I'm on a learning curve

Well, I've learned something today. Denis Wilson commented on my last post that I had photographed ladybird larvae, and he's right. What I thought were different insects turns out to be mostly different stages of the ladybird cycle. This is a link to more information about the stages of the Common Spotted Ladybird Harmonia conformis that is on my shrub. And here is another photo as well as one of the 'thrips' or 'aphids' that are covering the shrub, mostly underneath the leaves. Now I have to find out exactly what they are - I've emailed photos to an entomologist friend for help.

Time to party

I've been a bit busy. We've had a party to celebrate two of us turning sixty, I'm not saying who. Our daughter and her husband from Airlie Beach and daughter #2 from Geraldton came home for the occasion, and lots of others came to share the day. I didn't think I wanted a party but it was a lot of fun.

I haven't had time to get out to explore the natural world but I did find that the Kangaroo Apple in my garden is absolutely covered in thrip and their predators are having a party as well. Ladybirds, and several other creatures I haven't had time to identify, are having a fine time.