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| Not the Sea Urchin I saw at the Seaside Festival but one of the same Longspine type (Centrostephanus Rodgersii) kindly sent to me by Jemina Stuart -Smith at Redmap* |
Update "Hunting the Wild Waterfalls- Adamson's Falls" posted 19/11/2015
Talking to a member of Birdlife Australia at the Taroona Seaside Festival yesterday, I was able to confirm that the bird I saw was a lyrebird and yes, they do nest in trees at night! Birdlife Australia works for bird conservation and also runs a variety of volunteer programs. I'm looking forward to learning more about our feathered friends, maybe even getting some decent pictures, and am really pleased to have found people who are able to answer my many questions and identify some of the plants and animals I have encountered on my travels.
Update " Narawntapu Day 2 - posted 2/11/2015
Re: The high intertidal range in the North of Tasmania (Baker's Beach) and in the Gulf of Carpentaria. Also at the Seaside Festival in Taroona, I had the opportunity to talk to Geoff, a marine scientist who added that the depth of the water also plays a role, thus here in the south where the ocean is deep, you do not get such a big tidal range. Geoff also showed me the biggest sea urchin - live, that I have ever seen dead or alive. It was almost the size of a basketball if you include its nasty spines and was a deep burgundy colour. Wish I had taken a picture, but was too astounded to think of it. Yes, I know that's rare - a a member of this family being speechless. Don't handle them (sea urchins) yourself if you find a live one. The spines are smooth one way and have a serrated edge the other way that prevents them being pulled out.
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| Another of Jemina's Photos -this beautiful specimen is a Heliocidaris Erythrogramma |
Jemima Stuart -Smith at Redmap * has also identified some of my earlier finds at Roches Beach. If you should find anything unusual at the beach, take a photo and report it to www.redmap.org.aor get the Redmap App.
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| Yes. A shark egg |
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| The test of a heart urchin |
If you would like to see what a live one looks like click here
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| This is most likely a Cunjevoi or Sea Squirt |
*What is Redmap?
"Redmap stands for Range Extension Database and Mapping project. This project invites Australians to share sightings of marine species that are ‘uncommon’ to their local seas. Over time, Redmap will use this ‘citizen science’ data to map which Australian marine species may be extending their distribution range – a.k.a moving house - in response to changes in the marine environment, such as ocean warming.
Redmap members use their knowledge of the seas to help monitor Australia’s vast coastline. The citizen science data also highlights regions and species that may be experiencing more distribution changes, so that research can be focused into these areas."
Update "Still on the Road to Narawntapu " posted 1/11/2015
Still on the B. Road to Narawntapu and yes, I do finally get there
Still on the B. Road to Narawntapu and yes, I do finally get there
Still on the B. Road to Narawntapu and yes, I do finally get there
Still on the B. Road to Narawntapu and yes, I do finally get there
21/11/2015
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| Sad to say the pretty white shrub I thought was a cottonwood is unfortunately called Stinkwood - according to Bob and Joy Coglan at the Society for Growing Australian Plants |
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| The tall yellow/orange one behind it is apparently a smooth parrot pea (Dillwynia glaberrima |
The Field Naturalists have also put out a new comprehensive guide book with lots of photos rather than drawings
"A Guide to Flowers and Plants of Tasmania" by the Launceston Field Naturalists Club, available direct from them if you can't find it in a bookstore. There is a comprehensive list of guidebooks at http://www.apstas.org.au/publications.html."
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