Healesville Sanctuary

I already posted some of the beautiful views we got on our way to the Sanctuary. But I've finally gotten around to getting the rest of the pictures done! It was such a FUN trip! We left early Sat morning and took a bus to Beechworth Bakery where we got coffee and cakes for brekky. We FINALLY got to see some local wildlife! (don't forget we're living right downtown)

It was an amazing day. We got to be up close with many of the animals. I will post a few videos *when I get to it...* of the bird shows and a Boomerang throwing.

During the raptor show the Wedge-Tailed Eagle doing her flight pattern was attacked by a wild wedge-tailed male. It was brilliant! He dove down attacking her from above and she rolled onto her back in mid-flight bringing her claws up to meet his and fight him off! The keeper coaxed her to him to take her back to her cage, he didn't want them to really fight even though she was twice as big as the male was. As the keeper was walking her back to safety the wild boy dove at them one more time right in front of us. Thankfully no one was hurt, but it was really exciting to see.
The wild eagle didn't have a name so the keeper asked for some suggestions. Our friends Rupa & Pradeep yelled out Declan, so they've named the wild eagle Declan!!!! So now Decky has an eagle namesake. The last picture is NOT my photo, but it's of a Wedge-Tailed Eagle so you can get an idea of how big these birds were. It was sprinkling during that show so I wasn't messing with the camera.

The pictures:
We got to feed & pet the Roo's. One of the younger ones came to chase away the older mate eating out of Cavan's hand. Declan LOVED feeding the Kangaroo's, he had such a sweet expression when they nibbled on his tiny fingers!

Of course we saw cuddly Koala's

And a very special treat; Dingo Puppies!!!!!

We walked through a stinky Pelican paddock. They came right up to us and were HUGE!

We saw a very talented bird during the Raptor Show called a "Black-breasted Buzzard". They're carnivores and use stones, hurling them at large Emu eggs then eating the contents. (Don't worry, the egg in the show was plaster)

We got to meet "Crap Man" The Wipe for Wildlife Crusader!! He's encouraging everyone to buy recycled toilet paper. Our bums don't need to be wasteful you know... :)