Cleland Wildlife Park

Yesterday I went up to Cleland Wildlife Park for a couple of hours. I visit here four or five times a year to get up close and personal with the native "wildlife". Although it is a zoo, they are active in many local, national and international conservation programs. As I parked, I saw a movement and saw this Common Bronzewing making the most of the peace and quiet before many people had arrived.

It was still a few minutes before opening time, so I had a chance to look the fine, life sized bronze of a koala in the visitor precinct. The park is mainly open paddocks, with a few enclosures. You can walk in amongst the kangaroos and emus, and there are three large walk through aviaries. The aviaries are split between Riverside, Forest and Arid Land, and contain a mix of birds and flora reflecting that habitat. In addition, there is a lake which is home to a mix of wild and captive waterbirds. Here are a selection of photos from the morning.

This Red Kangaroo is showing how it supports it's weight on forelegs and tail when its browsing. Australian Shoveler Cattle Egret Glossy Ibis Turtle sp. Darter Red-browed Finch Australian Shelduck When I grow up I want to be a......... Masked Woodswallow Zebra Finch Diamond Dove Tawny Frogmouth Rainbow Lorikeet And when I got home, there were a couple of Spotted Doves on my yard fence.