Day 102

Day 102 alice Springs

Up close with a wedge tail

Well today we spent it at Alice Springs Desert Park. We had intended to go hiking, well Maureen, but it was iffy as to how hot it was going to be so we opted for the safer option. Right now I am sitting having a glass of Cointreau and ice, so if I get a little off track, blame the drink.

On my way to Mc Donnells

 

The park was started about 16 years ago and is just fantastic. It is run by the NT Government and whoever designed it knew what they were doing. They have developed the site from scratch to reflect the different environments around the area. They have planted out huge numbers of bushes without making it look landscaped. It looks perfectly natural and as though it has been there for ages. They have included a number of aviaries scattered around the park where you can walk in and see the birds and I was able to take the Beast everywhere. In fact the place hires out gophers. They had this pair of Bustards there and I swear they are cut down emus. One was about 1.5m tall and had that look of an

Big Bustard

Stilt

emu except the beak was narrower.

It really is too hard for words to describe it all. I have loaded up some pictures that we took to try and get it across. The place is situated right at the foot of the McDonnell Ranges and everywhere you look. We had a close encounter with a Wedge

Black Cockatoo on nest

Old Red

Tailed Eagle and watched a live bird show that were again, just perfect. We spent the whole day there from 10 until 4:30.

Maureen anf the Mc Donnells

 

Barn Owl out for a fly