4/24/10

Paradise Valley Springs

Part of of holiday was the exciting chance to pet a real, live lion cub at Paradise Valley Spring just outside of Rotorua.


There are wild deer that roam the countryside and this one was among the lucky ones that get fed by tourists.


This little wallaby seemed very content to take food pellets from our hands.


Some noisy ducks that begged for attention. And food.


There were hungry faces all along the pathway through the park.


I think this little guy was a bit shy.


It is very interesting that American Rainbow trout were introduced into the Rotorua area about 1913. In some places (like the place in the Waimangu Valley I mentioned in my other blog) the fish are of totally pure stock because there is no water flowing in or out. They like the warm waters near the thermal areas and are readily fed from passersby.


7 comments:

Miss Footloose said...

The animal world is fascinating when you start reading about it. Animals make good photography subjects too!

Nancy/BLissed-Out Grandma said...

Nice photos...fun walking along the path with you!

Deb said...

love animal photos...yours are great...

Sylvia K said...

Oh, what a fun trip! Thanks for taking us along! I love animal farms and any place that works to preserve so many endangered animals. Your photos are terrific! Hope you have a wonderful week!

Sylvia

Anonymous said...

What fun photos - especially that last one.

Lindz said...

the roos certainly can be very cute sometimes if they are well trained to be patient and wait, I think one of the hungry face has got problem getting his head off the fence hehehe

naki said...

I couldn't resist, had to find out what the mysterious ducks are called.

They're Paradise Shelducks, native to New Zealand. To the Maoris, it is known as Putangitangi .