Welcome to Day 10 of the A-Z Blogging Challenge. My theme
is:
'Wildlife Encounters'
Extract from an article I wrote about Australia’s Northern Territory
published in an English language newspaper in Spain:
The Mary River Wetlands abound with birdlife and crocodiles. We took a boat ride.
Slim snouted freshwater crocodiles (freshies) grow up to 3
metres long and won’t attack if undisturbed. Estuarine or saltwater crocodiles
(salties) can grow up to 6 metres long. These opportunistic hunters can and
will grab anything that moves. You don’t mess with salties.
Amongst a welter of fascinating birds, the huge black necked
stork, or Jabiru, reigns supreme. At 130 cms tall this magnificent bird stalked
like a statesman through carpets of Sacred Water Lilies while Little Corellas
squawked overhead.
See you tomorrow – I’m heading north. Can you guess where
and what the next animal will be?
Good one! You got me there. OK, truce... I give up, I won't try this one... ah well, maybe you're only going one kilo north so maybe you'll be visiting the kangaroos... or koalas??
ReplyDeleteAJ at Ouch My Back Hurts
Well if it's any consolation, no one else picked Australia for today's post. Kangaroo or Koala - now would I be that sneaky? :)
DeleteOh dear! I got it so wrong. Australia?
ReplyDeleteK could be for Kakadu National Park, perhaps?
Aneeta from
How to Tell a Great Story
Afraid so, Aneeta. Umm... each letter of the alphabet corresponds with an animal, not a place, so Kakadu is out - sorry. :)
ReplyDeleteOh! Forgot that bit.
DeleteI always wonder what is the difference between a crocodile and an alligator? Are crocodiles bigger? I'd love to see Koala tomorrow :)
ReplyDeleteZeljka, the short answer is that alligators are from the Americas, whereas crocodiles are from Africa, Asia and Australia. Crocs and alligators come from two different families. Not all crocs are larger - some alligators are larger than certain species of crocodile.
DeleteThank you Susan! I've remembered when I wrote this comment that I was present few times (during conversation) when someone asked about the difference and nobody could provide a clear answer. That won't happen again :)
DeleteYou're welcome! :)
DeleteWhat a magnificent bird! If you're in Australia could the next animal be koala?
ReplyDeleteAh, but am I staying in Australia, bearing in mind I'm already in Australia's Northern Territory? :)
DeleteI had not a clue who or what Mr. Jabiru was but he's a very handsome chap. Lucky too, to be high stepping through all those lovely blooms. :)
ReplyDeleteHe's a beautiful, stately looking bird, isn't he, Jo?
DeleteI had not a clue who or what Mr. Jabiru was but he's a very handsome chap. Lucky too, to be high stepping through all those lovely blooms. :)
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ReplyDeleteYou certainly have wandered in your life. Great post. I have learned to stay away from alligators down where I live. There's one in the bayou by my apartment complex that smacks his lips as he passes under my terrace where my kitten, Midnight, looks down upon him with a wary eye!
ReplyDeleteThat sounds... interesting, Roland! (Nice name for a kitten.)
DeleteI definitely prefer the freshies;)
ReplyDeleteYes, they're not super dangerous like the salties, Sandra.
DeleteDidn't know that about freshwater crocodiles. I'm learning a lot from your posts. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThat's nice to know! :)
DeleteOh, wow... That stork looks magnificent! Here in Curaçao we sometimes see the "regular" white ones, but I don't think they get any taller than... maybe 80, 85 cm? Still, they're gorgeous, and quite a treat to spot (there's little wildlife on the island).
ReplyDeleteThanks for the visit over at Life In Dogs, and happy A2Z-ing :)
Thanks, Guilie. I'm very fond of storks!
DeleteBeautiful bird! Thanks for sharing the photos. Love the pink flower, too.
DeleteThank you, Yvonne. The Mary River Wetlands are great for flora and fauna.
DeleteThis is one neat looking bird and I love the name. Interesting to read about it also. I am thinking Kangaroo
ReplyDeleteI truly have never heard of a Jabiru :) They do look like magnificent birds, though. They remind me a bit of the grey and blue herons that you can see around here occasionally and that are so graceful. :)
ReplyDeleteTracy (Black Boots, Long Legs)
Yes, they're similar to your herons, Tracy, but even larger and more heavily built, I think.
DeleteWhat a gorgeous bird and I've NEVER HEARD OF IT. Amazing.
ReplyDeleteThat's a beautiful stork! Thanks for sharing it.
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