Australia Zoo

 

More Coming Soon.

All animal names are guesses based on my dubious knowledge of their physical description. So if any names are wrong or incomplete then feel free to elucidate. Latin names would be interesting to add as well.

 

Turtle @ Australia Zoo

It's Testudo!

There were hundreds of these things in the water downstream from the tortoise paddock.

They were swimming beneath the surface --the edges of their shells catching the light-- and bobbing up occasionally.

They are definitely strange looking, a mixture of cute and creepy, I can't decide.

Tasmanian Devil @ Australia Zoo

1: *yawn*

2: What's all this then...

3: Get out!

The picture is a bit overexposed so you cant see, but the tips of his ears were reddened, I have no idea why.

It came out of its den, scanned the area, saw me and my camera, made an ungodly screech and approached rapidly. I was glad of the glass partition!

Alligator @ Australia Zoo

*deep growl* These were scary beasts, I was thankful for the barrier between me and those muscular creatures!

Red Kangaroo @ Australia Zoo

Sleepy Kanga :-) It was great to sit with these in the dappled shade, they didn't mind at all, I liked being able to approach (carefully of course, and considerately) without them darting off into the bushes like most animals or birds do. They have long droopy eyelashes (like camels) to protect their eyes from the glare of the sun and from dust etc. A few kangaroos were dusting themselves, a lot were snoozing in the shade or partly so. This one was having dinner.

South-eastern Koala @ Australia Zoo

All they did was snooze :-)

Sleepy South-eastern Koala @ Australia Zoo

Next time I am definitely going to arrange to cuddle one of these they're gorgeous... watch out for the claws though!

Bengal Tiger Cubs @ Australia Zoo

Needless to say these were cute. It was interesting to watch them play fight and ambush each other, swim in the pool and roll around on the grass batting a beach ball.

Bengal Tiger @ Australia Zoo

The mom, I'm assuming. Absolutely beautiful, sleeping peacefully in the shade. Original pic is much larger and you can see the detail on the fur and the eye markings... Definitely one of my favourite animals I have seen for the first time (in real life).

Asian Elephant @ Australia Zoo

Another beautiful animal, surprisingly graceful, and calm. This elephant broke away from the group that were dusting themselves and went to play in the water to cool off. :-) I was so close that I could see the water droplets collected on its eyelashes.

Asian Elephant @ Australia Zoo

Sharper pic. The trunk was amazing, very tactile (of course) and the elephants were using them to scoop fine dust from the ground and fling it in a swift arc over their backs. This elephant rolled around in the water, explored with its trunk held up like a periscope, and at one point leant against the warm concrete edge of the lake with the cool water lapping against its hairy head. :-)

I envied the elephant, it was a very hot day and I was sorely tempted to pour the entire contents of my water bottle over my head...luckily I didn't get burned by the sun or nibbled by mosquitos so It was just the heat and glare that I had to endure.

Eastern Water Dragon @ Australia Zoo

These were everywhere, especially round the crocodile compound for some reason... an affinity for fellow lizards? hehe

I love the crisp sharp features of the lizard's head, the scales and crest, the eyes, very expressive.

These were tricky to photograph --than say, the kangaroos-- but not as hard as photographing birds. The trick is to approach slowly, and don't make any sudden movements or invade their space, and take photos as you go, cause it could dart away at any time.

This photo is a big improvement on my earlier photos of the eastern or gippsland water dragons (taken in 2005/2006), much closer and clearer and composed better (still need improvement though)

Eastern Grey Kangaroo @ Australia Zoo

Their colouring and stillness help them to blend into the leaves really well when they are lying down, the soft beige reminded me of deer. Beautiful gentle creatures. Kind of ruined the atmosphere when a load of tourists' kids ran right up to them and started tapping them and bending their ears :-( stupid brats.

Eastern Grey Kangaroo @ Australia Zoo

Brush Turkey @ Australia Zoo

 

Red Kangaroos @ Australia Zoo

 

Red Kangaroos @ Australia Zoo

Asian Elephant @ Australia Zoo