The second week in Port Douglas passed in a similar pleasant style to the previous one, seeing us mingling with our friends at the beach, or over drinks in the evening. The weather was warm and skies calm until the end of the week, when strong wind ruffled the sea and waves rolled onto Four Mile Beach. Kerry was undeterred by the strong wind as he loves nothing better than body surfing the waves. I was happier either walking or sketching. But this week had a different focus, because we decided to visit a wildlife habitat a short distance from the town. Never before, I must add, had I ever posed for a touristy photo like the one you see here. I only agreed as I love owls. What a hoot!

I love most birds in fact, so I was pleased to find that the wildlife habit contained so many. I tried to spot the many species (approximately 85 featured in the 4-page brochure) as they flew around under a vast net canopy or happily (it seemed to me) walked amongst the visitors. The red-tailed black cockatoo loved ‘claiming’ visitors, and one alighted on Kerry’s arm. Some of the cockatoos responded to my ‘hellos’, which I was charmed by. There were ground dwellers, and waders, tiny birds and the over-large. Some were dainty and others gawky, but all beautiful in my eyes. There was one I was especially hoping to see which I had seen on an earlier visit to Queensland, and that was the Cassowary; an ancient ratite species native to the tropical forests of Papua New Guinea.

Cassowary are flightless, the third largest bird, and the second heaviest, next to the emu and ostrich. The one in the image is a female Southern cassowary, and although some are in captivity they do still live in deep forests in the Queensland area. As beautiful as they are, they are particularly territorial and dangerous if provoked – observe the large claws. Luckily for me, this cassowary was in an enclosure, and allowed herself to be fed through the wire fence. She has a fruit-based diet and willingly and gently removed the large red berry I held between my fingers. So exciting!

We walked through the savannah, where kangaroos and wallabies slept, or bounded forward looking for food. I bought special pellets from the shop and happily fed these animals too. I loved their soft mouths nuzzling my hand, quite special. We spotted the Tawny Frogmouth, which is often mistaken for an owl, as it does rather resemble one, and usually keeps nocturnal hours. I got to pat one. The keeper held the bird while I stroked its feathers, which were softer than I could have imagined. Another special moment. Even if the Tawny Frogmouth doesn’t call itself an owl.

Kerry rather likes snakes and lizards, which I don’t mind, but don’t feel the same urge to pat as I do feathered animals. We decided to go and see the salt-water crocodiles, as there was to be an instructive talk, about reptiles big and small. During the talk, some people could don swimsuits and snorkels and swim in the tank beside the ‘salties’. Boy, did those creatures look amazing underwater! I love the photo that Kerry took from outside the crocodile’s enclosure.

I wish I could have shown you more fantastic animals, but, I do suggest that if you are ever in North Queensland you stop off at Port Douglas to enjoy the abundance of flora and fauna the area has to offer. It is well worth the effort.