Monday Mystery - July 22
This weeks mystery is the magical Gymea Lily. Its Flowers indicating the migration of the whales it is also an important dreaming plant for the D'harawal and incredibly useful... as a food, medicinal, used for weaving and more... not to mention its natural beauty.
There is a great article with a story and info here.
https://dharawalstories.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/kai-mia946kb.pdf
Respect to the Dharawal knowledge keepers, particularly Frances Bodkin who has collate so much wisdom.
Monday Mystery - July 29
To many the Lady Beetle is a sign of play and pretty patterns... but many of these beautiful species are voracious predators.
Their presence is a sign that Spring is springing. The Common Spotted and Mealybug Lady Beetles consume aphids and other garden munching mini-bugs en masse - so much so that they have been used for 'pest' control by growers across the globe. Californian farmers successfully importing them.
We have our reservations around such practices, for good reason - but I wonder what else we might discover about these ubiquitous beetles... something to do with space travel???
https://www.abc.net.au/science/articles/2002/09/12/2583671.htm
Monday Mystery - Aug 11
These tracks in cow poo belong to the Red-Necked Wallaby, they were hanging about at Wangat Lodge last week... we used their tracks to teach the kids.
Unlike their human namesake, the Red-Necked Wallaby is a gentle natured creature. Yet it surprisingly adaptive.
The name Wallaby is said to have come from the Dharug (Eora Nation Sydney). Despite their endearing nature they are incredibly tasty and a critical food source for many First Australians (we have shared them ground cooked in Arnhem Land... amazing).
Still doing well here in Aus, they have also managed to establish themselves outside of Paris and the Isle of Man.
Monday Mystery - Aug 29
The Stingless Native Bees of Australia (Tetragonula) are an incredibly important species group for the land and it's history.
Like all bees they are critical to the pollination of the plants, recently described as the most invaluable species on the planet.
The 'Sugarbag' has they are known, is a rich delicacy amongst many First Australian groups. I have been fortunate enough to come across some with the men up in Arnhem Land.. delicious. As well as holding a significant place in their Dreaming stories.
Did you know they mummify intruders in wax?
Most importantly they are a beautiful bee-in and have som much to teach us. Here is a video about supporting their existence.
Monday Mystery - Sep 9
The Bottle-nose Dolphin is a very well known companion of those who live by the coasts of Australia. Moving playfully in pods through the waves they bring joy to many with their acrobatic skill and curious nature.
Did you know these creatures have x-ray vision?
That they use sonar that penetrated up to 3 feet deep into solid objects and returns with a 3D image?
It is even suggested they can communicate this through their incredibly complex auditory .
Learn more:
https://www.dolphincommunicationproject.org/index.php/2014-10-21-00-13-26/dolphin-communication
To the Arakwal of Northern Rivers, Dolphin Dreaming is a totem of their cultural learning programs... imagine the connection they shared with this animal... what stories they might share...
Monday Mystery - Sep 16
One of our most controversial creatures, the Australian Dingo, is infamous worldwide. A late arrival to this land (maybe 5000 years ago) it has found a niche in the ecology of the entire continent. But are they a problem?
There is evidence that Dingoes will attack a human, and no doubt take a sheep or two. However it seems that as long as their pack is intact (without wild dog breeding) then they maintain a relatively timid approach to humans. More importantly they, like the wolves in other countries, are able to keep balance in the ecosystem... particularly helpful when foxes and cats are moving in, but also on farms. Check out this awesome doco to get some more insight into the debate, and some more appreciation perhaps for this incredible creature.
