Blog Archive

Thursday, December 29, 2011

Loved lyrebird dies

From local ABC News bulletin.
 
 

Loved lyrebird dies

Updated December 29, 2011 22:18:47
Adelaide Zoo's much loved lyrebird Chook, known for his stunning vocal ability, has died at the age of 32.
Chook became a YouTube star after he was filmed imitating the sounds of construction work, which he probably picked up as the zoo's panda enclosure was being built in 2009.
The sounds of drills, hammers and saws were all within his range and the performance attracted more than a million hits.
The master mimic was also known for his impressions of other birds, including the magpie, lorikeet and kookaburra.
Chook had been at the zoo for 20 years, arriving from the Healesville Sanctuary.
Adelaide Zoo's Brett Backhouse was Chook's keeper for 11 years and says 32 is a good age for a lyrebird.
"We believe that he's probably one of the older lyrebirds ever to be kept or that was known around the place," he said.
"We noticed that he looked a little bit off-colour only a day or two beforehand and then he was unfortunately found dead so it was a bit of a shock.
"He was hand raised so he was quite human habituated. That sort of gave him some special abilities as well. He was a lot braver with humans because he was so used to them.
"The public could get close and see him doing his thing really easily whereas ones in the wild will be very shy by nature."

Irreplaceable

Lyrebirds are well known for their ability to imitate the sounds of the world around them.
"It's part of their courtship that they perform. Ones out in the wild in Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland will mimic whatever they can find and they use it to attract a female and sort of show how clever they are," Mr Backhouse said.
"We're still getting used to the fact that the aviary's very, very quiet."
He says the zoo has three other lyrebirds, but none are as vocal as Chook.
Old age is believed to be the cause of Chook's death but the zoo has performed a post-mortem to be sure.
Lyrebirds are so-called because their tail feathers resemble the lyre, an ancient musical instrument.
Sir David Attenborough brought them to a global audience when he featured a lyrebird imitating a chainsaw, camera shutters and a car alarm in his 'Life of Birds' series.
It was voted the British public's 'Favourite Attenborough Moment' in a television poll.
First posted December 29, 2011 09:58:10

More random photos for enjoyment

 Outback Lizards can be scary
Waterfall in Litchfield national Park Northern Territory

Dave and giant ant hill Northern Territory


Brahminy Kite Northern Territory

Flying Foxes Northern Territory, Australia

Lucas at St. Kilda(South Australia) Tram Museum

Pirate Ship at St. Kilda Beach South Australia Playground

A Coptic Church Fete in Melbourne, Victoria

A Coptic Church Fete in Melbourne, Victoria

Bike riders near St Kilda Beach Victoria

Cold Day in Victoria

Cold Day in Victoria

Victorian Country House

Pentax special effects


Pentax special effects


Pentax special effects

Renmark, South Australia has some great walking trails

Renmark, South Australia has some great walking trails
Some random photos taken during 2011. Happy New Year to all. May God Bless you in 2012

Why I am a Member of the Church of Christ by A. J. Fisher

The beliefs expressed in this booklet are really a good statement of my understanding and interpretation of the Christian Faith.There are many within the Churches of Christ movement that have deviated from these beliefs. I still consider them and others who claim the name of Christian to be fellow believers. Not all of the things in this booklet were embraced by myself when I first became a Christian. As I studied the Bible and set aside prejudices I came to this understanding.





What about Forgiveness? by R. G. Weeks






I came across this booklet in the papers of my wife's late Aunty Doreen. It is a much needed teaching for Christians. There are many Christians walking around supposedly ok on the outside but they are often consciuosly or unconsciouly walking around with deep bitterness and unforgiveness in their hearts which will rob them of the freedom in Christ that is available to them.Many push these things down in an effort to protect themselves from further hurt, but this  ensures they remain emotional cripples.R. G. Weeks also wrote another book called "My Mother and God" which I will scan and place on this blog sometime.I am not sure if R. G. Weeks is alive or not but no doubt some of his family are. To them I say what a wonderful Christian Heritage he and his mother gave his family.

Monday, December 26, 2011

India v Australia Test Match Adelaide 26/1/08

Today in Melbourne the famous Boxing day test match started between India and Australia.
It is at an interesting stage at stumps with things much in the balance. Australia will have to score well tomorrow morning with the tail-enders to stay in the game in my opinion.Newcomer Ed Cowan did very well with 68 runs. I hope to get to the Adelaide test match when they play here soon. I was at the Test in Adelaide the last time India played in Australia.
These Grandstands have now been replaced

My favourite spot-the Fig Trees at Adelaide  Oval

Ishant Sharma was India's new young fast bowler on tour.

Harbajan Singh is not on this tour

Anil Kumble is also now retired

Sachin Tendulkar bowls

Trevor Jacques plays forward

Kumble bowls Jacques



Ricky Ponting plays the back cut

Matt Hayden sweeps for his Century

Hayden celebrates

Hayden celebrates


Singh bowls

Howzat?
I have included some photos from that match. A highlight being a century by the now retired Matthew Hayden.