Koala in the wild

Spotted on the Samford Range on my way back from Arana Hills. I had to stop rather quickly on a wet road so as to not hit him as he ran across the road.

Since I was stopped anyway, I pulled off onto the shoulder and snapped away.

The koala climbed the first available tree (shrub really) before deciding to move to a larger tree further away from the road a few seconds after I took this.

See where this picture was taken.

View all photos taken: Friday, 25th July 2008, This photo: 9:15am

Previous Photo: Tawny Frogmouth

Comments

  • -spam- said:
    Very nice one. And he was at least thankful for you not hitting him (or her) by staying still long enough for you to get a great photo
  • maasha said:
    Ran? Like sprinted?
  • Warwick (wazzam) said:
    Great capture. Nice clarity too.
  • David de Groot said:
    Indeed - but wasn't happy about me getting out of the car to get closer (and thus moved to a further tree and climbed higher).
    More like a lopsided gallop, as koalas do.
    Not too bad eh, considering I was leaning out the car window at an odd angle ;-)
  • ßlϋeωãvε said:
    Well done on not hitting him! I heard many die from crossing the road. You know, in all the months I was in Aussieland I never once saw a wild Koala despite often walking in the woods.
    Another fine wildlife shot, David National deOgraphic. ;-)
  • David de Groot said:
    hehe yeah they're rather secretive and only live in certain areas. I wasn't aware the Samford Range was a koala corridor, but it must be since I've seen one there now ;-)
    It's not often you see one on the ground during the day, as they mostly get hit at night - but regardless of time-of-day, they've got less road sense than a 2 year old "Oooh look, large noisy thing coming at me very fast, I'll just run right out in front of it".
  • HPVD Photos said:
    Noted that is was a real clear shot, very nice since you would not have had much time to get organised
  • David de Groot said:
    Yeah the process was, pull over to side of road, unzip camera bag on front seat, remove camera, remove lens cap, reverse hood, lean out window, check exposure, shoot.
    Eventually I got out of the car to see if I could get closer, but with having to wait for traffic, and the thin tree the koala was in, he decided to jump off and move to a bigger tree further from the road.
  • Xenedis said:
    Wow -- nice capture. I've never seen one in the wild. I've held one in captivity, and they're bloody heavy.
  • David de Groot said:
    I used to see heaps of wild ones as a lad as we lived in a koala area, but in the last 10 years or so, I've seen maybe 4 in the wild.
  • Margot- said:
    Wow, koala in the wild...I thought they can't survive on their own anymore. Nice clear image, too.
  • David de Groot said:
    Hi Margot! No although land clearing is having an effect, there are still large colonies of koalas happily living in the wild in Australia :)
  • -Gadabout- said:
    awesome capture :) I think I've maybe seen one in the wild! Used to hear them a lot when I went camping...they're certainly very elusive.
  • David de Groot said:
    Yeah I was pretty chuffed to see it :)
  • looby88 said:
    that is so cute, well you may have had to stop for it, but it was worth it
  • David de Groot said:
    Indeed it was :)