Birds, Horses, Babies, Cars

Sydney View from Balcony

This is our view from our 10th story balcony. What is missing? The sounds of the trains below and the smell of Kimchee from the neighbors.

White Faced Heron

What?? You've seen enough birds already? Ha!

Eastern Spinebill

This was taken at a friend's engagement party (congrats Zack and Amanda!). Amanda's family live on an awesome spread in Hilltop with birds a plenty. I figure this is one of my favorite shots.

French Baby

Congratulations Marion and Damien! Baby Erwan (here at 6 weeks) was a very camera friendly subject. He never once tried to fly away or hide behind tree leaves.

Rosehill Racetrack

This past weekend was RFI's Xmas party. So in true Aussie style there was plenty of gambling and drinking. Everyone at the racetrack is well dressed and somewhat well behaved. It is a bit strange to go to a 'sporting' event in slacks and a collared shirt.

Sydney Olympic Park

My favorite place to go after work. We are truly lucky to have the site of the 2000 Olympics at our doorstep. The Aussies totally gutted what used to be a toxic dump and turned it into a nature reserve. For 6 bucks we get to swim the same lanes that the great "Thorpedo" set records in. Cheapest thing you can do with (most) of your clothes off.

Cisticola

Olympic Park Resident. Probably been here about 100,000 years longer than any of the nearby apartment building's residents. I give this area about 10 years before it is turned into a shopping center.

My Phat Ride

Look closely and you can see my sweet rims still spinning. The distortions in the shot are from the hydraulics, 1000W stereo and nitrous oxide. The ladies swoon at the sight of my pimp mobile.

Willie Wagtail Wife

At my favorite lunchtime wildlife spot (Lake Parramatta outside work) Willie and his wife were busy with their nest. The nest is made of sticks and spider webs (note the web on her forehead). Sadly I don't things worked out, there weren't any eggs (I think she was practicing) and later the nest fell apart. Willie played the part and danced around to try and lead me away from his nest. Nature is very cool.

Kingfisher's Nest

A pair of Kingfishers (again at my lunchtime spot) are busy feeding their young here. I'm hoping to get a glimpse of them, but I don't see myself climbing a tree to do so.

Aussie Animals (No Zoos!)

Crikey Mate! She's a ripper! These are my aussie animal all stars to date. I'll append this message as new ones arrive. No zoos needed in Australia, just step out into your backyard!

I wrote up a flowchart to simplify animal identification in the bush. I've broken it down into a run/don't run structure that I believe will greatly decrease potentially dangerous encounters. I recommend memorizing this for future reference.

Hot Goanna Love

Location: Lake Parramatta, near workCover your eyes kids. These two were so concerned with their business that they didn't budge when I stepped over them on the path. Normally Goanna will head up the nearest tree. Compare the size of the leaves to them - these aren't little lizards.

Echidna

Location: Royal National Park
This is a rare encounter during the day. Only cloudy days will do as they usually move around at night. They have poor eyesight and only reacted to me when I was moving. He was adorable because every time I moved he would bury his head in the ground to "hide" from me. It was like playing peek-a-boo.

Red Bellied Black Snake

Location: Lake Parramatta, near work
I find all kinds of cool things near work. As I sat down on a rock I noticed him not 5 feet from me! Poisonous? Very.

Eastern Water Dragon

Location: Blue Mountains, Jenolan Caves
Reminds Tara and I of our beloved pet "Colonel Mustard." This guy jumped off into the water and swam across the lake! I thought dragons feared water as it would expel the pilot light in their throats. I guess I was wrong.

Kangaroo mom and Joey

Location: Blue Mountains, Campsite near Jenolan Caves
4am, thump thump thump. All around our tent I heard this and thought "what manner of beast is this?" Around 20 kangaroo (this will increase every time I tell the story) were around our tent. Every time I stuck my head out they'd stop and I couldn't see them (pitch dark). I had to snap these photos in the dark, review the camera, then re-shoot- predicting where they were. A lot of work for a mediocre shot.

Green Tree Snake

Location: Near Manly beach
OOOh! The famous Angry Green Spitting Snake! He'll jump off his perch to take small children. They are more feared than drop bears.. (actually they are harmless)

Angry Lizards

Location: Blue Mountains, Six Foot TrackThese two warriors were fighting over (you guessed it) a woman. The 'lady' waited to see what would happen then ran off when they were done head bobbing and hissing. The winner got to chase her home. Sounds like what happens at bars in Sydney.

Shark

Location: Mona ValeGo surfing, pack up surf board, walk up the beach.. Shark. Good thing he was already dead. I would have opened a can of whoop ass on him.

Copperhead Snake

Location: Blue Mountains, campsitehehehehe.. This guy was near our first campsite. So I told Tara that I didn't like the site because of the 'neighbors'. We left and later I showed her the photos. Copperheads are friendly enough though.. right?