The Top Ten Australian Wildlife Pictures

So I have this category called Australia’s bad things. This is where I talk about the frightening killers that roam freely around Australia, like the spiders, snakes, the crocodiles and the sharks to name just some.

But as I’m sure anyone who reads this blog regularly will already know, I don’t really think they are bad things at all. Well, some are. Mosquitoes, box jellyfish and Irukandji are a few senseless killers that spring to mind. They really are bad things. And they’re pointless.

But although the category is called Australia’s bad things, it has actually become the depository for all things to do with Australian wildlife. A wildlife of extreme beauty that enhances life in Australia. They are part of Australia’s treasure.

Somebody who agrees with me is Emily Kate Mattingley. Emily stumbled upon my blog back in July of last year and left a comment on my post Australian snakes and death continued. Emily is passionate about photography and wildlife.

Since then she has started her own blog under the heading Not Just a Girl and Her Camera……

The title is quite fitting; she is a girl, and she does have a camera, but it’s not just that. The photos she takes are quite stunning.

I asked Emily if she would select her top 10 favourite wildlife photographs and add a short one line description for each. Here’s what she sent.

I understand Emily is looking to get into photography professionally next year. Something tells me she may well succeed at that. If anyone can help her achieve it, check out her excellent blog and more about Emily on her about me page.

But for now, please enjoy the photos which are all clickable for an enlarged view and in reverse order, of course……..

10. Green Tree Frog – These guys are most commonly found in damp areas, more so known to be found in Australian toilets and showers! These guys’ numbers are on the decline due to cane toad populations. Taken at Gladstone, QLD.

9. Red-Necked Wallaby – These guys are found in coastal scrub and sclerophyll forest throughout coastal and highland eastern Australia. Smaller than a kangaroo, these guys are a medium sized macropod. Taken at Rocky Zoo

8. Lace Monitors – Also known as Lace Goannas, or just goannas. These guys carry an immense arsenal of weapons, with their teeth, claws and whip like tail.

7. Black Cockatoo (yellow tailed) – These guys again are very characteristic natives. You hear them before you see them and often find a path of destruction in their wake. Taken at Tannum Sands, QLD.

6. Perentie Monitor – Australia’s largest monitor, and the fourth largest in the world. Found in arid, rocky conditions. Taken at Rockhampton Zoo

5. Rainbow Lorikeet – Very cheeky, very distinctive native birds. You hear them before you see them! These little guys are a part of the parrot family. Taken at Tannum Sands, QLD.

4. Tiger Snake – These guys are found in the cooler states and are highly venomous. This one’s part of a private collection.

3. Leafy Sea Dragon – Is part of the seahorse family. It is found along the southern and western coasts of Australia. Taken in Mooloolaba Underwater World

2. Fresh Water Crocodile – Native to Australia, found mostly in fresh water in the tropics. Has a smaller, narrower snout than a Salt Water Crocodile. No recorded attacks from these guys on humans, they are particularly shy. Taken at Rockhampton Zoo

1. Scrub Python – Largest native python species found in Australia, usually found in the tropics. Privately owned (she’s mine 😉 )

There you have Emily’s top ten. I sense a little favouritism in your number one selection perhaps Emily?  And why not. My thanks to you for these fantastic photos. I’ve got a Nikon camera too, why don’t mine come out like this? No, don’t answer that.

See more photos at….

Not Just a Girl and a Camera…..