Red Deer, Grampians VIC

These red deer are a feral animal in Australia and a big nuisance. They cause a lot of damage to the native flora and bush floor. Still could not help ourselves and stopped to take these pics. They must be either farm-raised escapees or are used to seeing people. They just looked at us and remained there for quite some time allowing us an opportunity to get these shots.

Orchids, Grampian National Park VIC

Wallaby and Joey, Grampians VIC

We saw this cute wallaby and her joey at a Grampians National Park campground we stopped at for lunch. The joey is very young as he is still hairless. Normally wallabies are quite timid, but obviously at this campground they are used to visitors.

Echidna comes home

Echidnas are solitary creatures with a large home range (up to 100 hectares).

We haven’t seen this one for quite some time. He’s grown a lot since he was a little bundle of spines suckling his mum:  Australia Day Special: Echidna Suckling Her Puggle

Winter bush picnic

Ahhhh! Once more into the bush for a relaxing picnic. Winter is a great time to have a picnic as nobody else is silly enough, so we have the place to ourselves - and the wildlife.  A warming tomato soup, olive and sun-dried tomato muffins and an indulgent apple, pear and kiwifruit pie was on the menu today. Tea from the Eco Billy (See Tea for Two http://eucalypthabitat.blogspot.com.au/2013/04/tea-for-two.html) - nice and smoky flavoured - finished off a pleasant nosh.

Eastern Yellow Robin (Eopsaltria australis)

Another week, another outing to the Toolangi State Forest. Not as much bird life around as usual, but this pretty little White-throated Gerygone Eastern Yellow Robin* joined us on our winter picnic.

Eastern Yellow Robin call

*Thanks to Tim Bawden for correctly identifying the bird for us.

Laughing Kookaburra, Toolangi State Forest VIC

This week's outing was down the road to the Toolangi State Forest. Because we're not like most people and picnic all year round (even in winter), we didn't encounter another person the whole day. However, this Kookaburra (captured by Alan) decided to check us out and stayed awhile. Check out his tiny feet.

Kookaburra call

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