Friday, June 3, 2011

Critters...

If there is one thing I don't ever {EVER!} expect to get used to here in Oz it's the amount of creepy-crawleys and critters we see over here.  Not only have I seen things I wish I couldn't identify, but several species that honestly could probably win me a scientific award as well.  Here is a sampling of some of our visitors:

The Huntsman Spider - yes they are absolutely as big as this one looks.  Avg. 3-inches in diameter.  I think we've had three or four of these in our house. Not my fave. 

Blue Tounge Lizard.  This is our master bathroom - the door leads to our master bedroom. A little too close for comfort. They are not poisonous, but they hiss and bite.  

This is what possums look like here in Australia.  Yes, they are cuter than the Opossums in America, but they poop all over the place and are generally considered pests, albeit protected pests.

And now for the pièce de résistance, the most dreaded of all...


The Eastern Brown Snake.  This photo was taken on our front porch.  That's right, literally about 5 feet from the front door.  Even Cory said, this was the angriest snake he's ever come across.  
It was not huge, but regardless, it wasn't around for long!  

So, for all of you nature lovers out there, don't you just want to come visit and stay at my house?  When it's all grouped here, it does seem a bit daunting, but to be honest, the sightings are few enough for even a critter hater like me to keep composure and live a normal life.  Truth be told, I don't like the bugs, or the pesky small reptiles and mammals, but I'm learning to be brave and get on with things when they pop up.  Isn't that what life is all about: overcoming our fears?  Well, I'm trying but I'm not quite there.