Magnetic Island - Day Three Brings Wildlife!

Around 4km in and out on The Fort walk afforded us many a sight! Vistas, wildlife and ruins abound.

  

What Now??? Brush-Turkeys.....

In the 30 years I've lived in Sydney, I have never seen a Brush-Turkey...until now. Not only that, they are wandering through my yard. I guess I will have my own personal menagerie pretty soon.

Green Fingers.....More Like Green Bugs!!!

In Oregon I had to compete with slugs and little sunshine but here in Sydney, my tomato plants have battled storms, wild winds, blazing sunshine, possum attacks and now scary green bugs! Not much I can do about the weather. I have Naphthalene out to keep the possums away. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to keep these pesky green creatures away from my fruit????

Rainbow Lorikeets In My Yard!

One things I LOVE about being back in Sydney, is the wildlife. It is abundant, beautiful, creepy, scary and I am constantly in awe!


This morning I found a family of Rainbow Lorikeet's devouring the spidery flowers on the Grevillea tree that overlooks our deck. I spent a few days hanging around so that they would become accustomed to my presence and then a bit more getting them used to my camera. I love having them visit. They make the cutest sounds (unlike the vulgar Cockatoo's).

Caitlin's New Hair Style...

Long and a little out of control!

I just loved Caitie's hair before the cut. Long and wavy and cute little highlights that framed her face. 


Under the care of our good friend and stylist extraordinaire, Rinda Johnson, it always looked lovely and well looked after. 


Since moving to Oz, Caitlin's hair took a turn for the worse. Dried out with giant matts that made even the most patient hairdresser cringe, a change was in order. Something a little easier to keep.


For this photo session, we went to a street that overlooks Chatswood Golf course for its wild grass.


What we were not expecting were crazy Magpies swooping down and nipping us on the head. Apparently this is a nesting area for the creatures and they vehemently protect their eggs and young.

Koala Park Slum...

....all right, it wasn't quite that bad but it did look rather run down for a "sanctuary"and many animals that we had been looking forward to seeing again, were conspicuously absent!


We are returning to the Koala Park Sanctuary in West Pennant Hills which is convenient and the animals are accessible, except for the Dingo which I am completely grateful for.


Despite the raggedness of the place, Caitie and Patrick had a wonderful time consorting with the kangaroos, caressing the koala's and cackling with the cockatoo's!

Ah the life of a mama kangaroo with a giant Joey in her tummy!

Mum, can I get a Kangaroo?????

I hope Redd likes Kangaroo's...

The kangaroo's were just so cute we could have spent the entire day here but there were other Australian rarities to visit, including this freak of nature, the Wallaroo. A cross between a Wallaby and a Kangaroo, this poor creature is burdened with a cumbersome tail that it carries around, pausing constantly to preen it.

"Want to be a Walla...what?"

This guy is as completely crazy as he looks. He spotted me from a distance then lunged his 7 foot frame into a  comical run/hop toward me with a startled look on his face, pecked at the bag of Kangaroo feed right out of my hands, decided he didn't like Kangaroo food and dropped it instantly.

Edward The Emu..

The most annoying creatures on earth, the Myna bird.

Dood...what's up???

The Little Blue on the ground is really old and the other three are forming guard against another little Blue that they have decided they don't like.

Dastardly Dingo...Glad he is behind bars, this guy is viscous when playing, I can't imagine a fight.

Joey all snuggled...too cute!