Sleepy Koala, Adelaide Zoo
Sleepy Koala at Adelaide Zoo
Some people… er… animals have the best jobs. This sleepy Koala caught my attention on a recent visit to my home zoo in Adelaide. All he has to do is sit there and entertain the zoo visitors. Not a very difficult job, really. I’m sure I’d cope with such a demanding position – though, to be honest, I think I’d be asking for a slightly more comfortable seat.
Yellow-footed Rock Wallabies, Adelaide Zoo
Yellow-footed Rock Wallaby, Adelaide Zoo
Possibly the most colourful member of the marsupials in Australia is the Yellow-footed Rock Wallaby, shown in the pictures on this post. These photos were taken at the Adelaide Zoo, which also has a good collection of them at the Monarto section of the zoo.
These beautiful animals are primarily found in the northern parts of South Australia, especially in parts of the Flinders Ranges. It is also present in small numbers in far western NSW. Although I do not have a photo of one in their natural habitat, I remember seeing several of them many years ago just north of Quorn. They are amazing animals with their ability to scale rocky outcrops with ease.
The Adelaide Zoo website has more information on this species here.
Yellow-footed Rock Wallaby, Adelaide Zoo
Yellow-footed Rock Wallaby, Adelaide Zoo
Hippopotamus at the Adelaide Zoo
Hippopotamus, Adelaide Zoo
I love going to the Adelaide Zoo. It’s only about an hour’s drive from home and being a Life Member I can go any time I have an hour or two free when I am in the city. On one visit last year I managed several good photos of the hippopotamus.On other occasions this animal hasn’t been easy to photograph, especially when it stays under water for an extended period of time.
Hippopotamus, Adelaide Zoo
Hippopotamus, Adelaide Zoo
Birds of Burra Gorge, South Australia
Galah at Burra Gorge, mid north of South Australia
Burra Gorge in the mid north of South Australia is an interesting location for birding. This gorge marks the boundary between the hills further west and the dry plains to the east. It is therefore a transitional zone between the birds of the wetter parts to the west, especially around the Clare Valley about 40km away, and flora and fauna of the saltbush plains immediately to the east.
On my most recent visit last spring, the bird life was not very prominent because it was midday on a rather warm day. It would be good to camp here for several days because I believe I’d get quite a good list of birds, especially first thing in the morning. Several Galahs looked like they were preparing to breed because they were investigating hollows in some of the trees in the picnic ground.
Nearby an Australian Magpie was already sitting on a nest and others were feeding recently fledged young begging to be fed.
Magpie on nest at Burra Gorge, mid north of South Australia
Burra Gorge, mid north of South Australia
Burra Gorge, mid north of South Australia
Burra Gorge, South Australia
Burra Gorge, South Australia
Late last year we travelled to Peterborough in the mid-north of South Australia. We were visiting family and on the way we stopped at the beautiful Burra Gorge for lunch. This gorge cuts through the hills to the south east of the old mining town of Burra. It is a popular picnic area with picnic tables and toilets but no other facilities.
It is also a popular camping area, as shown in the photo above. Our visit was during school holidays as so there were quite a few campers and caravans in the camping area. All campers have to be self sufficient as far as food and water is concerned. The nearest shops are in Burra, some 30km away. There are also no powered sites.
Burra Gorge, South Australia