Space stations and platypuses

[calissa]

Shortly before I went to Continuum, I had the great pleasure of meeting Marcin Klak. Marcin is a Polish SFF fan and was this year's Going Under Fan Fund delegate. He was a charming companion and wanted to see two things while staying in Canberra: NASA's Deep Space Network station and a platypus.

The space station was easy enough.

The main dish was having maintenance work done while we were there but still managed to be obligingly photogenic.



After we'd thoroughly toured the displays in the visitor centre, we paused for a picnic lunch and to admire the birdlife.

Several Crimson Rosellas showered bits of tree on us while we ate (and they ate).



An Australian Raven also kept a close eye on proceedings.



As did a Sulphur-crested cockatoo. Although, unlike the raven, it wasn't interested in our food.





Next stop was the Tidbinbilla nature reserve, where I spotted this Eastern Yellow Robin.



We headed for the koala enclosure first, since there's usually a good chance of seeing something interesting. We weren't disappointed. Some rangers were doing some work on the enclosure and the usually elusive potaroos came out to find out what was going on.





And of course there were koalas.







Finally, we headed into the wetland sanctuary in search of platypuses. I warned Marcin not to get his hopes up because they're often as elusive as the potaroos. Fortunately, this proved true.



I was initially annoyed that I didn't get the platypus in focus (still learning with the camera) but the more I look at this photo, the more I like it.

I'm playing hooky with my sister today and we have plans to head back out to Tidbinbilla. She has managed to get her camera replaced, so I'll be upgrading to her old one. Which means there should be more photos soon!

Comments

[davidgillon]

Good pics!

[onewhitecrow]

Nah, that's an excellent shot of the platypus - kind of reminiscent of a brush painting or similar, with poignant composition.

Also, now I know what a potaroo is! They are bouncy. For some reason I thought koalas would hibernate, but I suppose there isn't any good reason for them to if there are some eucalyptus leaves around.

[pantha]

Eeeee! Aaaaaaaaaaaallll the marsupials!

I've not heard of a potaroo before. They look rather awesome - like a big ratty until you see them bounce and then, yeah ... you get the 'roo' bit. XD

And oh, the platypus picture is awesome! How lucky to get to see one!

[calissa]

Thank you!

[calissa]

Thank you! That similarity to a brush painting is why I think it's growing on me.

Potaroos are surprisingly bouncy! On today's trip, I saw a bandicoot--which looked almost the same as a potaroo except with a shorter tail and no bounce.

I'm not sure that any of our mammals hibernate.

[calissa]

I saw a bandicoot yesterday, so there will be another mammal photo to add to the collection on here soon.

We were very lucky to see the platypus... and so reasonably close! When I've seen them previously, they've been further from wherever I've been standing. They're often quick, too, popping up for just a moment before diving back under again.

[pantha]

Oooh, yay. More mammals!