Crikey!

[Joan]

Last Saturday, I was out on my walk and just going up a bush trail, when this young fella ran across the trail and skittered up the tree.  Normally, I would stay as far away from a goanna (monitor lizard) as possible, but he seemed more intent on trying to pretend he wasn't there, so I took a few photos of him.

He's actually not that big for a goanna.  We have one that comes into our garden who's a lot bigger.  I shut all the doors when I see him and make sure Ben's not out.  They can get very aggressive.

This is him in full.  He would be about two metres long, including his tail:




and here he is a bit closer up:





and from the other side of the tree, very close up.  See why I didn't want to get close.  Look at those claws!





Here's something a bit prettier that I took today on my walk.  A lorikeet feeding on the banksia candles.  You can just see it.  I had to keep very still to take it.




and some king parrots:




I took those in September.

[Malc]

Haven't seen a single goanna in QLD, Joan, in the last 12 years. Loads of blue tongues, and we've got about five geckos as house guests (they keep down the cockroaches, so they're welcome).
How different from when we first came here. We chased a large-ish gecko (about 8 inches) around the walls until we got a towel over him then placed him outside on the drive! Typical Poms.

I was putting away the gear at the soccer club a few years ago and as I bent down to remove a brick which was holding a shed door open, a python's head moved into view about an inch from my hand. I jumped back, and the python slowly retracted itself behind the shed. It must have been eight feet long.

It was found INside the shed the next morning, but it was quiet as it had just eaten a rat.

[Roger Kettle]

I saw a sheep yesterday.

[Malc]

Wool ewe believe it!

[The Peepmaster]

That lizard is fantastic. How long before Roger falls in love with it...?

[Vulture]

That lizard is fantastic. How long before Roger falls in love with it...?

Too late, the moose is in tears......

[Roger Kettle]

While I'm not immune to reptilian charms, I can't say thet this particular specimen does a lot for me. Maybe after a couple of pints.

[peter]

While I'm not immune to reptilian charms, I can't say thet this particular specimen does a lot for me. Maybe after a couple of pints.

Dare I say that your spelling will improve.

[Malc]

....said mister pot to mister Kettle

[Diane CBPFC]

That was Mince forgetting he was logged in as Peter, Malc.

What with the huge clawed lizzard (great pics Joan!) and the snakes and rats - you sure pay for your sunshine don't you. I no longer feel sorry for myself and the -38c temps.

[Roger Kettle]

Peeps, on the subject of exotic creatures, do you ever see whales off Bute?

[peter]

That was Mince forgetting he was logged in as Peter, Malc.

Don't I get any credit. I new i shud have spelt every fing wong and then u would no it was I

[The Peepmaster]

Peeps, on the subject of exotic creatures, do you ever see whales off Bute?

I haven't seen any with my own eyes, but a couple of pals filmed some mink whales swimming between the island and the mainland. It was quite impressive. I've seen otters three times. I often see seals from my front window.

[peter]

Peeps, on the subject of exotic creatures, do you ever see whales off Bute?

I haven't seen any with my own eyes, but a couple of pals filmed some mink whales swimming between the island and the mainland. It was quite impressive. I've seen otters three times. I often see seals from my front window.

Bet you could get a few coats and hats out of one of them.

[The Peepmaster]

I left the "e" off as bait for Minc.     


Of course, I meant Minke Whales.