Winter temperatures still, but the forest is clearly ready for the Spring transformation.

The forest has undergone an extraordinary renewal - which is ongoing - following the devastating bushfire in January 2020.

A close look at the insect traps of Drosera auriculata, in all their glory

We anticipate an extraordinary display of Xanthorrhoea flowers this Summer. Fire promotes flowering of these iconic plants. In preparation, I’ve been seeking to learn more about our local species.

Recovery of the forest vegetation proceeds apace

A forest begins the slow process of regrowth following an intense bushfire.

There are few plants flowering at the moment, but Banksia spinulosa is looking quite spectacular. Low light, brilliant flowers, and a beautiful bird - an Autumn afternoon treat.

January marks the peak of flowering of two members of the Proteaceae that are widespread on the block - Saw Banksia and Geebung. So what is a banksia flower anyway and how does it differ from the "common garden" flower?

After watching native bees feeding on Persoonia flowers, I work my way to a better understanding of who they are and what they are doing.

We make a short excursion to the forest near the beach to find flowering orchids - with success!

Insects flood in for a feast, as flowering of Beard-heath reaches a climax

A diverse community of organisms lives inside a rotten log, recycling resources to support the growth of plants and animals in the larger forest ecosystem

We watched an encounter between a flowering wattle and a Swamp Wallaby - explaining why we see so many wattles with snapped trunks.

Small changes in the mix of birds, the gradual return of insects and spiders, and early patches of floral colour. 

Wattles are a prominent group of plants on our block. Different species contribute to all strata of the forest - from the undergrowth to the canopy.

Cassytha, Devil's Twine, illustrates some of the interesting ecological roles played by parasitic plants.

Eucalypt or "gum" trees are an integral part of our forest ecosystem. 

A twist on the theme of plants attracting birds to pollinate their flowers.