Well belated Happy Easter to all..i hope everyone had a lovely time and got some relaxing in!
I hinted at a new visitor that had been spotted here on our property and i am now going to introduce you!
We have been here 5 years in August and this is the first time ever i have seen a Wallaby here..i cannot even begin to tell you how thrilled i was and especially as the visit came on the heels of a really sad day.
We had the Wildlife rescue out to sadly PTS a Kangaroo..he had a broken leg and had been eluding the folks in the street for two days..despite his serious injury the poor thing managed to get away each time.
I had no idea..i had been shooting a sweet family and then heard the news that this was about to happen.
The kindest thing to do is to end an animals suffering but i will never get used to the sound of a gunshot.
I was of course a mess..in tears and feeling miserable so i went for a wander with my camera.
A bit of nature therapy..i had not gotten far from the house when i spotted him..the Wallaby..my heart skipped a beat ,and as much as i wanted to clap my hands in the way that has hubby always laughing at me , i had to concentrate as i was scared my little visitor would leave!
I grabbed some shots and he took off but the next day he was back and hubby and i both got to spend some lovely time with him as he chowed down on those Hedge Wattles i despise!
Not only a beauty but also my new BFF for helping get rid of these rotten thorny beasts!
First some facts 🙂
.. The Swamp Wallaby (Wallabia bicolor) a small macropod marsupial of eastern Australia.
This sweet wallaby is also known (mainly here in Victoria) as the Black faced Wallaby, the black tailed wallaby, stinker (QLD), black stinker (NSW) due to it’s characteristic swampy odour,fern wallaby,black wallaby, and black pademelon.
The Swamp Wallaby is the only living member of the genus Wallabia.
The bicolor comes from the varied color that they have.
Typical grey coat of macropods varied with dark brown to black region on the back and light yellow to rufous orange on the chest.A light colored cheek stripe is usually present and extremities of the body generally show darker coloring except the tail tip which is often white.
Their gait is also different to other wallabies as they carry their head low and tail out straight.
The average length (height) is about 30″ or 76cm for males and 27.5″ or 70cm for females.
The tail in both sexes is approx equal in length to the rest of the body.
Average weight for males 37lb (17kg) and females 29lb (13kg)
They become of breeding age around 15-18 months and breed throughout the year.
Gestation is 33-38 days and leads to a single young which is carried in the pouch for 8-9 months but will continue to suckle until about 15 months.
The Black faced Wallaby is usually a solitary animal but will aggregate in groups when feeding.
They will eat a wide range of food plants shrubs pasture and native and exotic vegetation and seem to be able to tolerate plants poisonous to others such as brackens and lantana.
Rather than grazing like Kangaroos they prefer to browse shrubs which is unusual in wallabies and macropods who prefer to graze.
Their tooth structure means their molars differ from other wallabies in that they are designed for browsing and their 4th premolar they keep for life and it is shaped for cutting coarse plant matter (ie.that hedge wattle!)
Several characteristics both physical and behavioral make the Black faced wallaby different enough from other wallabies to place it in it’s own genus Wallabia.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swamp_wallaby
And now please welcome Wally who i hope feels safe and at home here on our 11 acres, for awhile at least..get ready to squee as he is adorable 🙂 and yes a boy..i checked 😉
I am definitely squealing this side Bev! What a darling cutie and I am so happy he found you and that you could take these awesome shots of him! What a sweet darling! Thanks for sharing him with us. I do hope we get to see much more of him. He is just so beautiful! Also, thanks for all the interesting info about them. It’s good that he is getting rid of that nasty weed for you. 😀 ♥
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Thankyou my sweets 🙂 i was soooo happy to see this little guy and i hope he hangs out for awhile..i loved his little visit and he seemed happy eating that horrid wattle while we watched 🙂 i also cannot help but admire his fur up close as it reminds me of a silver back gorilla hahaha 😉 thankyou for the lovely compliments 🙂 xxxxx
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I can only imagine your surprised face and the squeals of surprise. Quietly of course. hehehe.
It’s totally amazing and thank to Brutus and your amazing photographic talents we all can admire that beautiful fur as well. You’re right, it does look like that. I adore gorillas too. They are such sweet and gentle sweethearts. 😀
You’re very welcome sweets. Lots of love and hugs for you and the beasties. ♥
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Oh i was going nuts internally hahahahh have waited soooo long for a wild sighting 🙂 and yes i adore Gorillas..such faces so much intelligence..and yay for Brutus who lets us all stay at a happy distance.. 🙂 Loves and hugs Bev xxxx
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I know the feeling. LOL!
Yes, they are so adorable. I wouldn’t mind living with them either. I would just take photos all day long. 😀
Yes, Brutus is such a great companion for you. With him you can take the most awesome shots from a very long distance. Lucky girl! 😀
❤
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Gorgeous all round! What strong, muscly arms he seems to have. Hope he keeps on coming back, perhaps with a few friends in future… Suspect a new range of cards has been born 😀
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Hahaha yes thankyou Annie i was thinking the same thing ! indeed he has a much stockier body than a roo and at just under three feet is much smaller but those arms still strong ..shorter footsies and a very different shaped mouth..i do hope he comes back he was here around three days and may circulate among the neighbours 🙂 i was super chuffed to spot him 🙂
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I cried bitter tears as I read about the poor roo… how horrible was it for you as you heard the shooting…. sometimes life gives us a punch directly in our face :o( I love wallabies and I wish they only would live in their natural habitat and not as pets on the lawn of some people who… well ya know :o(
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Indeed that roo really shocked me..he must have found his way to our street after being hit by a car..so sad and ugh that sound..a horrid thing for a wildlife officer to face but the kindest to end pain..they must leave the roos where they fall too..so family can see and life goes on for them..ugh..i have seen no eagles down near him but do know that now he will feed many other species families..and life indeed goes on..i agree Wallabies in the wild like all animals are so much better..this little guy really was having a lovely time ..chowing down not a care in the world..free to come and go..of he returns i will be thrilled..if not i hope he is making another family smile ..such is freedom..and precious it is for us all 🙂
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That is just so sad about the Roo. But the right thing to do. And Wally is just too cute. I guess cute isn’t a good word but he is a good looking dude. The pictures are just out of this world. It is just so much fun to come here. You have a great day.
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Marg thankyou so much..i know the roo incident was awful..and i never get used to that side of rural living..never will..but he is no longer in pain..and i must say i think cute is still a good word ..i think because he is so much smaller than the roos..i was lucky to spot him 🙂 i was entranced..as you can imagine ! and thankyou for the lovely compliment..i am so glad you enjoy visiting the bloggie..i love to share the beauty we have 🙂 too much to keep to oneself ..you have a super day too i will be bed bound soon 🙂 xx
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Good evening Ms Bev…..we two senior ladies are smiling like Cheshire Cats over these photos!! Mom says she cannot imagine seeing a Roos and Wallys romping about
Hugs madi your bfff and nite nite
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Good morrow sweet Madi and Mom 🙂 it is pretty cool i must admit and to finally see a wild wallaby..well i was grinning like a Cheshire Cat too! hard not to smile at such sweet creatures 🙂 nitey nite my sweets 🙂 Loves Fozziemum xx
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I so love these photos. Fred would freak out seeing one of those. So very interesting and enchanting.
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Hahaha thankyou! yes the pups are never free range here for that reason..and if i spot roos close by or now the Wallaby they are not walked near them..a stressed roo can die weeks later from stress..so no chasing or being naughty allowed 🙂 they are very interesting and indeed enchanting 🙂 Hugs Bev xx
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You are lucky!!! And I am tempted to make one of these babies too except nobody around here would understand that it’s not just a little kangaroo.
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Hahahahaahaah well that is a problem for some Aussies too??? go figure..they really are adorable and very different when you look closely..especially the mouth 🙂 indeed i am super lucky..i have waited soo long for this 🙂
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He is absolutely gorgeous, Bev. You’ve got some great shots there. I’m so sorry to hear about the roo that had to be PTS but you definitely did the most humane thing. That being said, it’s never easy no matter what. Hugs to you. ❣
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Linda thankyou he is adorable 🙂 oh i know..i do not envy the wildlife rescue on their job..i could not do it even if it is humane..ugh..but he was suffering and no cure for that and cruel to keep him alive..this wallaby made my heart happy though! hugs to you too 🙂 ❤
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Wowwie! So cool.
Wally is drop dead gorgeous and he seems so calm with the paparazzi. Purrhaps he enjoys the acknowledgement of his gloriousness!
It is sad about the roo though.
Take more pictures!
NELLIE (& Mommy)
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Nellie and Mommy hello 🙂 Wally is gorgeous indeed and he was very blase about me watching him 🙂 maybe being more a solitary animal he is a bit more brazen 🙂 i agree it was super sad about the roo and i had a good old howl..grabbed my camera and met Wally..i guess you lose one thing and another comes along..i will indeed take more pictures..it makes me happy and i love to share 🙂 Loves Fozziemum xx
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Squeals with piggy delight. Look at him! He is so freaking beautiful. I just love his coloring – especially around the top of his head. So neat to finally get a picture of that cute little wallaby. You are so talented my friend. XOXO – Bacon
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Bacon my friend thankyou 🙂 he sure is cute and i love his color 🙂 i am so happy i finally got to see one here 🙂 Loves Fozziemum xxx
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I was so excited I squeaked! Hello handsome!
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I know that we just met but I think that I love Wally! LOL!
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Bev….I would have bawled like a wee one as well, I’m sorry for the roo but yet I am happy he didn’t suffer needlessly and he was put to sleep out of compassion FOR him… I hit a squirrel once and was more upset over that then attending funerals of some family members…
The wallaby is gorgeous as are your photos of him; I especially like the third in the series; his face is priceless. I would have said he was a baby roo if asked, so thanx for sharing the info about him. We have a few gray colored ones here at the local zoo, they are well cared for and have plenty of room to “move” though not as much as they would like I’m sure 🙂 I know he was a welcome sight and I hope he sticks around for a long time to come ♥♥♥
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Oh Bev I KNOW how distressed you were over the injured ‘Roo & how upsetting his being PTS was. Wish there was a silent way to do that there!
I think the Universe sent you Wally to balance the sadness & cheer you up. wally is absolutely adorable & I hope he stays with you for a very very long time!!!!!!
Sending you lots of ❤ love ❤ }} Sherri-Ellen
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Squee!!!!! How thrilling for you Ms. Nat Geo. Thank you for sharing. Hope he sticks around and provides oodles of nature photo and inspiration! ❤
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Hahahaahh Thankyou sweets..sorry it took me so long to get back here..got side tracked on my Nat Geo stuff hahaah 🙂 hilarious fun playing stalker 🙂 Hugs Bev xx
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What fabulous shots you got of the little cutie. Bless him for helping to rid your place of those Hedge Wattles. Hope that Wally stays around so you can get more pics of him and share. Hugs sweet Bev
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Thankyou my friend..yes yay to Wally those hedge wattle are awful..worse than gorse..how he can eat it is beyond me ! he is a cutie and i was so happy he came here..hope he hangs around too! Loves Bev xxx
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Those wattles looked like they would be rough to chew and swallow. I don’t know how he eats them either. Love back to you sweet Bev.
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Mags i know..they are rotten things..native but prickly thick and coarse..those prickles you find in your clothes and socks for weeks! even after washing..yikes! Loves Bev xx
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Great photos. Can tell you really enjoyed taking them.
Sorry about the injured kangaroo. That would make it a sad day.
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Hi Jan thankyou so much 🙂 yes inured roos make my heart break..he is no longer in pain but the whole thing still is upsetting 😦 i guess Wally was a lovely gift to make me smile 🙂
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Good to see you back. Wally is adorable. We see wallabies around here sometimes. Glad he came to make you feel better.
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Bella Roxy and Dui hello..yes i am here and gone and here..ugh…Wally is gorgeous we do have some cracker stuff down under don’t we 🙂 and yes the timing was perfect 🙂 Loves Fozziemum xx
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FABULOUS. Wally is so CUTE…. except fur those LONG Claws… Love his Furs Colors… and OH this BRIGHT EYES.
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Frankie and Ernie sorry for the late reply..i go bush and lose track of time hahahhah..he does have good claws but they are very timid critters and would rather hop away than wrassle 🙂 he is handsome indeed..i feel very lucky he is visiting here 🙂 Loves Fozziemum xxx
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What a handsome, strong looking boy. A bit gingery around his head. 😀
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Very gingery around the head 🙂 and so dashing 🙂
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Crikey … how good is that??. Welcome Wally! I sure hope he stays around for a while for you and finds a mate and has lots of babies. Mum’s clapping her hands for you. I’d like to chase him.
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Hey Charlie as you may know he does have a lady friend 🙂 and a bub..i hope they hang around too..makes my day to see them foraging for food and knowing they feel safe here 🙂
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Great shots- he is such a cutie. Sort of like a baby roo 🙂 I am sorry about the roo that had broken his leg, that is very sad. XO
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Ellen thankyou..he is sort of but very different at the same time..yes it was awful and did my head in for quite some time..but he had no chance and was suffering..the rural life can be harsh..and sad..but Wally was like a lovely cheer me up 🙂 xxx
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He’s absolutely gorgeous! You captured his cute little personality perfectly.
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Genevieve thankyou 🙂 he sure was a lovely surprise in the bush..i like surprises..as long as they are not of the long slithery kind 🙂
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So glad to hear from you and see new roo pics. Poor roo with a broken leg. I guess it can’t heal on its own and it’s more humane to put it out of pain still a shock. That happened on our property with animal control and an injured raccoon. Gunshots are unnerving.
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Thankyou Layla..no the leg was clearly unable to mend and the poor thing had been suffering which i can’t bear..so at peace now..yes unnerving indeed..hate the sound..always have always will 😦
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Hi Bev, Sorry to hear about the Kangaroo, but as you said it was the kindest thing to do.
I adore Wally. I love the ginger on his head. Those photos of him looking at your are fab. Hope he decides to live in your area and get’s a few ladies, so you see some babies. Will the Kangaroos be ok with him?
You take care and have a fab Friday. Sue, Polly & Honey
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Sad about the Kangaroo,but yay for the wallaby,xx Rachel
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I agree Rachel..awful..hate that stuff..but the Wallaby was a lovely cheer me up 🙂 Loves Bev xxx
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Wally is one good looking dude, for sure. Such wonderful pictures you’ve taken of him. Thank you for sharing, Bev! 🙂
Sorry to hear about the roo. So sad, but we are glad he no longer has to suffer.
Hugs!
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Hi guys..sorry some comments got eaten by WP ..urghh Wally is gorgeous and such a lovely new addition..of course he may be here and gone again in no time..so i enjoy while i can..the fun of the life here being free :)..yes the poor roo..was awful..hate to think he sufferered until they could get him..ugh..i am so not cut put for country life at times..but he was treated with respect and humanely and his pain ended..thankyou for the hugs and have some for yourself my friends 🙂
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So much easier to keep track of you on FB!! Sorry about the little roo. You’ll need to start a rehab center so autorities can tranq and send the injured ones to you.
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Fb is handy! Voted for Gertie to 😉 i would need a lot of training for rehab work..with all the furries here my time would be sadly limited 😦
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Thanks for the vote! I like seeing your posts on FB. Helps me keep track of you better!
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Your Swamp Wallaby is a real beauty, Bev! Sorry to hear of the Roo with the broken leg. Nature often sends us sorrow and joy together.
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Lavinia yes..those moments are horrid but sadly part of life..must enjoy the good while we have it..the poor roo was suffering and so now he is at peace..and i am sure the wallaby was a little cheer me up from old Mother Nature 🙂
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The photographs are beautiful and I hope the Wallaby stays around for a while. In SA Rock Wallabies have been reintroduced to the Flinders Ranges. Apparently in years gone by, traveling up from Adelaide to shoot some Wallabies was a good fun weekend. Yes, I have voted for Gertie each day.
PS: have ordered a new telephone lens for my camera. Looking forward to playing with it.
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Oh how our attitudes change towards the wildlife..well sometimes..roos shooting seems to still be popular..ugh…i am keen to hear what you think about your new lens..and what kind it is 🙂
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Telephoto !
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Your camera and the eye behind it is fabulous. What great detailed photos. Loved them all
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Thankyou my friend and sorry for the late reply..i am so happy to be outside that i forget to get on here! loves Bev xx
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