I’m giving you a break from travel talk because I’m so tickled with a recent development here at Chateau ‘Z’. While we were away, a kangaroo adopted us! We see mobs (that is what a group is called) of kangaroo all the time, but we’ve never had a particular one visit us so consistently. He’s been around the neighbourhood for a while but lately he has decided the patch of gazanias I’ve left growing for kangaroos to eat during lean times, and the water bowl I keep full, suit him quite well. He isn’t here every day, but regularly makes an appearance. The tip of his tail is damaged, which easily identifies him but doesn’t seem to slow him down. I love watching him take off at a fast clip. They move with such grace, and agility, and in a way that is unlike any other animal. My friend tells me that often the older males get booted out of the mob and live on their own, like this one seems to be.
Using our breezeway as a thoroughfare.
I’ve been sneaking around with my iPhone taking photos for you. The above shot was taken through the vertical blinds. He would never let me get this close to him normally.
He drank for a long time at the bowl of water, probably 8-10 minutes the other day, then he hopped onto the golf course and nibbled grass for half an hour or so.
At the water bowl.
Taking a break from grazing.
Later on I went to empty scraps into the compost bin (foreground of the photo, sorry!) only to discover him about to make himself comfortable for an afternoon snooze. I tippy-toed back into the house, still carrying the scraps, and exchanged them for my iPhone. I tippy-toed out again and carefully sneaked the phone around the corner of the studio in hopes he would not notice it. He appeared to be about to rest, and then a minute later, I got a shot of him in full resting position.
Getting ready to rest.
In full relax mode.
It is such fun to have the privilege to watch him close up. I hope he continues to visit us regularly, but he is a wild animal adapting to an urban environment, and anything can happen. Do you think we should name him or is that tempting Fate?? Leave a suggestion if you do, and if he continues to visit we’ll give him a moniker!
Meanwhile—hooroo! (Australian slang for ‘goodbye’)
xx
ardysez 
He has to be Skippy!
Last night we were on the road at dusk and a roo escorted us for a couple of kilometres before veering off into the bush. I was fearful that a car coming in the opposite direction too fast would collect him, or startle him and send him into our path, although we were crawling so as to avoid an incident. Your guy looks very comfortable in the soft patch of green by the bins. He obviously feels safe with you Ardys
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Thanks Sandra. When I was walking one morning, years ago, I was ‘escorted’ by a Skippy for a short while. Very interesting feeling. Haven’t seen my guy for a couple of days again, so hopefully I didn’t put him off with the photos!
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Oh, this is an exciting post! While reading, I felt exactly as I do when I meet a woodland visitor here on our property. I’m so happy he’s sticking around and feels comfortable around your house!
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I totally thought of you and your lovely deer when I was taking these photos and putting this post together! Thanks for following!
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We’re always delighted & honored by wildlife visitors, although not brown snakes… we inevitably name our visitors, the wallabies are all Skip, and the birds derivatives of their breeds, imaginative were not! But your kangaroo could be Roo or Red 😉 He looks like he’s picked the best spot in the yard… so it seems not only cats have the knack of that. With the continuing dry, it’s a handy haven he’s found. I’m sure there’s an invisible sign they can read, soft hearts live here.
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The name ‘Red’ makes me think of that Aussie irony of calling people with red hair ‘Blue-y’. Maybe we should call him ‘Blue’!! I may have scared him away, though, haven’t seen him for a couple of days. Hoping he can’t resist the food and water bowl and will return! We have had a few mils of rain lately so perhaps there is a little more food around, but not much. Things are still very dry here. No brown snakes please. 🙂
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Lovely pictures Ardys. Your visitor obviously feels comfortable there if he can relax in such close proximity to humans. I suspect if done gradually you could probably get to your bins even when he’s napping.
xxx Massive Hugs xxx
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Thank you David. I think he is sharing himself around the neighbourhood at the moment, at least I hope he is okay. The neighbour tells me he disappeared for a few days while we were away, but then reappeared again just before we got home. xx
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I would think it would be fun giving him a name, Ardys. After all, he has installed himself as a member of the family (even though he doesn’t know it).
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Yes, it is funny how quickly we can become ‘attached’ to creatures, even if they are still wild. The cockatiels are making themselves at home here at the moment and their funny sounds are already settling into my psyche and I look forward to hearing them when I go for my walks. Thanks for reading Betty. x
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I vote to name him. Your Corsi heritage is definitely showing in this post. That resting photo is amazing and adorable. He must really feel comfortable to have a nap right there.
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Ha, you are right, our family has a real affinity for animals. xx
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Have you seen this documentary about kangaroos in an urban environment (Canberra)? It screened on the ABC a couple of days ago so would probably be available on iview: http://www.abc.net.au/tv/programs/kangaroomob.htm. They named the roos they tracked but there was a sad end for an older roo who ended up on his own.
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No, I missed that! How did I miss that? Thank you for letting me know, will see if I can find it. And thank you for reading, Pip!
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How lovely to hear more about the roo and see your photos, thank you, I have enjoyed this so much xx
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Thanks Joanna. Haven’t seen him since the day after I wrote this!! 😦
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It’s always so shocking to me to see Kangaroos in your country’s neighborhoods! Some of them are huge! How exciting…and kind of scary! I think he definitely needs a name.
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