Port Scary

Port Fairy (“Voted Most Livable Village in the World, 2012!”) was my first real introduction to Aussie wildlife this trip. I was standing on a bird sanctuary viewing platform/deck attempting to see the nightly Mutton Birds return-to-nest event, where they leave their beach dens at dawn, feed the whole day out in the ocean, and then all return at dusk at the same time to feed their hungry chicks. The birds weren’t showing up yet, I was alone, I was getting bored, and I had some beers in my backpack…

It’s actually OK to drink in public in most places in Australia, but for some reason it felt a little wrong to pop one open in a sanctuary. The event didn’t seem to have much potential to be that exciting, though, so I sheepishly twisted open a stubby (bottle) while it was still in my backpack, looked behind me, and then took a sip. I turned back around to see two of these little guys staring right at me from about ten feet away. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t jump. And then laughed out loud. And then took another sip.

So, if you come to Oz, be careful – the Swamp Wallabies are watching you…