Wildlife Wednesday - cocoon

He's fallen on the ground and hanging on when I try to move it

I have a strange tale to tell today - and I'm afraid I don't look like much of an animal lover in it, but I should confess all.

And he's showing me he can move himself thanks!

I saw a cocoon hanging from my verandah roof the other evening. I noted it. That was all. It was blowing a gale that night and next morning, the cocoon was on the ground (middle of the verandah). I just wasn't sure if it had blown off, or if Mr E had assisted it (he hates things like that on his territory), so I went to pick it up. But there was a bug inside who didn't take too kindly to my meddling. I left him.

A few hours later, he'd hiked across the verandah to my thongs (at the front door). So I helped him by placing my thong in the garden, in a shrub, so he could hook onto that and be happy...or so I thought.

What do I find the next day? He's hanging on my roof again!! And boy, he must have cursed me because he would have had to hike all across the verandah again to crawl up the wall, unless he went up a verandah post.

How bad did I feel!?

Can you see him hanging from the roof? And the journey from ground to thongs, to garden and then roof. Oops!

So...what is he?

Up close

A native Saunders' Case Moth, Metura elongatus. According to the ever trusty Google. Some sites are here and here.)

Case moths spin their cases out of silk and most species attach leaves, twigs, sand or soil to the outside for protection and camouflage. 

Case moths spend most of their lives in the caterpillar phase; this part of their life cycle can last 1-2 years. As caterpillars, they never leave their cases. However, they can be very mobile, dragging their large cocoons along as they move around. If they feel threatened they can seal off the end of the cocoon, cutting a new opening once the threat has passed. The females continue to live in their cases after they’ve pupated into adult moths, but the males leave their cases after pupation to fly off in search of females.

Sunday Story - repackaging and bundling

One month countdown...

My first little story, A Real Online Fantasy, is getting a new life. Momentum are bundling up the 14 Hot Down Under titles into 4 bundles and re-branding, re-packaging, and sending them out to the world again! Although the little story sells well for me, apparently it could sell better - and I'm keen to see that!

I'm bundled up with three incredible stories: Rhyll Biest's Australia Day cane toad race story, A Sporting Chance, Kylie Scott's zombie apocalyptic action story, Room With A View, and Keziah Hill's arty threesome, Business With Pleasure.

There are 3 other delicious bundles, all with really sexy covers, available from May 27.

I'll post the cover when I can...but I think you'll like it :)


This will be the start of drowning in Cate Ellink stories. I'll also have releases in July (Submission short story), September (Deep Diving) and November (a wicked story). Hope you won't be sick of me by then!

ANZAC Day

Photo from: www.defence.gov.au Gallery 2007

Each year on 25 April, Australians honour the sacrifice defence personnel have made throughout our nation's history.

This date was chosen as it represents the anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces in World War I. ANZAC stands for the Australian and New Zealand Army Corp.

On April 25, 1915, Aussies and Kiwis formed part of the Allied expedition to capture the Gallipolli peninsula. They went in expecting to claim the peninsula and march to Constantinople, thus capturing the capital of the Ottoman empire. Instead, they met heavy military fire and were trapped by the sea behind them and mountains full of the enemy ahead of them. These soldiers dug in, for eight months, and although 8000 were killed, they left behind a legacy of the strength and determination of the ANZAC troops.

On ANZAC day, not only do we honour these men, but all men and women who have fought in all wars, particularly those who lost their lives.

I'm not one for early starts, but ANZAC day has the tradition of a dawn service, as this was when the troops first mounted the attack on Gallipolli. So, for one day a year, I try not to whinge too much when my alarm bleats at me. I rug up and try not to shiver as the dawn sneaks up on the darkness. I try not to shed tears as we remember those who have fallen, and as I watch those who have returned march along the road in the darkness, old but full of pride. As the bugle plays, and the chills race down my spine, I try to focus on what these men gave to leave me with the country I have today. It's a powerful morning. One I wouldn't miss.

Lest We Forget.

Wildlife Wednesday - butterfly

This is an Orchard Swallowtail Butterfly and this website of Earthwatch helped me get the identification. The Australian Museum site calls him just an Orchard Butterfly.

He was in my backyard the other day and I'd been trying to photograph him as he flittered and fluttered about - with no luck (well, you could see a blur, maybe a blob).

Then I went out the back for something else and he was having a rest hanging on these leaves. Rushed inside for the camera, thinking I'd never get the shot, and voila! Really could not believe he waited for me!

Oh, the Museum website says the males are territorial and will chase away anything black and white - even magpies! Wow. Maybe all that flit and fluttering was him chasing away the magpies and peewees who live around my yard.