So that's what it is. Thanks, Devster. I've never seen one of these butterflies in Tenterfield before, and haven't seen one since. There is a story behind this butterfly sighting that's a little creepy. I call this butterfly the "Spirit Butterfly" for obvious reasons once I tell the story. So here it is.....
It was an ordinary day with the exception that this particular day my neighbour's dog was going to be euthanised in his home underneath the back verandah at 4PM. Half an hour before the vet came this "Spirit Butterfly" (Scarlet Jezebel Butterfly) showed up underneath the back verandah. I was to witness the dog being put to sleep. The butterfly was upside down for the most part, just sitting up there on the underside of the verandah roof. It flapped around a bit like it was trying to escape through the roof then began to settle down after a while. Eventually the dog was put to sleep and was buried in the back yard. Going back to the back verandah the butterfly was still there. What the heck? Butterflies don't hang around for more than an hour in one location! That's when I took the photos of this butterfly. Not long after I took these pictures I had to leave but the butterfly remained. I never saw the butterfly again. That was more than 12 months ago, and still no sighting of that particular species. Coincidence or just plain weird? I've been in Tenterfield since October 1995 and have never seen a red butterfly. I've seen Monarch butterflies, small purple butterflies, small lime green butterflies, common cabbage moths, large black and white butterflies, never even remotely or partially red ones. We don't get fancy looking butterflies here with this Scarlet Jezebel Butterfly being the only exception and there was only one of them.
I'm at Tenterfield, NSW. (Formerly known as "Hyperbirds".)
So that's what it is. Thanks, Devster. I've never seen one of these butterflies in Tenterfield before, and haven't seen one since. There is a story behind this butterfly sighting that's a little creepy. I call this butterfly the "Spirit Butterfly" for obvious reasons once I tell the story. So here it is.....
It was an ordinary day with the exception that this particular day my neighbour's dog was going to be euthanised in his home underneath the back verandah at 4PM. Half an hour before the vet came this "Spirit Butterfly" (Scarlet Jezebel Butterfly) showed up underneath the back verandah. I was to witness the dog being put to sleep. The butterfly was upside down for the most part, just sitting up there on the underside of the verandah roof. It flapped around a bit like it was trying to escape through the roof then began to settle down after a while. Eventually the dog was put to sleep and was buried in the back yard. Going back to the back verandah the butterfly was still there. What the heck? Butterflies don't hang around for more than an hour in one location! That's when I took the photos of this butterfly. Not long after I took these pictures I had to leave but the butterfly remained. I never saw the butterfly again. That was more than 12 months ago, and still no sighting of that particular species. Coincidence or just plain weird? I've been in Tenterfield since October 1995 and have never seen a red butterfly. I've seen Monarch butterflies, small purple butterflies, small lime green butterflies, common cabbage moths, large black and white butterflies, never even remotely or partially red ones. We don't get fancy looking butterflies here with this Scarlet Jezebel Butterfly being the only exception and there was only one of them.
From what I have read, these butterflies normally are high in the trees feeding on the Mistletoe flowers.
They are colourful to act as a warning to predators that they are poisonous.
Apparently though Mistletoe Birds love them & their Larvae (caterpillars)
Devster, this Scarlet Jezebel Butterfly may have got lost or perhaps blown off course. There are no Mistletoe birds in Tenterfield let alone any Mistletoe trees/plants. It is rare for critters to get blown off course but it does happen, like this bird that ended up in Tenterfield in 2012:
I think being blown off course is a more likely reason why this Scarlet Jezebel Butterfly ended up in Tenterfield. It would explain why there was only one of them and not a heap of them.
I'm at Tenterfield, NSW. (Formerly known as "Hyperbirds".)
Hyperbirds, do you mean there are no Mistletoe Birds in Tenterfield at the moment or ever? I note that the species is found Australia-wide excepting Tasmania.
Also The Butterflies of Australia by Orr & Kitching suggests, I think, that the butterfly in #56 is a Northern Jezebel & Tenterfield would seem to be inside its range. Perhaps the Northern Jezebel is also known as the Scarlet Jezebel. Any thoughts?
I don't think there were ever ANY Mistletoe birds in Tenterfield, Woko. In the Tenterfield Bird Guide, which is out of date by the way, it says Mistletoe birds are seen in the area but which exact area is the question. The Bird Guide was divided into 4-5 sections and about half the birds in the bird guide were observed 10kms north of town. That's basically getting into national park territory and where there's 100 times more trees than in town itself. I really don't remember seeing any Mistletoe plants in Tenterfield either. There probably are some odd plants somewhere but I haven't seen any of them. Maybe I'm not looking in the right spots?!
Anything is possible when it comes to that Jezebel butterfly, Woko. The only butterflies I know for certain (have identified) are the Monarch Butterfly, as well as the common Cabbage Moth. We do get Cabbage Moths that cross breed with other species here from time to time. I've yet to see any specific butterflies that are more common or are usually within the habitat range of Tenterfield, as the butterfly numbers are really down. Way down actually. The grass is green here but very little is flowering right now. It could've been a Northern jezebel Butterfly, Woko, but I wouldn't know the difference between one or the other. Seeing the colour red on a butterly when butterflies are around is extremely rare in these parts. Thanks for the input though, Woko.
I'm at Tenterfield, NSW. (Formerly known as "Hyperbirds".)
Reflex.... About your Horsefly photo. Awesome. Plus.....
I saw one of these critters in my shower recess several weeks ago for about 3 days straight, along with some Daddy Long Legs spiders and gnats. Was wandering what it was because it's wings were in a triangle formation across the top of it's back. Now I know. Thanks.
I'm at Tenterfield, NSW. (Formerly known as "Hyperbirds".)
Whenever I get the chance, which could be years between visits, I go to MT. McKenzie lookout and take as many photos as I possibly can. Here's one I took looking back at Tenterfield. North is centre and to the far left of the photo.
I'm at Tenterfield, NSW. (Formerly known as "Hyperbirds".)
Mistletoe plants are an excellent indicator of the presence of Mistletoe Birds, Hyperbirds, so if you're not seeing any Mistletoe plants in Tenterfield then I'd say the town doesn't get Mistletoe Birds or Mistletoe seeds passing through. Perhaps a rethink on Tenterfield tree species is needed.
We have dunnarts here as well. They are very shy and I only see them if my wife's cat catches one or when the males die in Autumn. They are tiny little things but very fierce if cornered. The antechinus only turned up recently and are much less shy and easy to see. The dunnarts have always been here. I think they both like all the stone walls in our garden.
I found this caterpillar on Sunday. At first glance I thought it was bird's droppings but then it moved. What a good camouflage?
Intriguing pattern Reflex. It certainly breaks the shape up beautifully, and it does look easily mistaken for droppings.
Some of the camouflage patterns that nature comes up with are pretty elaborate. I came across this fellow sitting on a piece of fallen tree, whilst I was looking for something else. I only saw it because it moved.
Nice, Devster. My butterfly book tells me the female has a dark form which this seems to be. The dark form is restricted to far north Queensland. Where did you photograph this one, Devster?
Good to see that one of my posts I started a long time ago, is still going strong. I love all the amazing photos. Although I rarely come here anymore, I love dropping in from time to time.
Here is one of my macros. A tiny bud unfolding early in the morning.
Nice, Devster. My butterfly book tells me the female has a dark form which this seems to be. The dark form is restricted to far north Queensland. Where did you photograph this one, Devster?
Thanks Woko, I took this photo up at Caboolture in QLD
For those interested here is a site to help with the ID of catepillars. Don Herbison-Evans is very helpful with lots of information if you cnt find what you are looking for on the website.
It seems to have been a particularly good summer for butterflies all round.
Orchard swallowtails are relatively well known to backyard gardeners, as they feed primarily on citrus species.
I would estimate that I have had up to 2 dozen caterpillars on my 4 (small) lemon and lime trees this summer, leaving them a little the worse for wear. However, I'd rather have the butterflies and hope the trees cope. I have moved many of the caterpillars around between trees to share the load :)
They also have native species which are host plants, but in backyards citrus are more plentiful.
Taken this morning at Mount Glorious.
Samford Valley Qld.
Last week on a trip to Fraser Island!
Another Dingo!
Here's a couple of non birdy images.
When there's no birds I look for other things to practice on.
Here are 5 things I like taking photos of here in Tenterfield:
Extreme drought conditions
At ground level
Autumn
Clouds
Animals
I'll take photos of just about anything and at any time of the day. These are old photos as currently I don't have a camera.
I'm at Tenterfield, NSW. (Formerly known as "Hyperbirds".)
Beautiful. I love the Scarlet Jezebel Butterfly
So that's what it is. Thanks, Devster. I've never seen one of these butterflies in Tenterfield before, and haven't seen one since. There is a story behind this butterfly sighting that's a little creepy. I call this butterfly the "Spirit Butterfly" for obvious reasons once I tell the story. So here it is.....
It was an ordinary day with the exception that this particular day my neighbour's dog was going to be euthanised in his home underneath the back verandah at 4PM. Half an hour before the vet came this "Spirit Butterfly" (Scarlet Jezebel Butterfly) showed up underneath the back verandah. I was to witness the dog being put to sleep. The butterfly was upside down for the most part, just sitting up there on the underside of the verandah roof. It flapped around a bit like it was trying to escape through the roof then began to settle down after a while. Eventually the dog was put to sleep and was buried in the back yard. Going back to the back verandah the butterfly was still there. What the heck? Butterflies don't hang around for more than an hour in one location! That's when I took the photos of this butterfly. Not long after I took these pictures I had to leave but the butterfly remained. I never saw the butterfly again. That was more than 12 months ago, and still no sighting of that particular species. Coincidence or just plain weird? I've been in Tenterfield since October 1995 and have never seen a red butterfly. I've seen Monarch butterflies, small purple butterflies, small lime green butterflies, common cabbage moths, large black and white butterflies, never even remotely or partially red ones. We don't get fancy looking butterflies here with this Scarlet Jezebel Butterfly being the only exception and there was only one of them.
I'm at Tenterfield, NSW. (Formerly known as "Hyperbirds".)
No idea what this one is called but couldn't resist taking a photograph of it....
Samford Valley Qld.
Blue Tiger Butterfly.
From what I have read, these butterflies normally are high in the trees feeding on the Mistletoe flowers.
They are colourful to act as a warning to predators that they are poisonous.
Apparently though Mistletoe Birds love them & their Larvae (caterpillars)
Devster, this Scarlet Jezebel Butterfly may have got lost or perhaps blown off course. There are no Mistletoe birds in Tenterfield let alone any Mistletoe trees/plants. It is rare for critters to get blown off course but it does happen, like this bird that ended up in Tenterfield in 2012:
http://www.tenterfieldstar.com.au/story/195938/tropical-bird-drops-into-tenterfield-pool/
I think being blown off course is a more likely reason why this Scarlet Jezebel Butterfly ended up in Tenterfield. It would explain why there was only one of them and not a heap of them.
I'm at Tenterfield, NSW. (Formerly known as "Hyperbirds".)
Hyperbirds, do you mean there are no Mistletoe Birds in Tenterfield at the moment or ever? I note that the species is found Australia-wide excepting Tasmania.
Also The Butterflies of Australia by Orr & Kitching suggests, I think, that the butterfly in #56 is a Northern Jezebel & Tenterfield would seem to be inside its range. Perhaps the Northern Jezebel is also known as the Scarlet Jezebel. Any thoughts?
I took this on Sunday morning at Mount Glorious.....Horsefly.
Samford Valley Qld.
Woko...
I don't think there were ever ANY Mistletoe birds in Tenterfield, Woko. In the Tenterfield Bird Guide, which is out of date by the way, it says Mistletoe birds are seen in the area but which exact area is the question. The Bird Guide was divided into 4-5 sections and about half the birds in the bird guide were observed 10kms north of town. That's basically getting into national park territory and where there's 100 times more trees than in town itself. I really don't remember seeing any Mistletoe plants in Tenterfield either. There probably are some odd plants somewhere but I haven't seen any of them. Maybe I'm not looking in the right spots?!
Anything is possible when it comes to that Jezebel butterfly, Woko. The only butterflies I know for certain (have identified) are the Monarch Butterfly, as well as the common Cabbage Moth. We do get Cabbage Moths that cross breed with other species here from time to time. I've yet to see any specific butterflies that are more common or are usually within the habitat range of Tenterfield, as the butterfly numbers are really down. Way down actually. The grass is green here but very little is flowering right now. It could've been a Northern jezebel Butterfly, Woko, but I wouldn't know the difference between one or the other. Seeing the colour red on a butterly when butterflies are around is extremely rare in these parts. Thanks for the input though, Woko.
I'm at Tenterfield, NSW. (Formerly known as "Hyperbirds".)
Reflex.... About your Horsefly photo. Awesome. Plus.....
I saw one of these critters in my shower recess several weeks ago for about 3 days straight, along with some Daddy Long Legs spiders and gnats. Was wandering what it was because it's wings were in a triangle formation across the top of it's back. Now I know. Thanks.
I'm at Tenterfield, NSW. (Formerly known as "Hyperbirds".)
Whenever I get the chance, which could be years between visits, I go to MT. McKenzie lookout and take as many photos as I possibly can. Here's one I took looking back at Tenterfield. North is centre and to the far left of the photo.
I'm at Tenterfield, NSW. (Formerly known as "Hyperbirds".)
Mistletoe plants are an excellent indicator of the presence of Mistletoe Birds, Hyperbirds, so if you're not seeing any Mistletoe plants in Tenterfield then I'd say the town doesn't get Mistletoe Birds or Mistletoe seeds passing through. Perhaps a rethink on Tenterfield tree species is needed.
I got a photo of a brown antechinus sitting on a screen door on our verandah today.
How cool to have that at your house Greg. Awesome!
Wonderful, Greg. It does my heart a power of good to know that antechinus are still alive in places.
We have dunnarts here as well. They are very shy and I only see them if my wife's cat catches one or when the males die in Autumn. They are tiny little things but very fierce if cornered. The antechinus only turned up recently and are much less shy and easy to see. The dunnarts have always been here. I think they both like all the stone walls in our garden.
Got this Wallaby at a friends place in Samford the other morning.
Not sure which type of wallaby it is.
Might be a red-necked wallaby
I found this caterpillar on Sunday. At first glance I thought it was bird's droppings but then it moved. What a good camouflage?
Samford Valley Qld.
Wow that is amazing!
Isn't nature marvellous
Intriguing pattern Reflex. It certainly breaks the shape up beautifully, and it does look easily mistaken for droppings.
Some of the camouflage patterns that nature comes up with are pretty elaborate. I came across this fellow sitting on a piece of fallen tree, whilst I was looking for something else. I only saw it because it moved.
Very interesting! Can't say I have ever seen one of those before, even the eyes look to be camouflaged.
Samford Valley Qld.
I did some reseach Reflex and your bird dropping caterpillar (Butterfly Larvae) is from the Orchard Swallowtail Butterfly.
Amazing how different the larvae are from the Adults in everyway, not just one has wings and one doesn't.
Obviously the larvae are vunerable and the camoflage is what keeps them alive.
Looking like bird poop, yep I recon thats a winner.
Weekend at Gluepot found fewer birds but plenty of spiders.
Got some Dragonflies after work the other day.
I found a bit of grass they kept landing on and lay down with my big lens to get them.
I'm pretty happy with the result, since I still don't own a macro
I think the red one is a Wandering Percher and the yellow one is a Graphic Futterer Dragonfly, happy to be corrected though
Very nice close ups, Rick and Devster! Awesome dragonflies.
Great set of Dragonflies Devster!
Particularly like the last.
Those wing-markings are pretty distinctive.
I was busy trying to capture a Red-backed Fairy-wren when this Graphic Flutterer landed just far enough away so that I could take a few shots.
Samford Valley Qld.
The Red-backed Fairy-wren had more rings on his legs than I ever thought possible.
Samford Valley Qld.
Wren Bling.
lol Rick.
He'll have all the ladies after him.
I think I've seen this guy Reflex.
Is he at Samsonvale?
Couple of frogs from Stirling Ranges at Xmas.
Shows how far I am behind with editing![smiley smiley](https://www.birdsinbackyards.net/sites/all/libraries/ckeditor/plugins/smiley/images/regular_smile.png)
That's where he was.
Fantastic shots of the frogs Rick.
Samford Valley Qld.
Love the frog shots Rick.
Are they Golden Bell Frogs?
Got this Orcard Swallowtail Butterfly on the weekend.
They seemed to be everywhere.
First time I have really Noticed them.
Nice, Devster. My butterfly book tells me the female has a dark form which this seems to be. The dark form is restricted to far north Queensland. Where did you photograph this one, Devster?
Good to see that one of my posts I started a long time ago, is still going strong. I love all the amazing photos. Although I rarely come here anymore, I love dropping in from time to time.
Here is one of my macros. A tiny bud unfolding early in the morning.![](https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7629/16801237047_cf1b566329_c.jpg)
M-L
Thanks Woko, I took this photo up at Caboolture in QLD
If I remember rightly Caboolture is in s.e. Queensland. Perhaps the dark forms are spreading southwards, Devster.
Loving all of these wonderful photos!
For those interested here is a site to help with the ID of catepillars. Don Herbison-Evans is very helpful with lots of information if you cnt find what you are looking for on the website.
http://lepidoptera.butterflyhouse.com.au/faqs/ident.html
Regards
Wollemi
Happy Birding!
https://www.flickr.com/photos/138588528@N02/
And here are some of my more recent non-birdy photos
Happy Birding!
https://www.flickr.com/photos/138588528@N02/
Thanks Devster, shot was taken in South WA and I think Golden Bell frogs are only SE of Australia.
Not good with frog IDs :-)
Here is a non birdy photo that I don't quite know what it is, although I am very happy with the way it turned out.
Maybe Zosterops would be able to inform me. Maybe a Dragonfly Nymph.
Hi Devster,
It seems to have been a particularly good summer for butterflies all round.
Orchard swallowtails are relatively well known to backyard gardeners, as they feed primarily on citrus species.
I would estimate that I have had up to 2 dozen caterpillars on my 4 (small) lemon and lime trees this summer, leaving them a little the worse for wear. However, I'd rather have the butterflies and hope the trees cope. I have moved many of the caterpillars around between trees to share the load :)
They also have native species which are host plants, but in backyards citrus are more plentiful.
Cheers
Tim
Brisbane
Robber fly (Promachus sp.)
Cheers,
al
Central Victoria
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