Lions and Rabbits
Lions, Monarto Zoo, South Australia
We enjoy visiting our local Monarto Zoo, just a few miles from home in Murray Bridge. One of the highlights of a visit to this open range zoo is to take the shuttle bus through the African Lion enclosure, a large grassy paddock not unlike the grasslands they would enjoy in their natural environment. The only difference is that they don’t have to hunt for their daily meal.
The lions shown in several photos on this post are sitting on a mound of dirt approximately in the middle of their enclosure. Our tour guide on one trip to the zoo informed us that a large number of rabbits lived in burrows in this mound. A few careless rabbits came out to feed in the first few days the lions had taken up residence and paid the ultimate price. The rabbits have now learned to stay holed up until dusk – after the lions have returned to their night quarters for the evening.
Lions, Monarto Zoo, South Australia
Lions, Monarto Zoo, South Australia
Granite Island, Victor Harbor, South Australia
No Comments »4th March, 2010; Category: Beaches, Birds, Caravanning, Holidays, South Australia, Victor Harbor
Granite Island, Victor Harbor, South Australia
Probably the best known feature of Victor Harbor is Granite Island, shown in the photos on this post. Victor Harbor, on the south coast of South Australia, is about an hour’s drive south of the state capital, Adelaide. It is a favourite day trip from the capital as well as being a popular destination for interstate visitors.
These photos were taken while we had a weekend there last year. we stayed in one of the excellent caravan parks, ours being right on the foreshore of Encounter Bay (see yesterday’s post for more photos).
Granite Island, Victor Harbor, South Australia
Granite Island is joined to the mainland by a causeway. It takes less than two hours to walk out to the island, around the walking track that circumnavigates it and to return to the town. You can linger longer of course for there is a fine restaurant near the jetty as well as some excellent fishing spots.
Granite Island, Victor Harbor, South Australia
A highlight of a visit is to see the Little Penguins which feed out to sea and return to the island to nest and feed their young.
Little Penguins, Adelaide Zoo
Further reading:
Birds of Mallacoota, Victoria
Bird life, Mallacoota, Victoria
On our walk around Mallacoota we followed the edge of the estuary. In the inlet and on sand bars and small islands we could see many water birds. I was kept busy taking photos, checking them out through my binoculars and jotting down the species’ names in my notebook. During our stay of about 18 hours I made quite a healthy list, mostly water birds. A stay of a week or more would undoubtedly add considerably to this list.
In the photo above I have captured Australian Pelicans, Yellow-billed Spoonbills, cormorants (not sure but probably Little Black) and Silver Gulls.
Black Swans, Mallacoota, Victoria
The photos above and below show the numerous Black Swans feeding in the shallows of the estuary.
Black Swans, Mallacoota, Victoria
Birds at the Sydney Fish Markets
Silver Gull, Sydney Fish Markets
Australians a quite used to having Silver Gulls watching them as they eat picnic lunches, especially if any seafood is on the menu. While we were eating our lunch in the picnic area on the wharf at the Sydney Fish Markets, several Silver Gulls kept a close eye on our food, especially the individual shown in the photo above.
He went hungry.
At least we didn’t feed him anything. Others in the vast crowd may have been more compassionate and shared their lunch.
A very bold White Ibis patrolled the footpath between the rows of tables where hundreds of people were eating. This species has become a pest in many picnic areas. They are not afraid of people and frequently hop on to picnic tables and grab food off your plate. Cheeky blighters.
Some people might think this behaviour as cute, or amusing. For a little child it can be very intimidating and downright frightening.
More docile were several hopeful Australian Pelicans cruising near the wharf.
Silver Gull, Sydney Fish Markets
Queen Victoria Building, Sydney
Queen Victoria Building, Sydney
On our holiday in Sydney late last year our son suggested that we have a look at the Queen Victoria Building in the city. This historic building contains dozens of interesting specialty shops. I was more interested in the building, the beautiful architecture and the wonderful ambiance of the whole building. Not many shopping centres present in this way, especially modern buildings.
Queen Victoria Building, Sydney
After a very pleasant time in this building and its interesting shops, we found a nearby food mall. Sure it was like feeding time at the zoo with every man and his family trying to find a table to use.
Admittedly we were rather optimistic seeing it was between Christmas and New Year. Actually we didn’t have all that much trouble finding a table for four which was surprising. I had a large plate of delicious pasta which more than made up for the crowded conditions.
I’ve included several more photos of the Queen Victoria Building below. Click on the photos to enlarge the image.
For more information click here.
Leadlight windows, Queen Victoria Building, Sydney
World Clock, Queen Victoria Building, Sydney
Detail, floor tiles, Queen Victoria Building, Sydney