We are having a great time in Port Douglas at the Great Barrier Reef. We spent one whole day enjoying the resort and its many lagoons. Today, we went to The Rainforest Habitat, a wildlife sanctuary. The habitat let's you wander through three unique environments that houses more than 180 species from the surrounding rainforest, wetlands and grasslands. The Habitat is in partnership with the Wet Tropics Management Authority for the purpose of rainforest conservation and education. It houses rare and threatened species in their natural habitat.
We got there early in the morning to have "Breakfast with the Birds." It was an experience to eat with the beautifully colored birds all around but did get a bit tricky while you ate-- feeling as if you have to dodge a few as they flew directly overhead. We then went to the reptile area to see a python feeding. We were assured they are basically not harmful to humans.
Next was the Koala area complete with a "Koala experience" where the kids were able to get up close to the Koalas. Next, we went to the grasslands where there were kangaroos, wallabies, pelicans, and tons of interesting birds all roaming about in their natural habitat. We saw lots of different kinds of kangaroos--from the large red kangaroos to the Eastern Grey kangaroos to the petite Parma kangaroos to the Lumholtz tree kangaroos (which actually look like a monkey with a kangaroo tail). We spent several hours feeding and petting the kangaroos. It is unbelievable how soft and gentle these animals are. We spent almost an hour watching a mom and joey (baby) kangaroo. After some time the kids were actually able to feed both the mom and the baby in her pouch. Sean and I are amazed how taken Connor is with the kangaroos-- he says he wants a pet kangaroo!! I wonder if somehow Connor's gentle nature connects with the gentleness of the kangaroo.
We also saw a saltwater crocodile that was 12 feet long and then saw probably ten or more Fresh Water Crocodiles. We saw up close several Emus and the Southern Cassowary which is not a pretty looking bird but is one of the more unusual things I have ever seen. It is an endangered species that is considered a keystone species meaning that its loss would likely lead to long term changes in plant communities within the rainforest. The Cassowary had a footprint from the middle talon to the back that was 12 inches long-- for you non bird lovers that means they have very big feet.
We saw more species of birds than we could count-- all so brightly colored with such beautiful and distinctive calls. Cathie and Mike would have been in their glory here. Later in the afternoon, we took a river cruise on the Lady Douglas Paddleboat.
This took us through the Mangrove Channels of Port Douglas to look for wild corcodiles and bird life. We were able to see several types of ospreys, herons and got to see a few more sea eagles. We also spotted a young male crocodile who followed the boat for some time. We then got to see an amazing animal interaction between the crocodile and a sea eagle. They came to a absolute standoff over a dead fish in the mud on the side of the river. The crocodile kept inching toward the fish while the sea eagle kept hopping down closer flapping its wings to appear as large as possible to the crocodile. The two then just stood eye to eye about ten feet apart staring each other down. Finally the sea eagle swooped in and won the fish leaving the crocodile to slide back down the muddy river side into the inlet. The proprietors of the boat said they had never seen anything like this.
We think we captured some good shots on film and promised to send some of the photos to John and Jenny if they turn out. The whole thing felt like it was something in a National Geographic TV special instead of something we were witnessed in real life.
We finished the day with a terrific dinner at a Mexican restaurant. Then it was back to the hotel-- we were exhausted. Shannon was thrilled to get to the room and put on her comfy "towel slippers" what she now calls the terry cloth slippers the resort provides to its guests. Tomorrow is Connor's birthday and our last day in Australia. We are taking a boat ride out to see the Great Barrier Reef. More to come. Deb, Sean, Cailtlin, Connor and Shannon.
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