Tangle of Life
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The small fry in a world of baleen giants
Like others that day at the Cape Byron lighthouse, David Bryant saw this small whale ride a wave. Skilled photographer that he is, he had his camera to the ready and took this photo that has flashed its way through media around the world.
September 5, 2019 | Mary Gardner | % Tangle of Life -
Protocols, process, and system failures
In the lagoon, the pace of winter life during the long dry seems pretty settled. The growth of small estuarine prawns slows down. Bream now five years old are grown up, itching for saltwater and their winter spawn.
July 18, 2019 | Mary Gardner | % Tangle of Life -
Will the ‘Ozzie otter’ vanish along with the other 1,000,000 threatened species?
The Australian otter is not otter an at all and while there were once plenty, loss of habitat through development and roads means their numbers are falling.
June 6, 2019 | Mary Gardner | 0 Tangle of Life -
A vision for the future of Byron’s wetlands
Could the future of West Byron lands lead the regeneration of seafood supply in the Belongil catchment and the sub-tropic region from the Richmond to the Brunswick?
May 10, 2019 | Echonetdaily | 0 Tangle of Life
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The small fry in a world of baleen giants
Like others that day at the Cape Byron lighthouse, David Bryant saw this small whale ride a wave. Skilled photographer that he is, he had his camera to the ready and took this photo that has flashed its way through media around the world.
September 5, 2019 | Mary Gardner | 1 -
Protocols, process, and system failures
In the lagoon, the pace of winter life during the long dry seems pretty settled. The growth of small estuarine prawns slows down. Bream now five years old are grown up, itching for saltwater and their winter spawn.
July 18, 2019 | Mary Gardner | 1 -
Will the ‘Ozzie otter’ vanish along with the other 1,000,000 threatened species?
The Australian otter is not otter an at all and while there were once plenty, loss of habitat through development and roads means their numbers are falling.
June 6, 2019 | Mary Gardner | 0 -
A vision for the future of Byron’s wetlands
Could the future of West Byron lands lead the regeneration of seafood supply in the Belongil catchment and the sub-tropic region from the Richmond to the Brunswick?
May 10, 2019 | Echonetdaily | 0 -
Are there more sharks in our waters?
Are there more sharks or have we just become accustomed to vanishing species in our midst?
April 5, 2019 | Echonetdaily | 1 -
Long lost relative or ‘exotic’ plant?
The Heliconia started their spectacular annual display of red and gold in late November. What is so compelling about them?
February 28, 2019 | Mary Gardner | 1 -
Coastal squeeze and preparing for a future of climate change
Development in floodplains and on shores means walls, roads, residences, and every kind of construction are built. As the sea levels rise, the low-water mark marches landward to meet these barriers. The space between is shrinking or disappearing.
February 1, 2019 | Mary Gardner | 0 -
Should we feel free to pee in the sea?
As the holiday season gets underway, this toilet block, as does every other near the beach, becomes one of the busiest places in Byron Shire.
January 10, 2019 | Mary Gardner | 4 -
Bird’s eye view of our parklands
Although many municipal plans aim to cool off hot towns, improve waterways and protect human health, they can also support wildlife. Plans in Byron Shire can become exercises in empathy.
December 11, 2018 | Mary Gardner | 0 -
Trees or biotechnological genetic rescue?
We peered through the branches amazed to see this colourful bird, resting one wing awkwardly. By the next day it would be dead.
November 23, 2018 | Mary Gardner | 4 -
Death of a platypus leaves unanswered questions
We found it dead on the sand near the mouth of the Tallow’ the woman said. The corpse stunk a little but I hardly noticed. I was so astonished. What was this platypus doing here? Who knew there were any around this side of Byron Bay? How did it live? As importantly, how did it die?
October 5, 2018 | Mary Gardner | 1 -
The trouble with lichen
What lichens truly are is still startling. One apparently global species turns out to be made of one species of fungi with a different species of algae depending which hemisphere it finds itself.
September 11, 2018 | Mary Gardner | 2 -
Will species synchronicity lead to ecological collapse?
Parrots are often called the primates of the bird world. They are intelligent, playful and determined, grasping and changing their world using their feet and beaks like hands holding scissors.
August 3, 2018 | Mary Gardner | 1 -
Batting for bats: their vital role in forestry
Flying foxes live life large across the landscape. They are the chief pollinators and seed carriers for many species of forest trees.
July 13, 2018 | Mary Gardner | 2 -
Join the BioBlitz and discover aquatic mysteries
On the 12th of May take a few minutes and help track down the elusive mysterious highly prized wild shellfish reefs and beds somewhere near you.
May 8, 2018 | Mary Gardner | 1 -
Equinox signs from the bridge: How nature tells the future
I pause on the bridge over the Tallow. My senses are full of the changes with the recent equinox. The signs are all around.
April 6, 2018 | Mary Gardner | 3 -
It’s not over till the big trucks fill
It’s not a done deal. The swamplands that define Byron Bay are crippled but still alive. The NSW Joint Regional Planning Panel is still debating how mega-development of West Byron might harm the Cumbebin Nature Reserve and the Belongil waterway.
February 27, 2018 | Mary Gardner | 1 -
Ancient anger a potent symbol for modern times
This replica nawi, unlike the bark canoe at the Maritime Museum, is oversized and made of steel. It is moored at a cove at Barangaroo, the inner city place named after a Cammeraygal woman.
February 5, 2018 | Mary Gardner | 0 -
Explore the waterways and let curiosity lead
Where to go during the holidays? Try following waterways and discovering waterplaces. Start with a ramble down some path or an hour along a shore: curiosity will take over. Where did this water come from? What is it doing now? Where might it go? What does it mean?
January 16, 2018 | Mary Gardner | 0 -
It’s time to plan the urban forest: Let’s grow trees
In our town, from December to January, each Royal Poinciana Delonix regia blooms. The magnificent red flowers cascade over the soft green leaves.
January 3, 2018 | Mary Gardner | 5 -
Fly free from toxic chemical use
From the days of the dinosaurs, birds have been an integral part of our world. People have always watched and listened to them and members of a wise culture would also be learning from them. But are we?
December 12, 2017 | Mary Gardner | 0 -
What is in a true name?
By night, the nearby ICOLLs are creatures inhabiting my dreams. Intermittently Closed and Open Lake or Lagoon (ICOLL) is the proper name for the Richmond and the Brunswick, the Belongil and the Tallow waterways.
December 12, 2017 | Mary Gardner | 0 -
Stop and take a moment to smell the flowers
Though I am on my way to somewhere else, I pause at the mangroves. They are a steadfast shelter as the fierce winds shift. Their roots steady the muddy bank under my feet.
December 12, 2017 | Mary Gardner | 0 -
Being weather wise in the subtropics is smart
Living in the subtropics – even for a short while as a visitor – means becoming weather wise. Of course there’s a fire ban. No open fires, especially on the beach. No tossing of cigarettes either.
October 6, 2017 | Mary Gardner | 0 -
They dance across the the concrete heart of town
These very old trees in the Railway Park, Byron Bay, are a mystery. With camera in hand, I walk around this living sculpture. These native beach hibiscus (Hibiscus tilaceus) are locked in on three sides by the buildings, cars of a busy street and a rough parking lot.
September 8, 2017 | Mary Gardner | 2
