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Sand Bubbler Crabs – Astonishing Artists of the Beach
Nature Photography with marysejansenart
Tiny little crabs produce natural art galleries on the beach

When I first visit the Australian east coast, I discover an interesting phenomenon on some of the beaches. They are littered with little sand balls, randomly scattered around in strange, sometimes beautiful patterns. As I begin to study them up close I notice that somewhere in the centre of each of those shapes is a little hole in the sand. After a while I can see that tiny crabs move in and out of these holes: they are called Sand Bubbler Crabs!

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A Wonderful Walk in a She-Oak Forest
Nature Photography with marysejansenart
A Pivotal Species in the Ecosystem

This is not a Pine Tree, it’s a She-oak! She-oaks resemble Pine Trees in more then one way. They drop their ‘needles’ on the ground to form a soft carpet in a similar way. And they also produce what looks like tiny pine cones which carry their seeds.
I love how the needle-like foliage creates a soft look ...

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Celebrate National Biodiversity Month
Nature Photography with marysejansenart
Higher Biodiversity Lowers Stress and Lifts Mood

Spring has arrived and I set out for a walk around the lake. Even though this lake is situated in a heavily build up suburban area, surrounded by a large shopping centre, medical facilities and residential buildings, it is a natural oasis! It is so rich in vegetation and there are so many species of birds and other wildlife that it is a great pleasure to spend some time here!

This month (September) is National Biodiversity Month in Australia. We hear the term biodiversity a lot, but what is it exactly?

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3 Wonderful White Winter Blossoms in Queensland
Wildflower Photography with marysejansenart
Wattle, Paperbark and Gum Tree Blossoms


Winter in Queensland can be absolutely glorious! I woke up to a chilly morning today, but there’s not a cloud in the sky and the sun is warming things up quickly to a pleasant maximum of 23 degrees Celsius. The forest is alive with the sounds of numerous birds that are attracted to the flowering trees! Yes, in Queensland we have different blossoms in every season! Interestingly, the dominating colour of the flowers is white at the moment, which seems kind of fitting to match the concept of the winter season! Let me take you along and explore the 3 most abundant white winter blossoms in this forest today!


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4 Graceful Brolgas at the Bus Stop!
Bird Photography with marysejansenart
And many more Brolgas in their natural habitats: wetlands and grasslands

I will never forget this! The first time I encounter Brolgas up close is at the bus stop!!!! Definitely not what I would have expected from these tall, graceful waterbirds that prefer to spend their time in large, open wetlands – away from people!

I’m in outback town Longreach. It’s winter, which I believe in the early morning when it’s absolutely freezing cold and I can’t find enough layers to wear as I try to make a cup of tea on the campsite. But a good two hours later, it has warmed up to another hot and dusty day and most of my clothes are packed up in the car again. As I’m driving through town I have to blink my eyes to make sure that what I see is real: four beautiful Brolgas, hanging out at the bus stop!


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Black Kite – Clever Raptor Plays with Fire
Bird Photography with marysejansenart
The only Australian Raptor that flocks

Birds of prey are circling in the smoke haze around the edge of the fire. These are Black Kites and they are acutely aware that the smoke will drive out potential prey, which will be instantly at their mercy. This easy source of food has led these intelligent raptors to actively seek out the smoke from bush fires in the landscape. And on top of that they have also figured out how to spread the fire themselves. These birds have been seen picking up burning twigs and dropping them in other areas! No wonder the Black Kite is also known as the Firehawk!

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Red-capped Robin – a Colourful Fella
Bird Photography with marysejansenart
Level of redness a sign of good health

During my walk I meet a group of birdwatchers. Really nice people, who are willing to share and they tell me about a Red-capped Robin that has been sighted nearby. Apparently it has been seen repeatedly around the same area and they take me there, in the hope to be able to show me. I follow along through the bushes. Unfortunately we’re not in luck and there is no sign of the bird. I wait for a while and then decide to continue on my walk. Too bad …

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Meat Ants – an Electrifying Encounter
Wildlife Photography with marysejansenart
An aggressively natured bunch and their mass reproductive event

‘Ouch!’, I look at my foot. My friend laughs: ‘Those are Meat Ants!’, she said, ‘don’t worry, they have a nasty bite but don’t sting, so the pain doesn’t last long.’ After this first encounter with these insects I quickly learned not to stand still for long nearby a Meat Ant nest, and preferably not to wear sandals in their territory. This species will defend their nest aggressively against any intruders and they have a tendency to climb your legs and bite when you come to close....

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2 Captivating Caves in Cania Gorge NP
Landscape Photography with marysejansenart
The Dragon Cave and the Bloodwood Cave

Wow! My jaw drops as I gaze up into the Dragon Cave, the first of the two caves in Cania Gorge National Park that I am visiting today. Instantly, it becomes clear how this cave got its name: I am looking at a natural mural on the cave’s back wall and the shape resembles the shape of a dragon quite strikingly! The dragon is black, while the sandstone background comes in shades of white, yellow and brown, so the dragon really stands out! To understand how this cave and its mural were formed we need to go 200 million years back in time!

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Impressions of Great Keppel Island
Landscape Photography with marysejansenart
A journey for the senses

The weather forecast predicts 40-80mm of rain today, and surely it is raining as I am making my way to the boat. I am wondering if I really want to do this today… I have planned to go for a long walk on Wop-pa or Great Keppel Island, 18km off the Capricorn Coast in Queensland. Armed with an umbrella and a raincoat, I hope for the best. With a beaming face our captain informs us that it is going to be an extremely rough ride, sick bags are handed out in anticipation.

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