Blowering Dam

The last couple of days we've spent around Tumut doing a bit of exploring of the surrounding areas.
For those of you who know me well probably know that my biggest highlight in the new countries I'm visiting will be to see the native wildlife and in the last few days we've seen quite a lot!
If you've been to Australia before I'm sure you're aware that other than in the cities it's fairly easy to see the diversity of wildlife. There are many different and interesting birds here in huge flocks flourishing in their natural environments despite the predators that also abound. I am always so surprised to see this as the bush here is quite sparse and is a mostly a mono-crop of gum. What could all those birds be eating?!

Last night we walked down to a river close by and saw a huge colony of fruit bats waking up from their day time sleep and getting ready to feed for the night. They were surprisingly big! (About the size of small cats.) By the time darkness had fallen the bats were leaving the trees and flying around stretching their wings in preparation for the night. I hope this video clip of the bats works. It was taken before it got too dark so they aren't yet on the move, but you hopefully will see how many there were and how big they are even from a distance.

It was a beautifully sunny day today so we decided to go and hang out at the local junction of a couple of rivers which is one of the Brinkman's favourite swimming holes. A friend lent us some kayaks to use and Josh and Dennis went on a bit of an adventure down river while Gail and I stayed in the more tame area for the children. Then in the afternoon we went to the Blowering dam which is a massive man-made resevoir only half an hour away from Tumut.
We saw quite a few signs on the road to watch out for Kangaroo and Emu so we were all on the alert to spot some. Then when we were eating our picnic by the water we witnessed our first sighting of Roo bounding along the hillside. A majestic sight! Later on we saw both a troupe of kangaroo and a mob of Emu hanging out together on the same slope.
The reservoir was picture perfect - a glorious mixture of orange, brilliant blue and that famous Australian silvery green. It was wind still and warm enough to seek shelter in the shade of the car and for the keen ones to swim.

Esmae, Fern and Davida

A beautiful little butterfly down by the water

Josh at the reservoir

The children playing ball by the reservoir

Family portrait at the top of the Blowering Dam

Phoebe with Jacaranda eyes

Phoebe falling off the dam ;)

Salome and Esmae