Spring wildflower meadows

The best Spring rains in 30 years have resulted in a floral bounty in the Victorian bush.

Chocolate lilies - dichopogon strictus

Milkmaids - Burchardia umbelata

Sundew - Drosera

I have posted this before, but I was amazed at how much of it there was and how lush it was on this roadside verge.

Hibbertia - there are over 150 species of this little fellow.

Now this is where I will need some help.  This is what, as a child, I called shivery grass.  I know that 'trembling grass' with the larger seed head is an introduced species but am wondering about this very fine form.  Maybe there is a bush chick out there who could tell me if this is indigenous and what it's botanical name is.   :-)

Salt and Pepper

This is another one whose name I can't find on the web so would appreciate a botanical name.

Nature's apartment building - a threat

All of these flowers were thriving among the grasses on the edge of the road, under this dead and blackened eucalypt,  complete with its dead mistletoe.  

I was considering what may be living in its hollows, when a family of screeching indian myna birds skimmed in to investigate the hollows.  

Native parrots are happy to share trees and to live 'apartment' style with each other and possums.  The introduced indian mynas, however, will use a single hollow and then stop any other species from using the other nesting sites in the tree or nearby.  They are aggressive and territorial and will eject possums and birds, destroying nestlings and eggs. They also compete with local species for habitat and food.

The International Union for the Conservation of Nature has ranked the Myna amongs the world's 100 most invasive pest species.  The Lane Cove Council in New South Wales has an eradication program.

Horrible things!