Sunday, March 13, 2011

Taronga Zoo, Mosman, NSW, Australia


Lions and Tigers and Bears...oh my!


I took a twelve-minute ferry trip across Sydney harbor during my recent trip to Sydney, Australia to visit Taronga Zoo, located across the harbor on Bradleys Head Road in Mosman, NSW, Australia. (All photos will enlarge if clicked on once and then again when they re-open)
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Taronga Zoo is home to over 2,600 animals on 52 acres (21 hectares), making it one of the largest of its kind. The zoo places emphasis on the promotion of world wildlife conservation. Since 2008 the Taronga Foundation has spent over $200,000 helping protect endangered species in the wild, helping save and regenerate natural habitats and working with local communities to reduce conflict with wildlife. 2010 was earmarked as the International Year of Biodiversity where the Taronga Conservation Society supported nine projects focusing on education, anti-poaching, population management, wildlife health, and habitat restoration. These projects are taking place in Australia, India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Fiji, Nepal, Tanzania and Zambia and will help protect the habitat, health, and safety of a variety of animals. You can see a full list of all the animals living at the zoo at this link.


The zoo is located on a high hill so I took the "Sky Safari" ride to the top to be able to walk my way downhill through the grounds of the zoo. 


My first sight was a koala bear hanging in a eucalyptus tree! Taronga is currently home to 21 koalas.


The next was an exciting exhibit in which you do a "walkabout" with the kangaroos. They literally hopped all around me! The male Red Kangaroo is pale red to brick red in color while the female is usually blue-grey in color. The Western Grey Kangaroo is brown in color while the Eastern Grey Kangaroo is grey.


I was enthralled by the many birds in exhibits.  Most of the aviaries were walk-through exhibits where I could see the birds close up as they flew around and rested on tree branches.


This group was playing in a waterfall.


There were many entertaining shows during the day -- a wonderful free-flight bird show with some breathtaking views of the city of Sydney in the background across the bay, and also .....


...... a sea lion show.


I was by the lion area to listen to a zoo keeper's talk and this beauty lioness, perhaps anticipating the feeding hour, came right up to the Plexiglas window and looked right into my eyes for almost a minute!  I have to say as a person who likes cats it was one of the most amazing and intense encounters with a wild feline that I've ever had.


I think I watched the lions for over an hour -- they were so majestic!


A lion yawning.


The giraffe exhibit also was situated to allow for wonderful close-ups.  I felt as if they were smiling at me!


Of course, there were many other wonderfully cared for animals.......


...and reptiles, to see at the zoo.

You can see a full alphabetical list of all the animals that are part of the zoo at this link.


The Floral Clock at the Taronga Zoo. The Floral Clock was donated to Taronga by the late Sir Arthur Rickard, KBE, of Sydney. The clock was officially started on 19th December 1928. The clock 'cuckoos' once at the quarter-hour, twice at the half-hour, three times at three-quarters of an hour, and the full number of hours at each hour. The clock keeps the time accurately and is wound once a day


The beautiful Taronga Zoo was really one of the highlights of my trip! I highly recommend including a visit to this beautiful zoo if you visit Sydney, Australia. You won't be disappointed, as there are many opportunities to learn more about the magnificent animals that are there.


As an aside, my heart and prayers go out to the people of Japan.  The earthquake and tsunami were such horrible disasters. As always after a world disaster we will be making a contribution to the Red Cross to help support aide to Japan. Using your cell phone, you can text-message donations of $10 to the Red Cross. Text the letters REDCROSS to 90999 to make the $10 donation, or visit the organization's website.


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42 comments:

Michelle said...

These pictures are just incredible. That lioness!! What a photo and what an experience having her come right up to you.

Ocean Breezes and Country Sneezes said...

Your photos of the zoo were just beautiful! Beats the trip I took to the Franklin Park Zoo in Boston a few years ago! LOL!!! And that is one cool cat, she was beautiful!

pam said...

Well done....I LOVE all those birds. What an amazing collection of beautiful animals.

Carol said...

Stunning, Pat, your shots are absolutely stunning! Those birds, what colors, and the lioness, she's breathtaking.

The Gathering Place said...

What a wonderful vacation! Your pictures are beautiful.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Hi Pat, What a fabulous zoo... Your pictures are fabulous... I'd love seeing all of those tropical birds....

The flower 'clock' in your last picture is wonderful.

Thanks for sharing.
Hugs,
Betsy

Ginny Hartzler said...

My favorites are the garden picture and the BIRDS!! Oh my, so many brilliant different kinds! But I must say that being surrounded by all those kangaroos has to be dangerous!! I have heard that thery can kick and inflict harm!! I would be too scared, you are brave!!

Sarah said...

Pat, thank you for sharing the incredible photos and your experience at the Taronga Zoo. I would love to experience this someday. How special to get to see an actual kola bear and to walk around among the kangaroos. ~ Sarah

Anonymous said...

I'm very pleased that all the animals look so well taken care of...the birds are so colorful...real eye candy for someone like me who loves bright vibrant color. Thank you for sharing your experience!

Barbara F. said...

Oh, Pat, just when I think you can't outdo yourself.....yep, you outdo yourself! I can't decide which shot is my favorite, as a Leo I love the lioness, the koalas, the giraffes and of course the exotic birds. The sun conures especially as I had one for over 10years. Picture-perfect. Thanks so much for sharing with us. xo,

BernieH said...

Wow, you certainly have done justice to Taronga Park Zoo with your fabulous photos! They are all fantastic ... such clear shots. I loved that lioness shot ... what a beautiful creature!

I'm so glad to hear you enjoyed your visit to Sydney so much. It is indeed one of our most beautiful cities (I think it's THE most beautiful but Perth and Melbourne and Adelaide people might argue that point, lol!)

La Petite Gallery said...

That is some nice Zoo. I would love to touch a Kola. I thought that Kangaroos were dangerous, don't know that I would walk with them.
Loved the baby pariots, Lions and Giraffes. My Friend Barbie and I are going to the Zoo in Central Park so. In April.. Hope we get to talk or meet for coffee.

yvonne

Tracy said...

Oh, this was fun, Pat... and such incredible photos! Koala bears and kangaroos have always fascinated me. The birds collage is wonderful... so many we don't see here! ;o) The flower clock is amazing. This looks like a fantastic trip, Pat... wow... Thank you for sharing so much of it with us. :o) Happy Week, my friend ((HUGS))

A Bit of the Blarney said...

Your pictures are just wonderful! The pictures of the lions are, oh, I don't know, I'm speechless! WOW!! Cathy

Kat said...

I love your pictures, Pat. They are just beautiful. What a wonderful zoo. I love that you can take the sky car up and then walk down. My favorite is the head shot of the lioness - what a magnificent creature. I'm a cat person, I would have spent all day watching the lions. And I love the giraffe pictures, aren't they just the most astounding creatures? Thanks for the tour. Kat

Vee said...

No bats? Good. Because I'd love to see Taronga Zoo. These mosaics are wonderful; my favorite is the one of the exquisite birds—they look like flowers they are so brilliantly colored. When I enlarged the lioness's picture, I saw a fly on her nose. Great pictures, Pat! Always great pictures!

Tanna said...

Pat, the photo of the lioness was amazing. You can almost feel her stare/gaze. Love the little koalas Great fun!

diane b said...

As everyone says, great shots of the animals especially Mrs Lion. She's admiring the colour of your hair. The zoo has been upgraded since I was last there. A revisit is a must.

La said...

Hi Pat!

You certainly captured the lioness' beauty. It's funny because my first thought about the giraffe was that it was smiling for the camera. Get pics!

Gracie said...

Koalas are my fav animals of all, aren't they the cutest thing ever seen? But I have to admit the pride on that lioness' muzzle is priceless!

LindyLouMac said...

Hi there this is my first time joining in with Monday Mosaic and I am now hopping around from Italy viewing all the wonderful blogs that join in. I was drawn here by your blog name :) What fabulous animal photographs.

SavoringTime in the Kitchen said...

I have to say your photo of the Tiger and Lioness are fantastic! Magazine quality! What a wonderful zoo, I can see why it would have been a highlight of your trip.

Snap said...

Oh, Pat! You know how much I love Zoos!!! Such wonderful shots. Everything is just stunning. wowowowowowowowowow!

Lovella ♥ said...

Pat. .I had no idea there was such a famous zoo in Australia. Your photos of the faces of the lions were just amazing as were the rest of them.
Fantastic mosaics Pat. .thanks for the trip abroad.

Judy said...

Wonderful pic's! And yes, if I ever visit Australia, I'll put Taronga Zoo on my list of places to see. I haven't been to a zoo in years.

Ms. Bake-it said...

What stunning pictures Pat! If I ever have the pleasure of visiting Australia, I will definitely add the Taronga Zoo to my list of must see places. I love the mosaics you put together but, I must say, I absolutely love the one of the lioness. She is truly awesome. I love all animals but big cats have a special place in my heart.

Thank you for sharing your day at the zoo with us.

~ Tracy

Donnie said...

What a wonderful place to explore. My heart goes out to all the people involved in the devastation.

genie said...

What a fabulous series of collages and mosaics. Your pictures are wonderful. The zoo must be one fabulous place to visit.I do not think I have ever been to one quite so large. The kola bears are my favorites. They are precious. Thanks for all of your hard work to put this post together for us.

Gardening in a Sandbox said...

What a delightful day you had at the Zoo. The female lion sure took a shine to you. What an intense stare. Wow. V

Claudia said...

Anyone who begins a post with the Wizard of Oz and then moves onto koala bears has my heart. I had to go look at Pip after staring at the beautiful lioness. The birds enthralled. The kangaroos gave me grins. And I love how zoos have moved from "spectacle" to protection of those with whom we share our planet. Seemed fitting to keep up the one planet theme with a remembrance to keep Japan close.

Yvette said...

Oh, thank you, thank you for this post, Pat. I haven't been to a zoo in years and this was almost as good! I loved the close-up of the lioness. Intense is right. I had this happen many years ago at the Washington Zoo with a gorilla. It is thrilling when it happens. Then he turned his back on me and sat. I was SO disappointed.

How fortunate you are to have experienced all this. And those koalas! And kangaroos! All the birds took my breath away. SO beautiful.

Thanks again for sharing.

Old Kitty said...

Oh that encounter with the beautiful and stunning and perfectly sublime lioness!! Oh now that's just amazing!! I love how she locked eyes with you too!! Look at that face!! That is one intelligent and fierce and wild creature!! Lovely!!!!

What a great zoo!! Thanks for taking these pics - they're amazing pics!

So this garden lawn clock - when it "cuckoos" what exactly happens?!!? I'm looking at the pic and thinking - it's a clock made out of grass and plants but it cuckoos and tells accurate time! Amazing!!! Oooh not to worry Pat - I clicked on your very handy link and read all about this clock - it's BURIED under the lawn!! Yay!!!

Have a great Monday!! Take care
x

nanny said...

The Lioness....isn't she beautiful?
You really should have a book made from your posts...(if you haven't already). And then sell it!!! I'm serious. I would refer to it before planning vacations.

GailO said...

These photos are amazing Pat! That lioness surely had a connection with you. And those koalas! Just gorgeous!

Lynn said...

You probably get this all the time but,
You should write travel and sightseeing books!

Roz | La Bella Vita Cucina said...

Just found you over at one of the other foodie blogs that I follow and though I'd pop over! Wow, what a treasure of photos; so beautiful and perfect. I can't decide which photo in the zoo that i like the best, they are all so wonderful! Enjoy your trip and safe returns! Roz at La Bella Vita . . . ciao!

GratefulPrayerThankfulHeart said...

Wow!!! Your photos are Amazing! Love the mosaics and the beautiful color in the birds. I have to say, the close up of the lioness actually scared me if I looked at it too long!

Thank you for this fantastic post enabling me to visit with you!

Unknown said...

Pat these are amazing photos! Don't know if I'll ever make it to Sydney, but the zoo will be on my list.

Thanks for sharing!

Sheila said...

Pat, I'm constantly amazed by the beauty of your photos! The detail and focus are top notch. It must have been such a memorizing experience to stare into the eyes of a lioness for so long. Your mosaics are superb!

Ciao Chow Linda said...

Oh Pat. I think this is one of my favorite things you've posted. Your photos are stunning! You make me want to hop on a plane for Australia this moment.

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

This is truly one of the most amazing posts you've ever written, Pat! I have had it open on my computer for 2 days! The photos are wonderful....wouldn't they be great in a photo book! Enjoy your evening! And thanks for sharing photos of your trip! ♥

Lorrie said...

What fantastic photos. I especially like the giraffe and bird mosaics. I think giraffes are one of God's most interesting creations.

Fabulous!