The Smallest Safari

Wildlife among the weeds

Robber Fly (Asilidae) hanging out in the long grass, waiting to steal the life of some unwary insect. Atherton Tablelands, Far North Queensland. © Bronwen Scott.

How it started

Somewhere else, this would be a glorious wildflower meadow but here in the Australian Wet Tropics, it is a park gone feral after weeks of rain. Before the mower came to slice off their heads, I wandered over with the camera to take their portraits.

How it proceeded

I was quickly distracted from the flowers. The uncut turf was filled with tiny wildlife and in the moments when the sun elbowed its way through the clouds, I pointed my camera towards all the hopping, buzzing, crawling creatures I could see.

Join me among the weeds on the smallest safari.

Hoverfly (Syrphidae) coming in to land. When the sun is out, Asteraceae are covered in flies and native bees, living it up among the pollen. Flies are under-rated pollinators. Atherton Tablelands, FNQ. © Bronwen Scott.

Flies love flowers! Atherton Tablelands, FNQ. © Bronwen Scott.

Common Grass-blue (Zizina otis, Lycaenidae) uncommonly sitting still long enough for a photo. Their caterpillars feed on clover and other peas, which is why they thrive in areas with paddocks, parks and sports ovals.. Atherton Tablelands, FNQ. © Bronwen Scott.