Amazing!

Our two African Lovebirds, Splice and Crepsley escaped recently when their cage went tumbling down the veranda steps. I was devastated. They flew in different directions and so were out in the wild separated as well. I could hear one of them in a nearby but very large tree. I left the cage outside with the door open hoping they would return but of course the cage crashing had been terrifying for them. That night we had the mother of all storms complete with torrential rain, thunder and lightening. My feelings of guilt and worry were now quite high. The next morning was overcast and rainy. Ever the optimist, I left the cage out, but the chances of them returning were extremely slim. When I returned from work at about 12.30pm here was my lovely Splice sitting in her cage. I was so excited! Poor thing was exhausted, hungry and had a scratch on her head. She ate and slept a lot but has bounced back remarkably well. Tough birds these. Unfortunately I think Crepsley is not returning so I will buy our girl another mate. She is pleased to be home with us but is probably missing having another bird for company. African lovebirds are aptly named.

I still can't believe she came back. She is not tame or affectionate with us but is relaxed with people. I guess it is all she has known.

Aussie Animals

The few decent photos I have from Australia Zoo. We did not bother going to the koala enclosure as we see them in the wild at home.

We have a perenti here, a very large Australian lizard. They will eat chicken eggs, chicks and small mammals. I think they mostly eat carrion though.

An Eastern grey kangaroo. They are fairly common and we have even seen them around here although that is not usual.

A brush turkey. They build enormous nesting mounds of dirt and leaves in the rainforest to incubate their eggs. They are also a nuisance in the camping grounds that occupy their habitat. They rummage through your garbage and plates looking for scraps.

The crocodile. We have saltwater and freshwater crocs, or as the Aussie's call them salties and freshies. This one is a saltie I think, the more deadly of the two.

I took more photos but they were not great. I think I will do another photography coarse.

Geese-a-Growin'

These are my babies before we went away. They grow so fast. I will get another photo soon because they are practically adults now. I have to offload some soon. I want to keep about two of the same sex in the yard. We have been letting them out into the paddocks every morning and back in at night and it shocks me how far they range. Apparently they are making a nuisance of themselves with my neighbours sometimes.

Bruce, the big daddy, is still taking his role quite seriously. When I give them their grain in the evenings he will not wait like the other geese and because I am bending over to pour the grain into their dish he is way to close to my face. Bruce has had his face slapped a couple of times and told to Back Off Man! He attacks the bag of grain instead now. Not a terribly bright fellow is our Brucey.

Animal Hospital

Continuing the theme of Australia Zoo, there is the Australian Wildlife Hospital there and for a $2 donation you can have a quick look. There is the most amazing sculpture out the front.

This poor koala is recovering from surgery. It had been attacked by a dog, a common problem for them where suburbia has encroached on their environment. They are slow moving on the ground and tend to go in their chosen direction without detour. It may involve crossing back yards, over fences, paddling across the backyard swimming pool and across roads. Not a good mix.

Otter Madness

These are Asian small clawed otters, also photographed at Australia Zoo. They are the smallest of all otters and I think they be mighty beautiful.

Crikey What a Beauty

To quote Steve Irwin, "Crikey what a beaudy!" These are rhinoceros iguanas I photographed at Australia Zoo. Aren't they gorgeous? They are so ugly I love them.
They come from the Caribbean. What is it with me and ugly animals? I love my Transylvanian naked neck chickens too.
I do love reptiles.

I saw a rather large Eastern brown snake in the garden yesterday, very deadly. My staffy and cat were harassing it so I called them inside so they would not be bitten. Bloody stupid Roger went out the other door so he could harass it again but came again when I called. He just stands there and barks at snakes but those snakes are lightening fast when they strike and Roger is not that quick. I grabbed my camera to take a photo but it was too late, the snake had moved on.

Blind Faith or Fear?

While we were on holidays I discovered an interesting fact. My family either totally trust me or are too scared to argue.

Example 1

The Lovely Husband and I had chosen Wednesday for whale watching in our holidays. On the Monday we would be at Australia Zoo from where we would book the whale watching. This plan gave me Tuesday to recover. We all agreed it was a good plan. So-o-o what happens? We go to the booking desk on the Monday afternoon, I had not had my sleep for obvious reasons and was probably a sheep short of the top paddock. I stood there and proceeded to book our whale watching for Thursday. The Lovely Husband stood beside me confused but said nothing. We advised the kids we were all booked and they were also confused but said nothing.

In the car driving back to our room I mentioned the whale watching for Wednesday. That's when they all said something. What are you talking about says I, we agreed to go whale watching Wednesday. So why did you book it for Thursday they asked. I obviously was thinking Wednesday but my mouth said Thursday. We put is down to my fatigue of course. That is until....

Example 2

One night during our holiday we decided to have takeaway. The Young Negotiator (son) and I decided on Indian. The shops were walking distance from our room and of course I knew where I was going. It is just up here says I. So my son and I walk up the three blocks to the Indian. Huh? Not there. Must be the next block down. Still no. We will try one more block. Nup. Poopanola!! We asked a taxi driver for directions, it was the next block down. I was only three blocks out. A piddling amount really.

Example 3

On our last night of holidays at the beach we decide on fish and chips, the ultimate beach side takeaway yeah? We were on the fifth floor and the view was spectacular.... of the torrential rain and howling wind. Let's walk says I. The car space under the building was tiny and our station wagon filled it completely thus making it a juggling act to drive in and out of it. My family do not disagree with the walking idea. We had one raincoat and one large golf umbrella. With three control freaks under the golf umbrella, all knowing the best way to face the umbrella and one Lovely Husband and his raincoat we walked the three blocks to the fish and chip shop. Yeah this is a great idea mum.

On the way back I was in the lead and had control of the umbrella. Somehow, in the dark and stormy night I took the wrong turn and was walking into a car park next to the beach. My family followed me silently, wondering what on earth I had found to look at at this time of night with our fish and chips getting wet and cold. Eventually I discovered the error and radically changed direction announcing my mistake. That's when they all advised me how they knew that but thought I wanted to look at something. Why would I want to look at something at this time of night while our fish and chips was getting wet and cold? says I.

Trust or fear? Trust or fear? That is the million dollar question. Hmmm, I like to think trust personally. My sometimes Lovely Husband claims fear. Either way, it makes for a good laugh and I am sure my family will agree with me.

Whale Watching

For those unaware, the humpback whale migrates south along the east coast of Australia from about April. It is prime whale watching season because they are frisky. They give birth down in the Antarctic and then they come back up the East Coast with their calves and head north. October is the end of the whale watching season and we made it a part of our family holiday.

The iconic Australian family the Irwins - Steve (dec'd), Terri, Bindi and Robert own Australia Zoo in Queensland where the Crocodile Hunter's parents began with a few crocodiles in mud holes 40 years ago. It is now a major animal conservation park and it is brilliant! A must see for overseas visitors. While there we booked a trip on the Steve's Whale One boat for the four of us. What a great day we had out on the water. My photos are not great. It was hard to know when to photograph and when to just watch but we loved it.

This was the second time whale watching for the Lovely Husband and I and we so wanted the teens to experience it. The trip was for four hours, they gave us morning tea and a beautiful buffet lunch. An all round great trip. I was totally fatigued at the end of it but I didn't care, it was whale worth it. (That was a one tonne pun....)

The Family Holiday

We have just returned from a family holiday.....and survived. It was great actually. There is nothing nicer than a 17 year old lad and his 14 year old sister who are more than happy to spend quality time with their parents, and each other. I feel extremely privileged to still be appreciated by our teens.

We stayed in a very nice beach side apartment and played tourist but the best times for me was the card games, board games and the time spent in the car while traveling. We laughed, we were silly, we teased each other and most importantly we talked. Oh, and of course the Lovely Husband and I embarrassed them. The lift in the block of units was small and poky and when my love and I began smooching in front of our offspring (for effect) it sent them into fits of twisting and turning, covering eyes and groaning, begging us to stop. Mission accomplished! It was not all one way though.

One day we were stuck in traffic on a highway due to a major pile up involving five cars and a truck. We sat, motor off, for quite some time as you can imagine. My suggestion was "I Spy". It had not been played in our family since the children were small. Reluctantly, all agreed. Well, I Spy with teenagers is a little different apparently.

"I spy with my little eye something beginning with G"

It could be garden or gate right? No, the first word to come out of our daughter's mouth was gonorrhoea! What the? The teens thought that quite hilarious. It was a game of "Shock the Parents". Payback time!

"I spy with my little eye something beginning with D"

Maybe dog or driveway. Nope, our son shouts douche bag! It was on for young and old. There were many more words, not all so personal but just as obscure and it kept us highly amused while we waited out the traffic jam.

Unfortunately when the traffic was diverted from the highway we got hopelessly lost and a trip that was supposed to take 50 minutes turned into two hours. On the surface it seems like not a great part of the holiday but in actuality it was hilarious.

I honestly don't know where those kids get their twisted sense of humour from.