Scimitar-horned Oryx, Monarto Zoo, South Australia
Scimitar-horned Oryx, Monarto Zoo, South Australia
Our local zoo here in Murray Bridge South Australia is Monarto open range zoo, with most of the animals on display kept in large paddocks where they are free to wander. Visitors to the zoo are escorted through the various enclosures on shuttle buses which run every few minutes throughout the day. Excellent views of all the animals can be obtained through the large bus windows. This is accompanied by excellent commentary given by volunteer guides.
The zoo takes its logo from the animal featured here, the Scimitar-horned Oryx. This species once ranged over all of North Africa but has not been sighted in the wild for over 15 years and is now considered extinct in its natural environment. It is conservation programmes like this at Monarto (and other) zoos which is so valuable, and the main reason I enjoy supporting their work.
In their natural habitat of steppes and desert, these oryx would eat shrubs, leaves, grass and fruit. They would form large mixed herds and were able to withstand extreme heat by being able to regulate their body temperature and the retention of water. They could survive for weeks in the desert without drinking. Sadly they were hunted for their horns and this resulted in their extinction in the wild.
Scimitar-horned Oryx, Monarto Zoo, South Australia
Storm Clouds over Murray Bridge, South Australia
Storm clouds over Murray Bridge
Yesterday I wrote about a recent trip to Mannum. While there I took some photos of some spectacular storm clouds that had built up during the afternoon. As I travelled home the setting sun lit up these clouds creating an amazing light show.
Storm clouds over Murray Bridge, South Australia
All the shots shown on this post were actually taken from our own driveway. Somehow the photos do not really do justice to the magnificence of the clouds.
Storm clouds over Murray Bridge, South Australia
All photos are enhanced by clicking the on the photo to enlarge the image.
Aquatic Centre, Swanport Reserve, Murray Bridge
Canoes on the River Murray
Over the last few days I have written about the picnic lunch we had at Swanport Reserve recently. This reserve is a few minutes drove from our home and not far south of Murray Bridge in South Australia. This is a popular picnic area which also attracts people who are birders (like myself – see Trevor’s Birding blog), anglers, tourists and people keen on a variety of water sports.
Adjoining the reserve is the Murray Bridge Sailing Club and the Aquatic Centre. The centre is run and staffed by the Education Department and has a dedicated camping area with cabins for visiting students. School groups come from a wide catchment area to use the facilities here. The activities are mainly water based, teaching the students skills in sailing, skiing, small boat handling, surf boarding, rowing and canoeing. The centre is in high demand.
Sailboarders and rowers on the River Murray
I had a small stake in the development of the centre in its very early days. About twenty years ago my class grew some trees and bushes for planting out in the grounds of the centre. We also followed this up with boat trips on the river looking at both the natural environment and the historic background of the use of the river in this part of the country.
Related articles:
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Swanport Reserve, Murray Bridge
River Murray at Swanport Reserve, Murray Bridge
Swanport Reserve is just south of Murray Bridge in South Australia. This small park on the banks of the River Murray is one of our favourite picnic spots. Being a ten minute drive from home is an added bonus.
This park is popular with locals for picnics, barbecues, fishing and various boating activities like canoeing. In the warmer months is also a popular swimming spot, the small beach being a relatively safe area for swimming. (Many other areas along the river are dangerous due to hidden rocks and other objects like the roots of the large trees that line the river.)
River Murray at Swanport Reserve, Murray Bridge
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Related Articles:
- Whistling Kite at Swanport Reserve – from my Birding Blog.
- A cruise on the River Murray – a New Year’s Eve celebration.
- Cruising on the River Murray – another picnic at this reserve.
- Swanport Reserve, Murray Bridge – yet another picnic.