Claude

Claude is a little black fruit bat (Flying Fox) that was caught in fruit netting and suffered a badly torn wing.
Love them or hate them, bats are important little animals, vital to the survival of our native forests as their long-ranging flight ensures the propogation of regrowth. As they feast on the nectar of flowering native trees and plants the bats pollinate in a much wider range than that of bees.
http://www.derm.qld.gov.au/wildlife-ecosystems/wildlife/living_with_wildlife/flyingfoxes/flyingfox_fable.html
Sorry, I still can't do links, but if you'd like to learn more about the bats above is the web address.
The wing is very delicate and cannot be stitched so his carer has glued the tear together and supported the mend with medical tape. The little tartan coat he is wearing will immobilize the arm while the tear heals. If the mend is successful Claude will need physio therapy to get the joint working again - administered by his carer. They're a dedicated bunch, these carers - volunteers who mostly have full time day jobs but are happy to turn out at the drop of a hat to rescue an injured animal. If the wing will not heal, Claude will have to be euthanized as he will be unable to function in the wild and, although he would make a lovely little pet, to keep him in captivity is illegle in Queensland.
Claude was lucky; the fruit grower in whose net he was caught notified Queensland Bat Rescue who expertly removed him from the tangle and took him to safety. Although the bats are neither aggressive or vicious, like any injured animal they may bite or scratch their rescuer so it is important that well-meaning members of the public don't touch them.
I was interested to learn that bats are not rodents but an offshoot of the primates (more like us) and that research is at present being carried out to learn more about their remarkable immune system. It is also comforting to know that the dreaded Hendra virus (also carried by feral cats) that is linked to the flying fox cannot be passed on by them to humans. It's only once the disease comes into contact with horses that it becomes dangerous to us.
I am sincerely hoping that research is being done to learn why that happens and how it can be fixed in a manner that will benefit both species.
That's all for now, until next time.

Look who's coming to dinner.

Tim is a wild brush-tailed possum. As far as I know he hasn't been rescued from anything, he just knows where to find a good meal. Every evening after sunset Timmy bangs on the back door of the sanctuary homestead and, once the door is opened, he scampers into the kitchen to tuck into his dinner. He is totally uninterested in the family sitting round the fire chatting and quite comfortable with my approach to take his photo. Nobody has taught him that it is rude to eat and run so as soon as he has cleared his plate he is off again, heading for the back door, with his beautiful tail floating out behind him; there he sits and waits until the door is opened for him. He then he disappears into the night.
Tim's visit was a special treat for me as although I put fruit out for the possum that lives in our woodshed, I have never yet made his/her acquaintance.
Must go now till next time.

Pretty Jack

Jack is an unwanted pet rainbow lorikeet that was given to the sanctuary. He has been released but chooses to stay around where he can cadge a feed from any of the feed trays that are put out for the kangaroos. He does have a feed tray of his own but the world is truly Jack's oyster and he believes he is welcome at everyone's table. He will land on the shoulder of anyone who ventures out into the yard, sidle up to their ear and drawl a seductive 'hello'. And quite without shame he seems to prefer women. Oh you devil, Jack.
Feed time is never a problem for the horse in the second picture, and no, I don't think he has a name.
Bye for now, until next time.

Meet Pedro

While we were away we had the pleasure of staying overnight at a private animal sanctuary. Friends of our daughter own a mountain top inland from Brisbane and rescue all sorts of native animals as well as a few abandoned horses. Once rehabilitated the animals are released but they all get names on their way through. Pedro is one of several orphaned grey kangaroo joeys. Mostly he sleeps in his home-made pouch unless he is feeling sociable and then he is free to hop around with the others. He is only a few months old and (if I remember correctly) will continue to be hand reared untill he is about 18 months old. Although they are not related Pedro is a 'big brother' to Katy. I think that's Katy on the right in the second photo. They are best buddies and can often be seen cuddling like children. I tried to get a picture but though I sat for ages they waited until I had put the camera away to comply.
I don't remember the details of their rescue, but most of the joeys are orphaned as a result of road accidents.
That's little May being bottle fed, she's a tiny wallaby joey, only about 30cms (12 inches) tall. I got to feed Pedro which I think was the highlight of my week.
Feeds for the babies range from every 4 hours or so to once or twice a day depending on their age - quite a job.
I'm supposed to be folding newsletters so I'd better get moving. The man of the house has promised me a cup of tea - lovely - so I'd better look as though I deserve it.
Bye for now until next time.

Wherelse but Queensland

Yep, that's where we've been for the past week. Oh, bliss! Warm hands, warm face, warm feet. Breakfast on the verandah in the morning sunshine. And into the bargain we got to stay with our youngest daughter and her husband who abandoned ship (Melbourne) and washed up in the Sunshine State about 4 years ago. We packed so much into that short week and yes, I did use my camera this time. At present I'm working on the monthly newsletter that I write for the wood workers, so I haven't time to play with my holiday pics, but I'll get to them s.a.p.
Look what bloomed while we were away and was waiting for us when we got home - my lovely kootamundra wattle - ooh it makes the Winter just that wee bit easier to bear. Kootamundra is actually listed as a weed in our area, what a pity. And here is Mr. Magpie too. A friend took this pic for me as I'm slightly challenged in the photography area.
The man of the house has just brought a hot drink to me (bless him) Warming my hands on the cup is really pleasant so I get to enjoy it twice.
I hope you're having a nice weekend wherever you are. Bye for now until next time.

Tiny things

I really like miniatures though I don't think I have the patience to create really intricate ones. I had some fun making this little set of furniture from the scraps that I retrieved from the off-cuts bin at our woodworkers club. I cut the pieces out on the band saw (my favourite machine) and glued them together. Sometimes I use tiny nails but mostly the glue is so good that it will break the wood before it will fall apart. I knitted the baby's teensy dress on very fine needles using fine cotton. (honestly, some people just don't have enough to do with their time.)
It's a beaut hobby because it hardly costs anything, even the bedclothes are scraps of left-overs. I did buy the paint though.
The newsletter looms again and I'll be busy with that for a while, so I'll see you in a few days. Bye for now.

Bob's Rocking horse.

I thought you might like to see this dinky little rocking horse. Bob, one of our woodworkers enjoys making miniature toys that really work and this is his latest. I photographed the teaspoon with it so that you can see it's size. Those stirups (is that how you spell that?) are small key rings, and the horse really rocks back and forth like the full size model. The mane and tail are ravelled knitting yarn.
Bob has won prizes with some of his work and I love to see what he is going to think of next.
You should have heard the din here this morning. After lighting our fire I forgot to close it up (its a slow- combustion wood burner) and it got too hot. Our smoke detectors didn't like that one bit and made the most dreadful noise. Its good to know they work. After several minutes of madly fanning the detectors with a book (the nearest thing I could grab) they settled down again.
Memo to self: Don't do that again. My ears are still ringing.
The man of the house is taking me out for a spaghetti dinner tonight. Vegetarian lasagne, my favourite, Yum.
Bye for now until next time.