A blog of her own

Telling it like it is

  • Home
  • Start Here
  • About
  • Share your story
  • Hire Me
    • Speaking
  • Privacy
  • Contact

Breakfast with the mob

5 June 2012 By Dorothy 6 Comments

She sits at the edge of a grove of young ti trees.  Grey and still.  Looking at me expectantly as I lift my eyes from my breakfast.

I put down my cutlery, take down the container of bird seed from the shelf, grab my phone and cautiously slide open the glass doors.  She is still there.

I sat on the chair, opened the container and held out a handful of seeds towards her.  She confidently grabbed my hand with her paw while nuzzling my palm and scooping out the seeds with her tongue.  As she pulled her head away to chew I noticed a joey’s head poking out of her pouch.

I take a few quick photos as I feed her, worried that she will bound away at any minute.

Mine, all mine!

When she is on her third handful, I see more grey shadows bounding across the clearing towards the ti tree ouside my cabin.  First one, then three, then another four or five.  Most hang back at the tree line, only another two or three move slowly towards me.  Quickly grabbing another handful of seeds, I soon have two grey heads gently picking seed out of my hands.

I am struck by their gentleness.  Obviously these are wild creatures, but, also obviously, quite used to the humans that obediently come out of their strange shelters with offerings of food.

The strength of the tails and back legs is apparent as they bound across any distance and even as they slowly push themselves towards me.

I am somewhat wary of them as they advace on me en masse, but this is quickly dispelled by the gentleness of their lips, teeth and tounges on my hand.

Four of them gather around me, while the big boss of the mob hangs back and eyes me warily.  As I dip into my seed box and try to feed all those around me, he lowers himself to the ground and sprawls on his side, looking for all intents and purposes like a roman emperor.  Those that hang back with him, arrange themselves near and around him and soon the whole lot are lounging away.  Watching.

The mob boss was watching me very closely

I am surrounded by kangaroos.  I watch the beautiful grey heads of those I am feeding.  I see the sharp, strong claws protruding from their paws, wet with dew.

I see the joey poke his head out occasionally, but am not able to touch him.  The others let me pat them and I stroke the coarse/soft fur on their necks and backs.  They’re not very keen on that, but obviously are willing to put up with it in exchange for free food.

The seed runs out.  I pack up and retreat inside.

The mob continues to hunt around for stray seeds left on the table and bricks, then moves back towards the trees and lies down.

I finish my breakfast, now cold, but I don’t care.  I look out my window and there they are. The whole glorious, relaxed mob of them.

When I bring out my big camera they are still there.  I take lots of photos.  I take some more with my phone and share them with the internets.

I keep taking photos.  I see the joey’s legs protruding from his mother’s pouch and photograph that, too.  I bemoan not having a better tele-photo lens.

What’s this then?

There is an older joey, nearly the size of the females, demanding a feed from his mother.  She doesn’t seem impressed, but stands there looking bemused as he sticks his head into her pouch for a feed.  Now that’s extreme breastfeeding!  There is nobody here telling them that he/she is too old.

They are still out there.  I feel relaxed, warm and fuzzy inside.  This little encounter with wild life reminds me that I haven’t hand fed wild kanaroos in over twenty years.  A time when I was happy and care-free.  The ones I fed then were aggressive, unlike these ones.

That kangaroo tried to kick me. 1987.
A lesson in relaxation

This is so simple.  Just silence and good food and the wild outside my door.  I remember feeling like this a long time ago.  Then, as now, I knew I didn’t need anything else.

Come over and see what others are saying.

signature

If you liked this, share:

  • Print
  • Email
  • Tweet

Related

Previous Post Next Post

I've been blogging since 2008 and I do it because it keeps me sane.If I didn't blog, my head would explode. If you like your blogs sugar-coated and pretty looking then this is not for you. I write about life as a solo parent dealing with mental illness and recovering from long term emotional abuse. I live with two boy-children and three cats and I like wine. A lot.

Comments

  1. Denwise aka Denyse Whelan says

    7 June 2012 at 11:54 pm

    That is beautiful Dorothy. That break must be a memory to visit in your head for when times turn into ….whatever. Good luck with the packing up

    Reply
  2. Francine says

    9 June 2012 at 9:29 pm

    Looks like a spectacular weekend. What an awesome way to start a day!

    Reply
  3. Leimay says

    10 June 2012 at 8:59 pm

    Oh what a lovely experience! Something to look back on fondly and to tell the boys about no doubt.

    Reply
  4. AParentingLife says

    29 July 2013 at 5:01 pm

    Beautiful photos Dorothy. I am such a lover of these beautiful animals, though like you I have seen the not so gentle side as well. How lovely for you to have been able to feed them like you did. I never tire of that. Fairy wishes and butterfly kisses to you lovely

    Reply
  5. MummaLish says

    30 July 2013 at 3:39 am

    what stunning photos! You are very talented, and very lucky to share your morning with these beautiful creatures 🙂

    Reply
  6. katesaysstuff says

    2 August 2013 at 9:01 pm

    Beautiful. I love the Roos we have that come through our property, even whilst being a bit terrified of them 😉

    Reply

I love comments! Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

About Me

I am a truth talker, opinion owner, feminist, solo parent, business owner and cat minion.

I write about whatever's in my head, because it's cheaper, and more effective, than therapy.

Support my blog

Become a Patron!

Join me on Facebook

Join me on Facebook

Follow me on Twitter

Follow me!

I use and recommend

Web Hosting

Most Popular

  • I hate being a mother - a five step rescue plan
    I hate being a mother - a five step rescue plan
  • I wish I didn't have kids
    I wish I didn't have kids
  • When I'm at my worst
    When I'm at my worst
  • 5 Reasons Why Bunk Beds Suck
    5 Reasons Why Bunk Beds Suck
  • My kids make me anxious
    My kids make me anxious

My Instagram

Pav for a BBQ I'm going to in a bit. One day I mig Pav for a BBQ I'm going to in a bit. One day I might even make one from scratch like @cateppics
Sam and I went to see a couple of houses in Geelon Sam and I went to see a couple of houses in Geelong today and in between we visited Eastern Beach. It's like a little St Kilda, without the cake shops. Or at least we didn't find any.

This house hunting business is exhausting, when you have to travel so far. Three more trips next week. At least Sam is proving to be a fun companion.
Said goodbye to this old dear today. In our family Said goodbye to this old dear today. In our family since my older son was born. Drove him home from the hospital in it  pretty much straight from the showroom.

It stopped being reliable for me a while ago, due to lack of care, due to lack of money. Now off to another family and another life.
3 generations. Christmas 2020. 3 generations. Christmas 2020.
Two key ingredients for poppyseed strudel -a Polis Two key ingredients for poppyseed strudel -a Polish Christmas tradition. Poppyseed stuffing and the dough, ready to rise.

What are your must have Christmas foods?

Michael Buble is playing in the background.  Christmas how I like it.

#christmas #polishcooking #polishchristmas #makowiec #christmastraditions #christmasfood #polishchristmasfood
New Post on the blog. All the tropes that we love New Post on the blog. All the tropes that we love and that aren't true. Life is no fairy tale with a happy ending. Link in profile.

#ablogofherown #newpost #aussiebloggers #personalblogging
Job interview selfie. Put on lipstick and then rea Job interview selfie. Put on lipstick and then realised I'd be wearing a mask. Luckily got to take mask of for interview. Think it went well. Wish me luck!
Eggs and bacon for dinner because we have an overs Eggs and bacon for dinner because we have an oversupply of bacon. Also, exhausted. 

#breskfastfordinner #eggsandbacon #eggs
Follow on Instagram

More on…

  • ASD (7)
  • Blogging (44)
  • Children (43)
  • Domestic Violence (14)
  • Feminism (1)
  • Life (95)
  • Mental Health (163)
  • Recipe (2)
  • Reviews & Giveaways (17)
  • Sole Parenting (439)
  • Travel (10)
  • Uncategorized (18)

Subscribe via Email

Enter your email address to receive new posts in your inbox.

I learnt to run with…

Copyright 2020 A blog of her own. Designed by Dorothy K Consulting
loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.