Camouflage ... spot the wallaby!

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Out for a drive in the countryside by daylight, you're fortunate indeed to see a kangaroo or wallaby. They're mostly nocturnal, and during the day they're normally curled up in the shade, asleep -- and extremely well camouflaged. They lie among the bark that's dropped in large sheets by native trees, and from a short distance away they're literally invisible. As the evening shadows lengthen and become blue-toned, they're even harder to spot ... and they're shy/ It's easy to "spook" them, and they beat a hasty retreat from tourists and photographers! Your best places to see them are in the national parks and conservation parts, such as Cleland and Belair, both in South Australia. Photo by Mel, 2007.

In a patch of winter sun

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This is a rare image, and sadly is going to get even more rare as the countryside that was friendly to these litte creates disappeares into desert. He's a yellow footed rock wallaby -- they're absolutely beautiful, with their gazelle-like faces and ringed tails. Getting this shot was utter luck because wallabies, like kangaroos and koalas, are mostly nocturnal. This one is sunning himself to warm him. You might not believe it, but the day was extremely cold! The shot was staken at the maximum end of the optical zoom range -- 10:1 -- and brilliant winter sun naturally saturates the colors. The camera would have been the Fuji FinePix S5500fd. Photo by Mel, 2006.