Reporters chase a different kind of pollie
We are in the midst of an election campaign here in Australia. Politicians of all persuasions are being chased by reporters to get the latest breaking news.
In my home state this morning, reporters were chasing a different kind of pollie – an escaped parrot from Adelaide Zoo. A Blue and Gold Macaw escaped from the zoo and led the keepers on a chase through the parklands, with a string of reporters in their trail.
After a chase which kept reporters and zookeepers on their toes, an escaped macaw has been coaxed back into a cage in Adelaide.
The blue and gold macaw Tambo was getting some outdoor flight training at Adelaide Zoo on Wednesday when children frightened him and he flew off.
The two-year-old macaw faced attack from other birds in city trees which may have scared him even further afield.
Zoo bird keepers kept watch and called the bird as he took up roost in a 15-metre casuarina tree on the banks of the Torrens in the city.
To see photos, a video and to read the rest of the story click here.
One very lucky penguin
My daughter sent me a link to a Youtube video about one very clever – or lucky penguin.
It is certainly worth taking out two minutes to watch it. Click here to view it.
What I want to know is – how foolish are the observers? There they are sitting in a rubber dinghy in a sea boiling with killer whales only a metre or two away.
Yikes – I’d be terrified too – move over little penguin!
Birds and a dog at Gundagai
No Comments »4th July, 2010; Category: Trip reports
The dog on the tuckerbox near Gundagai
Sydney Trip May 2010
On the second day of our recent trip to Sydney we left Narrandera early and travelled on through Wagga Wagga and past Gundagai. A few miles past Gundagai we stopped at the famous “Dog on the Tuckerbox” rest area, first to refuel and then to have morning tea.
The morning was chilly and we found a sunny spot to have a cuppa. Nearby we were able to buy some delicious apples to take with us on the journey. The birding was slow and I only managed to record the following species during our twenty minute stop:
- Willie Wagtail
- Australian Magpie
- Red Wattlebird
- House Sparrow
- Welcome Swallow
- White-plumed Honeyeater
- Sulphur-crested Cockatoo
- Red-rumped Parrot
The story about the dog on the tuckerbox near Gundagai
- Click on the image to enlarge.
Waking up with the birds in Narrandera
Laughing Kookaburra, Lane Cove National Park, Sydney
Sydney Road Trip May 2010
On our recent trip to stay with family in Sydney we stayed one night in a motel in the town of Narrandera. It was on the southern edge of town, near the intersection of the Sturt and Newell Highways. Though a little noisy with the sounds of trucks, we still had a good night’s sleep.
At dawn the next morning I was woken by the wonderful sound of a Laughing Kookaburra nearby. It’s a wonderful way to wake up. The morning was crisp and cool and slightly foggy. Sadly I didn’t have time to add many more species to my list before we headed off towards Sydney straight after breakfast.
I never did see the kookaburra that woke me – so I’ve included a photo of one I saw in Lane Cove National Park on our last visit some 18 months earlier.