top of page
Rick LeCouteur
Inviting young readers to marvel at the wonder of nature's creatures
Rick's Blog
#bunyipsbooksbeyond
Use the menu below to explore "All Posts," or delve into selected topics like "Children's Picture Books", and more.
Search
RIck LeCouteur
Jan 42 min read
Bonza Biodiversity Bonanza: Australia’s expanding protected areas (#216)
As the world grappled with its share of challenges in 2024, Australia quietly achieved some remarkable milestones in conservation. Â ...
13 views0 comments
RIck LeCouteur
Nov 1, 20243 min read
Wildlife in the City: Red-tailed hawks and urban wildlife adaptation
What does it take for a wild hunter to survive in our urban jungle, and what can we do to help it thrive? Â This morning, glancing above...
22 views0 comments
RIck LeCouteur
Oct 30, 20243 min read
Murmurations: Nature's masterclass in teamwork and trust
Today, I watched a murmuration of starlings.  It started me thinking.  The mesmerizing dance of a  murmuration  - a vast flock of...
24 views0 comments
RIck LeCouteur
Oct 28, 20244 min read
Echoes of Extinction: The urgent call to heal our planet
As we peer out over an ever-evolving landscape of environmental crises it becomes clear that the damage to our planet is no longer a...
23 views0 comments
RIck LeCouteur
Oct 28, 20243 min read
Australia’s Unlikely Hero: How the white ibis tackles toxic toads
In Australia, few creatures are as notorious as the white ibis, or, as locals dub them, the "bin chicken." Â Known for its scavenging...
22 views0 comments
RIck LeCouteur
Oct 15, 20243 min read
Probing the Depths: The Ibis and its tactile super sense
Ever wondered how ibises manage to find food hidden deep in murky waters or buried beneath layers of mud? Â With their long, curved...
14 views0 comments
RIck LeCouteur
Oct 13, 20244 min read
Feral Cats Down Under: The Feral Cat Invasion
In the vast and rugged landscapes of Australia, a silent predator roams undetected. Its presence is barely noticed, yet its impact is...
13 views0 comments
RIck LeCouteur
Oct 11, 20243 min read
Jizz vs. Gestalt: Decoding the subtle art of bird identification
In the world of birdwatching and ornithology, identifying a bird is rarely just about analyzing a list of specific features like size,...
8 views0 comments
RIck LeCouteur
Oct 10, 20243 min read
Five Years to Save the Planet: Call to action
In the next five years, the fate of every living creature on Earth could be sealed. As wildlife populations plummet and ecosystems teeter...
7 views0 comments
RIck LeCouteur
Sep 28, 20243 min read
The Colugo: Borneo’s mysterious gliding marvel
Dive into the shadowy canopies of Southeast Asia's lush rainforests where the colugo, often mistaken for a flying lemur, performs its...
3 views0 comments
RIck LeCouteur
Sep 26, 20243 min read
Wallace's Line: Nature’s invisible divide
In the heart of Southeast Asia lies an invisible boundary that has fascinated scientists and naturalists for over a century. Known as the...
14 views0 comments
RIck LeCouteur
Sep 25, 20242 min read
Rosettes of the Wild: Jaguars vs. Leopards
When you think of big cats like jaguars and leopards, it’s easy to get lost in the mesmerizing beauty of their fur. But these patterns...
16 views0 comments
RIck LeCouteur
Sep 25, 20243 min read
Birds' Bills: More than just a beak
Birds' bills are remarkable structures that play a crucial role in their survival and interaction with the environment. Often used...
4 views0 comments
RIck LeCouteur
Sep 23, 20242 min read
Hunting with a Punch: Octopus-fish alliances and leadership
What happens when a solitary octopus teams up with a diverse group of fish to hunt? Surprisingly, it’s not just about cooperation - it’s...
11 views0 comments
RIck LeCouteur
Sep 17, 20243 min read
Rainbow in Feathers: The outback’s most vibrant bird (#75)
Imagine a bird so vibrant it seems painted by the hand of an artist - a living rainbow darting through the Australian outback. Meet the...
10 views0 comments
RIck LeCouteur
Sep 16, 20244 min read
Vanishing in the Arctic: The plight of the snowy owl
Imagine a vast, snowy landscape, where the silence is broken only by the faint rustle of wings and the sharp, piercing gaze of a Snowy...
4 views0 comments
RIck LeCouteur
Sep 15, 20244 min read
Invisible Barriers: Bird migration, high-rise hazards, and Flaco's urban tale
Every year, billions of birds embark on epic migrations, traversing continents and oceans in search of breeding grounds and warmer...
24 views0 comments
RIck LeCouteur
Sep 14, 20242 min read
Tales with Tails: Animals in children's picture books
Young readers generally have a fondness for animals, a sentiment that literature has effectively harnessed for educational purposes....
5 views0 comments
RIck LeCouteur
Sep 14, 20243 min read
The Secret Behind Eyeshine: Evolution of the tapetum lucidum
When you shine a flashlight into the woods at night, you might catch a glimpse of glowing eyes staring back at you. This eerie...
20 views0 comments
RIck LeCouteur
Sep 12, 20242 min read
Wild Hearts: 7 inspiring ways to teach kids to respect wildlife
In an increasingly urbanized world, fostering a deep respect for wildlife in children is more important than ever. By nurturing this...
25 views0 comments
bottom of page