16 November 2022 - 7.45am start.
As soon as we drove into the Conservation Park, we were startled by the white 'fluff' covering every inch of the ground and hanging off all the greenery. It was the blossom of one of the varieties of trees, but google hasn't been able to give me a name for the tree.
Within minutes, we spotted the first wallaby / kangaroo. Alas, I'm not able to definitively say which. Usually, the smaller animal is the wallaby.
You may like to learn how to distinguish the differences, here.
https://a-z-animals.com/blog/wallaby-vs-kangaroo-more-than-just-different-types-of-kangaroos/
Definitely kangaroo.
Not sure. Wallaby?
Further on, the ground wasn't covered in white, but the blue flower of the Billy Goat Weed.
We then entered a swampland of stately paperbark trees. [Melaleucas]
At the northern end of the reserve, we exited and followed the Coombabah River around a housing estate, before reentering the reserve via a wonderful boardwalk.
It was our lucky day. One is assured of seeing kangaroos and wallabies as their numbers are quite high. Sighting koalas is not a given. On this visit, we spotted six! They are mostly high in the Eucalpyts, so my zoom lens comes in very handy.
No 1
No 2
Our viewing of the koala was interrupted by the antics and screeching of two Channel Billed Cuckoos and soon after, by a very scruffy Nankeen Night Heron.
No 3
No 4
No 5
No 6
We are so very fortunate to have Coombabah so close.
I would love to read your comment.
What a wonderful walk - such a variety of flora and fauna. My favourite is the paper bark trees.
ReplyDeleteThe paper barks, swamp and reflections are quite stunning.
DeleteBeautiful boardwalk! The roos don't seem to mind the fluff...
ReplyDeleteThe fluff is edible, on this occasion.
DeleteThe quintessential Australian post, kangaroos and koalas. Love it! The paperbark trees alone are worth a visit to that reserve and the heron has a vague resemblance to those we have here. Great post, Helen. That place is worth regular visits but you have so many great areas for hiking there.
ReplyDeleteYes, Marie, very typical Aussie bush and wonderful to be able to see these iconic Aussie animals so close to the huzzle and buzzle of the Gold Coast.
DeleteWhat a lucky day for wildlife sightings! Love all the kangaroo pics and videos. And you got some great photos of the koalas.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Linda. My little point and shoot camera really does a great job. As I've said before, I'm always imagining how many pics and their quality, if you were here with me.
DeleteBeautiful blog
ReplyDeleteA fabulous post, Helen! I especially appreciated the interesting, handsome trees and the fascinating animals that also look very funny in some moments.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comments (blog and IG). Just think that you have visited even Kuopio! You have really been everywhere. :) Our landscapes are indeed rather flat and with (coniferous and mixed) forests and lakes. And it can easily snow in March... just like now.
Wishing you lovely autumn days! xx
Our furry animals are fascinating, Sara. Our scaley animals not quite so, but thankfully we don't see them too often.
DeleteI was extremely fortunate to live the 'Aussie travel to Europe dream' in my twenties.
I guess it could still be snowing for you. Both Matthew and Stuart have had snow this week.
What a full day and I am thinking full bellies after enjoying Leanne's treats! Thank you for bringing us along on a full on Aussie hike! Nature at its best!
ReplyDeleteAlways lovely to have you along, Alexandra.
DeleteBeautiful post! Thank you for sharing. The kangaroos are wonderful!
ReplyDeleteWe never tire of seeing them, margi.
ReplyDelete