https://www.serene-forest.com/home daily 1.0 2023-08-17 https://www.serene-forest.com/forest-creatures daily 0.75 2024-08-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f34bddf7c66ce076e5d529f/1597927029785-POTOS0AUBPUGAZPYYJWZ/2020-08-09_112957_18.jpg Forest Creatures - Koala Koalas can only live in one place in the world, Australia. The koala only eats Eucalyptus leaves and it eats so many leaves, it smells like the leaves. The koala hops from tree to tree and climbs the trees to get the leaves. The word koala is said to come from the Dharug peoples (whose traditional lands span the area from Parramatta to the Blue Mountains of New South Wales) word meaning ‘no water’. Koalas have particularly hard bottoms, which is similar to their closest relative, the wombat. For the koala, this feature enables them to wedge comfortably in tree forks for long periods of time, whereas the wombat uses its hard bottom as a defense mechanism. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f34bddf7c66ce076e5d529f/6347d44e-9218-4735-88a0-bf116557ecc3/2023-08-18_104124.jpg Forest Creatures - Quokka Renowned as one of the happiest animals in the world due to their cute smiles and friendly nature. The quokka is part of a selfie craze that has taken off over the last several years. These adorable marsupials can be found on Rottnest Island in Western Australia. Like their Kangaroo relatives, quokkas move around by hopping and bounding. However, they can also climb trees up to two metres but usually only when searching for food. Quokkas store fat in their tails as a means of surviving when food stores are low, and they can also go months without water. Unlike the boxing kangaroo, quokkas are not territorial and are happy to share space, food and shelter. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f34bddf7c66ce076e5d529f/1597918311484-TSDOBUDXX8FBECIJBMWB/2020-08-09_112957_11.jpg Forest Creatures - Dragonfly Watch out for dragonflies wherever there is water such as a pond, stream, river or lake. Dragonflies are happy to hang around your backyard provided you have a permanent water supply, such as a pond that contains food that the dragonfly nymphs can live on. Dragonflies chase and catch other insects in acrobatic displays. When they rest, their wings lie flat just like when they are in flight as they cannot fold them over their bodies. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f34bddf7c66ce076e5d529f/3d5dece7-26c3-441e-b0af-a6b9415a3bc6/Bee+Newv3.jpg Forest Creatures - Bee The vast majority of Australia's native bees, though, are solitary species that build small individual nests. Solitary native bees can sting but they are not aggressive. Some dig burrows for their nests in the ground whilst others use narrow holes in timber or pithy stems. Our solitary bee species include blue banded bees, teddy bear bees, leafcutters, resin bees, cuckoo bees and masked bees. Native bees are important pollinators of Australia's wildflowers. They also make an important contribution to Australian agriculture, through crop pollination. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f34bddf7c66ce076e5d529f/4da93457-71be-4c97-a161-5635de6d0561/2023-08-18_103252.jpeg Forest Creatures - Kangaroos Kangaroos are large marsupials that are found only in Australia. They are identified by their muscular tails, strong back legs, large feet, short fur and long, pointed ears. Like all marsupials, a sub-type of mammal, females have pouches that contain mammary glands, where their young live until they are old enough to emerge. Kangaroos are in the Macropodidae family, which also includes tree-kangaroos, wallabies, wallaroos, quokkas and pademelons. When people think of kangaroos, the four species that typically come to mind are the antilopine kangaroo, the red kangaroo, the western grey kangaroo and the eastern grey kangaroo. They are sometimes referred to as the "great kangaroos" because these species are much larger than other kangaroos. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f34bddf7c66ce076e5d529f/1597919391483-SXXWDX45K5RJTO9VF6CE/2020-08-09_112957_16.jpg Forest Creatures - Red Eyed Tree Frog Many scientists believe the red-eyed tree frog developed its vivid scarlet peepers to shock predators into at least briefly questioning their meal choice. These iconic rain-forest amphibians sleep by day stuck to leaf-bottoms with their eyes closed and body markings covered. When disturbed, they flash their bulging red eyes and reveal their huge, webbed orange feet and bright blue-and-yellow flanks. This technique, called startle coloration, may give a bird or snake pause, offering a precious instant for the frog to spring to safety. Their neon-green bodies may play a similar role in thwarting predators. Many of the animals that eat red-eyed tree frogs are nocturnal hunters that use keen eyesight to find prey. The shocking colors of this frog may over-stimulate a predator's eyes, creating a confusing ghost image that remains behind as the frog jumps away. https://www.serene-forest.com/australian-birds daily 0.75 2024-08-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f34bddf7c66ce076e5d529f/1598000242902-HN685NTZOMYL2QENAUCX/IMG_2560.jpg Australian Birds - Splendid Fairy-Wren Splendid Fairy-wrens live in communal blended families. This matriarchy is run by one single female, the mother. Dad is the only breeding male, and the rest of the flock can contain up to six helpers, including adult sons born in previous seasons. These social wrens usually live in the same area all year long. Raising the chicks together is a way for these little neighbours to bond. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f34bddf7c66ce076e5d529f/1597925573996-VWA3EUSPESTGVKSGSGKC/2020-08-09_112957_7.jpg Australian Birds - Red Winged Fairy Wren Small bird with a very long blue-gray tail held cocked, found in wet areas with dense vegetation in southwestern Western Australia. Bearing a narrow pointed bill adapted for probing and catching insects, the Red-winged Fairywren is primarily insectivorous; it forages and lives in the shelter of scrubby vegetation in temperate wetter forests dominated by the Karri , remaining close to cover to avoid predators. Like other fairywrens, it is a cooperative breeding species, with small groups of birds maintaining and defending small territories year-round. Groups consist of a socially monogamous pair with several helper birds who assist in raising the young. There is a higher proportion of female helpers recorded for this species than for other species of fairywren. A variety of vocalisations and visual displays have been recorded for communication and courtship in this species. Singing is used to advertise territory, and birds can distinguish other individuals on song alone. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f34bddf7c66ce076e5d529f/1597925777582-2N7JJZCXX5Y0XSW6TY8O/2020-08-09_112957_14.jpg Australian Birds - Red-Capped Robin The male Red-capped Robin is black above and white below with a distinctive scarlet-red cap, white shoulders, and a red breast that contrasts strongly with a black throat. The black wing is barred white and the tail is black with white edges. Females are quite different in appearance: grey-brown above and off-white below, with a reddish cap, brown-black wings barred buff to white, and some have faint red on the breast. Young birds are similar to females but are streaked white above, have an pale buff wing bar and their breast and sides are streaked or mottled dark-brown. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f34bddf7c66ce076e5d529f/1598004986528-2OMYWL6ZDG1VRB57J3FZ/2020-08-09_112957_15.jpg Australian Birds - New Holland Honeyeater The New Holland Honeyeater is one of Australia’s most energetic birds. Fueled up on high-energy nectar taken from the flowers of banksias, eucalypts, grevilleas and other trees and shrubs, they are always active and pugnacious. Whether they are dashing in pursuit of a flying insect or chasing other Honeyeaters away, the New Holland Honeyeater is seldom seen sitting still. One of their more unusual activities is to conduct ‘Corroborrees’, where up to a dozen birds congregate and noisily display together, fluttering their wings. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f34bddf7c66ce076e5d529f/1598005128417-CHN05FER4W2E27HKGUZ9/2020-08-09_112957_21.jpg Australian Birds - Firetail Finch These birds spend much of their time on the ground eating seed they inhabit woodland area’s with open scrub and grassy plains. In Western Australia, they are found in the Kimberley Division and Pilbara Region in the north south to Carnarvon. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f34bddf7c66ce076e5d529f/ef4e077a-36a2-40e6-9a84-3634e2a92f26/Photo_2023-08-18_103419.jpeg Australian Birds - The Red-Tailed Black Cockatoo The red-tailed black cockatoo is a large black cockatoo native to Australia. Adult females have bright red and yellow panels on their tails and speckled patterns on their head and chest. Male red tails are solid black with the characteristic red and black panels on their tails that gives the species its name. They are slow to reach maturity and live for an average of twenty years in the wild, however they have been known to live up to fifty years in captivity. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f34bddf7c66ce076e5d529f/2c97600d-58e3-4b14-ab24-75addb732a22/Kookaburra.jpg Australian Birds - Kookaburra The Laughing Kookaburra is instantly recognizable in both plumage and voice. It is generally off-white below, faintly barred with dark brown, and brown on the back and wings. The tail is more rufous, broadly barred with black. There is a conspicuous dark brown eye-stripe through the face. It is one of the larger members of the kingfisher family. Laughing Kookaburras are believed to pair for life. The nest is a bare chamber in a naturally occurring tree hollow or in a burrow excavated in an arboreal (tree-dwelling) termite mound. Both sexes share the incubation duties and both care for the young. Other Laughing Kookaburras, usually offspring of the previous one to two years, act as 'helpers' during the breeding season. Every bird in the group shares all parenting duties. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f34bddf7c66ce076e5d529f/1597926592199-WOJIVSOC6THKRSJX4JEI/2020-08-09_112957_13.jpg Australian Birds - Pink & Grey Galah Galahs are one of Australia’s favourite birds. You can see Galahs in almost any part of Australia, mucking around, playing, squawking and having fun. Galah pairs share the nesting and parenting duties of their offspring, and baby Galahs stay with their parents for months or years. Galahs are monogamous and mate for life. The male Galah chirps and screeches in an effort to impress the female while courting. Galahs make their nests in hollow parts of trees – in spring it is not uncommon to see adult galahs entering or renovating hollows. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f34bddf7c66ce076e5d529f/1597918856977-ZZIQSN4GQQF05FXEFO8A/IMG_2564.jpg Australian Birds - Barking Owl There is something magical, mysterious and alluring about owls. The Barking Owl inhabits drier woodland and forest type zones, often in edge habitats nearing watercourses such as creeks. The barking owl is common in its northern range (Northern Territory and Far-North Queensland) but is becoming less common along the Eastern and Western coasts of Australia. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f34bddf7c66ce076e5d529f/4ea258dd-8fe7-4836-958e-8c7941b0f879/IMG_5503.PNG Australian Birds - Superb fairywren Adult male Superb Fairy-wrens are brightly coloured, especially during the breeding season. They have rich blue and black plumage above and on the throat. the belly is grey-white, and the bill is black. They are located south of the tropic of Capricorn in parks, gardens and open woodlands through Eastern Australia and Tasmania to the southeastern corner of South Australia. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f34bddf7c66ce076e5d529f/20505484-5210-4e3d-b7e1-2758a9828fb4/IMG_7272.PNG Australian Birds - Red tailed black cockatoo feather (Male) The red-tailed black cockatoo has cultural significance for indigenous Australians. In many aboriginal cultures, the bird is seen as a symbol of strength and resilience. The black cockatoo’s red tail feathers are also highly valued and are used in traditional ceremonies and as a decorative item. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f34bddf7c66ce076e5d529f/bb046fc8-bd0d-4a2e-b951-6898dda182f2/IMG_7273.PNG Australian Birds - Red tailed black cockatoo feather (Female) The red-tailed black cockatoo has cultural significance for indigenous Australians. In many aboriginal cultures, the bird is seen as a symbol of strength and resilience. The black cockatoo’s red tail feathers are also highly valued and are used in traditional ceremonies and as a decorative item. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f34bddf7c66ce076e5d529f/71e06cc8-ca1f-475f-b2b8-f4a8dad95b36/IMG_5502.PNG Australian Birds - Western Spinebill The western Spinebill is a small honeyeater with a slender curved bill. They are found in the shrublands and forests of far southwestern W.A. The male of the species is brightly coloured and is renowned for being a fierce protector of his territory, in a vertical display flight with a distinctive high pitch song. Largely nectar feeders their long curved bills are well adapted to feeding from tubular flowers. They help to pollinate native plants and create a more connected ecosystem throughout the landscape. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f34bddf7c66ce076e5d529f/612316b6-f0af-4b90-8422-ac1d03503d43/2023-08-10_102222_1.jpg Australian Birds - Willy Wagtail The small black and white willy wagtail is hard to miss. It has a long-fanned tail that it swings from side to side or up and down while foraging on the ground. The distinctive white eyebrow of the male wagtail is not just a fashion statement, it helps him attract a mate. Rival males show aggression by expanding their eyebrows during a territorial dispute. Indigenous Australians believe the willy wagtail to be a gossiper who eaves dropped around the camps. In the Kimberly of Western Australia legend has it that the birds would tell the spirit of the dead if anyone spoke badly of them. https://www.serene-forest.com/flowers daily 0.75 2024-08-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f34bddf7c66ce076e5d529f/cdd42e4f-ac82-4967-9192-f2d6f054d101/AC9DABF1-23CC-4082-B095-CDB7EF601E47.jpeg Flowers - Rainbow Lotus Lotus flower meaning includes purity, fertility, compassion, transformation, and spiritual enlightenment. The lotus flower is equaled only by the rose in terms of the breadth and depth of art and literature that present it as a symbol with deep philosophical meanings. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f34bddf7c66ce076e5d529f/1598003928595-M9TNGIHGT615V0GAC6FI/2020-08-09_112957_19.jpg Flowers - Kangaroo Paw Kangaroo Paws are truly one of Australia’s most iconic plants; the flower features as the floral emblem of West Australia and has even appeared on a number of stamp issues. Kangaroo Paws originate from the south west of Western Australia and of the 12 species 11 are from the Anigozanthos genus. https://www.serene-forest.com/retail-outlets daily 0.75 2025-08-19 https://www.serene-forest.com/contact daily 0.75 2023-08-17 https://www.serene-forest.com/ocean-inspired daily 0.75 2024-08-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f34bddf7c66ce076e5d529f/b3f52907-5c4e-4704-8930-64df1c817ae6/2022-06-23_120159_1.jpg Ocean Inspired - Dolphins Dolphins are highly intelligent marine mammals and are part of the family of toothed whales that includes orcas and pilot whales. They are found worldwide, mostly in shallow seas of the continental shelves, and are carnivores, mostly eating fish and squid. Dolphin coloration varies, but they are generally gray in color with darker backs than the rest of their bodies. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f34bddf7c66ce076e5d529f/e768b826-2894-42df-9b94-5ba8aebe8a84/IMG_5504.PNG Ocean Inspired - Humpback Whales Once nearly extinct, humpback whales have made a truly epic comeback, with tens of thousands making their yearly, 4-to-6-month journey to and from Antartica and the Kimberly region. The Humpback whale can reach 14-16 metres in length and weigh up to 45 tons. The Western Australian coastline welcomes the largest humpback whale migration on the planet consisting of up to 45000 whales during winter and spring. Male humpback whales are famous for singing songs to the females they are courting. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f34bddf7c66ce076e5d529f/1660435567342-AVR6EZR1NB1NRMNXX6YE/Lighthouse%2BAUG-22.jpg Ocean Inspired - Cape Naturaliste lighthouse (Dunsborough) Cape Naturaliste, in the south west of Western Australia, is the site of a lighthouse which was activated in 1904. It is a 20-metre high cylindrical tower built of limestone that still uses its original first order Fresnel lens made by Chance Brothers. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f34bddf7c66ce076e5d529f/86960f8b-6c2f-4ea2-9b5c-f54fd20efd3a/Wave.jpg Ocean Inspired - Wave Inspired by Margaret River Main Break https://www.serene-forest.com/mythical daily 0.75 2024-08-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f34bddf7c66ce076e5d529f/1598003286971-390L3NZI4MGLTZ4DPJFV/2020-08-09_112957_17.jpg Mythical - Fairies A fairy is a mythical being of folklore and romance usually having diminutive human form and magic powers https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f34bddf7c66ce076e5d529f/e155da58-4d8e-4274-9ec1-e9cf43895283/Angelv2.jpg Mythical - Angel An angel is a supernatural spiritual being who, according to various religions, is God's servant. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f34bddf7c66ce076e5d529f/1660434906801-RORWLT0HVA5OXW3WEA0K/Unicorn%2BAUG-22.jpg Mythical - Unicorn Unicorns symbolize divine love, grace, beauty, gentleness, and purity. Only a truly pure soul can see the unicorn. In China, it was considered one of the four superior animals of good omen, the others being the phoenix, the tortoise, and the dragon. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f34bddf7c66ce076e5d529f/3d9e2e3c-a824-4f6b-8685-62196335fecb/mermaidv2.jpg Mythical - Mermaid In folklore, a mermaid is an aquatic creature with the head and upper body of a female human and the tail of a fish. Mermaids appear in the folklore of many cultures worldwide, including Europe, Asia, and Africa. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f34bddf7c66ce076e5d529f/1660434443694-YLKQ8KGJM6NO2UQ7D0C7/Mushroom%2BAUG-22.jpg Mythical - Mushroom House The mushrooms, so they say, offers them insight into the visionary world of spirits, ancestors and the Underworld. Shamans often report seeing nature-spirits and mushroom-people. Mushrooms do the work of the Underworld. They recycle, they transform and absorb. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f34bddf7c66ce076e5d529f/1644747790669-L3L0UNL9V6B0LM2O2D8N/Handv2.jpg Mythical - Hamsa Hand Depicting the open right hand, an image recognized and used as a sign of protection in many times throughout history, the hamsa has been traditionally believed to provide defense against the evil eye.