An unusual Platypus, Taronga Zoo, Sydney
Platypus carved out of sandstone rock, Taronga Zoo, Sydney
I took this photo of a large platypus carved out of a sandstone boulder in the grounds of Taronga Zoo in Sydney. This unusual piece of sculpture is huge, measuring about 3 metres wide by 2 metres high.
It is only one of many pieces of art work scattered around the zoo, all with and animal theme.
Rainbow Lorikeets, Taronga Zoo, Sydney
Rainbow Lorikeet, Taronga Zoo, Sydney
During our visit to Taronga Zoo in Sydney we found a quiet picnic area so we could eat our lunch. Most visitors to the zoo take advantage of the various restaurants and other food outlets, but we would rather bring our own picnic lunch. We found a lovely grassed area with a few picnic tables and enjoyed a pleasant lunch.
At a table nearby some overseas visitors were enjoying the company of two Rainbow Lorikeets. They had provided some food for the birds who were happily devouring the free meal. While this provided me with a great photo opportunity, I can’t condone the action of these visitors. Human food is never good for our native birds so I would discourage all of my readers to refrain from feeding our birds.
Rainbow Lorikeet, Taronga Zoo, Sydney
Rainbow Lorikeet, Taronga Zoo, Sydney
Mueller’s Gibbon, Taronga Zoo, Sydney
Mueller's Gibbon, Taronga Zoo, Sydney
Mueller’s Bornean Gibbon is one of the smallest of the smallest gibbons.It can be found on the island of Borneo where it is endemic. They are arboreal feeders, primarily fruits of the rainforest. They are diurnal (active during the day) and their early morning calls are loud and piercing. They have very long arms which enable them to swing easily from branch to branch as they move through the rainforest.
We saw these Gibbons during our visit to Taronga Zoo in Sydney last year. At the bottom of this post I have included a photo of the sign accompanying this display. I frequently do this to remind me of the particular species I have photographed, especially of those animals or birds with which I am not all that familiar.
Mueller's Gibbon, Taronga Zoo, Sydney
Mueller's Gibbon, Taronga Zoo, Sydney
Beautiful lunch time visitor
Silver Gull, Taronga Zoo, Sydney
Silver Gulls make excellent photographic studies. This is because they are generally quite unafraid of people, especially at the beach, in picnic areas or open air restaurants. On our visit to Taronga Zoo in Sydney last year this individual decided it was worth hanging around where we were sitting in the hope of a few morsels to eat. It was sadly disappointed because we only sat at the table for a few minutes while we had a drink break.
What a beautiful pest
Common Myna, Taronga Zoo, Sydney
I took this photograph of a Common Myna last year on a visit to one of my favourite zoos, Taronga Zoo in Sydney. We had a short break at one of the food outlets in the zoo. As we were sitting there a Common Myna sat on one of the umbrellas covering patrons having a meal. The red top of the umbrella is shown reflected on the breast feathers of the bird, creating an interesting effect. Look rather beautiful, actually.
Sadly, this introduced species has grown to pest proportions in Sydney, Melbourne and many other towns and cities. It is a pest species because it competes with native bird species for food and nesting spots and is steadily displacing native species in some areas.
Common Myna, Sydney