Evening Brown Butterfly (Melanitis leda Bankia)
Published July 22, 2016 | Image taken by visiting Wildlife Photographer Tony Belton in the riparan zone at Sportsman Creek of a perfectly camouflaged Evening Brown Butterfly.
Gould’s Monitor (Varanus gouldii gouldii)
Published March 5, 2014 | 
This young Gould’s Monitor is a first time sighting in the Conservation Area. A voracious feeder, known to devour snakes, lizards, rats, rabbits and mice. Growing to a length of 1.5 metres they can display amazing bursts of speed when alarmed.
Tawny Frogmouth (Podargus strigoides)
Published November 15, 2013 | Perfectly camouflaged in the Red Ironbark tree is the best known Australian nocturnal bird the Tawny Frogmouth.
Eudocima salaminia Moth Catocalinae Noctuidae
Published April 10, 2012 | “Adult moth has brown forewings with a dark green sheen, and with a sharply defined broad white border along the edges of the wings. The hindwings are orange, with a black border and black comma in the middle. The moth has a wingspan of about 8cm.” A new sighting for the Conservation Area with the common name Green Fruit-piercing Moth.
I.D. and text reference courtesy of Don Herbison-Evans and Stella Crossley.
Further reference – http://lepidoptera.butterflyhouse.com.au/cato/salamin.html
Robust Velvet Gecko (Oedura robusta ).
Published June 15, 2010 | 
“The Robust Velvet Gecko will not hesitate to shed its tail if seized by an enemy, and although it is capable of regeneration, the original tail will lack the perfect proportion and markings of the original”. Image as found on the wildlife refuge.
Reference: Swanson, S. Lizards of Australia.
Carpet Python (Morelia spilota).
Published May 3, 2010 | 
The camoflage for a large Carpet Python observed in the riparian zone on the wildlife refuge. Although secretive and seldom encountered as they are mainly nocturnal, during winter they may be observed sunbaking in tree-tops or rock crevices and are known to enter homes and rural buildings in search of mice and rats.
Reference: Australian Reptile Park’s Guide to Snakes of South-East Australia.
Eastern Brown Snake (Pseudonaja textilis).
Published April 13, 2010 | 
Highly Venomous. “The second most toxic snake in the world. A nervous, ready biter it will defend itself if threatened. Diurnal, preys primarily on small mammals, lizards and frogs. If bitten seek medical attention immediately”. Found in the drier Open Woodlands on Sportsman Creek wildlife refuge, today. This is a very fast moving species of snake and if cornered or surprised will raise its body high in an “S” shaped loop and can bite repeatedly. This snake should be treated with “Extreme Caution“.
Image courtesy of Peter Robinson @ Museum Victoria
Further reading; Snake Catchers Brisbane.
Bagworm or Case Moth larva (Psychidae).
Published April 7, 2010 | 
An as yet unidentified Bagworm which has camoflaged its silken cocoon with leaves from the wattle (Acacia leiocalyx) on Sportsman Creek wildlife refuge.
Further reading; http://lepidoptera.butterflyhouse.com.au/psyc/psyc-cats.html.
Gumleaf Grasshopper (Goniaea australasiae)
Published March 21, 2010 | 
Image taken in riparian zone on Sportsman Creek wildlife refuge of a (juvenile) Nymph 3rd instar. Adults reach 50mm and resemble a dead dry leaf.
I.D. courtesy of Chris Hosking, Interpretive Officer Australian Museum.
Wrap-around Spider (poss;Dolophones conifera) Family – Araneidae.
Published March 10, 2010 | 
Found on Sportsman Cree wildlife refuge. Size about 10 mm in length. They have a concaved abdomen which enables them to wrap around twigs in camoflage mode. These spiders build a vertical nest at night.
Reference; www.brisbaneinsects.com.au
