Wet and Aggressive Corella challenges Magpie

Wet and Aggressive Corella challenges Magpie

Thursday 17 August 2017

More from Tidbinbilla

On Sunday I finally took you to Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve with us.    It is a big area and we saw only a tiny fraction, concentrating on the bird life in the Sanctuary (which is a wetlands ecosystem surrounded by bushland and protected by a predator proof fence) and an excursion to the Eucalpyt Forest.  There is lots more to see, and we will have to go back.  Which will of course be a trial and a torment to us both.  Not.   There are 21 different marked walking trails, ranging from an easy 15 minute stroll to an all day 8 hour bush walk.  Many are wheel-chair accessible too.

Starting with The Sanctuary, and continuing to show both natural and man-made art works.


This fox can look but cannot get inside...


A slightly different view of the goanna which many of you liked.





The black-billed ibis seemed very happy - and ignored us completely.




We did see a platypus - but I was far too slow to take its photograph.  It came up and briefly basked in the sun in the pond in the next photo. 
 


Dozing magpie geese.



The Brolgas were camera shy.  I took rather a lot of shots where I inadvertently beheaded them.



I really liked this carving of the pelican.

While we were in the Sanctuary we also saw a potoroo - which I have never seen before.  Of course I failed to capture it with the camera. 

Then we wandered a couple of hundred yards away to the Eucalypt Forest.  It was our lucky day.  We know that the Eucalypt Forest is home to several koalas, but they are usually hard to see.  We have often not seen one.  This time?  We saw this pair not long after we entered the area.  We then followed the trail (a kilometre or so in a loop).  We saw no more koalas.  When we returned to the starting point there wasn't a koala to be seen. 










I am going to finish this long and photo-heavy post with kangaroos.  We see them much closer to home a couple of times a week - and loved seeing them here as well.





116 comments:

  1. Such a glorious place, EC. The art is great and the wildlife incredible to this North American. Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Marie Smith: I am so grateful to the blogosphere - it has widened my world considerably.

      Delete
  2. your place is wonderful my dream to see kangaroos in their natural environment

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thank you once again for another trip to Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve! I enjoyed this one, too. I love the art, the scenery, the wildlife and that gorgeous pelican carving! Who couldn't love the Koalas...so cute!!!
    Loved my visit~

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jan: I am so glad you enjoyed coming with us.

      Delete
  4. Sounds like a wonderful place! Those koalas look so huggable but I guess that might be frowned upon!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Molly Bon: There are places where you can hug koalas - but not here. One of our erst-while politicians (who I will not name) described them as 'flea-ridden, piddling, stinking, scratching, rotten little things'. I hope they piddled on him copiously.

      Delete
  5. The koalas are so cute......I really like all the carvings and statuary.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. only slightly confused: I think the mixture of natural and man-made art is brilliant.

      Delete
  6. So exotic there Child. If only it wasn't a twenty four hour flight - over lots of ocean - I'd love to visit. I'll just have to enjoy it through you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. donna baker: I don't fly well - and resent having to pay an arm and a leg for it as well. I will share my world, while you share yours. Deal?

      Delete
  7. You are so fortunate to have the opportunity to visit these fabulous native NZ animals. We are fortunate that you share your pictures with us.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Starting Over, Accepting Changes - Maybe: Thank you. They are native to Oz rather than NZ, but we love them and are happy to share.

      Delete
  8. Another wonderful visit though your eyes and lens, EC. Thank you. My favourites this time are the birds - such elegant ibis, and the pelican is excellent! I met an animal I'd never heard of before, the potoroo, and was shocked to be reminded that there are foxes in Australia. This quote from your Environment Agency: "They have played a major role in the decline of a number of species of native animals and they also prey on newborn lambs" Sound like our rabbits, weasels, stoats, etc. Thanks a lot, European settlers!

    I have been lucky enough to see koalas a number of times, in zoos and in the wild, at Hanging Rock in Victoria. They certainly have the cuteness factor. Have a great Thursday :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Alexia: Every state (except Tasmania) has foxes. We also have rabbits. Sigh. Isn't that pelican spectacular?

      Delete
  9. Thank you fore photos of Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve. The place seems really fascinating. Love those critters.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Martin Kloess: It is a lovely place and I am very happy to share. And even happier that others love it too.

      Delete
  10. Fun to see all! I really enjoyed the pelican carving and the koala!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bill: I am glad. I have been really enjoying your very different photos.

      Delete
  11. Hi Sue,

    Tidbinbilla looks like just the sort of place I'd love to visit and yep, take wonderful photos such as yours.

    The koala reminds me of an old Qantas commercial.

    Gary

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. klahanie: Dear Gary, I would love it if you COULD visit Tidbinbilla. So long as we could come too.

      Delete
  12. I love our native wildlife, but I'm used to seeing them, so what intrigues me more here is the man made sculptures and carvings, they're just so intricate and detailed. Thank you :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. River: I am just so impressed with the way they combine the natural and the man-made.

      Delete
  13. That's a really exotic place with cute koalas. Beautiful pictures also...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. SHON: Thank you. It is quite close to home, and we should go more often.

      Delete
  14. The carvings are wonderful...particularly the platypus.

    I've only ever once seen a real, live and swimming, a platypus. That special sight happened one Sunday when I was visiting Eungella (Eungella National Park), which is about an hour west of Mackay. I was strolling on the banks of a still waterway and there it was! Such a pleasant surprise and a happy memory that lingers.

    The koalas are beautiful. We have them here on this mountain, too. Lovely creatures they are.

    Thanks, EC. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lee: The carvings are spectacular aren't they? I have seen platypuses a few times in the wild - red letter days every time.

      Delete
  15. The sculptures are really amusing. You did well with the koala photos. At a night sanctuary we had potoroos wandering around our feet. Magic! I rather like saying the name Tidbinbilla.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Andrew: Tidbinbilla rolls off the tongue nicely doesn't it? And how I would love to have potoroos wandering round our feet. This one scuttled into the undergrowth quickly.

      Delete
  16. Your close ups are really wonderful! Always an adventure looking through your lens. Have a great week.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. e: Thank you. It has been a busy week with some ups and downs. Revisiting Tidbinbilla helps. I hope your kitchen is very, very nearly finished.

      Delete
  17. So much to see! I love the koala pictures, what an interesting critter. Thanks for taking me along! :-)

    ReplyDelete
  18. I ALWAYS enjoy your tours!!

    ReplyDelete
  19. I have seen kangaroos in the wild many times and koalas a couple of times but it truly never gets old, does it?

    The rusty little fox is a nice touch

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. kylie: It never ever gets old. We see roos a couple of times each week and still enjoy them (except when they jump in front of the car).

      Delete
  20. Thanks for taking me along on this venture. I love the birds and the animals in your world that I will never see except through your eyes and your camera. The Koalas look so sweet, but are they? I know they are wild and probably don't want humans around.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Glenda Council Beall: Koalas are fairly placid, but yes, I suspect they would prefer not to see humans.

      Delete
  21. Amazing pictures EC, I love seeing the animals you post because a lot are not any that we normally see here, and you photograph them so well.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jimmy: Thank you. I don't often see koalas either, and as I said to Kylie, welcome them each time I do.

      Delete
  22. I love that you came across koalas!! I'd love to see a Koala Bear in person!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Thank you for taking me along on your visit to the park through these wonderful photos. I like the sculpture and carvings and the koala bears are so adorable!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nancy Chan: Welcome and thank you. This is a wonderful nature reserve and I am happy to show it off. And yes, the koalas are special.

      Delete
  24. As always, I love your photos. Moss (or lichen?) covered boulders, exotic wildlife, unique works of art. And koalas. One of them looks like he might have been trying to nap :) Thank you so much for sharing.

    More? she said hopefully ...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. jenny_o: Probably a break from Tidbinbilla for a little while at least. And yes, koalas are noted for their sleeping...

      Delete
  25. Hi EC - love the photos and thanks for sharing with us ... I'm dashing at the moment - but loved the kaola's, the sculptures: the pelican, the platypus ... just lovely to see when I'm sitting in thick mist on the south coast - cheers Hilary

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hilary Melton-Butcher: Stay safe in your dashing. We had blissful (but cool) sunshine at Tidbinbilla, but have mist now.

      Delete
  26. After enjoying your Tidbinbilla posts I'm sure you're right about how much I'd enjoy visiting the area. How brilliant that you were treated to the sight of brolga, platypus and potoroo, the thought of that makes me smile

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kim: Days later we are still smiling. And I want to go back and explore the lyre-bird gulley. Among other things.

      Delete
  27. What an adventure and filled with so many exotic animals. The photos capture it all very well, nice of you to share indeed.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Blogoratti: Thank you. I was indeed an adventure.

      Delete
  28. Is the fox carving trying to escape?

    Love the Platypus. They don't do much. :) (Have you ever watched Phineas and Ferb?)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sandi: The fox is trying to get into The Sanctuary to feast on the birds...
      I have never seen Phinea and Ferb. I will have to ask Captain Google about them.

      Delete
    2. They have a pet platypus. He doesn't do much!

      Delete
    3. Sandi: I have never even considered platypus as pets. The males have poison spurs too.

      Delete
  29. Sights, in this country at least, which we will only ever see if we go to Australia. Nice images, which have been captured really well. It feels like we're actually there. A good place to go and visit.though. An entertaining blogpost which I've learnt a lot fromtrali. I can't go to Australia, but Australia can come to me.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Treey: Thank you. I am happy to bring my corner of Australia your way.

      Delete
  30. Oh my gosh. This looks like something right off a bucket list. Wondrous.
    And the fox in the first photo...too cute.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sandra Cox: It really is a lovely place - and there will always be more for us to see. Lots more.

      Delete
  31. Oh my goodness, I want a copy of each of those art works for my yard. AND I want a live Koala. Okay that probably won't work.

    Love your posts!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. T. Powell Coltrin: I would like rather a lot of the art works myself. And the birds and animals. And no, the live transfer would probably fail. Sigh.

      Delete
  32. The pelican is gorgeous, so is the goanna, at every angle. your wildlife pics are amazing as usual, loved the ibis especially! Thank you for broadening my world.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nilanjana Bose: Thank you. I have been (and am) so grateful to you for expanding my world, so it is lovely to hear I have returned the favour.

      Delete
  33. I love koalas and kangaroos, but I have to say I ADORE that fox sculpture peeking through the fence! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. River Fairchild: Isn't it a stunner? Other people looked at me as if I was crazy taking that photo, but they were wrong. Very wrong. (Possibly right about the craziness, but deprived not to be able to see the beauty of the fox.)

      Delete
  34. That black billed ibis really captures my eye - I'm glad it did yours too. And wow, love the koala. It's nice to see one - in photos, at least.

    Keep a smile, EC.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Rawknrobyn: My eyes were captured by so many things, and my jaw almost permanently dislocated.
      I hope your week is full of smiles and chocolate.

      Delete
  35. The sanctuary is so marvellous. I love your photos of the sculptures so much and especially of the koala.

    ReplyDelete
  36. Gorgeous photos, both living creatures and art.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Olga Godim: It is a gorgeous place. Which we need to revisit more often.

      Delete
  37. Replies
    1. Author R. Mac Wheeler: It is a cool place. And at this time of the year there are no bitey beasts about.

      Delete
  38. What a great place to stroll and look around at all the beauty.

    Love,
    Janie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Janie Junebug: It is. A place to stroll, to wander, to hike, or just sit and absorb.

      Delete
  39. Hello! Now this is my kind of place, what crafty artwork, scattered about. The fox is really sweet, and the wooden one after not sure what it was called, (you always teach me new and interesting critters here!) Enjoy your evening.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Karen S.: Thank you. The wooden statue is of a goanna - and I have seen them close to that size too.

      Delete
  40. Thank you so much for bringing us along! I love the juxtaposition of the natural world and the reflective artwork. Not sure if I will ever make it to Oz, but I sure am having fun seeing it through your eyes, EC!
    Marty K.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Marty K: I think the juxtaposition of natural and made made art works is an act of genius, and I am more than happy to share it.

      Delete
  41. Whoever carved that pelican is pretty dang amazing! I love to look at Koala Bears because they just seem so huggable and adorable. Thanks so much EC! Hugs...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. RO: I am so impressed at the pelican. And koalas are gorgeous critters. Much friendlier than drop bears...

      Delete
  42. You take us on such wonderful and amazing trips. Beautiful photos. Thanks for sharing them with us.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mason Canyon: Thank you - the more the merrier.

      Delete
  43. The koalas are so adorable!
    Those outings are very different from mine. What an experience!
    One of these days I will accept my cousins's invitation and go to Sydney!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Caterina: Aren't we lucky that the internet and the blogosphere make the world a much smaller place?

      Delete
  44. I love the Koala Bear, I could reach out and cuddle her/him. And I love the art there, beautiful EC.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bob Bushell: Isn't it a lovely place? I thought you would like it too.

      Delete
  45. a wonderful lot of birds there... I hope I get to visit one day

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anna: I was hoping to see the emus as well. Next time. And do hope you can get here some day. It is well worth the visit.

      Delete
  46. I would be over the moon to see all of this, and I am thankful for your virtual tour because your photos are amazing. Thank you EC :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Denise inVA: Thank you. I was over the moon (again) myself.

      Delete
  47. How thrilling for you to see the koalas and a platypus, even if the latter was too shy to allow a photo. (Seeing a platypus some day is on my so-called bucket list...)

    I love that carving of the pelican, too. Reminds me of a cute old poem:

    A peculiar bird is the pelican.
    His mouth can hold more than his bellican.
    He can hold in his beak
    Enough for for the week,
    Although damned if I know how the hellican.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Susan: My father recited that poem to us often (particularly when he thought our mouthfuls were too big at the table). I was quite surprised to later learn that it wasn't his own work.

      Delete
  48. I love pelicans, they remind me of the prehistoric birds. We stayed on the 10 floor of a hotel in Daytona Florida and would see the brown pelicans come in groups of 8 or more to scour the beaches for food. Hubs called them 'the boys'. . .but only once did we see them land on the water and look for fish below. Lovely of you to share your pix with us!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. D.G. Hudson: I love pelicans too - and their dinosaur ancestory is very evident. I would love to see them in big groups.

      Delete
  49. Kangaroos, koalas, and a potoroo! I am so jealous. Your pictures get to transport me to a place I have never been and might not ever get to (though you never know- I'd love to visit). So many interesting birds, animals, and sculptures. Thanks for sharing. :)
    ~Jess

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. DMS ~Jess: Thank you. We were very happy with all that we saw, and I am glad to be able to share it.

      Delete
  50. Had to stop by to check out more Cute Koala Bears, EC. Happy Saturday! Hugs...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. RO: Thank you. Sunday now - I hope your weekend is excellent.

      Delete
  51. Lovely selection of sculptures Sue and I had never head of a potoroo so had to look that up (tks for link) great seeing the Kaolos.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Margaret Adamson: It was a treat seeing the koalas - and the potoroo and the platypus. The sculptures were a bonus.

      Delete
  52. Thank for the tour. Wonderful photos love the birds and koalas.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Rasma Raisters: Thank you - we loved them too.

      Delete
  53. Those Koalas are the cutters critters I've ever seen. I wish we had them here.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Rick Watson: We rarely see koalas - but love it when we do.

      Delete
  54. This is a super post. Just love the selection of photo's showing everything from art, wonderful carvings to scenery, to wildlife.
    I especially like the Koalas and kangaroo.

    All the best Jan

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lowcarb team member ~Jan: Thank you. We are so lucky to have a place with so much to offer close to us.

      Delete
  55. Art and nature. What's the difference, really? Such a wonderful place this preserve must be! I remember being a kid and thinking how funny the platypus looked! I still have a tiny stuffed koala from my childhood. I keep it on my jewelry box. Unbelievably, he's still in good nick!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bea: Nature is the best artist - but I really like the juxtaposition of her work with some man-made creations.
      How lovely that your koala is surviving still.

      Delete
  56. Some wonderfully distinct creatures in your land

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Andrew Maclaren-Scott: And in yours. I would love to see badgers. And hedge-pigs.

      Delete
  57. I did some hunting. The carvings and metal sculptures were done by a parks worker there, Barry Armstead. Unfortunately they let him go. He now teaches sculpture somewhere, but I couldn't find out where.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sefton Dibbs: Welcome and thank you. I hope that where ever this talented artist has gone he is appreciated.

      Delete