Visit to the Koala Sanctuary

Daddy's away, so I thought we would take a little vacation of our own. I guess technically it was just a day trip (morning only). Anyhow, I took Rox out to the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary. The last time we went there my mom was in town, which was last February!

She really like the birds and she got into a conversation with a sulphur-crested cockatoo. She said, "Bye-bye," and to our surprise, he said it right back to her! So, of course, she said, "Bye-bye," again, and he said it again. They kept on back and forth until we were out of earshot.

This barking owl reminded me of a member of my parents' household.

Mom, Dad, remind you of a certain four-legged black and white feline that sleeps on your piano?

Peering in on the kids during brekky.

"Hmmm...now where is that kangaroo I was just looking...?"

"Oh hello Joey!"

The lounging position of this roo also reminded me of the lounging position of my Uncle Key on the beach:

Before we left, we had to check out their special exhibit: a platypus named Barak.

The best shot I could get in the dark exhibit.

Barak spent most of the time paddling around the surface, but I snapped this when he dived to retrieve some mealworms on the bottom of the aquarium. Playtpuses (platypi?) are amazing animals. He would scoop up some mealworms and then slowly float up while he ate them. When he finished his meal, he swam in a spiral column, rather than straight up, to get back to the surface. Really amazing.

The visit must have really tired her out. She fell asleep almost as soon as I put her in the car and slept the entire ride home, which usually means she doesn't take a nap. Now she's rounding out Hour 2 of a nap!

Takes a lot of energy to keep up with those roos.

where did we leave off?

I guess I'm a bit behind on updating the blog. Sorry!

Cloudy skies over the Brisbane CBD as we boarded the boat.

The day before she flew home, my mom, Roxy and I took a river cruise to the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary. It was a bit rainy, but I was bound and determined for my mother to see a marsupial! Lone Pine did not disappoint! Once the rain let up (or at least slowed to an annoying drizzle), we scampered around the sanctuary to see as many animals as we could before we had to get back on the boat and head home.

One of the more alert inhabitants

One of the highlights of the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary is visitors can pay extra to cuddle and have their picture taken with a koala. We decided not to do that on this visit, opting instead to visit with the kangaroos and wallabies.

Koala shift change.

The growling cassowary. The world's most dangerous bird growled at us from behind the fence. It was pretty scary - seriously!

Where are the 'roos? (My mom was the only person birdwatching in the kangaroo enclosure.)

'Ruh feeding a 'roo!

Ready for my close-up!

Catfish feeding on leftover kangaroo food.

It was so nice to have my mom here! She helped me sort of get over my crippling fear of making dinner and also made us some very delicious meals. She also got to spend a lot of quality time with her littlest grandchild and reassured us that the Roxanne is as happy and healthy as we think she is! Her visit was too short, but she promised to bring more family with her next time she visits (this means you, Dad!). Come back soon!!!

Roxy and her Nana
Nana and Roxy again (sorry for posting one with closed eyes, but Miss Rox looks so cute, I couldn't resist!)

Our graduate advisors from UCD were in town this past weekend. Unfortunately, I didn't take any pictures from their visit. We had them over for pre-rugby game lunch on Sunday - Nate, Peter and Greg went to the Reds (Brisbane's rugby union team) game at Suncorp Stadium. Nate made a delicious pulled pork feast with homemade kaiser rolls and we ate and sweated under the carport. It was good to see them and as wonderful as it is to have vistors from home, it's always sad to say good-bye.

March has come in like a lion - the highs have been above thirty since Sunday and humidity was at about 85% today. The weatherman promised that we have only 24 hours more of unbearable heat and humidity before we get a break. Thank goodness!

Here's one last picture of Roxy in a onesie given to her by honorary Aunt Katie and Uncle Eric in San Antonio.

Roxy's most pestiferous face!

Marsupials and the heat (two posts in one day!)

It's been warm in Brisbane this summer, but it's been downright unbearable for folks down in the southern part of the continent. In many places, there have been many days in a row of temps above 40-45 C (104-114 F). I saw these pictures on a website I often read. The story is these people live in southern New South Wales this baby koala came ambling up to a back porch looking for some relief (even if it's not true, these pictures are still pretty adorable):


(I just have to throw this next one in because our baby likes to bathe in a tub, too)

The next pictures were sent to me from our doula, Janelle. I saw her last week for the first time since Roxy's birth and I told her that the hardest thing about living here has been adjusting to the heat. Apparently, I'm not the only one...