrong please let me know as I am no expert.

The Northern Barred Frog is a large frog, with adults reaching a maximum length of 10 centimetres. It has powerful legs and arms, with a large head and large eyes. It has a brown or copper dorsal surface with irregular, darker blotches along the middle of its back. A dark line runs from the snout, through the eye, and over the tympanum to the top of the shoulder. Like all frogs of the genus Mixophyes, the Northern Barred Frog has bars running across its legs. The toes are fully webbed, the fingers are unwebbed, and the tympanum is visible.

Ecology and beha[[viour

The Northern Barred Frog inhabits dense tropical rainforest (hmmmm), close to fast-flowing streams. It usually hides and hunts in leaf litter. Like Mixophyes iteratus and Mixophyes fasciolatus, this species lays its eggs on the banks of streams. Rain then washes them into the stream where the tadpoles hatch. The tadpoles are very large, reaching a length of 12.5 centimetres. The male will call with a deep "wahk' (that's wahk!) noise.

Jayson

Weather: Orange Day in the Lockyer

Well today is an amazing orange day here in the Lockyer with the dust storms blowing through and damaging trees, plants and the tent we had pitched in the backyard for a week's camp out. These photos were taken at 10:30am today. Amazing!

Jayson

Wildlife: Baby Magpie

Rescue team on the job! This lad fell from his tree and somehow made his way to our vege garden area. We picked him up before Molly had the chance to chomp Hello though mum and dad maggie weren't happy and dive bombed us as we prepared a small ice-cream box as a surrogate nest for him. We put him back up in a tree as per the wildlife rescue services recommendation and he proceeded to leap out (luckily we placed him above a nice soft hay pile). The little bugger was determined to fly I think so we left him be and helped keep a lookout for snakes and predators as he walked and flopped around the place.

The boys have been divebombed for the last 4 weeks so they were quite pleased to be able to help out the baby magpie that mum and dad maggie have been working so hard to protect.

The magpie is a very common bird around Australia and you can see them in parks and suburban gardens all year round. In August/September they nest and protect their offspring by divebombing in about 100 meter radius. Their heads, belly and tail tip are all black and they have splashes of white on their wings, lower back and tail, and the back of their head. Their legs are also black.

They certainly are not shy birds and some people coax them into becoming local residents as they enjoy their carolling song. They also have a great appetite for insect pests so are very welcome at our place.

Jayson

Peas and Beans: Tasty buds

Well our pea and bean bushes / plants are flowering, much to the boys delight. No doubt they will soon produce a tasty harvest for us. Rain on the weekend has helped everything along nicely and it's good to see that nothing seems to need fertiliser as yet anyway.

Amy

Wildlife: Bearded Dragon

He's a mid afternoon visitor who got caught out basking in the open yard and when faced with a licky labrador and excited children chose to sit absolutely stock still and pretend to be a stick. Didn't work but allowed some nice photos.

Here's the lowdown on our new friend. Bearded Dragon is the common name for the Pogona which is a genus of lizards containing seven species.

Bearded dragons prefer to live in the arid, rocky, semi-desert regions and arid open woodlands of Australia. They are adept climbers, spending time on branches and in bushes, even found on fence posts when living near human habitation. They also bask on rocks and exposed branches in the mornings and afternoons. The species are found throughout Australia and are well known.

The genus is placed in the subfamily Agaminae of the family Agamidae. Their characteristics include spiny scales arranged in rows and clusters. These are found on the throat, which can be expanded when threatened, and at the back of the head. The species also displays a hand-waving gesture, thought to draw an attack from any predator that may be in the area. They also have the chameleon-like ability to change colours during rivalry challenges between males, and in response to temperature change and other stimuli.

Jayson

Wildlife: Cabbage Moth Larvae

Our Broccoli has been going extremely well and has grown lushously. Each morning we find some little green residents however. Cabbage Moth Larvae...fat, green and juicy (the chooks go nuts for these things)

Cabbage Moth's are greyish and small and around 10mm across. They lay their eggs on the underside of leaves (mainly cabbages he says stating the bleeding obvious). The larvae of caterpillars hatch from the eggs and then feed on the leaves so it’s the caterpillar which does the damage. The green-brown smooth textured grubs start eating the outer leaves before moving to the inner heart of the cabbage. We pick them off as soon as we find them before they tunnel into the heart of the plants. Plants favoured by cabbage moth apparently include cabbage, broccoli, Brussel sprouts, Chinese cabbage, celery, beetroot, rocket and watercress.

They might look cute but left unchecked they are very destructive. Additional protein for the chooks is always welcome though.

Jayson

Banana Tree: A New Home

Here is our new banana tree in its new home. It is well sheltered in the corner between the potting shed and the chook shed with the passionfruit vine giving some welcome shade in the afternoon. This one is a lady finger banana tree which has small, very tasty fruits. It is wind and disease resistant. They can reach heights of up to 16’ and send out shoots to create new trees so can quickly turn into a grove. We have several well sheltered spots picked out around the property for new trees as they emerge. We also intend to get a Cavendish at some stage as well.

Jayson

Bamboo Grass: Much at Stake

Fun Fact: Bamboo is classified as a grass, not a tree!

In the search for an eco-friendly way to source material for stakes, perches, supports and pipe runners we needed to look no further than our own backyard. Introducing bamboo, thought to be the fastest-growing plant on the planet! We have 3 mature clumps of the stuff with about 40 stems to make use of. We have already cut down a number and utilised them in stakes for the apple trees, string stakes for planning out new projects and chicken perches!

And it does grow fast - bamboo can be harvested in about four years! Compare that to how long it takes most other trees of comparable mass to grow to full maturity. You can also stagger the stalks that you remove so that you have a ready supply of various ages at all times. It also does not require replanting because it continually creates new sprouts so it's an eternal source of strong material. Bamboo is so incredibly strong that certain varieties have been compared to steel! It is used in the construction of homes and even bridges in some parts of the world. It is also resilient and will merrily grow to over 60 feet in some cases — without the aid of toxic pesticides and fertilizers or much TLC.

Bamboo has also been used to make clothing, knives, spears, insulation, anti-bacterial ointments (bamboo contains a naturally occurring antimicrobial agent called kun that prevents the growth of bacteria.), fences...you name it really...magic stuff!

Jayson

Banana Tree: A New Arrival

Welcome to our newest addition - a Banana Tree!

Thanks to friends we have a new Banana Tree for our growing edible gardens. Now bananas like a warm climate so we are hoping that the odd frost we get won't kill it.

Banana grows in a wide variety of soils, as long as the soil is deep and has good internal and surface drainage. The effect of poorly drained soils can be partly overcome by planting in raised beds, as the plant does not tolerate poor drainage or flooding. Hence we are planting this fellow on a raised bed behind the chicken coop, next to the main shed.

The planting site hase been chosen for protection from wind and cold weather and excessive heat as well. I will post pics once we have planted it to show the alcove we hope to soon reap rewards from.

Jayson

Vege Patch: The Extension Project (Phase 2 complete)

Phase 2 is officially complete. Well Phase 2.1 in any case as we still intend to put a fence around the area but that has been postponed pending the house extensions. Here are the pics of the final gardens (already planted with beetroots, carrots, broccoli and corn)