Kangaroo Island

With our Breakfast 'packed to go' we climbed aboard the Coach and were on the road by 6:30 am for the (108 km) 2 Hour drive to Cape Jervis.  

When I took this Photo I said "Someday" we would Return 

It took 15 Years but here we are about to board the Sealink to Kangaroo Island.

(1 hr - 20.5 km Crossing)

Kangaroo Island is Australia's 3rd Largest Island (after Tasmania and Northern Territory's Melville Island).  

KI is 145 km Long with 540 km of Coastline.  Mainly Agricultural and Nature Reserves, It was a long way between Point A and Point B.

Basically this was a "Whistle Stop" Tour of Kangaroo Island. 

First Stop Seal Bay.

(1 hr 15 min - 88 km)

A light Lunch was served at The Wildlife Park 

We were hurried up with

"Don't worry Folks we will be back here later"

(30 min.- 36 km)

It was then on to the Iconic Postcard Destination that is 'Remarkable Rocks'

It truly was a Beautiful place and I took many Photos - wishing that I had taken my DSLR with me.

(60 min - 75km)

A quick side trip down to Admirals Arch (which we didn't get to see) and a Tantalising Glimpse of the Cape Du Couedic Lighthouse.

Built in 1906 it was the 15th Lighthouse to be built on South Australia's Coast

(8 mins - 6.5 km)

Bustled back onto the Coach we then set off back to The Wildlife Park.

They may have done wonderful work with Koala Conservation after the 2020 Bushfire but I am sorry to say that this ranks with the Saddest Parks I have been to.  

(60 min - 74 km)

Our day was drawing to a close and were dropped off at the Kingscote Airport to board a Mini Bus for the trip to our accommodation.

The view from our Balcony was of the Pelican Lagoon at American River.

(45 min - 62 km)

If you are still with me on this Post then you may have been taking notice of the Travel Time and Distance between each Stop.  

We travelled for 7 hours on Coach and Ferry a total of 467 km . Most of it with a Cranky Bus Driver on Country Roads - It was a VERY Big Day.

They tell me Tomorrow will be more relaxed ...

Tree Update:

I left my post of the 15th September hoping that the Council would not come when Our Tree was in Full Bloom and covered with Bees.

They came today - 

The Tree is in Full Blossom but it is Raining and the Bees have more sense than to be out in it.  

So the Girls are safe and So are the workers.

We watched them - They REALLY did know what they were doing.  

Even checking the Bark before starting with the Pole saw.

Each Branch fed into the Wood Chipper to become mulch for a playground - 

Maybe even Ours?

I was curious to know how they were going to handle the trunk so started filming when it too was hauled into the back of the shredder.

When suddenly one of the workers dived in (he was perfectly safe)  and retrieved something from the tree.

He emerged cradling in his hands a small Marbled Gecko - relocating it to Our Garden.

This act of Kindness made my Heart Sing and my Eyes fill with Tears.

The tree that we saw planted and grow.  

That Shaded Cars, and People 

and Creatures Big and Small 

for almost 40 years is now not much more than a timber 'Puddle' in the Grass waiting for the Stump Grinder.

23rd October:

One last Goodbye.

It was the only Yellow Pink Tipped Callistemon in the Street - if not the Neighbourhood. 

Such a Pity that someone 40 years ago planted it in the wrong spot. 

(If that happens again - I will move it!)

Coffee With the Giraffes

Today we decided it was a nice day so we went and had our Morning Coffee with The Giraffes.  

After all - The Zoo is not that far away and we should go more often.

So Coffee with the Giraffes it was.

But then - There was more than Lattes and Coffee Scrolls on the Menu.

We were fortunate enough to arrive right on Feeding Time and All the Big Cats were out.

AND I had brought my Canon 760D with the 18-135 mm Lens just to see what it could do.

As far as Cameras go - It is getting a bit on the "Old Tech" side but still...

I wasn't disappointed with these shots of Our Beautiful Snow Leopards. 

It breaks my heart to know that these Magnificent Creatures are still being Hunted Today and are under Threat of Extinction.

Check this Post from the Zoological Society of Auckland for a great write up on Our Snow Leopards and their Habitat.

Continuing on through the Carnivores Trail I caught a glimpse of our elusive Sumatran Tiger.

I have other Photos of this Beauty from previous trips to the Zoo but today Indrah was on the hunt as she was very aware that her Keepers were just meters away

 - On the OTHER side of the fence!

I was very pleased with todays 'Photo Shoot' and look forward to spending time with the Other Residents of Melbourne Zoo.

Day 4: Adelaide Zoo

Being Zoo's Victoria Members not only gives us access to Victoria's 4 Zoos but also gives us reciprocal rights to 5 Interstate Zoos as well.

So with a Free Day and Membership Cards in hand we headed off to Adelaide Zoo.

They have Pandas!

And fortunately for us The Panda was out enjoying a Snooze in the Sunshine when we arrived.

And the Otter Cubs were all out for a Play

Honestly There is 'One' in Every Family!!

We were impressed by the Aerial runs they had installed to the more energetic inhabitants could go from their enclosures to other parts of the Zoo.

These are for the Tamarins but the Red Pandas also have these runs as well.

I was excited to get some Photos of the Lions, but their enclosure is in need of upgrading. 

A sad fact of having to rely on fundraising to upgrade facilities.

Some enclosures are left as a reminder of what Zoos used to be like

and others are being upgraded as funds allow

We wandered down paths and through Averies and I took Photos until my Feet got sore and Battery went flat!

I know there were parts we missed .. as we were still there at closing time!

But that it the beauty of Zoos Membership - Your Subscription helps the Zoo and you get to go as many times as you like during the year.  So it doesn't matter if you miss a bit - 

You can always go back!

Travelling in Victoria - Healesville Sanctuary

Just one hours drive will bring you into the beautiful Yarra Valley with its rolling hills, Vineyards, the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie and Healesville Sanctuary.

If you only have a short time in Melbourne and want to see and Interact with Australian Animals then I would recommend a trip to The Healesville Sanctuary.

* * * * *

Check out

On the Road with Myrtle and Me

where I share our most recent trip - taking some International Visitors to meet our wonderful wildlife.

Is it the Final Chapter......

......... or a New Beginning?

Those readers who have followed the Story of 'Shelob' and her Web.
As told on my page called "A Beautiful Creature"  Might just like to have a look over there today.
The final Illustrated Chapter of our story has been written.

For others, who haven't wandered past this main page, it is the story of what unfolded outside my sewing room window late last Summer and it's conclusion today.

The Promise of Summer....

.....outside it was a glorious day.  Warm, yet with a cool breeze. Just the kind of day to take a book out on the veranda and do absolutely nothing!

But, sitting outside on a quilt reading about quilting is not doing quilting, so I dragged myself away from starting the next chapter and decided to prepare the backing for my 'Under the Australian Sun' Quilt.

This went well, until I discovered the quilt was 10" wider than my fabric. So, instead of sitting outside, or sewing my backing, I found myself dragging out the leftovers and working out how I could put a pieced panel in the back that was not going to give the quilter nightmares! (Oh yes, I am not going to quilt this beauty myself - it is just too big).

But, being the easily distracted one that I am, I couldn't resist going back outside to investigate what sounded like the faint squeaking of a swing.  

No swings in our back yard, so it could only be the soft chatter of a young Lorikeet.  

I was rewarded by the sight of someone peeking out at me.

And of course, where there is one - there is always another, so look for it's mate as it won't be far away.

It is always good to see the native birds coming back into the suburbs especially so close to the CBD.*  

These guys will come back and may even bring their friends and family too.  Then it won't be such a soft chatter!





*Sorry for 'non locals' -
CBD = Central Business District