I found this gorgeous Diamond Python on the trail last week. It appears they’ve recently dined on a Ringtail Possum. #nature #herping #reptiles #python

Bad Lorikeets! Here's what can happen if you leave a window open in Sydney. After helping themselves to some honey I had put out for my mum, they perched on my iMac for the morning no doubt waiting for seconds . . . cheeky buggers. #birds #birding #nature #badlorikeets

This gorgeous little Eastern Yellow Robin almost landed on me this morning . . . #birds #birding #naturelovers #nature

The "Pork Chop Crew", one of many trios of young male lyrebirds in Royal National Park who spend their days joyously dashing around the rainforest floor, into trees or onto rock ledges before floating back to the ground all the while practicing their song, dance & mimicry, on endless repeat. #birds

Take a few seconds to enjoy the beautiful rainforest sounds of the Hacking River Valley and a Superb Lyrebird as he forages. He's ably assisted by a Yellow-throated Scrubwren who are comensal to lyrebirds and are also excellent mimics. #birds #birding #nature #naturelovers #lyrebirds

Even here on Sydney's southern beaches we seem to have a colony of these Southern Leaf-tailed Geckos, as they turn up in our garden and on our walls now and again. #nature #herping #reptiles #geckos

Green Catbirds are members of the bowerbird clade. They were going off on call and response this morning in Royal National Park. #birds #birding #nature #naturelovers

Ruddy Turnstones at Boat Harbour (Sydney) on a very windy beach (hence the camera shake). The Ruddy Turnstone's bill is the "Swiss Army Knife" of the bird world. It's many uses makes them a success on beaches, rocky headlands and mud flats. They're joined by a random Red-necked Stint. #birding

Superb Lyrebirds in rainforests are often accompanied by this fellow, hopping around and collecting any of small invertebrates which are disturbed in the vigorous leaf raking. This is the Yellow-throated Scrubwren, a comensal of the lyrebird and one of the forest's most fascinating species. #birding

Humans need green spaces as much as every other species. Connecting with nature, receiving its energies and moving with its flows is in our DNA. We must work for more of these everywhere . . . a mandatory part of all urban planning. www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...

The Rufous Fantail, a beautiful summer migrant in Sydney forests right now. These chirpy chaps mostly forage in denser vine tangles and shrubbery where they use their fanned tails and wings to disturb small invertebrates. However they will also sally from a perch too. #birding #birds #nature

Shire locals and lovers of The Royal will know what I mean . . . #nature #naturelovers #birding #bushwalking #hiking #Sydney

The four most abundant butterflies on the Uloola Track today were the Common Grass Blue, Australian Painted Lady, Caper White and Varied Swordgrass Brown. Caper Whites often eclose in enormous numbers, sometimes in the millions. I'm hoping their presence is the sign of one of these fabulous events!

Reptiles I often find on the Uloola Track are the Common Scaleyfoot (a legless lizard), Coppertail Skink, Eastern Brown Snake and Jackie Dragon. #nature #reptiles #herping #naturelovers

The Uloola Track is a ridge top trail in Royal National Park which passes through a succession of soil types: sandstone, laterite and shale. Each supports a very different plant community creating a series of ecotones which makes for excellent birding. It's also pretty awesome for reptiles too!

Old Man Banksia, Banksia serrata coming into flower on the Uloola Track, Royal National Park. These plants are a significant source of nectar for a great many birds, mammals and invertebrates. #nature #Botany #Plants #naturelovers

The amendments to the EPBC Act which Labor is currently tabling offer the Minister sole discretionary power over mining and development permits. Clearly this is simply so the wealthiest can dodge science, conservation imperatives and community concerns to influence environmental outcomes. #auspol

I'm reposting by way of correction . . . The snake isn't trying "to save energy". Even in extreme temperatures, it has no capacity to metabolically thermoregulate, so there is no question of energy saving or expenditure. This fellow was simply seeking the most comfortable environment it could find.

The mercury hit 35ºC in Royal National Park today so this Diamond Python sought out a perfect spot to cool off in the shade and a gentle breeze whilst snoozing to save energy . . . on a picnic table in a weather shed! #reptiles #herping

A Dusky Antechinus exploring the leaf litter in search of the small invertebrates. A member of the Family Dasuridae, they are related to Quolls, Phascogales, Dunnarts and the Tasmanian Devil. They are semelparous, in that the males generally die shortly after the breeding season. #nature #mammals

I had a beautiful Diamond Python and Eastern Brown Snake yesterday along the trail in Royal National Park. The Diamond Python was much blotchier than I'm used to seeing around Sydney. Moments before I saw the brown snake I'd been walking off the trail very close to him! #snakes #reptiles #herping

My tour group spent some time with an extended family of six Australian King Parrots in Royal National Park yesterday morning. This is an adult male and immature male. They're somewhat like doves and pigeons in that one feels a sense of peace in their gentle and trusting company . . . #birds #nature

Wonder Brown butterflies usually appear in thousands in the wetter forests of Royal National Park around the first week of November. They mate and the females go into hiding until late January, by which time all the males have died off. These images are all males. The females are below . . . 🧵 1/2

Breaking: An Epstein survivor just silenced press conference attendees when she delivered the following remarks: “Today we stand in a moment that will decide whether our government belongs to the American people, or to those who prey on them.”

Here's another look at that Sydney Spiny Lobster doing his best to look menacing from behind some low sedge along the trail. Truth be told, he didn't have to try very hard, because those nippers were huge and I'm sure could deliver a nasty nip!

A Sydney Spiny Crayfish crossing the trail in Royal National Park where he'll find a damp ditch to set up home by digging a deep burrow into the mud. This formidable fellow is around 15cms (6") in length and his presence is a good sign that the Hacking River is in pretty good shape. #nature #WildOz

A Common Grass Blue seeking sustenance on a Native Raspberry. Like many small blue butterflies they have a mutualism with ants who protect and raise the butterfly larvae in exchange for the sweet nectar the larvae exude. This is called a myrmecophily which literally means "ant lover". #naturelovers

Yesterday in the #rainforest I met a mum who had a sling with a gorgeous newborn baby tucked within. We chatted about the importance of a newborn baby hearing the sounds of the forest, taking in its subtle aromas, receiving its energies, building connection with the living planet. #naturelovers

I encountered this king amidst the splendour of the rainforest in Royal National Park yesterday. I don't think I've ever seen a more beautiful male Eastern Water Dragon than this guy. I've also added couple of photos below . . . check 'em out 👇 🧵 #nature #reptiles #herping #naturelovers

By November the Superb Lyrebirds have regrown their tails and begin to follow females, shake their tails, raise their wings and call vociferously. I came across an entourage of 5 lyrebirds this morning in Royal National Park and this boy was clearly getting hot and bothered! #birds #birding #nature

Back in April 1975 "Grumpy Scientist" Dr Harry Recher stuck a New Holland Honeyeater in a precocious child's hand telling her to "hold this". Thus he laid out the course of my life, my calling and obsession . . . #birding #birds #nature

Immerse yourself in a few moments of the breathtaking ridge top dry sclerophyll habitat and its aural beauty on Wise's Trail in Royal National Park. Look out for this trail on my Nature Walkabouts schedule in 2026. aussiewild.com.au/nature-walka... #birds #birding #nature #naturelovers #hiking

This is the #Izembek. Trump has just signed off on destroying this magnificent wilderness for yet more fossil fuel extraction which scientists warn us must stop. We have the capacity to create such a different world. All we have to do is decide we want it. #nature #climate youtu.be/RkBbA7iJN8g?...

Sound UP! I survey Yellow-throated Scrubwrens in Royal National Park. Whilst in Boris and Natasha's territory yesterday I found a lyrebird foraging. Boris enters from left at 26 secs and begins his mimicry which will grow in volume and complexity. Enjoy this sonic celebration of planet Earth! 🧵 1/

Birds truly are the splendour of Planet Earth . . . youtu.be/ej4LPcJu-54?...

Sound UP! When a gang of young male Superb Lyrebirds surround you, often within less than a metre. I zoomed back to 80mm but often had to lean back to get this footage. I've left it largely unedited to capture the mayhem of the moment. #birds #birding #nature #lyrebirds

This is the Larapinta Trail . . . youtu.be/Ox-M9mWme34?...

Just as I pressed submit after my count two Australian Magpies clashed viciously in the sky right above me, locking claws in the air for an instant before parting with angry cries . . . Tonight's winner was certainly the Rainbow Lorikeet! aussiebirdcount.org.au #aussiebirdcount #birds #birding

For lovers of the Willie Wagtail (especially when they sing to the Springtime full moons) . . . #birds #birding #nature #naturelovers youtu.be/1FUGB1JxMnw?...

Just another urban Sydney Echidna giving it his best shot, snuffling about and hoovering up masses of ants along the curb at North Head . . . #naturelovers #nature #wildlife #echidna #australia

Final votes friends. Let's go Team Southern Emu-wren and highlight the plight of one of its subspecies which is under threat from a ridiculous planned rocket range on the Eyre Peninsula in South Australia. #birds #birding #birdoftheyear #southernemuwren www.theguardian.com/environment/...

"The purpose of freedom is to create it for others" - Nelson Mandela

Here, in the predawn along Bola Creek in Royal National Park, it would be at least half an hour before sunrise, so apologies for the grainy footage. However, I think the ambience is clear. I've had thousands of lyrebird encounters of the years, but each one is as exciting as the first! #birding

A 15 minute stroll over the spinifex covered hills from Ormiston Gorge brings one to this vista; looking west along the Larapinta Trail on the Macdonnell Ranges. Thereis some amazing birding to be had along this trail . . . 1/

A detailed and damning report by a respected team of clinicians and researchers. It confirms that the Cass Review was little more than a thinly veiled deceitful attack on the rights, humanity and dignity of transgender people in the UK. Shame on them and shame on UK politicians for falling for it.

It was a difficult decision, with many of my favourite birds on the starting ticket, but I've kicked things off with a sentimental favourite . . . Go Team Southern Emu-wren! 🥳 www.theguardian.com/environment/... #birds #birding #birdoftheyear #birdoftheyear2025

This cheeky busy body came so close to me I had to put my camera down. I shook a few plants for him and he dashed over in the hope that I might dislodge and insect or two. When I held my hand out he hopped to within 2 or 3 centimetres hand. Certainly the friendliest Willie Wagtail I've ever met!

In 2019 we had at least 6 Welcome Swallows living around my home. Now there's one. I'm observing this trend everywhere. We're losing small aerial insectivores because we're losing our insects. I urge everyone to keep records of Swallow and Martin numbers in localities. (image: Clinton Wood) #nature

Superb Fairy-wren, Royal National Park. #birds #birding #nature

Far, far away, over 24.8 billion kilometres . . . beyond the heliosphere in the freezing darkness of space Voyager 1 continues a journey which may last as long as this universe does. On board is this image. A person chosen to represent the human species . . .