Sittin on my balcony listening to the laughing of the Kookaburra, and watching the red tailed black cockatoos flying around, I felt a Attenborough moment coming on!
When I told family and friends I was moving to Australia, many asked if I wasn’t scared of the fact that most of the worlds dangerous creatures live in this continent and wasn’t I worried. To be honest, it was part of the attraction – to be somewhere with different creatures. To live somewhere which has warning signs about crocodiles in the water and birds which we only see in cages in the UK happily fly around was a real draw. Im not an animal expert – a long way from it, but I will try to give you a bit of a representation of my brush with the wildlife so far, enjoy my photographs!
So, lets start with the crocs! Here is a little sign next to the river which runs through Townsville….
Fancy A Dip??
So imagine my surprise when I saw the locals swimming in the river, including families with their children. Apparently these aren’t the dangerous type (believe that??) and it is the salt water crocodiles you should worry about. The waterways of course close to the sea are a different matter, with the salt water, so here is the sign you see there. I thought I would pose next to it
You can see how dangerous the crocs are!!!!! Still, fishing being one of the most popular pastimes here (60% of the local population fish according the local radio station!) they line the rivers, wading in and risking all for the big catch!
I did have a close encounter with a croc of my own on Magnetic Island, courtesy of Bungalow Bay
I was part of a group and we all got to hold this gorgeous beast, but I was the one who asked how long he had his mouth taped closed. At the end, the guide volunteered me to take the tape off – such a brave lass!
Most people stood back as I did this, but I knew he was only a little toddler, until he took hold of my admission ticket….
I think they could make use of this little critter as a conductor on the trains!
Australia is home to most of the worlds most venomous snakes, and Im a little disappointed that I still haven’t encountered one (honest I am!), except at a wildlife park
I think 2 snakes was a little greedy, but snakes know the meaning of greedy – take a look at this python which sneaked up on a possum for its breakfast on my friends (Mick and Val) balcony one morning….
The python then slithered off, lifting the possum as it did and slowly digested it in the roof space of my friends house. Imagine sleeping in bed with that going on above your bedroom – welcome to Australia! Did I mention the fact she lives only 2 streets away from me??
Of course, not all the critters are dangerous, most are really cute. One of my favourites is the green tree frog, they are regular visitors to my house, and land on the balcony sounding like a lump of squishy dough landing on a board in a splat
Only a tiny little thing, most are bigger, but not bothered by my hand being placed next to it
and of course, it wouldn’t be Australia without a mention of a kookaburra. This one was sat on the lamppost by my house, I took the photograph from my balcony (no pythons on mine!)
They make a right racket and sound like they are laughing and mocking, extremely loud and often in pairs to give a stereo effect! Here is a lovely blue winged kookaburra
I took loads of photos at good distance of this gorgeous bird, getting closer and closer, ending up in touching distance, a little too brave I thought when I read that this bird will catch and eat snakes…I guess it didn’t fancy taking a bite out of me that day!
Kangaroos are an icon of Australia,
so imagine my delight when 3 made an appearance at my fence on my first morning here
These are in fact rock wallabies, but they put a big smile on my face that morning! Im living a bit far north to see proper kangaroos, they are common place in South Oz, in fact, they are culling them as they are so numerous and make pests of themselves. These little guys are so cute. I wonder how long it will take you to utter a big Ahhhhh when you see this next photo –
Still not gone gooey? Well, try this one for size and take a closer look
Absolutely gorgeous! I spent hours with these little creatures in the Atherton Tablelands!
Not all creatures are of course, one which springs to mind is the common pest –
I took this one shortly after arriving here. I was shocked to see a cockroach in my kitchen, never ever had one in my home in the UK, This would be enough to have any restaurant closed down back there, but they are really commonplace here.
However, I was none too happy when I opened my fridge one evening after I came home from work eager to make some food
It was clearly after my chilli peppers – urrrrghhhh!!! Quick clear out of the fridge and a trip to the supermarket for my staple items, amongst them ….
They work a treat – all I see are dead ones now so now longer a chase with aerosol! If you thought that was gross, then imagine my horror when one night, fast asleep, I was stirred by the feel of something tickling my back and shoulder. Half asleep, I swept my hand across my shoulder, realised I had felt something, quickly switched on the light to see a cockroach scuttling along into my wardrobe….urrrrgh! A shower and a scrub and a very unsettled night that night!
One little critter who is another common visitor is the little gecko. The first time I saw one of these in my room, I chased it around and caught it (not an easy feat as they are quick little buggers) and carefully put it outside before I left for work, I couldn’t imagine leaving it in my house all day…
Of course I quickly discovered that these guys regularly come into the house, they love to hide behind pictures on the wall and poop til their hearts delight! (still cute though!)
Its fun watching them the other side of the insect screen in the dark with your lights on – they sit around waiting for the insects then pounce
I was amazed when I first saw this particular bird – this is the Ibis (did you think that was a hotel?)
So numerous, they are considered pests – very smelly creatures (Im told) which root around for food
I was looking forward to a glimpse of a wombat, another iconic creature. I was told at Bungalow Bay on Magnetic Island there was one lounging around in a tree trunk, but difficult to see inside. I stuck my camera through the end and blindly photographed
Oops, guess I got the wrong end of the tree, but no doubting the gender of this one!
Here is a better shot
A better angle I think, but this one doesn’t look half as relaxed!
A trip to Australia wouldn’t be complete of course without a cuddle of a cute koala! ~My daughter Francesca chose to do this for her birthday, and Natasha and I were keen to oblige!
Thats all for now folks…..plenty more to come! Ive not even mentioned spiders yet….watch this space!
