Pelicans

The one on the level post likes where his standing, 

the one on the wire isn't to sure about his position.

Is this me projecting?

Pelicans always remind me of cargo planes when they fly. I guess

it has to do with their size, anything this big is going to be a little 

ponderous where flight is concerned.

Size does matter. You can make a big splash on landings; and lots

of big bubbles. Very flashy.

Pelicans have amazing balance. They can go to sleep like this. They tend

to fight over the level posts, but when they're occupied a wire rope will

do, particularly if there are other pelicans next to you.

Bugs

This little fellow is a Harlequin beetle. A male to be precise. They're very seasonal; a little

like Christmas beetles. Look for them around April on Cotton Trees (Tree Hibiscus). As can see they're easy to spot and make very good photographic subjects, not being too fussed if you get very close to them.

Don't touch them though, their defense is a foul smelling liquid.

These are also Harlequin beetles. The yellow ones are the females and the smaller ones are nymphs,

immature versions of the adults.

A nymph in a Cotton Tree pod.

You don't have to go far to find interesting subjects. Mr Camoflage was on the gum tree outside the front of my house. If it hadn't moved I wouldn't have seen it. Unlike the previous bugs, this one isn't easy to find. It's about 1cm long and I have no idea what it's called.

Soldier Crabs

 

Soldier crabs aren't that common near civilzation these days.

Their swarms appear to be smaller, a couple of hundred

instead of thousands; and the individuals are a lot smaller.

This one is about 15mm instead of 25mm 

and he was one of the biggest of the bunch.

 

When they realise they can't outrun you they hide by burying 

themselves in the sand. They do this by scooping the sand out from 

underneath them and rolling it up into little balls while rotating clockwise.

A sand igloo quickly covers them, and because the sand's wet it blends together. 

Several seconds later you can't tell where they burrowed in.