Steve's Spot...

Facebook...

2008-11-24T20:51:00.001+11:00

Doing most things now on Facebook...

MO-vember...

2008-11-19T18:23:00.001+11:00

No, I'm not growing one, but my daughter's boyfriend is.

Critter Spot: Shield Bug(?)...

2008-10-29T22:09:00.003+11:00

This little fella is about 2cm long (not including antennae) and was intent on keeping out of sight. Trouble is, he's so darn big, I could spot him amongst the foliage from a few metres away!

Sun Spot: Flowers in late afternoon sun...

2008-10-27T21:39:00.002+11:00

As our house is on the market at the moment, we periodically place some new flowers in a jug in our bedroom. The late afternoon sun was really picking out the vibrant colours and the flowers were begging to be photographed!

A sad day...

2008-10-23T18:21:00.004+11:00

I have just heard of the passing of Floyd Gibson, a Canadian artist. He was an active member of a number of artist groups and will be sadly missed. My thoughts go out to his family.

This painting is one of his latest...

Mineral Spot: Cassiterite...

2008-10-05T21:24:00.002+11:00

Cassiterite is a tin oxide and has been mined for the production of tin metal for a couple of thousands of years. Good crystals are found in a number of tin mining districts around the world, and those from Rossarden in north east Tasmania are amongst the best.

This specimen is one of a number of specimens that will be in this weekend's upcoming auction.

Mineral Spot: Descloizite...

2008-10-04T17:31:00.002+10:00

Descloizite is an uncommon lead vanadium mineral found in the oxidised zone of mineral deposits. This particular specimen has an interesting story to go with it. It was given to me by a Broken Hill mineral collector as an unknown mineral, supposedly collected underground in the Zinc Corp Mine, Broken Hill by a miner. It is clearly from Berg Aukas in Namibia, not Broken Hill. The specimen is about 30mm tall.

This specimen is one of a number of specimens that will be in this weekend's upcoming auction.

New Issue of Mineral Collector Magazine...

2008-09-30T21:31:00.002+10:00

The seventh issue of the Australian and New Zealand Mineral Collector magazine is now out. This issue contains articles on new minerals in Australia, Australians in Minas Gerais, Keith Lancaster - a Tasmanian collecting pioneer, thorian brannerite and more.

It is full colour, 28 pages, and only $10US available from Lulu.

If outside the US and if you are going to order a copy directly, can I suggest that you use the 'Standard' option for shipping. It is by far the most economical, and usually arrives within a couple of weeks.

Mineral Spot: Pyrolusite...

2008-09-25T21:25:00.005+10:00

Pyrolusite is a manganese oxide mineral, not often found in good crystals such as this one, which measures 2mm in height. It comes from Cloncurry in Queensland.

This specimen is one of a number of specimens that will be in this weekend's upcoming auction.

Mineral Spot: Pseudomalachite...

2008-09-20T21:32:00.003+10:00

An uncommon green or blue-green phosphate mineral, pseudomalachite is so-named for its similarity to malachite. I rarely forms as distinct crystals, more likely as rounded aggregates.

This one is from Lake Boga in Victoria and a good example. I have been going through a lot of Lake Boga material recently and photographing a number of specimens. Many of these can be seen here.

Sun, er Moon Spot: Full Moon...

2008-09-15T20:28:00.003+10:00

Beautiful moon and clouds out our back door tonight!

Mineral Spot: Zircon...

2008-09-12T15:25:00.003+10:00

These are waterworn zircons from Carapooee in northwestern Victoria.

This specimen is one of a number of specimens that will be in this weekend's upcoming auction.

Mineral Spot: 2009 Mineral Calendar

2008-09-05T21:59:00.001+10:00

In case you don't like the Creepy Crawly Calendar, here is my 2009 Calendar of Minerals from France, some of the minerals in my collection.

Available from Lulu for a miserly $US12.95.

Critter Spot: 2009 Critter Calendar...

2008-09-01T20:44:00.003+10:00

2009 Calendar of Tasmanian Creepy Crawly Critters! A close-up look at some of the critters that inhabit my neighbourhood.

Available from Lulu for a miserly $US12.95.

Mineral Spot: Native Copper...

2008-08-28T10:21:00.003+10:00

Well, I am finally getting back to normal. Following closely on my back operation, I had to have an emergency operation to remove my gallbladder. I didn't even know that I had gallstones until three days before the operation! Still, recovering well, and due back at work next Monday.

This specimen, although looking like something someone has dropped into a sugar bowl, is in fact, a specimen of native copper from Virneberg near Rheinbreitbach in Germany, and is one of a number of specimens that will be in this weekend's upcoming auction.

Sun Spot: Tasmanian Rosella...

2008-07-21T21:23:00.002+10:00

Its the middle of Winter and the sun is still shining brightly (or it was a couple of days ago when I took this photo. Today's seen snow flurries!). This Tasmanian Rosella, also known as a Green Rosella (Platycercus caledonicus) was feeding on seeds from a silver birch just outside our kitchen window...

New Issue of Mineral Collector Magazine...

2008-07-07T22:00:00.002+10:00

The sixth issue of the Australian and New Zealand Mineral Collector magazine is now out. This issue contains articles on plumbian orthoclase from Broken Hill, a report on the 2008 Gemboree, the Biggenden Mine, Queensland, Henderson's Quarry, New Zealand, and more.

It is full colour, 28 pages, and only $10US available from Lulu.

Mineral Spot: Wulfenite...

2008-07-07T21:10:00.003+10:00

It has been a while since my last entry, over two months in fact. I have been sidelined due to back problems and had a back operation about three weeks ago. Recovering though...

This is a specimen from the Ojuela Mine, Mapimi, Durango, Mexico and has three mineral species on it, two of which can be seen in the photo. The yellow square-looking crystals are wulfenite and the paler spiky crystals are mimetite. The third mineral present is smithsonite. You can just see some white crystals in the background.

This specimen is one of a number of specimens that will be in this week's auction, also the first for quite some time. Hopefully, things will be fully back to normal soon!

Mineral Spot: Fluorescent Opal...

2008-05-02T23:13:00.004+10:00

Nature is wonderful! Take this colourless blob (far left) of hyalite opal and put it under a shortwave ultraviolet light and it glows an eerie green colour!

This specimen will be in one of this week's lots in my auction.

Mineral Spot: Fluorite...

2008-04-26T23:50:00.003+10:00

A nice photo of a couple of common minerals, fluorite (colourless cube) sitting on pale greenish pyromorphite, from a locality better known for its wulfenite. This photo is 4mm FOV. K & M Brown Collection.

Sun Spot: Autumn Colour...

2008-04-24T19:56:00.003+10:00

We are just past the half-way mark for the season. The early morning sun today showed up the Autumn colours beautifully on this shrub just outside our lounge room...

Mineral Spot: Torbernite...

2008-04-18T22:09:00.003+10:00

A change from the yellow uranium minerals from Lake Boga. Instead, a green uranium mineral, torbernite. An unusual but most attractive habit.

Mineral Spot: Ferberite...

2008-04-17T19:21:00.002+10:00

Had to take a photo of this one before it 'is no more'! Towards the right of the ferberite crystal, which is coated by pyrite(?), you can see a break. It is likely that the specimen will some time simply break apart. But its a nice crystal so at least it will exist in this photo. From the K & M Brown Collection. Field of view 8mm.

Mineral Spot: Saleeite...

2008-04-16T21:56:00.003+10:00

Hard to identify some of the yellow uranium minerals from Lake Boga, a granite quarry in Victoria. I have been trying to locate a specimen of a newly described species, lakebogaite which is one of them. This photo is of the mineral species saleeite which tends to have a greenish tint. From the K & M Brown Collection. Field of view is 4mm.

Sun Spot: Its a Hard Life...

2008-04-12T17:20:00.003+10:00

The early morning sun today was either too much, or maybe not quite enough to get our sheep enthused. Its a hard life!

Mineral Spot: Calcite...

2008-04-05T22:56:00.003+11:00

This is quite a nice calcite specimen from an unknown (to me) location in New South Wales, the Buckeroo Quarry, Mudgee.

I did a bit of Googling and came up with a potential source, the Mudgee Dolomite & Lime Pty Ltd, in Buckaroo Lane, Mudgee.

Sun Spot: North West Bay...

2008-04-04T22:27:00.002+11:00

Early morning Autumn sun over North West Bay, near Margate, Tasmania...and the photo taken from the end of the driveway leading up to our new block! Superb views!

Mineral Spot: Wulfenite...

2008-04-03T21:15:00.002+11:00

Wulfenite is a lead molybdate mineral that usually forms as flat tabular crystals, less commonly as bypyramidal crystals, and often as combinations of the two. This one is a bit unusual in that it is almost 50/50. It comes from Whim Creek in Western Australia, one of Australia's best locations for wulfenite.

It is also another specimen that will be included in one of my auction lots next week at OZtion...

Art Spot: Reflecting on the dark side...

2008-04-02T20:52:00.002+11:00

I was up in Brisbane last week for a training course. A book shop near the hotel that I was staying in had a closing down sale on. As well as books, it also had art materials for sale. I bought some watercolour pads, brushes and tubes of paint. Good value!

Anyway, one of the evenings, I got a bit bored and decided to paint something (in acrylic paint). I decided on a 'self-portrait' (actually in reverse coz it was the image in the mirror!). Hence the title, 'reflecting on the dark side'.

Coming back to Tasmania was interesting. I thought that I might get pinged for having sharp objects in my carry-on bag (the brushes), but no. Instead I got pinged on the paint tubes. Liquids aren't they! However, after the security staff had a good look, they decided that they were ok as they were water colour and acrylic. Apparently, I would have had to give them up if they had been oil paint!

Mineral Spot: Analcime...

2008-03-31T21:57:00.003+11:00

I have posted an analcime photo before (see here). However, I took this photo tonight and thought it worthy of uploading too. It is an analcime crystal sitting on calcite from the Bundoora Quarry in Melbourne, Victoria, and is 2mm FoV.

It is also another specimen that will be included in one of my auction lots next week at OZtion...

Mineral Spot: Hematite...

2008-03-17T22:46:00.003+11:00

Hematite is an iron oxide mineral and can occur in many forms. These include thin hexagonal plates that may appear red, thicker tabular crystals, botryoidal masses, earthy, and this form, which is spheres that have attached themselves to an edenite crystal.

This is a specimen from Hendersons Quarry, Ngongataha, near Rotorua, New Zealand, collected by me in October last year.

New Issue of Mineral Collector Magazine...

2008-03-16T17:27:00.002+11:00

The fifth issue of the Australian and New Zealand Mineral Collector magazine is now out. This issue contains articles on 'chrome' cerussite; namibite from Queensland; White Island, a volcano off New Zealand; davidite from South Australia; a collector's tale from Larry Rush; and a 2007 symposium and seminar report.

It is full colour, 28 pages, and only $10US available from Lulu.

If you are going to order a copy directly, can I suggest that you use the 'Standard' option for shipping. It is by far the most economical, and usually arrives within a couple of weeks.

Mineral Spot: Calcite...

2008-03-06T21:54:00.002+11:00

The last post was the orthorhombic form of calcium carbonate, aragonite. This time I have a picture of the trigonal form, calcite.

Calcite comes in many different crystal habits. Over 1,000 forms in fact. This is an almost globular form of calcite from Flinders in Victoria.

It is also another specimen that will be included in one of my auction lots next week at OZtion...

Mineral Spot: Aragonite...

2008-03-04T20:28:00.003+11:00

Aragonite is the orthorhombic form of calcium carbonate, with the most common form, calcite, having a trigonal crystal symmetry. Crystals such as the ones in the photo commonly occur in cavities in basalt rocks. This specimen is from a basalt quarry at Learmonth near Ballarat, Victoria.

It is also a specimen that will be included in one of my auction lots next week at OZtion...

Hot Spot: The House is on Fire!

2008-03-03T20:25:00.002+11:00

Summer is over, but there is still a bit of heat about. Or at least, that's what you would think looking at this shot. Some superb morning skies in the last couple of days!

Hot Spot: If you can't stand the heat...

2008-02-26T21:20:00.003+11:00

...get out of the kitchen, or so the saying goes.

Our house is finally on the market. If you want to see more of where we currently live click here. Now all we have to do is build our new place!

(Photo by Michael Kingston of L J Hooker, Margate)

...and three days after it went on the market, it sold!

Critter Spot: Oi! Its not Spring!...

2008-02-15T19:55:00.001+11:00

Caught these two at it tonight. Very small (about 3mm long each) but colourful.

Mineral Spot: Thomsonite...

2008-02-14T20:01:00.002+11:00

Thomsonite and natrolite are two relatively common zeolite minerals that occur in cavities in basalt. They are often prismatic and colourless, and occur together, but they are easy to tell apart, particularly under magnification. The thomsonite occurs as thin bladed crystals with flat terminations, whereas the natrolite crystals have a square cross-section and pyramidal terminations. This photo is of thomsonite in the foreground, with the reflective face being one side of a natrolite crystal, and is about 4mm across. The specimen comes from Cairns Bay, Flinders, Victoria.

It is also a specimen that will be included in one of my auction lots this week at OZtion...

Sun Spot: Strahan Sunrise...

2008-02-05T20:11:00.001+11:00

Thought you all might enjoy me sharing this beautiful sunrise with you that I experienced this morning at Strahan in western Tasmania. I took the photo from the balcony of my hotel room, looking out across the harbour.

Critter Spot: The Hunt...

2008-01-29T21:20:00.000+11:00

This hungry little critter was on the lookout for its next meal tonight. Greenfly. Yum!

In the blurry top left corner - the strike!

In the bottom left closeup, you can see the greenfly underneath the ladybird, which was having difficulty in moving on the fabric (a sheet draped by my wife over our back verandah railing). The greenfly escaped so I encouraged the ladybird onto my finger, and placed it in a nearby climber that I have found greenfly on before.

Although, if this is a Southern Ladybird (Cleobora mellyi) which it resembles, then it feeds primarily on psyllids and tortoise beetles, and not greenfly.

Maybe it was just being affectionate!

Mineral Spot: Biotite...

2008-01-26T18:33:00.000+11:00

This is a photograph of a mineral called biotite, one of the mica group of minerals. Biotite is now a group name for phlogopite, siderophyllite and eastonite. The crystals are usually stacked, not often seen as individual crystals such as this one. The field of view is about 4mm and the specimen comes from Jaune, Le Riveau Grande, Puy de Dome in France.

It is also a specimen that will be included in one of my auction lots this week at OZtion...

Critter Spot: Red-Legged Spider...

2008-01-26T18:17:00.000+11:00

I assume that this is somewhat related to the Red and Black Spider, although there is not as much red. I also assume that there is a certain amount of toxicity because of the colour. This one found inside our hallway.

Critter Spot: Colourful Caterpillar...

2008-01-19T16:09:00.000+11:00

I was out dead-heading roses this morning and came across this colourful little critter. No idea if this is a butterfly or moth caterpillar, let alone what species. Suggestions anyone?

Hot Spot: Bushfire...

2008-01-12T17:26:00.001+11:00

Its bushfire season here again. This is a fire that broke out yesterday at Conningham in southern Tasmania and has already burnt 500Ha. It is still considered active however the Tasmanian Fire Service have it contained and there are no properties currently threatened. Weather conditions are much better today.

The photo was taken from our new house block (the house in the picture is one of our neighbors to be).

Critter Spot: Iridescent Green Fly...

2008-01-10T21:34:00.000+11:00

Tonight, there were a number of these flies cavorting around on one of our pittosporum bushes.

Known as a ‘long-legged fly’, possibly Austrosciapus connexus, I am now wanting to capture one with its prey! Morbid, I know.

Odd Spot: Extreme Comb-over...

2008-01-04T19:26:00.001+11:00

Spent a few hours in town today and took this photo (using my mobile) in the Elizabeth Street Mall in central Hobart.

Isn't this the most extreme comb-over ever seen?

Mineral Spot: Sulphur...

2008-01-03T19:42:00.000+11:00

The name sulphur is given to a yellow mineral that is made solely from the element, and is often seen in volcanic fumeroles amongst other things. This specimen is unusual in that it has a colourless gypsum crystal growing on the sulphur crystal. The specimen comes from Austria.

It is also a specimen that will be included in one of my auction lots when I post my first for 2008 at OZtion...

Critter Spot: Flying Dragon...

2008-01-02T19:30:00.000+11:00

Had a flying visit to our block today and captured what I hope is the first of many flying dragons (what our kids used to call dragonflies!). There are lots of dragons and damsels (damselflies) hunting around the small dam down in a gully.

Mineral Spot: Barite...

2008-01-01T22:14:00.001+11:00

First post for 2008! Happy New Year to everyone!

This is the second time that I have posted a barite, (see here for the previous one). The reason for this one, other than its a nice specimen of course, is that I don't know anything about the location where it was found: North Kyle Mine, Drake, New South Wales.

If anyone can provide any information, it would be most appreciated.

Mineral Spot: Metavoltine...

2007-12-31T20:25:00.001+11:00

This is the final post for 2007. It has been a while since I posted a mineral spot.
The mineral pictured is metavoltine, a fairly rare sulphate that forms in volcanic exhalative environments (such as fumeroles).
Unsurprisingly, this specimen is from Italy.
It is also a specimen that will be included in one of my auction lots when I post my first for 2008 at OZtion...

Sun Spot: Adventure Bay...

2007-12-30T23:08:00.000+11:00

It's nice being on holidays. Its even nicer when the weather is kind to you too.
Today, the temperature in southern Tasmania was around the low to mid twenties Centigrade and the sun was shining brightly. We decided on a trip over to Bruny Island, catching the vehicle ferry from Kettering.
Adventure Bay is one of the most popular Tasmanian beach spots around, but look at the crowds! White sands, azure sea, and hardly any beach-goers! A great spot for a quiet lunch (or a spot of fishing as this holiday-maker from New South Wales was doing).

Critter Spot: Christmas Capper...

2007-12-28T21:35:00.000+11:00

Well, Christmas is just about over and another new year about to begin. 2008 is set to be an interesting, challenging, and hopefully rewarding one for us.
Our dog Capper received a couple of pressies, one of which included a bandanna which she obviously thinks is a good fashion statement!

New Issue of Mineral Collector Magazine...

2007-12-21T20:51:00.000+11:00

The fourth issue of the Australian and New Zealand Mineral Collector magazine is now out. Issue 4 is the first one to focus on one area, the Queenstown district in western Tasmania, and in particular, the famous Mt. Lyell mine.

It is full colour, 28 pages, and only $10US available from Lulu.

If you are going to order a copy directly, can I suggest that you use the 'Standard' option for shipping. It is by far the most economical, and usually arrives within a couple of weeks.

Critter Spot: Wallabies...

2007-12-18T19:38:00.000+11:00

No, these are not members of an Australian rugby team. They are Bennett's wallabies on our new block.

See if you can spot the one hiding in this second photo.

The one in this third photo is almost an albino!

Critter Spot: Echidna...

2007-12-07T22:45:00.000+11:00

There are two animals that are known as monotremes (mammals that lay eggs instead of giving birth to live young). One is the platypus, the other is the echidna, sometimes known as a spiny anteater, coz it well, eats ants!

This one was intent on hiding from me...but not doing a very good job of it! I stayed for a short while, hoping to get a better photo, but it wasn't to be. It's nose is at bottom right of the picture.

Cool Spot: Horsetail Falls, Queenstown...

2007-12-02T21:45:00.000+11:00

Horsetail Falls is a waterfall that drops off Mount Owen behind Queenstown in western Tasmania. If the area is dry (which is not often as Queenstown averages more than 2,500 mm of rain per year!), the waterfall also dries up.
I had been under the impression that these falls were known as Angel Falls, but a local has set me straight!

Art Spot: Please do not feed the animals...

2007-12-01T23:44:00.000+11:00

...and the painting that I received in the latest SWAP was this wonderful and humorous watercolour from Teresa in Spain!

Art Spot: Waihi Beach...

2007-12-01T23:39:00.000+11:00

Its that time again. Every three months, the Sharing With Artists Partners group share their artwork with another artist somewhere around the world. This SWAP, my painting of Waihi Beach, New Zealand, went to Simone in Canada...

Critter Spot: Tropical Butterfly...

2007-11-19T21:54:00.000+11:00

Seems odd to go to New Zealand to see tropical butterflies...but that's what we did. This is one of the many South American (I think) butterflies at the Butterfly and Orchid Garden, Thames, North Island, New Zealand. Very humid in the enclosure!

Bush Spot...

2007-11-18T20:41:00.001+11:00

A slice of heaven! This is a shot of some of the mature gum trees on our block of land. Some really good painting opportunities here...

Hot Spot: Bang!...

2007-11-13T20:44:00.000+11:00

Is this an underwater feather star perhaps? Not likely! It's a shot of part of the excellent fireworks display put on for the Zeehan Gem and Mineral Show, held at Zeehan in western Tasmania last weekend.

Sun Spot: Blue Wren...

2007-11-13T20:34:00.000+11:00

Singing his little heart out, this colourful male blue wren (sometimes known as the Superb Fairy-Wren), was intent on staking his claim to our back verandah yesterday in the early-morning sunshine. The iridescent blue of the male is his breeding plumage. Show-off!

Hot Spot: White Island Volcano...

2007-11-02T21:36:00.000+11:00

White Island is New Zealand's only active marine volcano. Whilst in New Zealand, my daughter and I took a tour with White Island Tours out of Whakatane on the north coast of the North Island of New Zealand. Two hours there by boat.

It is a humbling experience to spend around an hour and a half in the crater of an active volcano. If you are ever in the area, you should consider taking the tour.

On a scale of 1 to 10, it rates an exhilarating 16!

Mineral Spot: NZ Stilbite...

2007-10-30T17:19:00.000+11:00

Got back from New Zealand yesterday. The ten days went fast. Took lots of photos, some of which I will share over the coming days.

I brought back a selection of mineral specimens and this is one of them. It is a stilbite crystal from Waitakauri, not far from where we were for the Symposium and Seminar. The field of view is 9mm.

Mineral Spot: Ferrierite...

2007-10-14T18:14:00.000+11:00

In a few days time, I will be heading over to New Zealand for the 30th annual Joint Mineralogical Societies of Australia Seminar which is being held in conjunction with the New Zealand Micromount Symposium at Waihi, on the North Island.

The theme for the Seminar is Volcanic Minerals and Mineralogy. In keeping with this theme, I have included an image of an uncommon zeolite mineral, ferrierite, that occurs in basalts on Phillip Island in Victoria. I'm not sure which series member this is, possibly ferrierite-Mg. It occurs as silky-white fibres or acicular crystals in cavities in the basalt.

Critter Spot: Spring Bug...

2007-10-06T14:50:00.001+10:00

Spring is well and truly with us and this little bug was making the most of the early morning sunshine today...

Mineral Spot: Wulfenite...

2007-10-01T21:20:00.001+10:00

I really enjoy collecting micro minerals.

A good definition of a micro mineral is a specimen that requires illumination and magnification to be appreciated. It is possible to put together a good collection, without too much expense (microscope purchase aside). Crystals can be more perfect than on larger specimens, and in many cases, rare minerals only occur in small sizes. And your whole collection can be housed in a relatively small space.

Because of their small size, it is not difficult to build up a collection of trading material. This can be used to swap with other collectors around the world. I recently received a small exchange package from a friend of mine, Mark Ascher of Tucson, Arizona. One of the specimens he sent is this unusual blocky wulfenite from the Fulton Mine in Pima County, Arizona.

Did I ever say how much I really enjoy collecting micro minerals?

Mineral Spot: Vesuvianite...

2007-09-27T21:33:00.000+10:00

Vesuvianite is a calcium magnesium aluminium silicate mineral that is most likely found in contact metamorphic rocks (usually a limestone that has been 'cooked' by igneous rocks). It is usually a brownish-green colour but at the Jeffrey mine in Quebec, Canada, can occur as purple or pinkish crystals. This specimen is from the Jeffrey mine and shows an interesting colour-zoning.

It is also one of the specimens coming up in a lot in this week's auction.

Critter Spot: Red Robin...

2007-09-23T17:17:00.000+10:00

Spent most of the day today outside. The sun was shining, the air fresh, and lots of birdlife around. Including this robin, a Flame Robin (Petroica phoenicea). We have a pair of these each year through Winter and Spring. Its fun watching them dart down for insects and then back up to their perch. They watch what you are doing, and if you are gardening, will fly down fairly close...

Critter Spot: Jumping Spider...

2007-09-20T16:33:00.000+10:00

Jumping spiders are really cute. OK, OK - so not if you are an arachnophile!

Anyway, this little one is currently residing in our loo and looked like it wanted its photo taken. I was leaning on the wall to keep my camera as steady as possible, when I got a fright! This little jumping spider did what jumping spiders do best. Jumped! Right on to the end of my finger!

Mineral Spot: Barite...

2007-09-19T21:52:00.001+10:00

Barite is a barium sulphate mineral, relatively common. It also quite often forms good crystals which are usually tabular or platy in habit. This one is from the rocky southern coastline of Phillip Island in Victoria, one of my favourite collecting places when I lived on the mainland. Its now off-limits to collectors (some sort of marine reserve?). Barite occurs here with zeolite minerals in cavities (amygdules) in the basalt rock.

It is also one of the specimens coming up in a lot in this week's auction.

Mineral Spot: Analcime...

2007-09-17T19:55:00.001+10:00

Ever had one of those gross experiences where you splat a fly and icky maggots appear? This analcime specimen reminds me a little of this.

Analcime (sometimes known as 'analcite') is a common member of the zeolite group of minerals, and occurs as colourless trapezohedral crystals in cavities in volcanic basalt rocks. Often, these crystals 'craze' and turn white after being exposed. Crystals may also appear to be the same colour as the underlying matrix, they are so transparent. This particular specimen is from Flinders, Victoria.

Critter Spot: Ladybird...

2007-09-09T18:11:00.000+10:00

Spring has been with us for just over a week. Today, I came across this Southern Ladybird (Cleobora mellyi) sunning itself in the Spring sunshine. These are useful little critters. This specialist ladybird apparently is a predator of psyllids and tortoise beetles, which are pests of both Blackwood and Eucalypt trees.

New Issue of Mineral Collector Magazine...

2007-09-07T23:08:00.000+10:00

The third issue of the Australian and New Zealand Mineral Collector magazine is now out. This issue includes articles on Modern Mineralogy and Mineral Collecting Code of Practice; Two Australians in Morocco; Wavellite in Australia and New Zealand; Shale Mines at Latrobe, Tasmania; Sphene from near Broken Hill; Sampleite and other minerals from Northparkes; and more.

It is full colour, 28 pages, and only $10US available from Lulu.

If you are going to order a copy directly, can I suggest that you use the 'Standard' option for shipping. It is by far the most economical, and usually arrives within a couple of weeks.

Mineral Spot: So What Animal Is This?...

2007-09-06T17:28:00.000+10:00

Every now and then, a mineral specimen looks like something else. This is one of those times. Bit like a scary-looking monkey!
The white crystals are phillipsite, a zeolite mineral, and it is from Otago in the South Island of New Zealand. The brown 'eyes' are most likely the remains of a ferroan calcite.
This one is coming up in one of my auction lots this weekend.

Bird Spot: 'Hello Cocky'...

2007-08-30T16:19:00.001+10:00

An icon of Australia, the Sulphur Crested Cockatoo, or 'cocky', is not common in Tasmania. I usually see small flocks along the Midland Highway south of Launceston, and very occasionally, we see a small number of birds near our home, but generally that's about it. On the mainland of course, they are sometimes regarded as a pest when in large flocks.
I came across this small flock while driving to the west coast on Tuesday. I didn't take a photo, but they were still there today (Thursday) so I stopped to take a photo or two. They make a good contrast with the black cows. This photo was taken near Ouse (pronounced 'ooze'!).

Sun Spot: Spring on its way...

2007-08-25T13:11:00.000+10:00

There might be a week of Winter still left, but the last few days have been very Spring-like. Today is grass mowing day, and it is mild enough to wear a T-shirt and shorts.
Mild enough too for early insects to take wing and gather some nectar, like this fly on a diosma flower.

Mineral Spot: Gypsum...

2007-08-21T21:39:00.001+10:00

Gypsum is a common calcium sulphate mineral. It often occurs in evaporite deposits in arid areas (places where the moisture evaporates faster than it builds up). It often breaks along cleavage planes, giving a pearly lustre on the cleaved faces. Sometimes it forms as 'fish-tail' crystals, twins that resemble, well, fish tails! It is a very soft material, softer even than your finger nail which will scratch it!
The specimen pictured is from South Australia, probably from the Mt Gunsen area.

Mineral Spot: Campylite...

2007-08-18T16:44:00.000+10:00

Mimetite is a relatively common lead arsenate mineral found in the oxidised zone of lead ore deposits. It forms hexagonal prisms and comes in a range of colours including white, cream, yellow, green, orange, red and brown.
A rarer form is campylite, a name sometimes used for mimetite that occurs as barrel-shaped prisms. The most famous occurrence of this is at Dry Gill, Caldbeck Fells, Cumbria, England.
The ones photographed are from Broken Hill, New South Wales, and individual crystals are about 3mm long. These ones are actually cream in colour, having been coated with brown iron hydroxide.

Silhouette Spot: Zeehan in the mist...

2007-08-17T20:52:00.000+10:00

I love the west coast of Tasmania! The light, the atmosphere, the views, are all continually changing. This image was taken this morning near the Zeehan township, looking towards the Dundas district, whilst on my way to work. Hard to take, working that is, in this part of the world!

Rock Spot: Basalt Columns...

2007-08-08T20:43:00.000+10:00

Not the Giant's Causeway I admit, but a nice little example of basalt columns all the same. This 'specimen' sits just offshore at Don Heads, near Devonport, northern Tasmania.

Mineral Spot: Kidney Ore...

2007-08-02T21:23:00.001+10:00

Hematite, a common iron oxide mineral, comes in a variety of habits. One of the more unusual-looking forms is what is known as a reniform, or 'kidney ore' habit, such as the one pictured. This specimen is from the well-known Cumbrian (England) locality, the Florence Mine, at Egremont. It will be listed in one of my up-coming auction lots this weekend.

Night Spot: Brisbane Lights...

2007-08-02T19:11:00.001+10:00

Just come back from a business trip to Brisbane, Queensland, and I thought I'd share one of my photos taken from the balcony of my hotel room...

Mineral Spot: Fluorescence...

2007-07-28T18:48:00.001+10:00

Quite a few minerals 'glow' under ultraviolet light (known as 'UV'). Some of the colours can be very intense. This particular specimen is franklinite (black), zincite (orange-brown) and the pale mineral is calcite. To the right of the image, you can see how this pale-coloured mineral has reacted to short wave UV. Interestingly, this specimen does not react to long wave UV (some minerals react to one and not the other, some to both). The specimen comes from Franklin, New Jersey, a location well-known for its fluorescent minerals.

Mineral Spot: Supa Nova...

2007-07-20T22:04:00.001+10:00

Being a bit 'artistic'. This supernova is actually a calcite specimen from Fyannsford, near Geelong, Victoria...(see this photo). It will also be on my auction site in a batch of 10 mineral specimens this coming Sunday.

Mineral Spot: Reticulated Cerussite...

2007-07-19T21:05:00.000+10:00

So what is 'reticulated' you might ask. Its the name given to a crystal habit of forming 'net-like' growths. Cerussite commonly forms in this way. As you can see in the photo, individual crystals form a regular arrangement, crossing each other at 60 degree angles.

This specimen, which has green malachite associated, is from Brown's Prospect, Rum Jungle, Northern Territory, Australia.

It was included in one of my recent auction lots and now resides in a Queensland collection.

Hiding Spot: Tasmanian Rosella...

2007-07-15T21:33:00.001+10:00

Must be tough finding enough food during Winter. This Tasmanian Rosella also known as a Green Rosella (Platycercus caledonicus) is an endemic Tasmanian parrot and has been visiting a tree fern at the back of our house regularly in recent times.

Odd Spot: Turquoise (Not!)...

2007-07-10T20:17:00.001+10:00

Looking for all the world like a carved turquoise figure, this little chap from the National Gallery of Victoria had me a bit perplexed. Other labels had talc or serpentine or some other carving material noted, but this one had 'faience'. I didn't know what this was until I got back home and was able to look it up and found that it is tin-glazed pottery.

This one is labelled as a 'Pataikos amulet' from the Egyptian Ptolemaic Period, 332-330BC.

Odd Spot: The Wedding Sausage...

2007-07-09T22:11:00.000+10:00

Friends of ours got married on Saturday night in Melbourne.

Instead of a wedding cake, we had wedding sausage!

Art Spot: To The East...

2007-06-30T22:52:00.001+10:00

A quick watercolour painting done tonight...

Basically from my head which is full of all sorts of things at the moment, although the tree (or at least, something approximating it) is one that I see when I am driving home from work each day. I've been meaning to turn it into a painting for a while...

Mineral Spot: Smithsonite...

2007-06-28T21:51:00.000+10:00

Smithsonite is a zinc carbonate mineral that occurs in the oxidised zone of lead-zinc ore deposits.

Good crystals of smithsonite are not that common and are often white or greyish in colour. It sometimes occurs as pale coloured crystals in various hues due to impurities.

This specimen is green due to copper and comes from Broken Hill in New South Wales. This particular specimen will be included in one of my auctions starting this coming Sunday...

Cold Spot: Winter Rose...

2007-06-24T14:59:00.001+10:00

A heavy frost this morning. This is one of our few remaining rose flowers (other than the carpet roses which seem to flower most of the year!). It had been in the early morning sun for a while, but the weak sun wasn't warm enough to melt the ice crystals...

Sun Spot: The Shortest Day...

2007-06-23T13:22:00.000+10:00

This week saw the shortest day here in the Southern Hemisphere. This photo was taken late afternoon near Zeehan in western Tasmania where I was working during the week...

Mineral Spot: Redwineite...

2007-06-23T13:07:00.000+10:00

Something a bit different - KC₄H₅O_{6 -}Potassium bitartrate...

Also known as cream of tartar, and produced as a by-product of wine making. There are a number of minerals that form as crystals but do not (or have not) occur in nature, and therefore are not recognised as a valid mineral species.

I've given this one a title of redwineite and was found in a wine vat at an unidentified winery in Victoria. It will soon be on its way to a New South Wales collector...

Sun Spot: Pot'o'Gold...

2007-06-18T20:19:00.000+10:00

Heading back from the west coast of Tasmania a couple of weeks back, I came across this rainbow near the Collingwood River.

Unfortunately, I didn't have time to look for the pot of gold...

I have to head off again tomorrow morning. It could be a challenge as there was snow falling tonight coming home from work!

Mineral Spot: Azurite Roses...

2007-06-16T20:41:00.000+10:00

'Rose' is a term used for a mineral habit where the mineral crystals look like a rose. A number of mineral species can form this way. As well as azurite, the minerals hematite, barite, and gypsum commonly form roses. This specimen is azurite from the Spring Creek mine, Wilmington, South Australia.

Cold Spot: The Ice Maiden Cometh...

2007-06-11T15:46:00.001+10:00

Well it is Winter here in Tasmania!

Yesterday morning (Sunday), we woke to a medium frost. The grass was white, and the water containers for the dog, chickens and sheep were well iced over (see second pic).

Ice crystals were quite well-formed, particularly in sheltered spots.

In the first picture, the ice crystals have formed in quite unusual radial sprays. They have seeded on a piece of sheep's fleece caught up on the wire fence.

In case you didn't know, ice is a valid mineral species.

New Issue of Mineral Collector Magazine!

2007-06-06T20:01:00.001+10:00

The second issue of the Australian and New Zealand Mineral Collector magazine is now out. This issue includes articles on Thackaringa garnets; phosphates from Punchs Terror, Tasmania; the Avebury Nickel Mine, Tasmania; Epidote from the Harts Range; Bickers Quarry, New Zealand; and more.

It is full colour, 28 pages, and only $10US available from Lulu.

If you are going to order a copy directly, can I suggest that you use the 'Standard' option for shipping. It is by far the most economical, and usually arrives within a couple of weeks.

Sun Spot: On a Gossamer Breeze...

2007-06-05T21:57:00.001+10:00

Had to go to Tasmania's west coast for work for a couple of days. On the way over, mid-afternoon on a sunny Winter's day, I was amazed by the amount of gossamer on the paddocks, on trees, power poles, fences, in fact, on everything.

There must have been a zillion little spiders!

The ones draped over the grass in the paddocks reflected the suns rays and made a line heading off in the direction of the sun. Absolutely stunning! The photo doesn't do it justice.

Mineral Spot: Blue, Blue, My World is Blue...

2007-05-31T20:35:00.000+10:00

Ultraviolet (UV) light causes some minerals to fluoresce. Saleeite is one of these. So I got to thinking...how would a mineral that fluoresces under UV go under a different light source, in this case, a blue light emitting diode (LED) on a pen.

The result is not too bad. The greenish-yellow crystal is the saleeite and the blue crystals around it are orthoclase feldspar (the specimen is from Lake Boga in Victoria by the way).

I obviously got a little bit bored tonight!