User Profile

Amanda De George

Amanda De George is a naturalist, writer and photographer based in the Northern Illawarra. Her passion lies in discovering interesting critters in urban environments and sharing them with the followers of her social media pages and website. Oh, and adventures and naps and wine; she’s passionate about those things too! Amanda edits our Wednesday Flame e-newsletter – your weekly guide to the wild.

Science & Nature

Things that go bump in the night

Long-nosed bandicoots love to dig in the mulch at Amanda’s garden in Thirroul. Photo: Amanda De GeorgeYou’re going to have to forgive me. I’ll need to paint the picture, predominantly, with words this month. But there was no way that I was...

Amanda De George

September 2022

Explore

Urban Jungle: McCauley’s Beach to Sandon Point Headland

You don’t have to go on day-long hikes to far-flung places to get the mind and body benefits that a walk in nature can bringlk

Amanda De George

September 2022

Science & Nature

Nature notes: feisty swoopers, frog hotels & the pouch check that could save a life

Come Spring, everyone gets a little anxious about the territorial swooping of the good ol’ Magpie. I encountered a much smaller, but much more determined swooper on my walk

Amanda De George

September 2022

Science & Nature

Breeding season for oystercatchers

These birds are listed as vulnerable in NSW and you will see signs around the area to keep dogs on leash and off certain beaches in an effort to protect both them and their nests

Amanda De George

September 2022

Science & Nature

The world, it glows, with David Finlay

David Finlay describes himself as a nature and bioluminescence enthusiast. His father describes him as a ‘chaser of light’. After speaking to him, I found him to be incredibly knowledgable about all things that glow, extremely passionate about sharing that knowledge and not at all afraid of the dark.

Amanda De George

August 2022

Science & Nature

Nature notes: boys in blue, a new botanic garden & the Community Cleaneruppa and Cuppa

Along with the influx of insects and the warmer weather in general, the changing of the male superb fairy wrens into their breeding suits is a sure sign that spring has sprung!

Amanda De George

August 2022

Local Business

Meet a Keeper: Maritza Gaete at Symbio

Maritza Gaete has the best left shoulder in the business. Or at least that’s how it seems with many of this Primate and Carnivore Keeper’s charges, from meerkats to pygmy marmosets, jostling for time on that shoulder, taking advantage of the view and the snacks on offer.

Amanda De George

August 2022

Science & Nature

Above the surface at Bushrangers Bay and Bass Point

Fur seals are often spotted in Bushrangers Bay and around the rocks at Bass Point hunting for fish and octopus.

Amanda De George

August 2022

Food & Travel

What on Earth is Scroggin?

It’s a ‘must have’ in your backpack, yet it can be whatever you want it to be.

Amanda De George

August 2022

Science & Nature

Nature Notes: weedy seadragons, a Bryde’s whale & bye-bye plastic

I’ve been back in touch with him, and have written about his current theories as to what caused the wash up and how citizen scientists can actively help scientists, while helping animals and themselves for Discover magazine. You can read it here

Amanda De George

August 2022

Science & Nature

Go below at Bushrangers Bay thanks to Steve Gillespie

Bushrangers Bay in Shellharbour is breathtakingly beautiful. And a bit tricky to get to, with limited parking, a flight of timber stairs to attempt with arms full of snorkelling gear and packed picnic baskets and finally, a rocky beach. But boy, oh...

Amanda De George

August 2022

Science & Nature

‘I look like glass, But I feel like jelly’

You may find one Or you may find many; I look like glass But I feel like jelly. What on earth am I?

Amanda De George

August 2022

Science & Nature

Nature Notes: Powerful owls, possums + a native plant sale

Find details about the next sale on 19th August here

Amanda De George

August 2022

Science & Nature

A beautiful time machine

I’ve written about Yellow-Tailed Black Cockatoos before, and, no doubt, I’ll write about them again. How could I not? I know they’re the favourite birds of many of you and for good reason. The brownish black plumage, the cheek patch and the...

Amanda De George

August 2022