Being on a new continent there are many things to see that I've never encountered before. More specifically there's a plethora of wildlife that I have/am going to/want to check out and to track all the new fauna I've decided to keep a list.
Kangaroo - Getting the most obvious out of the way first. This large, often upright, animal is in fact as abundant as deer are in Ontario - if not more so. Unlike many visitors my first encounter was NOT with roadkill, but was still from a moving vehicle as a few stood in a field as I whizzed by on my way to Kangaroo Island. These were only slightly more exciting than the taxidermied ones in the museum.
However on Kangaroo Island within only a couple of hours we went for a walk and rounding the first bush came upon a mother and her joey (out of the pouch). They were neat and not at all afraid, allowing us within 5 meters or so. Fun to watch, especially when moving along with their tails or hopping. Video to prove it!
Voted: Hoppiest.
Update Also spotted approximately 720m above sea level grazing in a group of five, including a Joey, at the top of Mount Lofty. The clouds clearing to offer a panoramic view of Greater Adelaide as I completed the ascent made the two hour hike up well worth it!
Wallaby - These lil guys resemble kangaroos but are much smaller and have less thick tails. Spotted EVERYWHERE on Roo Island they also let me approach quite close.
Voted: Most abundant, especially at night, resulting in many carcasses in the morning.
Birds - I don't particularly like birds so I'll lump them into a category of their own as there were a few notables. Bright red and green ones flying around mountainside, while in the parks and rivers there are aggressive and loud birds all over.
Pelicans were in the river and were seen gorging themselves such that their throats were bulging out
as if there were triplets stuck in there (a stork reference, I know). A massive
Wedge-tail Eagle was displayed at a show while a darling and fluffy, white
Barn Owl sat on my lap. (Truly! Albeit a trained one.)
Voted: Most colourful.
Koala - Perhaps the cutest these lazy grey balls were spotted perched only a few meters up in the trees. Not overly enthralling as most were caught during their 22 hour nap (each day) but the awake mother with her curious and cute baby clutched to her lap were stand-outs!
Voted: Cutest by far.
New Zealand Fur Seal - Playful creatures seen unknowingly getting washed off rocks by large waves through Admiral's Arch.
Voted: Silliest.
Sea Lions - Small cubs squawking and running out of the way of massive feuding males. Indifferent females rebuffing the buffoon male's approaches. All of this was seen from mere meters away as all of this went on around me. A sea lion even emerged from the bush right behind to saunter by casually.
Voted: Strongest.
Dugg - A most intelligent, vegetarian creature, often spotted on Kangaroo Island. With a red fuzzy face and dread-locked hair he was quite knowledgeable of other animals and really knew how to have a good time! Prepares a decent meal too.
Voted: Best guide.
Pictures to come! (I promise..some time)
- Darling, curious, Koala kub
- Kermit's well-deserved star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame
- Buzzzz
- What Australian photo blog would be complete without Kangaroos?
- Or their little Wallaby counterparts?
- Remarkable climb up the Remarkable Rocks
- Fur Seal Nap Time
- Comments needed!
