Last week we took a stroll through Koolunbong Creek Reserve in the centre of town. As we made our way along a stretch of elevated boardwalk, our ears picked up lots of chatter in the trees ahead of us. "Listen to all the birds!" Judy exclaimed. As we rounded the bend and looked up, I said, "Uh, Judy, those aren't birds..." What were they? Flying foxes - hundreds and hundreds of them, hanging upside down in the treetops - and not asleep either! They are huge - about the size of a rugby ball. We beat a rather hasty retreat to the car, but later found out that they are a nuisance more than a danger. Every evening at sunset, they leave their roosts en masse and fly north over town to the countryside (I hope!) in search of fruit. We viewed this spectacle last Friday and couldn't believe our eyes - wave after wave of these creatures flying over the downtown area. Very cool and creepy at the same time!
Question: What is the difference between a picnic in Montreal and a picnic in Port Macquarie?
Answer: In Montreal, squirrels show up; in Port Macquarie, this guy shows up!
He is a goanna - a type of monitor lizard. We were sitting at a table on Shelley Beach, and he leisurely strolled out of the bush in our direction. As he got closer, we could see that he was over a metre long. "Oh, he's the baby, " said a couple of teenagers in the parking lot. "You should see his mom!" We were told not to stand still around one because they have been known to mistake humans standing still for trees and will try to climb one if frightened - yikes! It was very cool and we were impressed that the girls were not scared at all.
Answer: In Montreal, squirrels show up; in Port Macquarie, this guy shows up!
He is a goanna - a type of monitor lizard. We were sitting at a table on Shelley Beach, and he leisurely strolled out of the bush in our direction. As he got closer, we could see that he was over a metre long. "Oh, he's the baby, " said a couple of teenagers in the parking lot. "You should see his mom!" We were told not to stand still around one because they have been known to mistake humans standing still for trees and will try to climb one if frightened - yikes! It was very cool and we were impressed that the girls were not scared at all.