Taronga Zoo - Koala

I feel very lucky to have caught the koalas at feeding time. Actually, I have never seen koalas move about so much (since they sleep 20-22 hours a day, it's not surprising to see them, well, asleep.)

The koala enclosure at Taronga had recently been closed for maintenance, so four of the koalas had been moved into the echidna enclosure. This provided me with excellent viewing, as the sunshine was beautiful and back-lit the koalas perfectly here.

Taronga Zoo - Wombat

Hello beautiful!

I must say that it is rather fortunate that the upper bit of grass is covering her forehead this morning. Just before I arrived to visit the wombat (her) enclosure, a bird must have flow by and dropped something on her forehead. She then must have tried to rub the wet stuff off, succeeding only in sticking a gum leaf smack dab in the middle of her forehead. Oh well, as long as there is dirt to dig and grass to eat, Mme Wombat seems to keep content!

Taken August 2010 - Taronga Zoo, Sydney, NSW

Taronga Zoo - Giraffe feeding time

All I can say is this - What a tongue! Yes it's blue, and man it's strong.

In March, Micah and I managed to visit the Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo. I mention this only because Micah got to feed one of the lovely ladies there. Glee was all consuming for Micah, and the carrots were all consumed by the giraffes. Oh, and apparently a carrot to a giraffe is like a piece of chocolate to a person. Yummy!

Taken August 2010 - Taronga Zoo, Sydney, NSW

Taronga Zoo - Wallaby

I am always struck by how much kangaroos and wallabies look like dear. I really can't get over it. I think it's probably their ears and the gentle herbivore nature, though I might just be wishing for connections between these lovely creatures.

This beautiful lady actually came over to say hi to me while I was visiting her at Taronga. The keeper even gave me a peanut which Merrybel was oh so happy to gently take from my hand. Merrybel was raise from the size of a joey here at Taronga. Her mother was unfortunately hit by a car, an she was found hopping around at the side of the road by the place of the accident. Since she was hand fed, she's very use to having people around, and really loves to be petted. Let me tell you, she is so soft! What a beautiful girl to spend a sunny afternoon with eh?

Taken August 2010 - Taronga Zoo, Sydney, NSW

Taronga Zoo - Lion

Dude! Lion! Cool!

I'm not nearly as much of a cat person as a dog lover, but hey, lions are still pretty awesome eh? Now the next question I have is this - am I (and the group of people around me) watching the lion, or the lion me? Also, what is this lion thinking? For the most part, apathy dominated this cat's expression. Quelle surprise eh? :)

Taken August 2010 - Taronga Zoo, Sydney, NSW

Taronga Zoo - Spider Monkey

I have a series of pictures of this particular spider monkey, basically all showing that it loves its food! The other monkeys were happily meandering around their enclosure, but no, not this guy. He's out to enjoy the sun and the fruit conveniently left right here where he sits.

Have I mentioned that I love the zoo? :)

Taken August 2010 - Taronga Zoo, Sydney, NSW

Taronga Zoo - Lion in the sun

Taronga Zoo really does everything possible to give each of their animals the best of the best. This lion's enclosure has cool areas, sunny areas and lots of space to both be seen and to hide. On this particular occasion, monsieur le lion decided to be perfectly friendly and basque in the sun just in front of the plexiglass. It was mid afternoon and the early spring sun was wonderfully warm against the still cool air. There were so many people gathered watching the lions that I took this picture from about 5 people back holding my camera above the crowd.

Taken August 2010 - Taronga Zoo, Sydney, NSW

Taronga Zoo - Giraffe

Giraffe are just to darn elegant. Their long eyelashes, and haughty expressions just makes me want to serve them tea and crumpets. (Though I think they would rather have carrots!)

The giraffe enclosure at Taronga is pretty impressive, as these four herbivores have a perfect view of the harbour. It is fantastically easy to shoot great pictures of these lovely ladies here. They stand to the south, down hill from the viewing area.

Nothing quite like putting the Zoo on some of the most expensive real estate in Sydney eh?

Taken August 2010 - Taronga Zoo, Sydney, NSW

Taronga Zoo - Koala and Joey

Can any amount of 'awwww' describe how cute this koala joey is?

It's always nice to get to see koalas at feeding time. Since they sleep 20-22 hours a day, it is pretty much the only time that you get to see them with their eyes open. This mommy spent about 10 minutes going up and down this tree to find a good spot to rest for the afternoon. It was the most active I have ever seen a koala. Their claws must be sharp and their fingers strong as she would jump from branch to branch and never slipped on landing.

Ah, to be a koala... vaguely high on life (or at least what they eat) and able to sleep for a day at a time. *sigh

Taken August 2010 - Taronga Zoo, Sydney, NSW

Australia Zoo - Wombats

What could possibly be better than a hairy nosed wombat? I mean really - with such a perfectly barrel-shapped body perfect for a cuddle.

I am completely enamoured with the Australian wildlife. I have no doubt you'll be seeing more of these beauts posted here in my blog.

Also, are there any requests for certain types of pics? What would you like to see more of? I'm always happy to take requests. :)

Taken February 2010 - Australia Zoo, Brisbane, Queensland, NSW

Australia Zoo - Cassowary

This is quite possibly the more awesome and the most terrifying bird I have ever met. Think emu with attitude and a huge wart-like horn staring at you eye-to-eye. Very cool, but daunting none the less.

As you can tell, there's food in the bucket, which is what caught the bird's attention initially. I ended up sitting down on the raise walkway to watch the cassowary eat. So cool! it's neck is really quite floppy and iridescent blue. When it swallows, you can actually see the form of the object sliding down its neck. Gah!

These lovely, ugly birds are loosing ground on the whole no dying off front. If you get a chance to go to the zoo and see one, it's well worth the trip.

Taken February 2010 - Australia Zoo, Brisbane, Queensland

Baby Giraffe!

Again, I cannot tell you how much Micah and I adore giraffes. They are past cute hearing straight into the midst of adorable.

This lovely (almost) little one was born at the Western Plains Zoo, and has a play mate that's about 3months older. It's quite amazing that they come out over 2m tall... and since their mother's give birth standing up, they get to fall more than their own birth height upon entering the world! Fortunately for mom, their horns move from being flat against their heads to upright several days after birth.

Taken March 2010 - Western Plains Zoo, Dubbo, NSW

Australia Zoo - Koala

Only in Australia would you consider an animal who sleeps 20-22 hours a day a national icon. These lovely little guys are actually nasty bits of work, with huge claws and an odour that only its mother could have a chance of loving. That said, they do look adorable and have a couple of very interesting features.

To me the most interesting bit of evolution is the following - they have a plate of cartilage across their backsides which is what they sit on in trees. This allows them both a bit more comfort and a bit more stability while sleeping.

I think they're pretty cute for something so stinky.

Taken February 2010 - Australia Zoo, Brisbane, Queensland

Kangaroos in the Hunter

Yes, this is not my best quality photo. It is, however, the first picture I took of a kangaroo. No at zoo kangaroo, not a picture of one 800m away... no my first time outside in a rural area where the kangaroo was less than 60 metres away and the only really thing between me an it was distance.

Kangaroos serve the same function as deer. They eat grass and farmer's vegetables, and they also tend to be seen just before they are hit by a car. Other than that, they are just adorable and completely mundane. I do love them though.

taken May 2010 - paddock in Hunter Valley, NSW

Australia Zoo - Tortoise

This lovely fella was really enjoying the drizzly day at Australia Zoo.

One of the best features of this particular zoo was just how much care and attention each animal received from their keepers and the groundskeepers. These animals are very well socialised and they all seemed to be in very spacious and clean areas. Though I find the whole Irwin empire rather distasteful, I certainly cannot find fault with this facility or the conservation efforts/initiatives they help to promote.

We happened upon one of the keeper presentations at the tortoise enclosure. Apparently, these tortoises absolutely love to have their necks scratched! Igloo nearly pushed his keeper over while he was leaning into his neck rub.

Taken February 2010 - Australia Zoo, Brisbane, Queensland

Seeing eye to eye with one on stilts

Quite possibly the bestest animal known to Micah-kind is the giraffe. I mean, which other creature understands the height and cadence of life better than this noble animal?

In late March, a couple of very good friends conspired with me to steal Micah away for the weekend. Our ultimate goal was to visit the Western Plains Zoo. They host a roar-n-snore there, which is basically an opportunity to camp at the zoo and go on a night tour of the grounds, then accompany the keepers for the morning round of feedings. So cool! We got to feed the giraffes! I haven't seen Micah's face light up with such glee since we first saw giraffes on our honeymoon.

This picture was taken while as we attended a giraffe snack time. Apparently, carrots are to giraffes what chocolate is to humans. Micah got to feed this particular lovely lady several carrots, and I think even got a little lick on his hand from her amazing blue tongue. I do hope we get to head out here again soon!

Taken March 2010 - Western Plains Zoo, Dubbo, NSW