Frans Snyders’ scene-stealing amphibian — Flemish artist Frans Snyders (1579–1657) specialised in painting wildlife. Best known for his elaborate works depicting hares, partridges and other game laid out on crowded tables and for his hunting scenes where dogs chase deer and wild boar, he also collaborated with other artists. Among them was Peter Paul Rubens. …

Finally! A new tick on the life list — I thought I should post something other than bird stories, so I started work on a different topic. But I couldn’t — and still can’t — pick the right angle. This Peugeot is me: So while I wait for the towtruck of imagination to arrive, here’s a bird story. …

Kingfishers are the stuff of legend — In the middle of the day when the sky was bleached white, a Sacred Kingfisher came down wrapped in blue. Kingfishers are made of myths In Metamorphoses, Ovid relates the tale of King Ceyx and Queen Halcyone of Trachis. On a sea voyage to consult the Oracle at Delphi, Ceyx’s ship encounters a violent storm…

It’s that time of year — It’s Spring. Sun has nudged away the drizzle and the ceiling fans are switched to high. While I pursue pieces of paper blown off the desk, up in that bright blue cloudless sky other chases are taking place. Sometimes the chasers are Magpie-larks, sometimes Blue-faced Honeyeaters. Hornbill Friarbirds often accompany…

Birds in the rain — On a day that couldn’t choose between mist and showers, two birds arrived: one with prismatic plumage, the other monochrome. Perched on a licorice twist cable, they ignored the rain beading on their feathers.

Curious sharks end a cruise — Three people have been rescued in the Coral Sea off the coast of Cairns, after their catamaran was damaged during several shark attacks… When I read the story, I imagined a pack of Bronze Whalers or Tiger Sharks in a feeding frenzy, snapping at the vessel as if it were…

Things change — The goats have gone. The paddock is empty except for one disconsolate steer. I’m disconsolate too. Although the goats were standoffish and noisy, it was nice to have them around. I prefer to think they’re grazing on another property, perhaps one with mountain views. I don’t think they’ve gone somewhere…

Harriet and Helena Scott’s meticulous observations of butterflies and moths — The cocoon of the Emperor Gum Moth is tough. Spun from silk and cemented onto the branches of a Eucalyptus tree, it is exposed to sun and rain and to predators for whom the developing and defenceless insect inside would be a decent meal. But the protective case that keeps…

A drongo drops by — Despite the rain and wind, this Spangled Drongo paused long enough for a few quick photos through the office window. I have a soft spot for these pirates who decoy their victims with alarm calls and then steal their food. Thirty species of drongos (Dicruridae) are found from Africa through…