Tag Archives: Glenelg River

Kayaks and Cuckoos

While walking part of the 252km Great South West Walk, in the Lower Glenelg National Park near the South Australian border, I found a Fan-tailed Cuckoo perched on a branch just off the track. I had stopped to watch a few kayakers work their way up the river and the cuckoo made it distinctive call right beside me.

Glenelg River, Lower Glenelg National Park, Victoria

Glenelg River, Lower Glenelg National Park, Victoria

Great South West Walk, Glenelg River, Lower Glenelg National Park, Victoria,

Great South West Walk, Glenelg River, Lower Glenelg National Park, Victoria,

Kayakers, Glenelg River, Lower Glenelg National Park, Victoria

Kayakers, Glenelg River, Lower Glenelg National Park, Victoria

Fan-tailed Cuckoo, Lower Glenelg National Park, Victoria

Fan-tailed Cuckoo, Lower Glenelg National Park, Victoria

Emus, Falcons and a weird Giant Koala

During a drive around the various state nature reserves just outside the boundaries of the Grampians National Park I stopped at Cherrypool Wetlands along the Henty Highway. The water level was quite low and I worked my way around the edge of the scrub that ran down to the water and mud. When I pushed through some bushes I came face to face with a family of Emus. I was as stunned as they were but they had better reflexes and took off before I could get my camera into action. By the time I spotted them again they were still running but now on the other side and the adult emu was well in front of his family….the chicks were about half his size.

Emu, Cherrypool Highway Park, Wartook, Victoria

Emu, Cherrypool Highway Park, Wartook, Victoria

Emu chicks, Cherrypool Highway Park, Wartook, Victoria

Emu chicks, Cherrypool Highway Park, Wartook, Victoria

While driving back to camp I found a Brown Falcon feeding on a Sulphur Crested Cockatoo. A good catch for the Falcon but very bad luck for the Cockatoo

Brown Falcon with cockatoo, Wartook State Forest, Victoria

Brown Falcon with cockatoo, Wartook State Forest, Victoria

I had driven past this bizarre sight several times in a few days and decided to pull in for a cold drink. Australia has a strange custom of building large animals, fruits, fish etc as tourist attractions. The Koala below had very hairy ears and a cool silver goatee…

Giant Koala, Dadswells Bridge, Victoria

Giant Koala, Dadswells Bridge, Victoria