Smallest wonders
Spring’s soft release Duos
Our recent enquiry into the smallest wonders of nature, the quartet of entomologists, has reached a happy conclusion. Our role in the lives of the Sutton Grange autumn soft release possums has drawn to a close.
The two trail cameras confirm, after finding their paws in their new wild possum paradise, Ed and Harriet, the last duo, have left the soft-release enclosure. Now that this is so, it is especially heartening to revisit our earlier footage of them (gathered below, and shared on Vimeo) and watch them as they figure things out by night, and slumber by day to the chortle of magpies. Such moments provide a valuable, unobtrusive insight into how they operate, what we can improve, and reassurance that all is well. They move with increased speed and confidence. They look like they belong, and visual memories of them as joeys drop away. The quartet of rare books inspired entomologists, Ed, Harriet, Helena, and Bug have been officially absorbed into the wild; they are officially wild. The soft release enclosure has since been wheeled away, ready for use come autumn, when we retrace our steps with a new crop of orphans. And all, here, in this pocket, in this moment, is right with the world.
(Be not alarmed by the bright flash of light you can sometimes see in the compiled covert recordings. Both trail cameras use No-Glow Infrared LEDs that provide night vision that won’t startle wildlife. The other bright light source in the compilation of Helena and Bug’s acclimatisation was, from memory, September’s blood moon.)
Helena & Bug
Soft release group I
Sutton Grange, 2025
Ed & Harriet
Soft release group II
Sutton Grange, 2025
With the entomologists free to clamber and dart by the light of the moon going about its egg-shaped orbit overhead, it is apt to reveal a further behind-the-scenes peep at a new project which commenced when they were joeys, and is now well under way. Here is a look at how the exquisite, luminous imagery from R. J. Tillyard’s The insects of Australia and New Zealand, 1926, becomes a high res file (thanks to the Digitisation Centre at the University of Melbourne). These digital incarnations of dragonflies and lacewings will feature in a new work for 2026. While this work may not feature ringtails, it will certainly feature the awe and appreciation they spark within us. Here’s to the smallest wonders of nature! To the next cycle of pepper-shaker joeys, too, Albertina, Homer, Humphrey, and Pansy.
The book’s Latin epigram — Omnibus qui in minimis mira naturae perquirunt: to all who inquire into the smallest wonders of nature — appeals to us greatly.
On the subject of wonder, also pictured, a recent rescue case of a severely injured Black flying fox (Pteropus alecto) high up in a tree. One fire crew, two long extension poles with nets, and more than a dash of gentle persistence ensured this juvenile flying fox was able to be retrieved and receive immediate medical attention from the Wildlife Victoria Travelling Vets. Spotted from the third-storey kitchen window (so close, yet so far!) by a caring MoP (member of the public), who called the case in to Wildlife Victoria, there was a whole lot of love around this soft, velveteen-faced soul, who was named Gilly, by the crew. Sadly, Gilly’s injuries were so severe to both of his beautiful wings that he had to be euthanised. He had been suffering for some time, and this was the kindest outcome. We hope he is up in the big eucalypts in the sky, free from pain, and soaring in the sky like his wild soul is meant to be.
As ever, should you ever sight a flying fox alone during the day, it always pays to call for help. And please note, you need to be a qualified, vaccinated carer to handle megabats and microbats. All pictures from the rescue shared with permission.
Class of 2025
Helena, Bug, Harriet, and Ed, Sutton Grange (over two release sites)
Oti, Toffee, and Marble, Batesford
Rose, Constance, and Harry, Staunghton Vale
Bill and Jean, Batesford
Image credit: Alma Lavenson (1897–1989), Eucalyptus Leaves, 1933, gelatin silver print, printed later by Jim Alinder, signed in pencil and ‘Friends of Photography's Collection Print Program’ stamp (on the verso)
