Nature Notes - TM Natural History Association

Quick Links: Species Photos Nature Notes Links Bird List

A- A A+

Login form

You need to sign in to those awesome features

Power by Joomla Templates - BowThemes

NHA Banner

You are here:

Home

Biodiversity

Knowledge

Nature Notes

Notices on Our Content (hover on each phrase): Member Protected Content Walk Access Restrictions May Apply

We collected weblinks for our Custom Google Search above to help you target searches to nature websites we like. Submit your favourite nature website - contact us. Internet Explorer users need to be on Version 10+.

The Human Ecosystem

Details: Created: Tuesday, 01 November 2011 00:00; Written by Nadia O’Carroll

We share the planet and our own bodies with an unseen multitude of microscopic organisms.

Plants and animals are in many respects huge ecosystems of diverse microscopic organisms, rather than individuals of one species. This microbiota includes yeast, fungi, bacteria, viruses and protists. In humans the microbiota may compose 1 kg to 2.25 kg of a person’s body weight. The number of human cells in a person’s body are greatly outnumbered (over 10 times) by the alien cells of microbiotic organisms which form vast resident colonies on the surface of internal and external tissue. It is also estimated that between 100 and 200 human genes are actually under the control of resident bacteria.

Australasian Gannets - Plunge Divers

Details: Created: Tuesday, 18 October 2011 00:00; Written by Nadia O’Carroll

Sometimes shoals of bait fish can be seen from the shore of the Gold Coast, their presence is often indicated by congregations of seabirds, some of which nosedive dramatically from a great height into the midst of the schooling fish.

Most of these plunge divers are usually Australasian Gannets. These are a handsome white streamlined seabird with an apricot head, long black marked pointed wings and tail, dagger shaped beak and blue eyes. They are regularly seen offshore in SEQ from April to September. They are pelagic birds which breed in colonies in southern Australia and New Zealand. The birds pair for life and return to the same nesting site, they may be quite long lived with lifespans of 30-40 years.

Ancient Marine Reptiles in Queensland

Details: Created: Tuesday, 20 September 2011 00:00; Written by Nadia O’Carroll

Queensland is home to the world’s largest marine reptile, the Estuarine or Saltwater Crocodile, also known as the Indo-Pacific Crocodile. Male “Salties” may grow over 6 metres in length and weigh over 1,300 kilograms. Recently an Indo-Pacific crocodile measuring 6.4 metres and weighing 1075 kilograms was captured in the Philippines. It is thought that even larger specimens may exist.

Fireflies

Details: Created: Tuesday, 11 October 2011 00:00; Written by Nadia O’Carroll

On spring evenings you may notice small bright lights flashing and flying erratically through the air, these are fireflies. What makes this little insect so spectacular is bioluminescence – the ability to glow. Tamborine Mountain is home to two famous nocturnal, bioluminescent creatures – fireflies and glow-worms.

Carbohydrates

Details: Created: Tuesday, 06 September 2011 00:00; Written by Nadia O’Carroll

Carbohydrates are the planets most common organic compounds. They provide energy and structure for both plant and animal life, we commonly call them sugars.

Carbohydrates are organic compounds composed of the elements hydrogen, carbon and oxygen. These elements can be arranged in many structures which give them a variety of biochemical properties and give rise to many forms of carbohydrates.

Content Popular Tags

Injured Wildlife

Wildcare SEQ (07) 5527 2444

RSPCA / DEHP Brisbane - Gold Coast

1300 ANIMAL (1300264625)

Elsewhere in Australia

Feral Animal Control

Gallery Tree

Expand all Close all

Random Images - NHA

2017-05-13 Larapinta Trail
Description: Larapinta Trail

2014-08-23 Springbrook Ramble
Description: Bushwalking in SE Qld

2013-05-25 Egg Rock
Description: Bushwalking in SE Qld

2017-05-13 Larapinta Trail
Description: Larapinta Trail

2015-11-28 Ballunjui Falls_22
Description: Bushwalking in SE Qld

2015-04-11 D'Aguilar National Park_161
Description: Bushwalking in SE Qld

Why does attentiveness to nature matter? In a very fundamental sense, we are what we pay attention to. Paying heed to beauty, grace, and everyday miracles promotes a sense of possibility and coherence that runs deeper and truer than the often illusory commercial, social "realities" advanced by mainstream contemporary culture. ... Our attention is precious, and what we choose to focus it on has enormous consequences. What we choose to look at, and to listen to--these choices change the world. As Thich Nhat Hanh has pointed out, we become the bad television programs that we watch. A society that expends its energies tracking the latest doings of the celebrity couple is fundamentally distinct from one that watches for the first arriving spring migrant birds, or takes a weekend to check out insects in a mountain stream, or looks inside flowers to admire the marvelous ingenuities involved in pollination. The former tends to drag culture down to its lowest commonalities; the latter can lift us up in a sense of unity with all life. The Way of Natural History, edited by Thomas Lowe Fleischner and published by Trinity University Press (Texas)

Login form

The Human Ecosystem

Australasian Gannets - Plunge Divers

Ancient Marine Reptiles in Queensland

Fireflies

Carbohydrates

More Articles ...

Content Popular Tags

Gallery Tree

Random Images - NHA