Inspired by the natural world …
GALLERY
In our work, we’re fortunate to have the opportunity to see some stunning plants and amazing creatures. Below is a snippet of some of our favourites.
All images thanks to our team’s resident photographer, James Sparshott.
See more of James’ photos by following this link:
Ninox strenua
Listed as Vulnerable, Powerful Owl is Australia’s largest species of owl. These impressive birds are threatened by numerous factors such as habitat loss and secondary poisoning from rodent baits.
Nesoptilotis leucotis
White-eared Honeyeater has a wide distribution across eastern Australia, however to the best of our knowledge, this record was the first for the Crows Nest district. It was enjoying the nectar from Banksia oblongifolia flowers.
Orthonyx temminckii
Logrunners are a rainforest specialist that can be seen foraging in pairs or small groups in the leaf litter of South-eastern Queensland rainforests. They’re usually a challenge to photograph due to the low light conditions of their habitat and the abundance of understorey plants which obscure a clear view.
Ornithoptera richmondia
Richmond Birdwing is listed as Vulnerable and is one of Australia’s largest butterflies. Due to extensive replanting of its host plant, Pararistolochia praevenosa, this butterfly is slowly recolonising its former range and we were lucky enough to see this one on a family member’s property near Conondale.
Euastacus jagara
Jagara Hairy Crayfish is an extremely range-restricted freshwater crayfish that only occurs in high elevation rainforest streams of Main Range National Park. It is listed as Critically Endangered under federal legislation.
Tympanocryptis condaminensis
Condamine Earless Dragon - these small, Endangered dragons inhabit croplands on the cracking black clayey soils of the eastern Darling Downs.
Baeckea diosmifolia
Restricted to a small area near Crows Nest, Fringed Baeckea is a small shrub which was once found in the southern suburbs of Brisbane and the Gold Coast - sadly, all of these populations have succumbed to urban development.
Lophosaurus spinipes
The Southern Angle-headed Dragon is a cryptic species of rainforest dragon found in the rainforests of South-eastern Queensland and Northern New South Wales.
Anthochaera phrygia
With less than 300 individuals remaining in the wild, the Regent Honeyeater is listed as Critically Endangered, primarily due to loss of habitat. Several were spotted by local birdwatchers in winter this year, visiting bushland at Highfields, near Toowoomba, sparking an influx of birdwatchers from all over Queensland and interstate!
Hypochrysops piceatus
The Bulloak Jewel butterfly is one of Australia’s rarest butterflies, protected in a Main Roads reserve near Leyburn. Peter has had a strong involvement in this project for at least 20 years and more recently, James has honed his skills in spotting and photographing this special gem.
Grantiella picta
The Yarran (Acacia melvillei) woodlands at Jondaryan are an Endangered Regional Ecosystem, and an important habitat for the Vulnerable Painted Honeyeater. These birds relish the fruits and nectar from the mistletoes which grow prolifically on the Yarran trees.
Hemiaspis damelii
Grey Snake is an Endangered, seldom-seen snake from the Brigalow Belt Bioregion of Queensland.