Platypus

 

While at the zoo, I spent a while watching the platypus swimming circles after breakfast. The pond is near the foyer and kids can watch thru perspex while safely gated in the compound. 

This particular creature is quite busy so it's a delightful bonus to the stay - adding to the accessibility to viewing the animals up close. 

The other egg laying mammal is the echidna (both montremes) and both unique to Australia.

"It is one of the few species of venomous mammals, as the male platypus has a spur on the hind foot that delivers a venom" which you can see in the above photo. The quote is from Wikipedia.

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Peacock

 

When I stayed at the zoo, there was a very friendly peacock pottering about the entrance near the platypus. As I was out there playing around with my camera, I nabbed a few shots of the bird so he didn't feel left out.

   Alas, no fanned tail but still a beautiful bird.   

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Echidna

 

You will all be sick of my zoo stay photos soon, but I really had such a delightful time. We'd been checked in about 15 mins when we went on the little guided tour in the sanctuary and I adored every minute of it!

They were strutting around where we were standing, and the curious ones would come right up to you. The one on the left was lying over young (eggs?) to keep them warm. 

Echidnas are such fascinating creatures. 

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Lions up close

 Following on from the other lions at play, this one came right over to the glass to inspect a small child that had leaned on the glass. Unfortunately, I didn't have the light or the angle to obliterate the glass reflection.

This one was before the play got rough....

Note the strange colouring on the ears - I had not realised. You could also see the mane clearly beginning to grow on the male juevjuvenileenile, but it's not clear in the photos.

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Lions

During the holidays, we had a night at the zoo - more on that fabulousness to come, but for now, I'm sharing my joy watching the lions at play. All shots are behind class but I thought the new camera did well. I'm still getting used to the settings so there's a lot to learn. Hopefully my old camera will be fixed soon!

Forgive the bombardment but these two at play really need the series for the full effect.

Given the lack of reaction from the lion next to them, I'm guessing this is a regular occurrence and nothing to pay any attention to.

Like a mother with squabbling siblings.

She definitely seemed more interested in me than in what they were doing....

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Koala

 Very last pictures from the zoo. Not the greatest photos but probably the closest I've been to a koala in a long time.

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White Kangaroo

While on Bruny Island, I learned that their white Wallabies are not Albino as it's not a recessive gene (I had done a beer tasting for breakfast - because I'm classy - so feel free to correct me if I've mixed that up.)

I'm not sure if the same goes for these animals - at the time I thought they were Albino Kangaroos but can't remember if I read it or just decided it.

The other shots from the Hunter Zoo are the animals here and the birds here.

The Kiss

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