Densey Clyne 1922 – 2019

Posted on 15/07/2019 by michaelrwhitehead

I must have been around six or seven years old, but I vividly remember being captivated by Densey’s work on late 80’s Burke’s Backyard. Her subjects were mostly invertebrates, the natural history of which she brought to life with superb macro and timelapse filmography. (For classic Densey and awesome 80’s music check out this vid about cicadas). It might not even be too far-fetched to draw a direct line from Densey’s work— some of my earliest recollections of a natural history fascination—to my life and work now, preoccupied with the flowers and insects she revealed to me so long ago.

Clyne’s clips of flowers blooming in timelapse made a particular impression on me. In a moment of frustration with a bored and annoying child, I remember Mum sending me into the backyard to wait for a flower to bloom. Soaked in the false impressions of timelapse filmography, I stood staring at a Callistemon for what felt an age before finally conceding defeat and coming back indoors.

In the last couple of years I had the desire and embryonic plan to go and visit her, knowing she was getting on, wanting to meet her and tell her the impression she made on me, and perhaps write up an interview to share her experience and wisdom with others. But I never got around to prioritising it, and now that opportunity is gone.

From the tiniest, dankest little crevices in the bottom of my heart; thanks Densey.

(For more information about her life and achievements, the Port Macquarie news have a nice write-up)

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Photos from the field: The Great Western Woodlands.

Posted on 05/06/2019 by michaelrwhitehead

The Great Western Woodlands (GWW) form the largest tracts of temperate woodlands left on Earth. They hold approximately 30% of Australia’s Eucalypt species, and close to 20% of Australia’s plant species overall. This is truly an overlooked gem of Australian biodiversity. Last Spring I was lucky enough to visit for my work on pollination in our native plants.

My target there was Eremophila, a genus of approximately 250 species largely confined to arid and semi-arid Australia. The GWW represents one of the centres of diversity for the genus, and so I chose it as a likely spot to set up a new study contrasting bird and insect pollination.

Eremophila alternifolia was one of about 15 Eremophilas I saw flowering despite the drier than average conditions.

I was joined by perhaps the best kind of field assistant: a trained and accomplished professional ecologist who also happens to be my beautiful wife. After driving 2800km from Melbourne to field sites near Norseman, Western Australia, we spent a little under two weeks observing pollinators, surveying and mapping populations of plants, and collecting samples for population genetics.

One of the many viewpoints south of the Nullarbor Plain.

I left in awe of the scale of these woodlands, in love with the peace and isolation they offer, and a bit concerned over their insecure future. Fully 60% of the GWW is tenured “unallocated Crown land”, unmanaged and open access. With more visitors, and more appreciation of the value of these vast woodlands, I hope we can find a way to secure more of it into ongoing reserve for future generations.

The bluebush understory contrasts dramatically with red sand in many areas. Front left is one of my study species Eremophila scoparia.

The whole region is dotted with salt-pans.

As predicted from the small, violet flowers, Eremophila scoparia was visited by a host of native bees.

Eremophila decipiens has characteristic bird-adapted flowers.

Camera traps being expertly arranged by Samantha. Footage revealed that E. decipiens was being visited by a range of honeyeater species.

Eremophila calorhabdos

This spectacular Grevillea hid a massive bloom of flowers underneath it

The inflorescences are held on stems that grow along the ground underneath the shrub. The very long style with pollen-presenter is suggestive of adaptation to birds, but mammals might not be out of the question.

Eucalyptus loxophleba with daggy botanist for scale

Majestic Salmon gum (Eucalyptus salmonophloia) with Samantha for scale.

The serenity of wandering amongst giant Salmon gums at dusk was magic.

Gleaming bark on Eucalyptus salubris

Elevating on Lake Cowan. Photo: S. Vertucci.

For the second half of the trip I was joined by collaborator and all-round legend Dr. Renee Catullo. I made us walk 10km to collect camp gear following a single poor decision.

Stay tuned as research results emerge. The study should tell us about the way pollen moves under bee and bird pollination, and how those fine scale patterns play out on a grand landscape level.

Photos from the field: Northern Sand-plains, WA

Posted on 16/08/2018 by michaelrwhitehead

Peaceful woodlands of widely spaced gnarled Eucalypts lie in mosaic with spiny, scratchy, shrubby heath on the sand-plains north of Perth. They form one of the most floristically diverse regions on earth, with estimates of over 60 species of plant per 0.01 ha (an area smaller than half an an IMAX screen).

With so many species packed on top of one another, it is perhaps not surprising that in the effort to co-exist, some plants have been forced to flower outside the traditional Spring-flowering window. Winter in the sand-plains, while often wet and cloudy, is therefore anything but dull. While daily insect activity is very low, resident birds and honey possums must still feed, and so there are a comparatively high number of vertebrate-pollinated species in full flower at this time of year.

Omphalina chromacea in its diminutive but sulphureous glory

Bird-pollinated Astroloma glaucenscens excludes insect visitors with a tiny corolla-tube opening

Pterostylis sanguinea: a sexually-deceptive trap-pollination orchid

Astroloma stomarrhena, bird-pollinated. This individual has curiously short corolla tubes.

Calothamnus sanguineus mixed in with Conostephium

Calothamnus sanguineus

An early-flowering Caladenia latifolia

Diuris corymbosa

Tiny pgymy Drosera

One of the most common orchids in the area, but I’ve never seen it flower. Pyrorchis leaf.

Very rare, and while this specimen is a little tired late in the season, the winter-flowering Cleopatra’s Needles (Thelymitra apiculata) is a stunning contrast of hues.

Photos from the field: East Gippsland, Victoria

Posted on 12/12/2016 by michaelrwhitehead

I recently began a brand new project with the University of Melbourne. The beginning of a new project is filled with equal parts excitement and trepidation—excitement at the novelty, the blank canvas, the potential, and trepidation at not wanting to put a foot wrong in critical early decisions that will affect the outcome of a career-defining opportunity.

Here the photos from a first foray into East Gippsland, surveying sites for bird-pollinated Prostanthera walteri.