Sunday Sightings

Yesterday we strained to hear the laugh of the kookaburra as we picnicked by the Yarra River.  Today we walked out into the church courtyard and came upon a beautiful kookaburra.  She was placidly sitting on the fence watching everyone exclaim and marvel that she did not fly away.  There was some worry that she might be injured, but it seems she merely wanted to give all the children a chance to admire her before moving on.

I knew next to nothing about kookaburras until my friend Amy helpfully emailed me a link with some information about them from the San Diego Zoo:  http://www.sandiegozoo.org/animalbytes/t-laughing_kookaburra.html

Amy also sent this following interesting tidbit:

• The children’s song “Kookaburra (Sits in the Old Gum Tree)” was written in 1934 to the tune of a traditional Welsh song. In it, the kookaburra eats “gum drops”—eucalyptus sap—and spies on monkeys. However,   kookaburras are carnivorous, and monkeys are not found in Australia.

My Simpson & Day Field Guide to the Birds of Australia describes their voice as "raucous laughter," while our kids' field guide to birds down under (much more on my level at this point) explains that the kookaburras are the largest, but dullest, of the kingfisher world in Australia.  They do not eat fish, but rather insects.  Young kookaburras stay with their parents for four or more years, helping both to incubate and provide up to 60% of the food for chicks that hatch after them.

Today was our best day for birdwatching so far, and with no effort at all on our part.  James, Cameron and I walked to a local playground this afternoon, and were greeted at the gate, directly overhead, by the cackle of of a pair of noisy rainbow lorikeets.  We had been told we would see them everywhere in Melbourne, but I found it hard to believe until today. 

 

I was hoping for a better picture, but when they saw my camera, the lorikeets immediately flew to the nearest tree in the picture below, which we suspect holds a nest high above.

 
 

Simpson & Day describe the lorikeets as  "shrill-voiced and noisy forest-dwelling parrots."  They clearly thrive in urban areas as well, and they certainly lived up to this description this afternoon, providing lots of background noise for the first fifteen minutes or so that we were there.

A few more pictures from our afternoon for you to enjoy:

 

 

Tomorrow morning we are looking forward to (finally!) receiving our air shipment container.  After three weeks of trying to find ways to fill our days, there will be no shortage of work getting everything unpacked and settled.  It may very well be a few days until I post again, unless of course we happen upon another uniquely Australian animal in our path

Comments

[Shanda]

What are all those wires in the street pic!?
I'll be singing that kookabura song all day noe, you know.
I enjoyed the bird pictures (you need a telephoto lens!) and the facts. God's creatures always amaze me. That's interesting that the young one helps like that. And the parakeet is so colorful!
Sarah wore one of the gymboree outfits you gave her yesterday. (pink long sleeved shirt and striped pants). I got to go into Gymboree yesterday and I bought her a few adorable head bands (they are too big though)..she'll have to grow into them.

[Nikki]

I love the bird pictures!!!!! I was curious as well with the wires in the street. Have fun unpacking!

[Christie]

The wires are for the trams that run throughout the city. I haven't ridden one yet with the kids, but we probably will soon. I have to figure out how to pay for it ahead of time, because I don't want to be fumbling with change trying to pay for five people (I still have a hard time with the money here). Shanda, I have asked for a camera for either my birthday or Christmas, and Ross says he will get me whatever I want. I'll wait until we are back in the U.S, though to buy one because they are at least double the price here.

[Ruperts]

We just spent a lazy Sunday afternoon enjoying Christie's entertaining narration and your fantastic pictures!!!! We feel like we are on the adventure with you.....what a wonderful blog! Josh read aloud as we caught up on your last two weeks. Many chuckles and ooh's and ahhhh's later, we decided that although we miss our dear neighbors very much, we are excited for your time in the "down under". Much love, hugs, and prayers to you all!