Thursday, January 31, 2019

Dirt-conditioning

Australian native animals, know how to survive in harsh extremes. The kangaroos in our backyard, are no different. So what do they do, to cool down in the afternoon, from the soaring temperatures of the day...well, dirt-conditioning, of course!


Resting, but also alert


This older joey, found an open patch of dirt, in the shade of the trees. I imagine, laying her belly against it, would cool her body down, considerably. She's also perfectly camouflaged, by the brown leaves.

I wonder if she's the same joey, featured in this blog post, of October, last year. Which would actually make her...


Taken, October 2018


...approximately three months older, than the above picture. They grow up, so fast! She's also becoming the spitting-image of her mother, who I spotted drinking nearby, at the birdbath too.


 Her mother


That's another way to cool down in the heat, I guess - drink plenty of water! Thankfully, since these photos were taken, the weather has cooled down considerably. It would be nice for some of that rain in Northern Queensland, to make it's way, down to us, in the south.

Everything around here, could sure use a good drink. Speaking of which, it's time to consider my own water intake for the day, and grab another glass of rainwater.

Cheers! And stay cool, wherever you are in the world. I'm sure, all my Northern hemisphere readers, probably didn't need reminding of that! As if you had a choice, right now, to do otherwise. I'm looking forward to the mercury dropping soon, as I'm sure you're all looking forward to it, rising.


10 comments:

  1. Here along the south coast of Uk, we had heavy frost this morning, and it's cold. Much of the country is due snow, being so close to the coast line we often miss the white stuff, so we have fingers crossed it will just be rain for us, but at this moment we have beautiful blue skies. I love reading your post about your wildlife and living in your climate.

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    1. Thanks Marlene, I enjoy sharing the stories of the native animals. They make the place feel so much like home! Enjoy your blue skies while they last. :)

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  2. Those roos have beautiful faces. I don't have much time for carrying out tasks in the garden at present due to the heat and the need to spend so much time watering. I am trying to keep as many plants alive as possible, but our dam is getting low. Looking forward to the rain.

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    1. It's always their large, black-eyes, with long lashes, which always mesmerise me, Sherri. I hear you on all counts, regarding the water situation. There are dams in our area, which have completely dried for the first time, since we've been here. But I have hopes the rain will eventually come. It always does. Even if we lose a myriad of plants in the process, lol.

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  3. The cooler weather is much appreciated. Everything is so very dry and parched but at least the weeds aren't growing as quickly as they do after rain. A pipeline from the north to the south would be a great idea, Chris. All that water going to waste up there at the moment.

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    1. Absolutely Chel, the upside is, we haven't had to use the brush-cutter since late last year. Did you feel the beautiful cool breeze, on top of the mountain, this afternoon? I'm hoping there's rain on it's way. :)

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  4. To a North American, your roos are a real treat to see. Funny how so many animals enjoy dust baths.

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    1. They all DO like dust baths, don't they! She didn't seem to have the energy for rolling around in it - and I'm not even sure, if their anatomy would allow them to (curvature of the spine) but she planted her belly down in the dirt, like she wanted some of that primordial action.

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  5. Lovely photos! I now have wallabies coming to my property, but only it seems at night. I knew they were on properties down the road, but had never seen evidence of them here, although the neighbour behind me tells me he has seen them grazing his lawn in the evenings. Now I'm starting to find plants being grazed too high up for rabbits (it still could be possums) and now finding wallaby droppings and quite close to the house. I've made sure there's plenty of water at ground level for them, as all the pools have dried out, but both neighbours have large dams so their needs are satisfied. Hoping to walk out the door one evening and seeing them!

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    1. Thanks Bev. I'm fortunate the mothers have progressively raised their joey's in our backyard, so I can get out with the camera during the day, and it doesn't seem to phase them. I can't get too close, of course, as they still have that instinct to flee. A good thing!

      It sounds like the roos/wallabies in your area, are coming in closer, looking for food. It's good that you're putting water out for them, because as water starts to become scarce in the outer areas, more roos will show up. By spreading the sources of water around though, it means the weaker ones, don't get forced away from having a drink too. We saw an injured male (about 3 years old) just yesterday, drinking from the birdbath and bowl we have down lower. Terrible heel injury. Can't hop, only hobble on one leg. We were happy to see him, out and about this morning though, and looking a bit better.

      So it's really good you're keeping that water topped up. You might not see it at night, but there may be critters too weak to find water, elsewhere. I hope you get to see them soon. :)

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