|
Our second
day (12 June 2006) in Townsville, QLD, we went to the Billabong
Sanctuary. Our tour guide, Chris, introduced us to the Billabong,
which is what Australians call a big pond. It is home to
numerous birds, among them Whistling ducks (yes, they whistle
instead of quack), Magpie geese (which are just as mean
as Canadian geese), and Ibises (of Egyptian fame). Within
five minutes of entering the sanctuary, we saw a small child
chasing a kangaroo!! WOW!! Chris took us on a tour around
the sanctuary and introduced us to Nugget, one of the few
wombats to be born in captivity. He was our first up-close
and personal initiation to the native wildlife – many
of us held him in our laps (see Evelyn,
Patty and Nugget above). It was incredible!!
Not quite as cuddly as he looks, though. Then Chris led
us into the Koala Crescent, where Kevin and his twin sister,
Maggie, lived. We discussed koalas –their habitat,
life-cycle (did you know that they are born about the size
of your thumb nail??), and daily rituals (they pretty much
sleep and eat all day – what a life). Then he invited
us to pet them!! Diana wasn't nearly as scared as she looks
(see below). Most of us
held Kevin, too! The feeling of holding this adorable creature
was indescribable. You can see from the pictures that we
were all in heaven. And all of this on our second day in
Australia. Imagine what’s in store for the next 20
days!
|
