Koalas are not bears. How many times have you heard this? I’m not sure if everyone knows this by now, it’s something that gets drummed into us and I’m afraid that visitors to our country are told this over and over again as well (my apologies).
People will call koalas bears because they look a little like a bear, but they are not bears. They are marsupials, which are animals with a fairly short gestational period requiring the underdeveloped young to continue to mature in a pouch.
We took a drive a couple of days ago, out to Kennet River where there is a small caravan park among the gum trees. The koalas have taken up residence in these trees and can be seen just lying on branches in the trees, occasionally eating leaves or having a scratch. I was lucky enough to capture some of the action with my Olympus OMD EM5 with my 60mm prime lens.
I submit these photos to Lucile’s Photo101 Rehab Clinic. This is a lovely place for photo-aholics to hang out and share their latest pics, please come along for a visit.
x desleyjane
musingsofafrequentflyingscientist.com 
Great shots! Koalas are beautiful creatures! I was so giddy when I saw them in a zoo. Someday I would want to see them in the wild.
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Yes they are so cute little guys. Love them.
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It’s one of those things you have to unlearn, isn’t it. Especially for us non-Australians. I seem to remember as a child they were always ‘koala-bears’. That seemed to be their full name. That’s what we were taught. I was much older when I learnt that they aren’t bears! How misinformation is passed from generation to generation! Great pictures. 🙂
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Thank you. Yes it’s interesting what sticks with you.
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I can’t believe you get to see these in the flesh i am so so jealous i absolutely adore koalas and they do so get forgotten xx
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Yes we were very lucky. A great excuse to have our Brit visiting!
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hehe
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I am so jealous! I would love to take pictures of them as well 🙂 great shots
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Thanks so much. They were just lovely. I almost get a tear in my eye when I see them.
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Wow. What an opportunity and the photos are stunning. Thanks for educating us about the Koalas; keep doing it as not everyone knows this.
Well done, lovely.
xxx
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Why thank you honey. I love these guys so much.
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I AM SO JEALOUS THAT YOU WERE THIS CLOSE TO KOALAS!
What lovely pictures, by the way.
On a side note, I saw these and got so excited that I felt like I was reverting back to a twelve year old version of myself. 🙂
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LOL that’s very cute. Yes, I was ecstatic to be so close to them and it’s just their natural environment. Loved it.
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You did a wonderful job at capturing their antics….Americans are just fascinated by them! Great post.
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Thank you! I am fascinated too 😉
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Koala bears are not bears? My life as I knew it is just over. Damn.
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Who knew, huh? It’s crazy! 😉
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Well caught getting the Koalas actually doing some thing, as you know they are not very active little things. Lovely to see them in the wild, long may they reside there..
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I saw my first koala at thte San Diego Zoo when I was 5 years old. They did a great job of telling us they were NOT bears. But they are cutie-pies!
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Great shots DJ. You were lucky to find one moving – they’re normally fast asleep.
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Yes! I was excited to find him having a scratch and reaching for food. Thanks!
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Oh these little guys are soooo cute! I remember as a kid having a healthy obsession for koalas… Gosh , one day I’ll see one in person ! Your photos are super!
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Ah thanks Lia x.
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