Adventures Down Under -- Seriously Overloaded with Pictures!!

So....jet lag has kicked in with a vengeance and sleep is impossible. I'd say it's worth a few days of disorientation, though! Since I can't sleep, I figured I'd get some pictures uploaded, as they are in rather high demand. These are just ones from my own camera. There are many pictures that others took that I need to get my hands on, and some professional pictures taken at one of the parks that I haven't had a chance to go through yet. But this is a good taste of what we got to do in Australia.

Traveling with Brian Barczyk and all the crew was awesome. Our Australian guides, Peter Birch and Colin Shoemark were amazing. I can't express the deep appreciation I have for those three men who put this trip together and made it a genuine pleasure for everyone involved.

Just FYI, I'm fairly confident on most of my identifications if I give them, but I might misremember some, as I'm rather sleep deprived while doing this!

Ok, no more chatting...let's get to the pictures!

First full day in Australia at the Scales 'n Tails show...

Crazy black head python
http://ball-pythons.net/images/asund...head morph.jpg

Lots of carpets and olives at the show
http://ball-pythons.net/images/asund...et display.jpg

Stunning carpet python
http://ball-pythons.net/images/asund...e-2-carpet.jpg

Frilled dragon striking a pose
http://ball-pythons.net/images/asund...d attitude.jpg

Lace monitor
http://ball-pythons.net/images/asund...ce monitor.jpg

Shinglebacks
http://ball-pythons.net/images/asund...ngleback-1.jpg

http://ball-pythons.net/images/asund...ngleback-2.jpg

Blue tongue skink
http://ball-pythons.net/images/asund...-white bts.jpg

Fresh water crocodile
http://ball-pythons.net/images/asund... freshie-1.jpg

http://ball-pythons.net/images/asund... freshie-2.jpg

Salt water crocodile
http://ball-pythons.net/images/asund...ung saltie.jpg

Our own Annarose15 holding a monitor
http://ball-pythons.net/images/asund...th monitor.jpg

Me holding a black head python
http://ball-pythons.net/images/asund...black head.jpg

- - - Updated - - -

The AUSTRALIA ZOO!

On the way...
http://ball-pythons.net/images/asund... irwin way.jpg

Group Shot
http://ball-pythons.net/images/asund...tralia zoo.jpg

Steve was there in spirit
http://ball-pythons.net/images/asund...ie-3-steve.jpg

Brian gets silly
http://ball-pythons.net/images/asund...gets silly.jpg

Animals
http://ball-pythons.net/images/asund...e-3-casper.jpg

http://ball-pythons.net/images/asund...3-cassoway.jpg

http://ball-pythons.net/images/asund...affe feast.jpg

http://ball-pythons.net/images/asund...-goofy emu.jpg

http://ball-pythons.net/images/asund...-kookabura.jpg

http://ball-pythons.net/images/asund...-rhino mom.jpg

http://ball-pythons.net/images/asund...eepy koala.jpg

http://ball-pythons.net/images/asund...urtle face.jpg

http://ball-pythons.net/images/asund...e-3-wombat.jpg

This is a wild water dragon...they were all over the zoo and easily the most common lizard we saw wherever we went.
http://ball-pythons.net/images/asund...ter dragon.jpg

Cool reticulated python skeleton display
http://ball-pythons.net/images/asund...c skeleton.jpg

Got to feed and play with kangaroos
http://ball-pythons.net/images/asund...garoo pets.jpg

Justin Julander and his lovely wife Heidi joined us for a couple of our adventures.
http://ball-pythons.net/images/asund... and heidi.jpg

Iconic croc show
http://ball-pythons.net/images/asund...roc show-1.jpg

http://ball-pythons.net/images/asund...roc show-2.jpg

The next day we drove for about three hours across beautiful Australian wilderness to visit Bob Irwin on his property, a nature preserve called Camp Chilli.

Remnants of wild fires that surrounded his property. When we drove past this again after dark, you could see ghostly flames flickering and some of the trees were glowing. But Bob's property remained untouched by the fires.
http://ball-pythons.net/images/asund... near bobs.jpg

The entrance to Bob's property
http://ball-pythons.net/images/asund...me at bobs.jpg

Wild parrots enjoying the feeders
http://ball-pythons.net/images/asund...ts at bobs.jpg

Bob's pony...a very friendly fellow. Wish I could remember his name!
http://ball-pythons.net/images/asund...-bobs pony.jpg

We piled onto the backs of two "Utes" (utility vehicles) and one pickup truck, and went exploring
http://ball-pythons.net/images/asund...de at bobs.jpg

Brian does some SnakeBytes work as we release some wild carpet pythons Bob had caught messing with his chickens
http://ball-pythons.net/images/asund... filming-1.jpg

http://ball-pythons.net/images/asund... filming-2.jpg

http://ball-pythons.net/images/asund... filming-3.jpg

The flies were crazy!
http://ball-pythons.net/images/asund...bug philip.jpg

More wild carpet pythons
http://ball-pythons.net/images/asund...d carpet-1.jpg

http://ball-pythons.net/images/asund...d carpet-2.jpg

http://ball-pythons.net/images/asund...d carpet-3.jpg

Mike got a little too close with his GoPro camera and nearly took a bite on the nose!
http://ball-pythons.net/images/asund...pet strike.jpg

Koalas in the wild
http://ball-pythons.net/images/asund...la at bobs.jpg

http://ball-pythons.net/images/asund...a at troys.jpg

This is an observation deck that Bob built himself. It was very cool to climb.
http://ball-pythons.net/images/asund...tree house.jpg

Standing in the wilderness, talking conservation with Bob Irwin
http://ball-pythons.net/images/asund...nservation.jpg

http://ball-pythons.net/images/asund...me and bob.jpg

After dark "herping" on the deck of Bob Irwin's home
http://ball-pythons.net/images/asund...ko at bobs.jpg

http://ball-pythons.net/images/asund...ko at bobs.jpg

http://ball-pythons.net/images/asund...og at bobs.jpg

- - - Updated - - -

The next day we flew out to Darwin. While in Darwin, we did some herping at a park called Fog Dam, but I didn't get any pictures of that. Our second day in Darwin took us to Crocosaurus Cove where much adventure ensued!

Entrance
http://ball-pythons.net/images/asund...e entrance.jpg

Peter, Colin, Seth, and Brian...hanging out at the entrance waiting for folks
http://ball-pythons.net/images/asund... croc cove.jpg

Anna
http://ball-pythons.net/images/asund...oc samples.jpg

Saltie skeleton
http://ball-pythons.net/images/asund...e skeleton.jpg

Classic bearded dragon
http://ball-pythons.net/images/asund...ic beardie.jpg

Handsome frilled dragon
http://ball-pythons.net/images/asund...me frilled.jpg

This is a full grown monitor called the "blue line monitor"...still waiting on its own species designation
http://ball-pythons.net/images/asund...ed monitor.jpg

Lots of young salties, including a hypo
http://ball-pythons.net/images/asund...ypo saltie.jpg

Brian gets ready to feed this big boy...
http://ball-pythons.net/images/asund...big saltie.jpg

...and nearly feeds it his GoPro!
http://ball-pythons.net/images/asund...ans camera.jpg

Brian and Peter in the "cage of death" with a huge wild-caught saltie named Chopper
http://ball-pythons.net/images/asund...of death-1.jpg

http://ball-pythons.net/images/asund...of death-2.jpg

Anna and me in the "cage of death" with Chopper. They feed him while we're in there and get him to slap his jaws closed and smack the cage right beside our faces! SO cool!!
http://ball-pythons.net/images/asund...of death-1.jpg

http://ball-pythons.net/images/asund...of death-2.jpg

http://ball-pythons.net/images/asund...of death-3.jpg

http://ball-pythons.net/images/asund...of death-4.jpg

http://ball-pythons.net/images/asund...of death-5.jpg

The next day brought a 3.5 hour drive out into Aboriginal lands to see some ancient rock paintings. Was hot, humid, and filled with insane flies, but also breathtakingly beautiful. On the way back, we stopped to visit a local with a very unique and totally awesome way to keep Fly River turtles. He built the ponds and gardens by hand...larger than most swimming pools and more than six feet deep throughout. And we got to swim in it with the turtles!

Aboriginal art
http://ball-pythons.net/images/asund...iginal art.jpg

Some cool trees on the hike
http://ball-pythons.net/images/asund...ingal hike.jpg

Termite mound!
http://ball-pythons.net/images/asund...mite mound.jpg

Cool wild birds we saw along the way
http://ball-pythons.net/images/asund...ite parrot.jpg

Swimming with turtles
http://ball-pythons.net/images/asund... turtles-1.jpg

http://ball-pythons.net/images/asund... turtles-2.jpg

After Darwin, we flew to Sydney. Our first full day in Sydney was spent exploring the beautiful Taronga Zoo and then jumping on the ferries to zip back and forth across the Sydney Harbor and go visit Manly Beach.

Group shot at entrance to Taronga Zoo
http://ball-pythons.net/images/asund...aronga zoo.jpg

Animals at Taronga
http://ball-pythons.net/images/asund...e-7-bird-1.jpg

http://ball-pythons.net/images/asund...e-7-bird-2.jpg

http://ball-pythons.net/images/asund...e-7-bird-3.jpg

http://ball-pythons.net/images/asund...e-7-bird-4.jpg

http://ball-pythons.net/images/asund...e-7-bird-5.jpg

http://ball-pythons.net/images/asund...e-7-bird-6.jpg

http://ball-pythons.net/images/asund...e-7-bird-7.jpg

http://ball-pythons.net/images/asund...shie mouth.jpg

http://ball-pythons.net/images/asund...shie teeth.jpg

Giraffes with a view
http://ball-pythons.net/images/asund...ith a view.jpg

But this guy seems unimpressed
http://ball-pythons.net/images/asund...nimpressed.jpg

http://ball-pythons.net/images/asund...7-komodo-1.jpg

http://ball-pythons.net/images/asund...7-komodo-2.jpg

http://ball-pythons.net/images/asund... monitor-1.jpg

http://ball-pythons.net/images/asund... monitor-2.jpg

Red belly black snake
http://ball-pythons.net/images/asund...ly black-1.jpg

http://ball-pythons.net/images/asund...ly black-2.jpg

http://ball-pythons.net/images/asund...eck turtle.jpg

http://ball-pythons.net/images/asund...eepy koala.jpg

Lazy Roos
http://ball-pythons.net/images/asund...eepy roo-1.jpg

http://ball-pythons.net/images/asund...eepy roo-2.jpg

http://ball-pythons.net/images/asund... kookaburo.jpg

Anna and me
http://ball-pythons.net/images/asund...nna and me.jpg

Brian and me
http://ball-pythons.net/images/asund...ian and me.jpg

Brian dominates the playground...
http://ball-pythons.net/images/asund...playground.jpg

...and tames a Komodo dragon
http://ball-pythons.net/images/asund...s a komodo.jpg

Picture of a picture
http://ball-pythons.net/images/asund... a picture.jpg

Views of Sydney Harbor from within the zoo grounds
http://ball-pythons.net/images/asund...nga view-1.jpg

http://ball-pythons.net/images/asund...nga view-2.jpg

http://ball-pythons.net/images/asund...nga view-3.jpg

http://ball-pythons.net/images/asund...nga view-4.jpg

On the ferries and Manly Beach
http://ball-pythons.net/images/asund...n on ferry.jpg

http://ball-pythons.net/images/asund...n on ferry.jpg

http://ball-pythons.net/images/asund...anly beach.jpg

http://ball-pythons.net/images/asund...y harbor-1.jpg

http://ball-pythons.net/images/asund...y harbor-2.jpg

Our last full day in Australia took us out to The Reptile Park and then a quick visit to Peter Birch's home.

Group Shot
http://ball-pythons.net/images/asund...ptile park.jpg

If I remember correctly, The Reptile Park has the only American alligators in all of Australia.
http://ball-pythons.net/images/asund... alligator.jpg

Crazy owl
http://ball-pythons.net/images/asund...-crazy owl.jpg

Galapagos tortoise
http://ball-pythons.net/images/asund...s tortoise.jpg

Another huge Galap named Hugo. He's 63 years old.
http://ball-pythons.net/images/asund...e and hugo.jpg

Brian doing SnakeBytes
http://ball-pythons.net/images/asund...n and hugo.jpg

Messy eater
http://ball-pythons.net/images/asund...essy eater.jpg

Brian got stepped on
http://ball-pythons.net/images/asund...stepped on.jpg

Tasmanian devil
http://ball-pythons.net/images/asund...nian devil.jpg

Fiji iguana
http://ball-pythons.net/images/asund...iji iguana.jpg

Mama and Joey
http://ball-pythons.net/images/asund...a and baby.jpg

Brian snuggles a young tazzy. We all got to do this, but the pictures of me holding her are on someone else's camera. They're very soft!
http://ball-pythons.net/images/asund...ling tazzy.jpg

Off to Peter Birch's house. Peter is a premier breeder of Anateresia pythons...they're a little bitey!
http://ball-pythons.net/images/asund... chewed on.jpg

He also has a beautiful collection of death adders
http://ball-pythons.net/images/asund...eath adder.jpg

The only venomous serpent I held...an elapid known as a golden crown snake that Peter caught in his yard.
http://ball-pythons.net/images/asund...rown snake.jpg

And the next thing we knew, it was time to say goodbye....
http://ball-pythons.net/images/asund...-9-goodbye.jpg

There's so much more on my heart to say and share, but it will have to wait for another time, as this has gone on awfully long already! Hope you enjoyed it!

Nice Pics! Looks like you all had alot of fun!

Love the pic's Judy glad you had a blast must have been amazing to be in the water with that beast.;)

Awesome pics! Looks like you all had a blast!

Thanks for sharing! :gj:

Amazing!!! I can't even tell you how jealous I am. Thank you for sharing! That would have been so much fun, and so neat to see all that stuff!

sweet pictures
I remember when the post was up about the trip and tickets. ( need to win lottery so I can take my wife one time)

Thanks for sharing! You had the trip of a lifetime. I visited Australia a few years back but it wasn't quite as exciting as your trip!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Beautiful.

O..M...G...Judy. WHAT a dream come true! Not only to go to Australia, meet Bob Irwin, and play with all those awesome animals, BUUUT to do it all with BRIAN???! You are one lucky lady ;). Looks like you had a time youll never forget. Beautiful photos too. Thanks for sharing with us.

Totally amazing! :salute: :bow:

Amazing Picture...looks like an epic trip!

I'm so glad that you got to experience this trip of a lifetime, and I know how much you'd been anticipating and looking forward to it! :hug:

Wow, what an experience and the photos are just awesome

AWESOME! Im going to have to refer to this thread when planning my trip to Australia! Thanks for sharing!

It looks like you had an amazing experience! Thank you for sharing the pictures! :)

That looks like an amazing good time. One of these days I'd like to do that but it'll have to wait a few years. I believe that Brian is going to the the speaker for our herp societys annual Christmas banquet, maybe I'll get a chance to see more pictures of your trip.

Nice pics seems like an amazing trip

http://s172.photobucket.com/user/Cre...?sort=3&page=1

It definitely was an amazing trip. Here is a link to my pictures from the trip on photobucket. So glad I got to enjoy the company of such amazing people like Judy.

Is there going to be another trip?

Sent from my Droid RAZR M using Tapatalk 2

What an incredible trip! Thanks so much for sharing the photos!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Seth702

http://s172.photobucket.com/user/Cre...?sort=3&page=1

It definitely was an amazing trip. Here is a link to my pictures from the trip on photobucket. So glad I got to enjoy the company of such amazing people like Judy.

---

Thanks, Seth! Was awesome to be on the trip with you as well! I think we made some real friends for life on this journey!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by toyota89

Is there going to be another trip?

---

Yes, indeedy! Save your pennies! The next trip will most likely take place in November of 2014. Announcements for it will be made by Brian on Facebook, and I'll make them here as well as on The Reptile Report. So keep an eye out as spring rolls around and we start prepping for the next trip!

I can't be the only one who saw all the herp pics and thought "I need ALL OF THOSE." Thanks for sharing the pics, it looks like it was an awesome trip!!

-Jen

Wow,I am so jealous! Looks like an amazing adventure. Thanks for sharing the pics!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by LLLReptile

I can't be the only one who saw all the herp pics and thought "I need ALL OF THOSE." Thanks for sharing the pics, it looks like it was an awesome trip!!

-Jen

---

They checked our pockets pretty regularly, I assure you.

Cool I wish I could go that look's sooooooo cool.

Incredible!!! I am so glad you had an amazing trip and thank you for sharing these wonderful pictures.