Wildlife update

For those of you who may have been unaware up until this point, please let me assure you that I have some highly developed princess tendencies. In the most particular regard, when it comes to sharing my personal space with creatures of the insect family, let me just say that it just won't work. And as luck would have it, the tropics don't just host that lovely extreme hot weather that I am such a fan of, but also a plethora of creepy-crawlies that seem to attain gargantuan sizes.

These guys are testing my limits - have a look!


Mega-moth

I think this fella, who was on my notebook this morning, would give the bogong moths from Victoria a fair run for their money.


Drainpipe dweller

And this hideous 5cm long beast crawled out of the drain and onto my cake of soap last month.


African huntsman

This African version of the huntsman appeared in my bathroom one evening, right beside the toilet at eye level - and - not only that, after I snapped my photo, it leapt off the bottom of the curtain and chased me out of the room - I KID YOU NOT, it was a high adrenaline moment, and the spider won.

But it's not just at home I get to enjoy insect company, the bugs have invaded the office as well.


Map-loving mantis

Who knew that praying mantis' were fans of geological maps? Found this guy on the map cabinet on Friday morning.

I have to say though, I am starting to appreciate some of the aesthetic talents of various of these African insects, just look at this grasshopper...


Mardi-gras grasshopper

... extraordinary!

And on Saturday morning on the way to the mess for breakfast, I was greeted with what looked like a snow drift under the light poles.


Flying ant carnage

It's the time of year that the flying ants come out (apparently quite tasty, lightly fried in a smidge of vegetable or peanut oil - not sure I'm quite adventurous enough for that) and they all lose their wings at the same time. It really is quite amazing and lovely.


Look how many there are!