Platypi, Koala and Kangaroo: Oh my! Visit to the Healsville Sanctuary

Yesterday, I visited Healsville Sanctuary, which is about 45 minutes drive north and east of Melbourne (many thanks to Cecile Whatman and her husband for taking me!). Also along on this trip were fellow artist Judy Coates Perez and Alison Green, a New Zealander who lived in Charlotte for a time; I met her through the Charlotte Quilters' Guild and it has been great meeting up with her here.

Note: to see photos better, please click on each for a larger/clearer view.


The Sanctuary is very involved with fighting the extinction of several of Australia's native animals. Unfortunately, it was raining, and my good camera with the long lens refused to work properly -- aaaaagh! -- but I tried to make the best of the photo situation and used my pocket camera most of the time.

Wallaby:


Lush, tropical foliage made me feel a bit like I had stepped onto the set of a dinosaur movie.


I stuffed my purse and two cameras under my coat and smiled in the rain:


The animal hospital:


These spent blooms looked like corn cobs; I think this is a type of bottle brush:



NOTE: Upon further research, I think this is a type of Banksia. They are part of a family of flowering plants found in the Southern Hemisphere, which is why I had never seen them before. The family is called Proteaceae, and include Proteas (which I saw in profusion in South Africa last summer), Banksias, Grevilleas, and Waratahs. There are about 1600 species of Proteaceae, including one variety that produces Macademia nuts!

Not sure what this beauty is; perhaps one of my Aussie friends can identify it.


Next, it was on to the main attraction (for me, at least! My daughter loves platypi, and I was keen to get some photos for her). This huge sculpture marks the entrance to the platypus area:



This is the best shot I got of the platypus. It was a thrill to see one and watch it frolic, much like our river otter:


A sleepy koala huddled against the rain:


My friend Alison feeding the birds:


And one perching on Judy Coates Perez's camera!


Beautiful bark:



An artistic bathroom:


Lizard:




Tasmanian Devil:








River with platypus ironwork:


Enormous gum trees:



Emu:



Entrance to the sanctuary:


Wallaby:



Kangaroo (a think they are red kangaroo, despite the fact that some of them look more gray than red):


Sleeping Tasmanian Devil:



Flying Fox bats:


Today I spent in Melbourne; I'll post those photos when I get home. I fly out tomorrow morning, and arrive in LA about the same time, having taken a 15 hour flight, and passing through 14 time zones! I have so loved my time in this beautiful country full of friendly, fun-loving people. I hope to come back again!

Australasian Quilt Convention, bits and pieces

Here are some tidbits from the last few days at Australasian Quilt Convention. today I teach my fourth and final day of class. Then i'm off for some sightseeing in the area for a few days. I'll organize and share a lot more about the Convention when I get home.

Below is a shot of one of my classrooms. Brother provided the machines, and support during the day. They were fabulous! Lots of natural light in the Royal Exhibition Center, but no heat, as the building was built in the 19th Century. A bit chilly in the morning, as it is autumn in the Southern Hemisphere!





Judy Coates Perez has a little booth, where she demonstrated techniques. She was absolutely mobbed all day!


The floor was crowded with enthusiastic viewers and shoppers.


Brenda Gael Smith, with the amazing Twelve by Twelve exhibition (more on this later):


Me, with Brenda Gael Smith, at the Gala Dinner on Saturday night.


Friday's class with their thread sketched apples:



Upstairs is set up with classrooms, and tea/lunch space for students and teachers.


Looking down toward the quilt exhibitions:

More of Melbourne

Here are more photos of Melbourne, taken on Wednesday, before my first day of teaching.

St. Patrick's Cathedral:






















Spectacular mural on the side of the Metropolitan Fire Brigade building:









Australian coins:





State Houses of Parliament:






Princess Theatre:





State Library of Victoria:


St. George slaying the dragon (in front of the library):


Statue of Latrobe at the library (with pigeon on his head!):


Statue of Joan of Arc:


English-style pub:









Beautiful pastry shop:


Uggs store!








At QV Centre shopping complex:





Fitzroy Gardens:




















Captain Cook's Cottage:











The Fairies' Tree is an actual tree stump carved with scenes of fairies and native animals:





Headed back toward Paliament: