Wet and Aggressive Corella challenges Magpie

Wet and Aggressive Corella challenges Magpie

Sunday 21 January 2018

Sunday Selections #363

Sunday Selections was originally brought to us by Kim, of Frogpondsrock, as an ongoing meme where participants could post previously unused photos languishing in their files.
 
The meme is now continued by River at Drifting through life.  The rules are so simple as to be almost non-existent.  Post some photos under the title Sunday Selections and link back to River.  Clicking on any of the photos will make them embiggen.  River is having a blog break at the moment (and will be missed), so I am keeping the meme warm in her absence.  She did post for Sunday Selections last week, and I am hoping she will again today.

 
Like River I usually run with a theme.  January is birthday month for rather a lot of my family and extended family.  My partner, my middle brother, several nephews and me.  My middle brother had a significant birthday and his family liked the smaller portion's birthday treat of last year so much that the brother was also given a night at Jamala Wildlife Lodge.  He loved it.  The youngest brother and I clubbed together and gave him a 'Meet the Cheetah' experience to go with the zoo stay.  He loved that too.  The cheetah, Jura, purred the whole way through the encounter.  And I suspect that if the brother and his wife could purr they would have joined him.


As an aside.  This is the zoo where my youngest brother has volunteered for a number of years.  He tells me that while the zoo has several cheetahs not all of them enjoy interacting with people.  If they don't like it, it doesn't happen. Which is protection for the people of course, but also for the cheetah.  Which I think is excellent.  And I really like that the zoo donates rather a lot of the profit from the animal encounter experiences to animal conservation projects.

The youngest brother and I made a surprise visit to the zoo to watch the interaction.  





The keeper went in first, and Jura trotted over to meet him.  Colour me jealous.







My brother and his wife (and another keeper) joined them.  The second keeper took photos for the lucky pair to cherish.  Just as well, because Jura changed position and we couldn't get any photos from the front.







Despite it being a stinking hot day, of course I looked in on some of the other animals while we were waiting for the cheetah encounter.






This is Hannah, a very old wombat.



The red-browed finches were more interested in Hannah's food than she was.  Much more.  If you click on the photo you will see that they are very pretty little birds.





The peacock was just outside the cheetah's enclosure, hunkered down in the vegetation.  I hope it is smarter than its offspring.  I gather the zoo no longer has peahens because the youngsters were going into the big cat's enclosures and being eaten. 

156 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. Author R. Mac Wheeler: Several big putty tats.

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  2. Not all of them enjoy interacting with people... That's because they've got great taste (no pun intended). That cheetah is a beautiful animal, all right. I wonder how it sees the keeper. I mean I'm sure it knows it 5 times as strong, so is this mutual respect? Those pics are impressive. This is not CGI. This is the real deal.

    Thanks for stopping by.

    Blue

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    1. Blue Grumpster: I suspect you are right about the animal's taste. And who could blame them. I often don't enjoy interacting with people either - and they are (I think) my own species.

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  3. Hi EC - stunning photos ... my mother and I had cheetah encounters in South Africa ... out in the bush ... I loved seeing them ... but I'll be back - because more to see and comment on - and that heat ... ooooooh!!! Cheers HIlary

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    1. Hilary Melton-Butcher: You had cheetah encounters in the bush? How lucky you were. What a privilege.

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  4. What a beautiful coat!

    I think zoos are depressing. We should put ourselves in cages and wander through the wilderness if we want to see animals. :(

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    1. Sandi: Zoos used to be depressing. Many of them have come a long way since the concrete jungle days. And yes, I would love to be able to see animals in their native habitat but sadly we are making that habitat smaller and smaller. Sadly some animals only survive because of zoos.

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    2. Yes....it is sad. We have a zoo near here that goes to great lengths to make everything roomy and wild for the animals. They try. Wish we could go back in time though.

      Hope you get to feeling better SOON!

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  5. What a wonderful experience and your photos are terrific. Interesting about cheetahs not liking some people.

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    1. Andrew: I found it interesting that some cheetahs like people and some don't too. And learned that they are fussy eaters as well. Some of them turn up their nose at venison, and others dive right in.

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    2. So the big cats can be just as fussy as the little ones? I'd never thought about that.

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    3. River: Exactly as fussy as the little ones I gather. And I had never thought of that either.

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  6. I think it's very brave to get close up and personal with a cheetah, but I bet it's fun too. But my favourite is the meerkat, they are just so damn cute!

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    1. LL Cool Joe: No courage required. It was a dream come true. Interestingly I learnt from zoo volunteering brother that the meerkat keepers have all had stitches when their charges decided that they were too close.

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  7. That was an incredible experience. Lovely pictures also. If the zoo no longer has peahens, do the peacocks still strut their stuff in the springtime?

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    1. Anne in the kitchen: I really don't know. I will ask. Though I suspect they do. A friend kept peacocks and the male displayed for her when the peahens weren't around.

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  8. Wow, that cheetah is so beautiful. Not sure though that I'd want to be up close and personal with an animal that could kill me with one bite.

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    1. We are: Clamco: Am I right in thinking you wouldn't want to feed the tigers? Though that encounter is done from the other side of the tiger's enclosure. The cheetah was truly beautiful wasn't he?

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  9. I am not sure I am so brave as to venture into the cheetah enclosure! Great photos.

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    1. CountryMum: Thank you. I would go in a heart beat.

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  10. I'd be another safe distance on looker. They are beautiful animals.

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    1. Joanne Noragon: Very, very beautiful animals. And I love watching them move.

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  11. What a treat! For your brother, of course, but also for us to see these shots of such a beautiful creature. I wish I could be the recipient of such a wonderful birthday present :)

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    1. Alexia: The birthday brother isn't as obsessed with animals as the youngest brother and I am, but he too loved the experience. And I gather is still raving about it. Which is wonderful. When you finally get to Canberra perhaps you can put 'meet a cheetah' on your list.

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  12. What a most wonderful, magnificent experience that must be! How I would love it! I'd be highly emotional throughout...tears would be a permanent fixture as would be a smile on my face. Just wonderful - absolutely wonderful!!

    I hope the coming week brings with it cooler weather for you, EC...and I hope you have a good one. Cuddles to Jazz...take care. :)

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    1. Lee: Sadly our weather is going to be HOT for most of this week. The hottest capital for quite a number of days. And yes, my eyes filled just watching the cheetah experience. For which I feel no shame.

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  13. I love the Cheetah, YOU COULD CUDDLE IT. Beautiful images EC.

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    1. Bob Bushell: Not cuddle it, but certainly stroke it and hear that purr. Which is huge.

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  14. Am I a horrible person for thinking the last sentence is a little bit funny? Cats will be cats.

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    1. Birdie: Cats will indeed be cats. I suspect the zoo took that step because watching visitors complained.

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  15. What a wonderful gift you gave him! If i could go sit with a big cat for a few minutes, i know i would.

    Lovely photos of the zoo animals.

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    1. messymimi: I have a huge weakness for the big cats, so I too would be there in a heartbeat. I am very glad to say that the brother loved his gift.

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  16. Such gorgeous creatures all. What an incredible experience. How fortunate to be able to experience or even witness it.

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    1. Marie Smith: You are right - it was wonderful to watch as well. The couple who had been with the cheetahs immediately before my brother and his wife stayed to watch their interaction too. And were smiling so broadly I suspect their faces hurt.

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  17. I'm sending this over to The Man's laptop.He, like me, will be 49 shades of green.
    Thank you.

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    1. dinahmow: I hope he likes it - despite the colours. And yes, there was some green from me too.

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  18. The cheetah is much bigger than I thought. I keep my dogs in for their safety, our company and yes a miserable neighbor who complains. As a result, our front acreage has become a cat heaven for a few feral cats and bobcats. I love cats, so I can't complain.

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    1. Ann Bennett: Jura is an adolescent and may have some growing to do yet. He is beautiful though. You have bobcats? I would love to see that.

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  19. Love all the beautiful cats! Color me jealous, too. What a nice birthday present for your brother.
    Love all the other "critters" you rounded up for photos as well.
    Silly birds... offering themselves up as snacks! Peacocks are gorgeous though. And loud!

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    1. River Fairchild: Thank you. The zoo is quite large and not all of the inhabitants would scoff baby peacocks so it seems a little unfortunate. And yes, the friend who kept peacocks educated me about just how loud they are.

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  20. I love the idea of having an encounter with a true wild cheetah, but I would be rather terrified until safely away. Those are really pretty birds. The wombat doesn't look long for this world. :-)

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    1. DJan: I hope you are wrong about Hannah, but she has had a good life. And shortly after the photo was taken scurried over and curled up in her den.

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  21. What a wonderful encounter...lovely photos. Happy Birthday to everyone, especially you for sharing this blog and your beautiful part of the world.

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    1. e: Thank you. I think we all did have good birthdays.

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  22. How courageous. Not me! Not even for the picture of the year.
    : )

    The little finches are so lovely. I have never seen one that as far as I know.

    Be well, keep cool!

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    1. Caterina: It seems that we are equally divided. Some of us would love to pat a cheetah, and for others it would be torture.
      I really liked those finches too. And smiled at them helping themselves to the wombat's food.

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  23. the cheetah is amazing; what a spectacle to behold

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  24. Happy birthday month to you and your family, EC. This post is very timely for me. I'm reading a book called Gorillas in the Garden, about the animals in Melb. Zoo, and it's very thought provoking. Colour me jealous too, what an experience for your brother - and it provided excellent photographic opportunities for you.

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    1. catmint: Thank you. On hot days I usually turn into a troll and hunker down inside. I was so glad to make an exception for the cheetah (and my brother). Should I be tracking down Gorillas in the Garden?

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    2. It's old and out of print, but if you can it's definitely worth a read. I'd be happy to lend it to you, if there's a way of doing that. And I've just read your next post - I wish I could give you chicken soup to make you feel better. Although maybe it's not the best thing in this heat, that I know you're experiencing in Canberra too. Dear EC, I do hope you feel better soon. xx

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    3. catmint: Thank you. Both about the book and my health issues. We have a few 'good' second hand book shops about so I might explore.

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  25. Colour me jealous too! What a lovely birthday gift...
    That wombat is very cute.

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    1. Molly Bon: I really liked the wombat too. And was glad that she was out and about.

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  26. I'm jealous too, I'd love a chance to meet and pat a big cat of any type, I love them all. I didn't know about red-browed finches, my mum had zebra finches and one other type that I don't remember, she was a bird person.
    Happy birthday for whichever day it is.

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    1. River: I adore the big cats too. I didn't know about red-browed finches either. I looked them up in one of our bird books when we got home.
      I am having an extended birthday this year. I was at LL on the day and himself was sick. And drat him, he has passed his lurgy on. So more celebrations when we are both better.

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  27. Happy Birthday to you and your family members. :) I would LOVELOVELOVE to be able to pet a big cat!!! Hannah's pretty adorable too. :)

    Alas, I'll have to stick to their smaller cousins in the shelter and at home. Getting a "guest doggie" tomorrow to foster for a few days.

    Thanks for sharing such fabulous shots, EC!
    Marty K.

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    1. Marty K: Thank you. I stick with their smaller relatives too. Mind you, Jazz doesn't consider himself small. In any way.
      Happy fostering.

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  28. What a treat, man and beast.
    Lovely photos of the animals in the zoo.

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    1. Margaret-whiteangel: It was designed as a treat, and the birthday boy felt it. Which was lovely.

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  29. I patted a tiger in Thailand, nearly 30 years ago. I regret doing that now, knowing that they are not treated well and drugged to the eyeballs but it was a magnificent creature.
    I would love even more to meet a non-drugged cheetah up close.
    I always suspected meerkats could be feisty and i'm sure their teeth are razor sharp.

    What a marvellous day!

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    1. kylie: I would have loved to have gone to that tiger park - and then I learned about the dreadful conditions. Patting a tiger would be an incredible thing.
      And yes, the cheetah is a beauty, and I do love that the interaction depends on how he is feeling.
      I gather that feisty is an understatement. And that the meerkat bite is very, very painful.

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  30. a terrific gift and happy birthday to you and your family

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  31. wow, they got to go right into the enclosure with the cheetahs. That is amazing. Quite the treat!

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    1. Alex J. Cavanaugh: Not only did they go into the enclosure they patted Jura on his furry, purry belly.

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  32. That sounds so nice - what a nice day. I hope you have (or had) a lovely birthday, EC!

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    1. Lynn: Thank you. It was a special day for him, which is lovely.
      My own day was quietly pleasant but will be extended. I was volunteering and himself was unwell. He has passed his unwellness on, so we will have a 'birthday dinner' later when we are both better.

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  33. Wow...what a fabulous birthday treat!!
    And these photos are amazing...
    Thank you so much for sharing your special day with us. :))

    Big Hugs xoxoxo

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    1. Ygraine: I am very glad to say that the brother whose birthday it was agreed that it was fabulous. It was pretty good even just watching.

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  34. Wow, what an experience! That was all kinds of cool. Stupid peacock offspring though...

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    1. Carolyn McBride: Definitely all kinds of cool. I was a bit surprised that the parents didn't teach the peacock offspring not to go into some enclosures. There are plenty which would be safe for them, and lots of things for them to forage on the pathways.

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  35. Those animals are amazing, it had to be really exciting to be able to get that close to them, I am happy to see that you were able to enjoy them like this.

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    1. Jimmy: They are incredibly beautiful aren't they? And the zoo is a very special place. We have been having very, very hot days here and quite a lot of the animals have been given suitably flavoured popsicles. Which I would love to see.

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  36. WOW.
    Great shots.
    In my heaven, I shall be w/ the BIG Cats!!
    Stunning. xxx

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    1. My Inner Chick: Big Cats are bliss aren't they? I love them all. With a particular weakness for tigers.

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  37. Hope you and all the others had a very happy birthday. It looks like you did. How wonderful to spend time with these magnificent animals. Thank you so much for these pictures.

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    1. Myrna R.: Thank you. The birthday month has been going well, but time with the animals is always a highlight.

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  38. Love the pictures of the big cats. And all the other animal pictures look good, too.

    How was your birthday?

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    1. Jamie Ghione: Thank you. Much of my birthday has been put on hold until my partner and I recover from the flu like lurgy he brought home.

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  39. Surprise peacock at the end! Lovely photos. I'm too allergic to most animals to go to zoos, so I appreciate a little digital tour.

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    1. John Wiswell: That would be awful. Of the ten most common allergens here the only ones I am not allergic to is cat and dog hair. For which I am grateful.

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  40. Great photos and just love that great, big pussy cat.

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    1. Rasma Raisters: Thank you. You are not alone in loving the big cats. All of them.

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  41. Dear EC
    What a special experience to be able to get so close to such beautiful animals. If only they were safe in the wild. Thank goodness for those people and organisations doing their best to protect them.
    The wombat is so sweet.
    In my opinion, one of the most stupid birds in the UK is the pheasant (as can be seen by the number of dead bodies on the roads, having flown into the path of a car). I wish they had the brain power of the crows and ravens - now they are clever!
    Best wishes
    Ellie

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    1. Ellie Foster: It was definitely a special experience. And I agree wholeheartedly with you and thank those organisations working to protect animals and the environment.
      Our ravens are highly intelligent too. Another bird I have a soft spot for.

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  42. Nicely done. I thought that wombats were imaginary creatures. . . fooled me! I don't think we have those on this side of the planet.

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    1. goatman: Welcome and thank you. Wombats are very real. And not the oddest of our native animals. Not by a long way.

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  43. The wombat looks so cute. How exciting that your brother got to have an animal experience. What a beautiful cheetah! Love seeing the pictures. I think it is wonderful that the zoo donates to animal organizations. :)
    ~Jess

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    1. DMS ~Jess: It was a risky gift because he is not as animal obsessed as some of the family, but the risk paid off. Which is wonderful. And I really like the zoo contributing to other animal organisations too. One of the sunbears at the zoo was destined to become soup before she came to Australia. And now leads a much better life.

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  44. You've captured beautiful, majestic, kind beings, EC. I especially love seeing the cheetah.

    Be well, dear friend.

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    1. Rawknrobyn: They are lovely critters aren't they? I suspect the peacock chicks would dispute their kindness though.
      And I am working on the wellness. Thank you.

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  45. Well----that's a fine group of pictures with a very interesting tale to tell. Thanks for sharing it. And don't pull their tales.... tails.

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    1. Bill: I wouldn't dream of it. And anyone who does (with the exception of cubs) deserves anything which comes their way.

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  46. Oh EC what an amazing post.
    I so enjoyed all of your photographs.

    To all who have a January Birthday, I send my good wishes ... enjoy any celebrations.

    All the best Jan

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    1. Lowcarb team member ~Jan: Thank you. It really is a month of celebrations. And on the 30th, we will remember my mother whose birthday it was.

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  47. Oh how I loved these! And how how I wish you a happy happy birth month my dear! <3

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  48. What a wonderful gift to give and receive. I think I would be too fearful to go in the enclosure with a cat that big. Our "stray" who is now firmly entrenched has bitten me a couple of times, once requiring antibiotics, and I am far less confident around animals of all kinds as a result. The pain! I couldn't believe how severe and how long it lasted. Getting off track here . . . For those who are brave it must be an incredible experience to pat a big cat like Jura. What a beautiful coat he wears! The lions, on the other hand, have my pity, putting up with those thick scarves in the heat.

    Hannah the wombat is tugging at my heartstrings . . . and those finches are unlike any I've seen in person or in books/etc.

    When I read your final sentence, violins began shrieking in my head!!

    Belated Happy Birthday, EC and SP. I see by your replies elsewhere that you have yet to properly celebrate due to work and illness, but when you do I hope it gives you memories to cherish.

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    1. jenny_o: Thank you. I have certainly been bitten by domestic cats, and have had bites requiring antibiotics. Naively? I didn't make the link to the bigger cats. And Jura has always been mannerly.
      Hannah the wombat is old, but apparently healthy and still enjoying life.
      And yes, my heart ached for the peacock chicks too.

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  49. I enjoyed the photos and the words that went with them. Having a meet n greet must have been have been great fun. They’re impressive creatures.

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    1. Terry: Lovely to see you here. Your last post worries me. My brother was very, very happy with his meet and greet. As were the couple who went before them.

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  50. what a wonderful birhtday gift and a fabulous exerience to be so cloes to this big cat. My birthday wishe go to all the most with January bithdays. hope you enjoy yours. Have a good week ahead.

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    1. Margaret Adamson: Thank you. The birthday boy would agree with you - it was fabulous.

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  51. Not all of them like interacting with humans - why does that not surprise me? :) The cheetah is one graceful feline - not that the others are anything less.

    The finch pic is my fav, such a wonderful shade of red!Thank you for posting that. Nature is truly amazing.

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    1. Nilanjana Bose: Nature is a joy, a delight, a distraction and solace to me. Always.

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  52. WOW! Now that would be an amazing experience. Such beautiful creatures. Love the photos and what a great way to celebrate a birthday. Wishing you a wonderful birthday as well (or belated if you've already enjoyed it)!!

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    1. Mason Canyon: They are glorious animals aren't they? My birthday was last week, but the celebrations will go on when we are both over this lurgy.

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  53. I always save your Sunday posts for my Monday kickoff-the-week, and I'm never disappointed. Beautiful animals, indeed.

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    1. cleemckenze: What a lovely thing to say. Thank you.

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  54. What a wondrous experience.
    Poor peahen youngsters.

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    1. Sandra Cox: Poor chicks indeed. And the poor peacock who no longer has a mate to strut his stuff for.

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  55. Peahen on the menu for cheetahs. Self service restaurant?
    I love your photos, but you wouldn’t have got me into the cheetah enclosure in a million years.

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    1. Friko: I gather quite a lot of the big cats were enjoying fresh bird. And I am finding it interesting that some people (like me) would jump at the chance to interact with the cats, and others would avoid it like the plague.

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  56. If there's one thing I adore, it has to be any type of cat - lions, leopards, cheetahs, jaguars and regular cats.To be able to pet one of these guys would be so wonderful! These pictures will be treasured forever and ever EC and I thank you! By the way I sure hope your birthday was the best! Hugs...RO

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    1. RO: I am with you. I adore cats, big or small. I hope and believe that the brother and his wife will treasure this memory. Most of my birthday is on hold until my partner and I get rid of the nasty, coughing, sneezing thing he brought home from his sister.

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  57. Dear EC, what a wonderful gift to give to your middle brother. i really can't imagine the deep purr of a cheetah. I've lived with cats for 46 years now and their purr can sometimes become a rumble. I wonder what a cheetah's rumble sounds like. How marvelous.

    I've never before seen a wombat. What was the other animal? Is that a meerkat? That's the word that came to my mind.

    Happy birthday. May the coming year be filled with surprising and welcomed possibilities for growth in the human spirit. Peace ever and always.

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    1. Dee: I gather that the purr of a cheetah is a truly spectacular rumble, and that his whole body vibrated. The other animal was indeed a meerkat. Small animals, cute animals, with sharp teeth who are happy to use them.
      Thank you for your wishes for the coming year. I hope so. I really hope so.

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  58. Happy Birthday! Sending you Big Crow Hugs and Many Blessings for the year to come!
    Wow, this is amazing! What an experience!! All the animals are so gorgeous! Love those little birds! Thanks so much for sharing these wonderful pictures! They are a treasure!
    I feel sorry for the chicks and the peacock!!

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    1. Magic Love Crow: Of course you feel sorry for the peacock chicks. So do I. Despite loving the big cats and knowing that it is in their nature.
      Thank you so much for the Big Crow Hugs and Many Blessings. Both are more than welcome.

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  59. What a great experience!! So envious! God sure has a hand in creating!

    Peacocks are not known for intelligence.

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    1. Susan Kane: It is an expensive price to pay for stupidity though. And yes, the animals are incredibly beautiful. However they were created.

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  60. Wow - what an experience! Although I do have difficulty in appreciating animals in zoos.

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    1. Lady Fi: I hear you. There are zoos and zoos and this is a good one. Just the same I wish that they weren't the only way that some animals will be saved.

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  61. Good morning, EC.
    Those cats are simply beautiful.
    The cheetah looks much more approachable than the lion doesn't he?

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    1. Sandra Cox: I think the cheetah WAS more approachable. As far as I know it is the only one of the big cats where encounters with the public take place in their enclosure. They are all lovely though.

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  62. Oh my I'm very jealous too, if only our Minnesota Zoo had all the lovely animals that you do, it would be even more amazing then I believe now. Thank you for bringing us with you (every single time you do) the wombat very old you sad looks sweet to me!

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    1. Karen S.: Hannah is apparently record-breaking old, but I agree, she does look sweet. And content which is more important.

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  63. any "feline" from the cat kingdom I adore like no other!! wish I could even own a lion. yes. I said that.

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    1. Tammy Theriault: You are not alone. I would really like to share my life with rather a lot of the big cats.

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  64. Color me jealous too! I did once get a face to face meet with a Florida panther, and got a head butt like no regular house cat could give.

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    1. Cindi Summerlin: What a treat you had. We had a big, boofy 'domestic' cat which used to head-butt us behind the knees. And all of us hit the ground at least once when we weren't expecting it.

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  65. Hi Sue,

    Awesome, amazing photos. I'm glad I spotted your post and I'd be lion if I didn't love the photos.

    Thank you for this, Sue.

    Gary

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    1. klahanie: Dear Gary, it is lovely to see your punning self out and about.

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  66. I hope you live to fight another day...Get better soon!

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  67. be well and take care of yourself, I hope you don't have the flu or something; today I wore gloves and a mask to the grocery just to avoid germs.

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    1. Linda Starr: Not certain what it is, but it is ugly. Himself is still coughing and still has a sore throat nearly three weeks later.

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  68. I sometimes think a cheetah would make an interesting pet. I believe my 10 domestic cats and likely the horses would disagree with me. Get well!

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    1. Jono: Thank you. I suspect you are right that the domestic cats and perhaps the horses would put a veto on that idea - but it most definitely would be interesting.

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  69. I'm so sorry to hear you're ill. Wishing you better soonest.

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  70. Oh my goodness! What amazing pictures!!! I would've loved this visit! I hope you're feeling better soon. Healing vibes headed your way.


    Elsie

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    1. Elsie Amata: Thank you. It really was a lovely zoo visit.

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  71. E C. GET WELL SOON. Best wishes L.

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  72. Get well soon ...
    My good wishes

    All the best Jan

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  73. Oh I do so hope you feel better soon...thinking of you.:))

    A Healing Hug!

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    1. Ygraine: Thank you. Healing hugs and wishes gratefully accepted.

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  74. Why, peahens? Why?? Didn't your momma teach you...? sigh.

    I'm glad to read that conservation groups get donations.

    Have you ever tried to imagine...step into the minds of those who shoot animals [with guns, not cameras]...what the hell motivates them, makes them want to shoot them, how do they feel? I've tried and for once, my imagination puts up a wall.

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    1. neena maiya (guyana gyal): Lovely to see you in the blogosphere again. Not only do the conservation groups get donations, they are large. And no, I cannot (and do not want to) understand the concept of shooting for pleasure.

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