What we call a “Wombat”, the Australians call a “Cheeky Wombat” and this fellow certainly was cheeky in exploring our campsite on the southeast Australian coast.
It’s an exaggeration to say that when it comes to Australia, everything is out to kill you. But the Tiger Snake is highly venomous, so this was a “snap and run” moment.
I like to get a good look at the birds wherever I’m staying. It’s easy enough to throw out some seed or set out some fruit and see who comes to call. Also easy to stick a hummingbird feeder in your luggage. They zip from flower to flower and are hard to see. Set out a feeder full of sugar water, and they’ll find it within a day and start hanging out being photogenic. Especially in the desert, other birds enjoy the sugar. Or the water. Or the combo. Or the chance to have their photo taken.
Maybe this is excessive? Nah….. Excessive will be when I try to smuggle my feeder and a bunch of sugar water on a backpacking trip.
No hummingbirds in Africa or Australia, so next trip down under, I’ll bring a feeder and see if sunbirds or others are intrigued.
Costa’s Hummingbird in Joshua Tree: found the feeder wihtin a day
Ecuador: where all the hummingbirds live in harmony
Hold still: it’s picture time
Hummingbird in Equador
The feeder at home just outside our window
Sparrow are easy; just set out some seed and they’ll show you their colors
Didn’t think Cactus Wrens would visit a seed feeder. Glad I didn’t try traveling with mealworms for them
Tanagers in Ecuador: fruit is what they want
Sunbird in South Africa: if they like nectar, they should like a hummingbird feeder?
Or a South African Sugarbird should enjoy some sugar
Norway has a fantastic system of trails for hut-to-hut hiking. We got there in 2018. Record heat and drought made for great hiking, but not so good for the locals.