Animal Photography at Alma Park Zoo near Brisbane

A few weeks ago I was in Brisbane, Queensland, and visited one of the city's prime attractions, Alma Park Zoo. The aim was of course to photograph the animals for further dvds and interactive jigsaw puzzles.

I didn't bother renting a car, so I took the train to the outer suburbs and then proceded to walk for half an hour to arrive at the Alma Park Zoo before opening time. As usual, I kept stopping to photograph whatever caught my eye.

The entrance to the zoo is eye catching and the landscaping is stunning. A beautiful environment for both humans and animals.

It's worth arriving early and leaving late to catch the animals at different times of the day, attend the keeper talks and see the animals at feeding times.

As an Australian, I'm partial to koalas (which are not bears by the way) but I also love the Madagascan ringtail lemurs.

I love talking to the animals when I take photographs.

I'm sure they relate to the tone of my voice and appreciate when I thank them for their patience!

One of the features of this smallish zoo is the obvious bond between the keepers and the animals.

It goes beyond just the provision of food.

Here's my take on animals talking back.

"I love you."

"I love you too."

"This fresh fruit and veg is yummy, isn't it?"

"It certainly is and the silver service isn't too bad either."

"Being hand fed is my personal favourite though."

"And all on our own island Paradise."


There'll be a few more blog posts with animal comments later on so stay tuned.

Here's the link to a great day's outing at Alma Park Zoo.

Squirrel Stands Up To Snake in Zion National Park, Utah

A hike along the trail in Zion National Park, Utah, led to several discoveries of wildflowers and also wildlife.

Walking in a group may allow for socialising but the noise made by the group can often scare away wildlife and it sometimes drowns out the sounds of nature, like running rivers, bird songs and animal antics.

I'd just left the trail to escape the endless number of noisy hikers and have a closer look at the river and enjoy a bit of peace and quiet. On my way back to join the trail I heard this commotion in a fenced off clearing. I thought it sounded like a rattle (I may have been mistaken though).

However, when I looked closer I saw a squirrel and a snake having a go at each other.

The snake definitely didn't like the squirrel in its patch and there was dust flying everywhere with the squirrel artfully dodging the snake's strike. However, it didn't matter how angry the snake was (click on the photo to zoom in on it), that squirrel was determined to stand its ground even if it meant being bitten.

I took several photos (without tele lens unfortunately) before the snake gave up and retreated from the dust bath created by the squirrel. I've always thought squirrels were cute and quick but this particular one was a feisty little critter as well!

A couple of observations:

• if you're going to enjoy nature en masse, then keep your eyes and ears open and your mouth shut
• watch where you're walking (as an Aussie, part of bushwalking is watching out for snakes on the trail anyway)
• cute and cuddly doesn't necessarily mean weak and lacking courage (perceptions can often be wrong)
• even if you think you're facing insurmountable odds you can sometimes achieve success through sheer determination

Penguins' Poor Navigation Skills

In Australia, there are two main islands off the southern coast commonly referred to as KI - King Island and Kangaroo Island.

King Island, in Bass Strait, off the northwest coast of Tasmania, lies in the Roaring Forties and can be fairly windy at times. Many sailing ships and lives have been lost around the rocky coast due to the winds and inclement weather. However, the island still provides a welcome haven for a colony of Little Penguins near the small settlement of Grassy.

The other KI is Kangaroo Island, a bigger and more hilly island, off the southeast coast of South Australia, not that far from Adelaide, the capital. The main town on Kangaroo Island is Kingscote and Little Penguins also have a colony near there too.

Now, while I was on King Island, Angela, from the local fish & chip shop, took me to see the penguin rookery after dark. Penguins were everywhere and they didn't seem to have any fear of two mere humans, so we were able to sticky beak into their lives.

It was a great photo opportunity (being careful not to upset the little birds) and I'm positive that these two Little Penguins didn't quite know what was going on and seemed to be saying...

Outback Adventure DVD Out Now! Video Clip

"Outback Adventure" DVD highlighting photos from "Off the Beaten Track", earlier in September, is now available. It can be purchased in both PAL format (for Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom) and also NTSC format (for the USA, Canada, Europe and South America).

There are 270 photos (without captions), plus credits, featuring South Australia's Outback, Gammon Ranges and Flinders Ranges. Wildlife, windmills and wildflowers all make an appearance. Mini adventures like the Pichi Richi Railway journey and the Ridge Top Tour at Arkaroola are there too.

Visits to Alligator Gorge, the Ochre Pits and Leigh Creek Coal Field are included as well. Signs, buildings, vehicles and people make an appearance alongside trees, creeks and beautiful scenery.

Did I mention there are planes in it too?

What more could you want as a snapshot of the Australian Bush? These are the places Oprah didn't visit.

The DVD lasts for about 26.5 minutes and has an easy listening soundtrack.

Enjoy the video clip (short but great).



The DVDs are AUD$25.00 each. Postage & handling for Australia is AUD$2.50 and for outside Australia it's AUD$6.00. Contact me at fran@franwest.com for a bulk P&H cost if purchasing more than one copy.

Although primarily designed for aged care and dementia patients, the DVDs can be and are enjoyed by people of all ages.

P.S. the wildflowers on the DVD label are South Australia's floral emblem, the Sturt Desert Pea, (absolutely stunning in the Wearing Gorge). There are just a few on the actual DVD too.

Outback Adventure DVD

Australia (incl. P&H) $27.50 Overseas (incl. P&H) $31.00

Outback Adventure DVD Nearing Completion

"Outback Adventure" DVD highlighting photos from "Off the Beaten Track", earlier in September, is nearing completion. It will be released in both PAL format (for Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom) and also NTSC format (for the USA, Canada, Europe and South America).

There will be at least 260 photos (without captions) featuring South Australia's Outback, Gammon Ranges and Flinders Ranges. Wildlife, windmills and wildflowers all make an appearance. Mini adventures like the Pichi Richi Railway journey and the Ridge Top Tour at Arkaroola are there too.

Visits to Alligator Gorge, the Ochre Pits and Leigh Creek Coal Field are included as well. Signs, buildings, vehicles and people make an appearance alongside trees, creeks and beautiful scenery.

Did I mention there are planes in it too?

What more could you want as a snapshot of the Australian Bush?

A video snippet will be posted as soon as the DVD's completed (probably after Christmas or in early January).

If you'd like to reserve a copy at AUD$25.00 contact me at fran@franwest.com.

P.S. the wildflowers on the DVD label are South Australia's floral emblem, the Sturt Desert Pea, (absolutely stunning in the Wearing Gorge).

I'm not an Ugly Duckling! Video Clip

Black swans are a feature on the River Torrens which runs through Adelaide, capital of South Australia.

There's a walk and cycle path which winds its way alongside the river and it's a favourite place for workers and tourists alike.

Just lovely to see the cygnet with the adult swan, very different in plumage.

Kangaroo Capers - "Mum, I'm itchy!" Video Clip

Kangaroos, especially joeys, are very cute. These two were filmed at Wilpena, in the Flinders Ranges, South Australia, during Off the Beaten Track.

It's the same joey that winked at me when I was taking its photo.



Travel tips Australia Click Here!

Your guide to travelling Australia Click Here!

Feathered Fathers Coddle Cute Chicks - Exceptional Emus! Video Clip

During Off the Beaten Track, we did a day trip from Rawnsley Park to the Great Wall of China (a range of hills) in the Flinders Ranges, South Australia.

On the way, we saw several adult emus and about 14 chicks. The great thing about emus is that the fathers are the ones that usually babysit the young.

Just enjoy this short clip - the chicks are so cute.



Travel tips Australia Click Here!

Your guide to travelling Australia Click Here!

When is a Euro not European Currency? Video Clip

When it's a type of kangaroo. This euro is in the Gammon Ranges, in Outback South Australia, and was spotted on the Ridge Top Tour at Arkaroola.



All sorts of wildlife was encountered during Off the Beaten Track, in early September.

Travel tips Australia Click Here!

Your guide to travelling Australia Click Here!

Adelaide & Monarto Zoos Video Clip

Here's a snippet from my Zoo DVD with photos from Adelaide Zoo and Monarto Zoological Park, South Australia. Enjoy.



The DVD can be purchased here.

Travel tips Australia Click Here!

Your guide to travelling Australia Click Here!

Kangaroo Capers Videos

Here they are at last. Two video snippets of kangaroo capers in the Flinders Ranges, South Australia.





Travel tips Australia Click Here!

Your guide to travelling Australia Click Here!

There are Signs of Kangaroos everywhere in the Outback!

In my recent trip, "Off the Beaten Track", to the Flinders Ranges and Outback South Australia, dozens of kangaroos were spotted.

They may look cute and cuddly but they are a potential danger to cars on the road. Not as big as moose or deer, they can still do quite a lot of damage to a vehicle if they get hit. Unfortunately, they usually come off second best.


Early morning and towards dusk are the times that kangaroos like to graze, although they can often be seen throughout the day. When they're startled by passing traffic they tend to bound off suddenly, sometimes into the path of oncoming cars.


As a reminder to motorists to watch out for kangaroos, these signs are everywhere in the Outback. This one is just on the approach to Wilpena Pound, Flinders Ranges.

More Kangaroo Capers in the Flinders Ranges, South Australia

Here's a snippet on video.



And another.

Just enjoy.

Monarto Zoological Park Walkabout

Monarto Zoological Park, in South Australia, is the world's largest open plains zoo.

It's located about an hour or so from Adelaide and is linked with Adelaide Zoo.

As part of the entry fee you can take a ride on a safari bus around part of the park.

There are also trails you can walk on to the enclosures.

Viewing platforms have been built so that people can get close to and safely overlook the animals. One of the best, and it seems most popular, is the giraffe platform where visitors can have a close encounter with feeding giraffes.

Check out a snippet of my DVD, "A day at the Zoo: Adelaide/Monarto" and purchase through the website. No prizes for guessing which animal is featured on the DVD label!

Kangaroo Capers in the Flinders Ranges, South Australia

Here's a cheeky baby kangaroo (called a joey) at Wilpena, in the Flinders Ranges, South Australia.

I always talk to animals when I take their photos. I seem to get a better response.

However, instead of smiling at the camera, this little joey just had to be different. It gave me a wink instead.



Zoom in on the photo and you'll see the joey's winking with its right eye.

This photo's so cute that it will be included in my next DVD, "Outback Adventure".

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Off the Beaten Track DVD coming soon

"Off the Beaten Track" DVD will be released shortly. It contains several hundred photos taken on the recent trip to Outback Australia for
The World By Web - http://theworldbyweb.com.

As well as the magnificent scenery of the Flinders and Gammon Ranges, there are photos of the wildlife, wildflowers, buildings, people and activities. A true Outback experience.


The photos (without captions or narration) are made into a movie presentation suitable for playing on your TV (in PAL or NTSC).

Only AUD$25.00 (free postage), so order NOW by contacting me at fran@franwest.com.