Wednesday 11 July 2012

Jottings from the Tropics: 11 July 2012


It happens so often that I think it must be a Law of Nature.

1. Friends visit, hoping to see tree kangaroos

2. Friends fail to see tree kangaroos, but see something equally rare/interesting/odd. (This category includes green ringtail possums, sarus cranes and domestic ducks wearing oilskins and sou'westers.) (Note: Of that list, only the ducks are likely to be dressed up.)

3. One to two days after departure of aforementioned friends, tree kangaroos parade through the garden.

In support of this law, I offer the most recent observation. A friend visited on Monday. She saw sarus cranes in large numbers and the ducks clad in wet weather gear, but no tree kangaroos. This afternoon, I saw two tree kangaroos in the garden. And not just any old tree kangaroos, but a mother and her joey.

The joey was trying to climb the tree, but could only scramble up the first couple of metres. So mum provided back up. The little one gave it a good go, but still couldn't get the hang of it. In the end s/he opted for the easy route, safe in mum's pouch.

Here are the worst photos of tree kangaroos that you'll ever see. Sorry about the quality. But, you know, awwwwwwww.