Seal seen at Sea World Show for Saturday Critter

 

When last I walked through Sea World upon the Gold Coast, I could not help but marvel at the radiant spectacle before me. The dolphins arced in perfect symmetry, the seals clapped as though with laughter, and the gathered crowd delighted in the illusion of joy. Yet within me lingered the shadow of what I had once seen in sober documentaries, where the gloss of performance was stripped away to reveal confinement, separation, and lives bound to pools smaller than the seas they once knew. The play was glorious, yes, but it carried the weight of sorrow.

In recent years, questions have only deepened. Animal welfare advocates, particularly PETA, decry the keeping of dolphins in artificial lagoons far too small for creatures who might, in the wild, traverse vast oceans each day. TripAdvisor, recognising the unease, withdrew from selling tickets to Sea World in 2019, a gesture that marked a shift in public conscience. And though the park proudly unveiled a state-of-the-art marine hospital in July 2025—proclaiming its devotion to rescue, treatment, and release—critics still whisper of breeding programs, separations of mother and calf, and deaths uncounted in public record.

The park itself is not of the same ownership as its American counterpart, yet the echoes of Blackfish still ring across the Pacific. The haunting story of Tilikum the orca lingers as a parable, casting doubt upon any institution that commands marine mammals to perform. To its credit, Sea World Gold Coast has mounted genuine rescues, freeing whales from nets and tending to stranded creatures upon the shore. But for every story of compassion, another arises of captivity’s toll, of creatures whose intelligence and spirit exceed the limits of the enclosures that bind them.

Thus my memory of that visit remains divided: wonder at the beauty of the performance, and grief for what such beauty conceals. The truth of Sea World is, perhaps, like the sea itself—ever shifting, capable of reflecting both splendour and cruelty, depending upon the light in which one chooses to stand.

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Zebra Finch Healesville for Saturday Critter

 

The Zebra Finch, which I had the rare delight of observing just beyond the bounds of Healesville Sanctuary, presented itself most unexpectedly. Believe it or not, this lively creature graced the shallows for but a fleeting moment, and I took great satisfaction in capturing its likeness through the disciplined craft of manual lens and manual focus—a demanding pursuit when directed upon so agile a bird.

The Zebra Finch (Taeniopygia guttata) is a species of singular charm and resilience. Belonging to the family Estrildidae, it is one of the most widely distributed and abundant birds of the Australian continent. Its natural domain encompasses arid grasslands, open scrub, and lightly wooded plains, where it thrives in colonies often gathered near ephemeral watercourses. Unlike many species that falter in the face of drought, the Zebra Finch is remarkably adapted to the continent’s harsh interior, surviving on meagre resources, feeding upon grass seeds, and subsisting with a frugality that has rendered it emblematic of endurance in a sunburnt land.

Its appearance is no less striking than its habits are resourceful. The male, adorned with a vermilion bill, a bold orange cheek, and barred plumage across the breast, is a spectacle of contrast and pattern; the female, more subdued in hue, carries a quieter dignity. Their song, though modest, is melodious in its simplicity, and has for centuries captured the fascination of naturalists, ornithologists, and aviculturists alike. Indeed, so great has been their adaptability that the Zebra Finch has long since been carried beyond its homeland, establishing itself in distant lands and becoming one of the most studied avian models in science, particularly in the fields of song learning and behavioural ecology.

Thus, to encounter the Zebra Finch near Healesville, fluttering and bathing among the stones, is to glimpse both the immediacy of its quicksilver vitality and the enduring story of a bird that has, from the heart of Australia’s dry plains, risen to international renown. My humble photograph, wrought by patience and careful focus, preserves but a fraction of its spirit; yet in that fraction lies the charm of nature itself.

Pentax K20D 

Pentax 300mm f2.8 

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Red Browed Finches in Wonthaggi Gippsland for Saturday Critter

 

Red-browed Finches (Neochmia temporalis)

The Red-browed Finch, also known as the Red-browed Firetail, is a small, colorful bird native to eastern and southeastern Australia. These finches are popular among birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts due to their distinctive appearance and social behavior.

Appearance

Red-browed Finches are small birds, measuring around 11-12 cm in length. They are most recognizable by their striking red markings: a bright red stripe (or "brow") running from the beak through the eye, a vivid red beak, and a red rump and tail. The rest of their plumage is a soft olive-green on the back and wings, with grey underparts. The red accents make them easy to identify, especially when they are foraging on the ground or flitting through dense vegetation.

Habitat and Distribution

These finches are widely distributed across eastern Australia, from Queensland down to Victoria and South Australia, often found in woodlands, forest edges, grasslands, and along watercourses. They are especially common in areas with thick undergrowth and are often seen in urban gardens and parks. Their ability to adapt to disturbed and human-altered landscapes has contributed to their stable population.

Diet

Red-browed Finches primarily feed on seeds, particularly grass seeds, but they will also eat small insects and fruits when available. They are ground feeders and are frequently seen hopping around in groups, feeding on seeds fallen to the ground. Their short, conical beak is perfectly adapted for cracking seeds.

Behaviour

Highly social, Red-browed Finches are often observed in flocks, sometimes numbering up to 30 or more birds. They exhibit cooperative behaviors, such as communal roosting and allopreening (grooming each other). Pairs form strong bonds and can often be seen perched closely together, engaging in mutual preening, as seen in your photo.

These finches are also known for their quiet and sweet-sounding calls, a series of high-pitched "tseet-tseet" notes that help flock members stay in contact while foraging or flying.

Breeding

The breeding season generally occurs from August to April but can vary depending on food availability and location. Red-browed Finches build dome-shaped nests made from grass and other fine plant materials, typically located in dense shrubs or trees. Both male and female participate in building the nest and feeding the chicks. Clutches usually consist of 4 to 6 eggs, and the young fledge after about three weeks.

I still remembered this lucky shot when the trip went to Wantage for some nice hay bale sceneries

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Hyaline Grass Bug in Melbourne for Saturday Critter

 

📸 Macro Marvel: Liorhyssus Hyalinus in Melbourne! 🦟

Captured this stunning macro shot of the Liorhyssus hyalinus, also known as the Hyaline Grass Bug, on the wall in Melbourne. The intricate details of its body and the vibrant colors are truly mesmerizing. 

Liorhyssus hyalinus is a fascinating plant bug, often found on various grasses and plants. Its transparent wings and distinctive markings make it a favorite subject for macro photographers.

Pentax  K20D

Voigtlander 125mm f2.5 Macro

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Having completed the final season of Cobra Kai in one uninterrupted viewing session, I observed that the young characters' movements are rather slow, and the fight sequences appear somewhat amateurish. Nevertheless, the show possesses an undeniably captivating quality that renders it irresistibly addictive.

Gecko for Saturday Critter

 

On my trip to Traralgon several years ago

Panasonic G9

FA 100mm f2.8 macro

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Macro of Spider for Saturday Critter

 

Taken by my old gear Pentax K20D + A 200mm f4 Macro

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Butterfly macro for Saturday Critter

 

The regular Saturday critter

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Bug on my bag for Saturday Critter

 

Quite shiny on my strap bag 

Sony A7RV

FE 70-200mm f4 Macro

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Hoverfly for Saturday Critter

 

A pink tone for the shot

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Macro Critter in the local reserve Melbourne for Saturday Critter

 

There is a shine through natural sunlight. It almost glows 

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Butterfly for Saturday Critter

 

A close up for the butterfly

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Spider Macro for Saturday Critter

 

Using my antique Pentax A 200mm f4 macro lens

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Critter Macro for Saturday Critter

 

This was taken a long time ago. You can imagine how small this critter is

Pentax A200mm f4 Macro

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Butterfly macro for Saturday Critter

 

This was taken a long time ago. Love the energy I had at the time.

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Chironomids for Saturday Critters

 

Found this on wiki 

Chironomids as a group are very diverse in their life histories and exhibit a variety of behaviours during their development. Due to their species ambiguity and this diversity of behaviours, there is much controversy in research on their feeding habits, particularly as adults.

Many reference sources in the past century or so have repeated the assertion that the Chironomidae do not feed as adults, but an increasing body of evidence contradicts this view. Adults of many species do, in fact, feed. The natural foods reported include fresh fly droppings, nectar, pollen, honeydew, and various sugar-rich materials.

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Black-kneed Conehead for Saturday Critter

 

I saw this critter in Taiwan. Next to a street joint selling rice snack.

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I got my CT lumbar spine and pelvis back. No malignancy of any sorts. But I have extensive moderate arthritis affecting multiple levels including foraminal narrowing. I am depressed by the result. These are incidental findings not to my liking. I will work on my fitness routine once muscle tear heals. 

Fly for Saturday Critter

 

The compound eyes are mesmerising.

Pentax K10D

A 200mm f4 macro

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Unknown insect for Saturday Critter

 

Spotted outside a temple while in Taiwan. 

Pentax K10D

A 200mm f4 macro

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Another butterfly for Saturday Critter

 

In my old garden in Hawthorn East

Pentax K10D 

A 200mm f4 macro

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Bee for Saturday Critter

 

A bee or wasp. I cannot tell exactly what it is either. I just like the green bokeh. 

It was a late night yesterday. My pal and myself went searching for the sweet spots taking the gorgeous surfer's paradise sunset. It was not a disappointing experience. Persian Dinner at the nearby location too. 

Pentax A 200mm f4 macro

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