The Land Down Under

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The Land Down Under G'day, welcome to The Land Down Under, it's Where People and Awesome Aussie Wildlife Meet. Conservation through Interaction. We can’t wait to show it to you all.
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The Goals of The Land Down Under are quite simple, Conservation via Education through Interaction.

1. Increase the awareness of all Australian wildlife to the people of Australia and to the people of the world. The more people who know of our wildlife and interact with it, the more people will have a better understanding and connection with our wildlife and help to protect it.

2. Entice People

to Travel within Australia – right throughout Australia, from our coasts to the mountains and to the deserts and islands. Travelling within Australia is an experience not to be missed – and yet, many people do miss out, just because they don’t know what’s out there. I have travelled throughout Australia for as long as I can remember and there is so much here to explore! Australia is a remarkable place with such a different array of landscapes, wildlife, cities and people and have some of the most beautiful beaches, national parks and world heritage areas in the world. We are a country of fun, adventure and relaxation.

This is a hard day, today I say bye to all of you as my time and effort has had to move into a family business to keep i...
08/02/2024

This is a hard day, today I say bye to all of you as my time and effort has had to move into a family business to keep it going and unfortunately, this is eating into my time, and my photography and travel are going to have to take a backseat for quite a while.

I am going to miss all of you and the travelling to photograph our beautiful wildlife terribly, but I hope to get back again in time.

Thank you everyone for your support, kindness, laughter and most importantly, for Watching Out for wildlife from many regions around Australia and the world.

I feel so lucky to have had so many incredible wild encounters over the years and for so many of you to have joined in here along the way.

Thank you all and maybe one day we'll meet here again.
Bye for now,
Ros 👋

Happy New Year 2024! May the new year for you have some dusty roads, a sprinkle of rugged mountains, vistas that only po...
31/12/2023

Happy New Year 2024! May the new year for you have some dusty roads, a sprinkle of rugged mountains, vistas that only poets can truly describe and starry nights that take your breath away.
Whatever 2024 has in store for you, I hope you are able to make some amazing memories through the year.

Thank you to each and everyone for staying with me and even joining our mob during my downtime in the last few months, I appreciate you all so much.

Happy new year everyone and don't forget to Watch Out! for our wild mates and let's all have an absolute ripper new year. 🥳

and it's here - Christmas Eve! Before we get onto our own tradition of 'The Night Before Christmas - Aussie style', I'd ...
24/12/2023

and it's here - Christmas Eve! Before we get onto our own tradition of 'The Night Before Christmas - Aussie style', I'd just like to take this time to wish each and everyone of you a very Merry Christmas and may the new year be kind to you all.

'Twas the night before Christmas; there wasn't a sound.
Not a possum was stirring; no-one was around.
We'd left on the table some tucker and beer,
Hoping that Santa Claus soon would be here;

We children were snuggled up safe in our beds,
While dreams of pavlova danced 'round in our heads;
And Mum in her nightie, and Dad in his shorts,
Had just settled down to watch TV sports.

When outside the house a mad ruckus arose;
Loud squeaking and banging woke us from our doze.
We ran to the screen door, peeked cautiously out,
Snuck onto the deck, then let out a shout.

Guess what had woken us up from our snooze,
But a rusty old Ute pulled by eight mighty 'roos.
The cheerful man driving was giggling with glee,
And we both knew at once who this plump bloke must be.

Now, I'm telling the truth it's all dinki-di,
Those eight kangaroos fairly soared through the sky.
Santa leaned out the window to pull at the reins,
And encouraged the 'roos, by calling their names.

'Now, Kylie! Now, Kirsty! Now, Shazza and Shane!
On Kipper! On, Skipper! On, Bazza and Wayne!
Park up on that water tank. Grab a quick drink,
I'll scoot down the gum tree. Be back in a wink!'

So up to the tank those eight kangaroos flew,
With the Ute full of toys, and Santa Claus too.
He slid down the gum tree and jumped to the ground,
Then in through the window he sprang with a bound.

He had bright sunburned cheeks and a milky white beard.
A jolly old joker was how he appeared.
He wore red stubby shorts and old thongs on his feet,
And a hat of deep crimson as shade from the heat.

His eyes – bright as opals – Oh! How they twinkled!
And, like a goanna, his skin was quite wrinkled!
His shirt was stretched over a round bulging belly
Which shook when he moved, like a plate full of jelly.

A fat stack of prezzies he flung from his back,
And he looked like a swaggie unfastening his pack.
He spoke not a word, but bent down on one knee,
To position our goodies beneath the yule tree.

Surfboard and footy-ball shapes for us two.
And for Dad, tongs to use on the new barbeque.
A mysterious package he left for our Mum,
Then he turned and he winked and he held up his thumb;

He strolled out on deck and his 'roos came on cue;
Flung his sack in the back and prepared to shoot through.
He bellowed out loud as they swooped past the gates-
MERRY CHRISTMAS to all, and goodonya, MATES!'

by Yvonne Morrison

2 sleeps to go!On the 2nd Day of an Aussie wildlife Christmas, this little female Blue Wren is caroling a chorus to the ...
23/12/2023

2 sleeps to go!
On the 2nd Day of an Aussie wildlife Christmas, this little female Blue Wren is caroling a chorus to the wet wildlife in the bush.

Thinking of everyone in the north effected by the floods. Wishing you all a safe and speedy recovery.

On the 3rd Day of an Aussie wildlife Christmas, these two kookaburras were not seeing eye to eye about putting up the mi...
22/12/2023

On the 3rd Day of an Aussie wildlife Christmas, these two kookaburras were not seeing eye to eye about putting up the mistletoe!

On the 4th Day of an Aussie wildlife Christmas, this beautiful butterfly angel had a starring role in the bush Christmas...
22/12/2023

On the 4th Day of an Aussie wildlife Christmas, this beautiful butterfly angel had a starring role in the bush Christmas play.

On the 5th Day of an Aussie wildlife Christmas the wildlife have taken over an old stockmans hut in the High Country for...
20/12/2023

On the 5th Day of an Aussie wildlife Christmas the wildlife have taken over an old stockmans hut in the High Country for their Mountain Christmas gathering.
How many animals are there? Do you know them all?

On the 6th Day of an Aussie wildlife Christmas these two tiny emu chicks are facing their first Christmas and are wonder...
20/12/2023

On the 6th Day of an Aussie wildlife Christmas these two tiny emu chicks are facing their first Christmas and are wondering what all the fuss is about.

Sorry for the delay in posting this one, family emergency.

On the 7th Day of an Aussie wildlife Christmas, Kathy Koala is posing for the photo for her Christmas cards................
18/12/2023

On the 7th Day of an Aussie wildlife Christmas, Kathy Koala is posing for the photo for her Christmas cards..............crikey she'd better get cracking on sending those cards!

On the 8th Day of an Aussie wildlife Christmas, the flying foxes lend a helping claw to decorate the bush creatures Chri...
17/12/2023

On the 8th Day of an Aussie wildlife Christmas, the flying foxes lend a helping claw to decorate the bush creatures Christmas Gumtree in those harder to reach places.

So cute, so little and oh so fluffy! The is a young Wallaroo and a very shy one at that. I came across this little one i...
17/12/2023

So cute, so little and oh so fluffy! The is a young Wallaroo and a very shy one at that. I came across this little one in the Flinders Ranges and Outback.

The Wallaroo is also known as: Common Wallaroo, Hill Wallaroo and the Euro.
A wallaroo is not a hybrid kangaroo-wallaby cross, but is indeed its own species.

I took this photo with a long zoom lens and had to crop this image to get a 'close up' - which is fine. There was no way this little one was going to let me get any closer (smart way to survive), but that's ok, keeping an animal safe and not feel threatened is always more important than a photo.
The minute you make an animal flee is the moment you've gone too far. Always keep that safe distance for their sake and our own.

On the 9th Day of an Aussie Wildlife Christmas, not everyone is in the festival spirit.
16/12/2023

On the 9th Day of an Aussie Wildlife Christmas, not everyone is in the festival spirit.

16/12/2023

In the last post I was saying to Watch Out! for wildlife on the roads but even in the water we need to Watch Out! for wildlife, not just the marine species but also for the land animals that get a little out of their depth.

This wallaby was spotted swimming out to sea at Fingal Beach in NSW this morning. The Surf Life Savers of Fingal Beach SLSC spotted this little guy and headed out to steer it back to shore.
It's a little soggy but now safe.

Kangaroos and wallabies are actually good swimmers and are known to swim across lakes and rivers etc, but like us, if we get too far from shore we lose sight of it and need rescuing.

Thanks to the mornings patrol team of Fingal Beach SLSC 👍

Watch Out! for wildlife on land and in the water👍

Wheatbelt District - WA Police Force keeping everyone safe on our roads, even our tiniest of Aussies this little Thorny ...
16/12/2023

Wheatbelt District - WA Police Force keeping everyone safe on our roads, even our tiniest of Aussies this little Thorny Devil, he was removed from the road and placed off to the side of the roads after a quick photo.
Be aware of our wildlife while you are out on all roads, you never know what creature is trying to get to food, shelter or water.

Thanks to everyone who does their best to keep our wildlife safe on our roads.

On the 10th Day of an Aussie Wildlife Christmas, this Tasmanian Devil is living up to his devilish reputation and 'sniff...
15/12/2023

On the 10th Day of an Aussie Wildlife Christmas, this Tasmanian Devil is living up to his devilish reputation and 'sniffing out the goodies' under the Christmas tree.
Their noses are incredible, they can smell up to 1 kilometre (.6 miles)!

In May this year we headed across to the absolutely stunning Flinders Ranges and Outback in South Australia, and just be...
15/12/2023

In May this year we headed across to the absolutely stunning Flinders Ranges and Outback in South Australia, and just before we arrived at the gateway to the ranges, we came across this group of emus, lead by 1 adult male and the rest were youngsters almost full grown. They were curious about us but still kept a safe distance until their curiosity wore and they headed back into the open paddocks.

The male emus incubate the eggs and raise the chicks all on his own, but the amount of eggs he has to look after can vary as several females can lay their eggs in his nest and he looks after them from that point on, the females go on their way and have nothing more to do with the eggs or young from that point on.

Volume up. Oh be still my beating heart! This will have to move you to see Australia for yourself. I'm skipping day 11 o...
14/12/2023

Volume up. Oh be still my beating heart! This will have to move you to see Australia for yourself. I'm skipping day 11 of our Aussie wildlife Christmas for this incredible video Christmas Card 'Silent Night' by Chris Tangey.

What a wonderful land we call home.

Alice Springs Cinematographer Chris Tangey shares his annual video Christmas Card to share with friends and family here and overseas. This year "Silent Night...

It's that time of the year again - our 12 Days of an Aussie Wildlife Christmas. Let the countdown begin!This wedgetail e...
13/12/2023

It's that time of the year again - our 12 Days of an Aussie Wildlife Christmas. Let the countdown begin!

This wedgetail eagle is thrilled to know he's on Santas nice list, seriously though, wouldn't you be this happy too?😁

It's snot hot. Wow. I didn't know this! 🤯While other animals sweat or pant to stay cool under the Aussie sun, echidnas h...
13/12/2023

It's snot hot. Wow. I didn't know this! 🤯
While other animals sweat or pant to stay cool under the Aussie sun, echidnas have other ideas.
Earlier this year, scientists discovered echidnas blow snot bubbles and perform belly flops.
The snot bubbles burst and wet the tip of their nose. This cools a pool of blood just under their skin at the top of their snout.
When that’s not hitting the spot, they’ll perform belly flops on cool surfaces!

You just have to love our awesome Aussie wildlife - aren't you glad you have air conditioning or at least a fan 😆

Snot just a pretty face. 😛

While other animals sweat or pant to stay cool under the Aussie sun, echidnas have other ideas.

Earlier this year, scientists discovered echidnas blow snot bubbles and perform belly flops.

The snot bubbles burst and wet the tip of their nose. This cools a pool of blood just under their skin at the top of their snout.

When that’s not hitting the spot, they’ll perform belly flops on cool surfaces.

Seen an echidna in the wild? Download the Echidna CSI app, which we developed with The University of Adelaide. You can use it to record your sighting and contribute to valuable research: https://www.adelaide.edu.au/environment/research/citizen-science/echidna-csi/echidna-csi-mobile-app

📷 | Taronga Zoo Sydney
🗞 | ABC News

13/12/2023

I'M BAAAAACK!
Well that break took a lot longer than I thought it would. Taking on too much really does take its toll on you if you don't keep it in check! Don't burn the candle as they say from both ends or you get burned (out) and it can take quite some time to bounce back.

I haven't even been taking many photos during this time which I missed, speaking of, I wonder where I put that? 🤔

I'm happy to be back now and eager to get on with things, especially since Christmas is now just 12 days away, Summer is here and a brand new year just around the corner - a whole new year of wild adventures are waiting.

Time to get cracking!
Ros 👍

17/07/2023
Oh, kiss my tail feathers! For a gorgeous bird (Australian Ringneck), which is usually fairly well composed, and even da...
07/06/2023

Oh, kiss my tail feathers!
For a gorgeous bird (Australian Ringneck), which is usually fairly well composed, and even dainty in movements, this was not this one's finest hour and to make it worse, I was at the very wrong angle to add insult to injury of its dignity😏

As hard as it tried, it wasn't able to right itself until it had ungraciously landed on the ground - bum first.

Some days things just don't go our way 😉

The beautiful Ring neck parrot. These gorgeous parrots were seemingly in abundance in the Flinders Ranges, and, when we ...
07/06/2023

The beautiful Ring neck parrot. These gorgeous parrots were seemingly in abundance in the Flinders Ranges, and, when we sat very still around the Old Wilpena Homestead on our first night in the ranges, the Ring neck parrots would go on with their feeding as the sun was setting.

To watch these birds up close meant that I had to stay very quiet and only make very slow movements with my camera, a sudden movement and they would scatter into the trees.

The Ringneck parrots feed mostly on the ground, but will also feed in shrubs and trees, feasting on seeds, flowers, insects, and even some fruits.

These gorgeous little parrots are only found in Australia in open woodlands and tree-lined watercourses, as it was here.

The Australian Ringneck parrots are one of the many species that rely on old hollow trees - living or dead for these birds to breed.

Just outside of Wilpena Pound in the Flinders Ranges sits Old Wilpena Station, which was an important pastoral run from ...
05/06/2023

Just outside of Wilpena Pound in the Flinders Ranges sits Old Wilpena Station, which was an important pastoral run from the pioneering days, back in the 1850's. Now, this old homestead and the sheds truly are a reminder of how remarkable the people were in their skills not only to run a pastoral station in the remote regions of Australia but in the skills in the building of the homes, sheds, stores, and more.

But, as much as I did admire these remarkable buildings and the times of old, I was taken with the amount of birds and wildlife around the homestead. Ringneck parrots, birds of prey, numerous smaller birds calling from high up in the tree tops, emus wandering in and out of the old gardens, wallabies, and kangaroos were slowly making their way down out of the hills as I was there just a little before sunset.

It was absolutely stunning and remarkable for the wildlife, but these 3 galahs took my eye with the setting sun behind them lighting up the bush with its golden glow, as they drank from the water that had accumulated in the guttering on one of the old stone sheds.

This area I had been told had sightings of the quolls that were released into the Flinders Ranges, but unfortunately, I didn't get to see one in our time, but that's ok, maybe next time 😉

Emus, are absolute characters and can often be very curious while also being ready to run. This dad and his almost adult...
05/06/2023

Emus, are absolute characters and can often be very curious while also being ready to run.
This dad and his almost adult young greeted us with curiosity but would also make a dash for the open plains, then slowly return, coaxed back by their own inquisitiveness.

Emus are the world's 2nd largest, flightless bird, they grow up to 1.5m tall. The females are larger than the males and the males incubate the eggs and raise the chicks on his own. The females aren't the mothering kind and will lay her eggs in any males nest and then leave, never to see her eggs again.
During this time, the father will not leave the nest to eat or drink, he stays with the eggs for 2 months during this time.
Emus can run up to 50kms an hour, and have a voice that can be heard up to 2kms away!
Emus eat the parts of plants that have the most concentrated nutrients: seeds, fruits, flowers, and young shoots. They also eat insects when they are easily available. Emus will swallow large pebbles to help their gizzards grind up food.

Keep a watchful eye on the soft soils and sands, you can easily identify an emu's tracks by their large, 3-toed feet.

Time, is a resource that's always in high demand from all of us and sometimes there's just not enough of it. Since we go...
05/06/2023

Time, is a resource that's always in high demand from all of us and sometimes there's just not enough of it. Since we got back from our amazing trip to the Flinders Ranges, I've just been on the go. I'm finally getting back to posting the photos of our trip to the stunning Flinders Ranges................

Mums, aren't they just the best. They give the best cuddles, tickles, love and laughter. They stand with us, fight for u...
14/05/2023

Mums, aren't they just the best.
They give the best cuddles, tickles, love and laughter. They stand with us, fight for us and teach us to stand strong - and it doesn't matter what species you are, you'll always be made to wash behind your ears 😄

Thanks to all the mums and those who do the role of mum - you're all absolutely incredible. Have a wonderful day. 🥂💐

Bu**er! The roads on our track back towards home are open. We still have a few days to cruise back home so I’m sure we’l...
11/05/2023

Bu**er! The roads on our track back towards home are open. We still have a few days to cruise back home so I’m sure we’ll come across more great finds.

When you’re in the outback, pay serious attention to these signs - if any one of them says road closed, do not continue on.

From on top of the world - well, it sure seemed like it to us today. This is just a little bit of the view from the Ridg...
10/05/2023

From on top of the world - well, it sure seemed like it to us today.
This is just a little bit of the view from the Ridgetop Tour from Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary today - what a ride, what views!
If you are in the area, or heading to the Flinders Ranges soon - I can't recommend the Ridgetop Tour highly enough.

It really does take you back in time - over 100 million years in time to when parts of Australia were still under the sea!

I will also be returning to Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary on my return trip to the Flinders Ranges and Outback, absolutely mind blowing region of this incredible country that is - Australia.

I need to return to take in more of what we have learned in our short time here, the knowledge of the staff here at Arkaroola is beyond measure, Astro Physicists with a tour of the night skies from 1 of the 3 observatories here, the plant life, the effects of drought in the region, the history of the Sanctuary is amazing - Sir Douglas Mawson who is on our $100 note explored the region before it was a sanctuary, the geology - it just goes on!

What a region of South Australia to explore!

What an amazing few days we’ve had in the Flinders Ranges! I can’t wait to show you more photos but getting the internet...
09/05/2023

What an amazing few days we’ve had in the Flinders Ranges! I can’t wait to show you more photos but getting the internet is limited.
We’ve moved on now to Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary and it is so different to where we’ve been in the past few days but it is still stunning!
More gorges, views, amazing night skies and so many Yellow Footed Rock Wallabies!
I can’t wait to show you those images.

Anyway, I’ll see you all again soon 📸😉

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Mission of The Land Down Under

The mission of The Land Down Under is to increase Conservation via Education through Interaction. 1. Conservation via Education through Interaction. Increase the awareness of all Australian wildlife to the people of Australia and to the people of the world. The more people who know of our wildlife and interact with it, the more people will have a better understanding and connection with our wildlife and want to help protect it. 2. Entice People to Travel within Australia – right throughout Australia, from our coasts to the mountains and to the deserts and its islands. Travelling within Australia is an experience not to be missed –it’s an ancient, beautiful and timeless land and a huge amount of wildlife species are only found right here, in Australia. I travel a lot in Australia and I’d love nothing more than to help you see and experience the land, the wildlife, the cultures and characters that call Australia home. Australia is a remarkable place with such a different array of landscapes, wildlife, cities and people and have some of the most beautiful beaches, national parks and world heritage areas in the world. We are a country of fun, adventure and relaxation. I hope you give us a ‘like’ and come on some of my adventures, meet some of our mates in Wild Wonders of The Land Down Under and more! Maybe one day I’ll see you in The Land Down Under! Cheers, Ros