Outdoor hour - Cleland Wildlife Park

My love for Australian native flora and fauna has pushed me in the introduction of natives to Grub. Ranging from walks at our local national park, to reading Australian theme books and teaching her the names of animals. One of Grub's favourite books at the moment is The Bush Jumper, its about a koala named Mitty and her friends emu, echidna and wombat.

When reading books to her that involve animals, I often find myself wondering what she thinks about the characters, does she know they are fiction? Koalas don't really wear jumpers!

So show her animals in a toddler friendly environment, where she can see, feel and feed animals, we decided to head outdoors and take her to Cleland Wildlife Park in the Adelaide Hills. Normally I don't like visiting wildlife parks or zoos, I feel sorry for the animals in small enclosures. But I feel Cleland is one of South Australia's leading wildlife parks, you can be sure to go there and feel like the animals are well looked after and some have free range over larger areas.



Here are some of the photos I took on our family outing.

She now knows, koalas don't wear jumpers.




MamaKoo


Do you think its important for your little ones to learn about native wildlife? How do you encourage your children to be involved in things that interest you?

{This moment}

 

I couldn't decided on what photo to choose. So I posted both :)

Inspired by Soule Mama.  A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

{This moment}

 

Inspired by Soule Mama.  A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

An hour outdoors

As Grub is getting older, I think its very important for her to spend time outdoors everyday, weather permitting. Providing Grub an environment that allows her access to the outdoors, I feel will help her become closer to nature and therefore appreciate and respect the wonders that nature offers. Besides children naturally love the outdoors, so a good time should be had by all.


So I've promised myself to try and get outside for at least an hour a day and then on weekends we have outdoor family time too. Even if its just our daily walk around the neighbourhood, I'll stop and allow Grub to feel different textured leaves, smell flowers, look at the cat following us on the fence. To stop and look for birds while I try to name what type they are. Its all about stopping and allowing her to absorb and learn from her environment. We're already teaching her about seasons, plants, animals, textures, sounds and shes just loving it.

Early morning at Playford lake

Taking it all in

Last weekend we spent our outdoor family time at Belair National Park, Mike insisted we take Grub somewhere with lots of tree and birds. We definitely got both. We found a variety of birds including a variety of ducks, the Australian Wood Duck, Pacific Black Ducks and hybrids of Mallards.

Hybrid Mallards

An Australian Magpie gave me a fright and swooped at me, Magpies are known for their aggressive behavior around mating season.

Magpie starring at me after its attack

Dusky Moorhens followed us basically all the way around Playford lake, hissing, the way they do. I think the water birds thought we had brought food because they were crowding us and acting abnormally friendly.

Dusky Moorhens chasin' and a hissin'

Surrounded by Dusky Moorhens

On the other side of the lake I spotted a Koala perched in a tree not far beyond the path we were on. Mike and Grub went in for a closer look and to Mike's delight the Koala had a joey with her. We had a brief chat to Mama Koala, Mike told her she was doing a good job at raising her baby and that he wished her all the luck in the world. Grub was mesmerised by Mama K, she wouldn't stop starring at her and every now and then would wave and add a 'hello'.

Mama K and her little joey

Grubs in love

Moments like these bring the family closer

Its moments like these, unaided by man made objects like television or even books or toys allow you to appreciate the natural beauty of things, it allows families to come closer and find happiness from 'simplistic' joy.


MamaKoo