Monday 14 July 2014

Only in Australia

^ I spy a baby koala.
Only in Australia do we:
  • Ride Kangaroos to school, work and social events
  • Keep crocodiles in our swimming pools and wrestle with them for fun
  • Cook shrimp on the barbie every night for dinner
  • Drink fosters beer
  • Finish off our shrimp with some nice Vegemite on toast for dessert
  • Have Koala bears instead of Teddy Bears
  • Speak Australian, not English
  • Have blonde hair, tanned skin and always wearing singlets, shorts and thongs (flip flops)

Sound familiar? I hate to break it to you, but the list above is indeed a lie* 

We, Australians, are not all the stereotypes the world makes us out to be. Some of us are, sure, but most of us are just your average joe blows. 

I am proud to be that average joe blow Aussie though. There is something about this country that blows me away. 

Walking through Symbio Wildlife Park yesterday made me realise how wonderful Australian wildlife is. Our national creatures are so unique and bizarre and it makes you wonder what God was thinking when he created these adorable creatures. And while not all the animals in the park were Australian, I enjoyed immersing myself in the small animal kingdom they had on display. Being able to walk up to some of the animals, hug them and feed them was a beautiful thing. It really makes you appreciate the natural world.

Sometimes I wonder though, what would happen if the roles were switched? What would happen if we were the creatures in the zoos and the other animals came to see us? What would they say? Would they be proud to call us their national animal? Would they pay money to protect us from becoming endangered?

I'm not sure if the answer is clear. What do you think?

FFT.

* Here is a true fact for you: Wearing overalls will make you look 10 years younger!

32 comments:

  1. Wow, those pictures are awesome, and I love all the colors! I just went through looking at them all twice. :) Do you mind my asking what camera were they taken with? That koala is cute. :)

    xx

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    1. Oh thank you! I took these on the Canon 5d Mark III

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  2. Absolutely love this post.
    Yay for being Aussie!

    www.kindoflovely.com

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  3. Samantha these photos are absolutely stunning! Which lens did you use?

    To answer your question, I don't think they would be proud as there's a lot of bigotry in this country and that's not something to be proud of.

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    1. I use a Sigma 35mm f/1.4 - it's my absolute favourite (and a ton cheaper than Canon) ;)

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  4. I love these photos! I haven't been to a zoo probably since my year seven geography excursion to Taronga and seeing your post makes me want to visit one before my break ends.

    The list of Australian stereotypes made me giggle, haha!

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  5. Sometimes I get annoyed at all the Australian stereotypes and then sometimes I remember that there's a photo floating around my house somewhere of a joey in our pantry when I was a baby. Maybe not all the stereotypes are lies! Also this is really random but I like how you have three hoop earrings in your piercings. Most people with seconds or third wear studs but I think it totally suits you!

    x Erin

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    1. I find it awesome that you noticed my earrings. I forget they are there half the time! :) Thanks so much x

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  6. ahh such cute photos - love the lizard on the kid's head - definitely lucky to live in Australia :)

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  7. Aw I haven't done a place like this since I was little! I LOVE your outfit, stripes and overalls look so cute together.

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  8. Homesickness off the chaaaaaaaaaarts looking at these! But again in a good way!!! We are really luck in Aus to have such a wacky array of animals and plants! It does make you think, doesn't it. I love how rugged all our animals are. They're tough and they mean business. Great post :)

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  9. oh these guys are all so cute. that picture of the koala! adorbs.

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  10. Sobbing over the kangaroos and all the other Aussie natives (and your overalls), ohhhh, I wanna visit Australia soooo badly!

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  11. Oh my! I die! Australia is my animal dreamland. These photos are absolutely precious.

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  12. Uuuumm. You guys, RIDE kangaroos?! *jealous*

    ....that's it. I'm moving to Australia.

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    1. Ha! no we actually don't. It's just an Australian stereotype that is very much a lie. Sorry to disappoint. Still come and live here though!

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  13. ah. it is summer here in the states, but your pictures make me feel the autumn bug again. your cute overalls and the golden dappled shade of trees just made me breathe deeply. i just love the other images you made, too. the snake picture was so interesting and the animals and school children are so adorable.
    thank you for sharing.
    -Abigail

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  14. Love the stereotypes, Sam. Someone actually once though we rode kangaroos to school. I couldn't help but giggle a little.

    And no. You look sweet in your overalls. You look fab girl!

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  15. Oh my! You definitely made me even more eager to visit Australia. It is so far away though. But you definitely have amazing and extraordinary animals.

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  16. I have always wanted to go to Australia! It seems so beautiful!

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  17. These photos are beautiful! I've always had a burning desire to visit Australia, but now I want to even more so! And those overalls are adorable!

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  18. beautiful photos-australia has some of the coolest animals, hands down

    Little Blue Backpack

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  19. I don't know Sam, in answer to your question, but speaking generally, not just for Australia. I don't know.
    Also, just trying to figure this out, what does FFT mean?

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  20. Aw I love these photos!
    ps... I think we have the same jacket! except mine is Khaki!

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  21. OH MY GOSH! these photos are unreal, i cannot get over the first one of the little monkey guy. it looks amazing!
    -k
    www.kerryjune.com

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  22. haha those overalls do add to your cuteness factor! :P

    The wildlife is also very cute!
    What are you trying to say? My Kangaroo Bruce is a very reliable mode of transport!

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    1. Haha I'm sorry. Kangaroo Bruce is an exception!

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