Dr Penelope Mills
School of Biological Sciences
The University of Queensland
Although many of us find ourselves stuck at home or restricted in where we can go, there are still plenty of specimens to photograph for your QG sightings if you know where and how to look:
• Explore your backyard/garden. Even a small backyard will have a multitude of small invertebrates (insects, spiders etc) for you to photograph. Try to get multiple, close-up angles for each specimen to help the experts id your sightings. A clip-on macrolens for your phone works well for taking photos of smaller subjects.
• No backyard? No worries! Outside (and inside) lights will attract moths and other nocturnal invertebrates at night.
• Put out plastic plates (white or yellow work best) to attract invertebrates.
• Hang out a white sheet/white cloth to attract invertebrates. An old tea towel should also work. You could get inventive and turn it into a light sheet to attract more specimens at night.
• When out for your daily exercise around the block, photograph animals (and plants if not cultivated) that are out and about along the footpaths.
• Check the outside of buildings (no trespassing though!). I spot plenty of animals resting on vertical walls and other vertical structures as I walk past them.
Dr. Penelope Mills
Get close-ups!
