more strange beasties

 Most of our sightings of wild birds and beasts were in a wilderness reserve in Australia where these pictures were taken and another later in New Zealand. The above picture is an emu or close cousin.  In New Zealand wingless birds evolved because they didn't have any predators to fly away from.

 We watched a not quite "Crocodile Dundee" but very entertaining show as the man in this picture 'played with' the crocodile. Sorry about the blurry picture.  It wouldn't hold still.

 Another wingless bird. Not sure what it is but I know it's not a penguin. We did see some of those in NZ.

We saw kangaroos in the wild during the balloon ride but this is the only closeup shot I got. Not the best pose. We couldn't take pictures of Kiwis in NZ because they are nocturnal and very light sensitive. They look like fuzzy, fast moving footballs with long narrow beaks.