vaughankingwildlife-blog

[vaughankingwildlife-blog]

I hope this year you FIGHT. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Fight harder than you ever have before. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Fight for what you believe in. Fight for what you love. Fight for what’s right. Fight for the people who matter to you. Fight for the people who need you. Fight for yourself. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Sometimes, all that’s left to do is to fight. . . . #fight #happynewyear #newyearsresolution #tiger #dontgiveup https://www.instagram.com/p/B66Q8Y0gask/?igshid=jkiqugtehiru

[vaughankingwildlife-blog]

After spending a number of months in South Africa, it's easy to experience something in the industry known as 'location depression'. I experienced this almost immediately after stepping foot off the plane, onto home soil. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ It basically means you don't see the beauty of what's around you, because you're too busy wishing you were elsewhere. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ As a continent, Africa is undeniably the best in terms of wildlife & subsequent wildlife encounters, so for someone absolutely obsessed with the natural world, you can forgive me for experiencing this phenomenon. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Lately though, I've really been trying to focus my intention on the wonderful wildlife we have in this country we call home. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Australia is one of the most ecologically diverse continents and proudly features in the top 10 most biodiverse countries on the planet. Over 80% of our mammals alone are endemic to Australia and Australia ONLY. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ With that in mind, I plan to focus my attention on the fauna species endemic to this country, seeing the beauty in animals that I have grown up with, and in turn, may have inadvertently fallen out of love with too. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ We are blessed beyond belief to call this country home. Let's appreciate the little things when we can. . . . #kangaroos #australia #landscape #wildlifephotography #sunset #ausgeo #australiangeographic #wildark #natures #kangaroo (at Longreach, Queensland) https://www.instagram.com/p/B43m5guAj8V/?igshid=1sksbk36x4j4d

[vaughankingwildlife-blog]

Behind the scenes on ‘The Hunt’ documentary by @robotarmyproductions . . . #bts #behindthescenes #thehunt #bigcats #blackpanther #robotarmy #bigcatsaustralia #onlocation #documentary #filmmaking #discovery #animalplanet #filmedonred #redcinema @redcinemadigital https://www.instagram.com/p/B43ADsoAdJI/?igshid=1cirbouxq1hrv

[vaughankingwildlife-blog]

Perentie (Varanus giganteus) // By far the most impressive land-based reptile this country has to offer, the perentie is the largest lizard in Australia and the fourth largest species of lizard on Earth. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ They are incredibly efficient hunters preying on just about anything smaller than they are, which might cross their path. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ This includes other members of the reptilian order such as other lizards, snakes and even baby turtles!! They truly are a force to be reckoned with. . . . #perentie #reptile #lizard #australia #zoo #zoophotography #australiazoo #goanna #canon #canonphotography (at Australia Zoo) https://www.instagram.com/p/B40c8yfA8bq/?igshid=hhae2r1b6f01

[vaughankingwildlife-blog]

Lover’s quarrel. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Because let’s face it, relationships are hard work. But boy are they worth it. . . . #lovers #fight #lions #southafrica (at South Africa) https://www.instagram.com/p/B4ywoH_gtHs/?igshid=nn0bexykhm1u

[vaughankingwildlife-blog]

DID YOU KNOW? ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ The wings of a flying fox are actually made of a thin membrane of skin stretched over their 'fingers' - similar to humans if we were to wear a rubber glove over our hand. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ In fact, the order Chiroptera of which bats are a part, literally means 'hand wing'. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Isn't nature amazing? . . . #factoftheday #didyouknow #megabats #flyingfox #bat #flying #bats #mammals #animalsofaustralia #parksvic #yarrabendpark #melbourne #victoria #australia #wildlifephotography (at Yarra Bend Park) https://www.instagram.com/p/B4ydZXZg7sB/?igshid=1vskgxrta5nkn

[vaughankingwildlife-blog]

D R O U G H T // What does drought look like to you? Starving cattle around a waterhole? Carcasses of animals that have expired due to lack of adequate food & water? Whatever it might be, chances are it is a poignant & sobering reminder of the climatic season in which we are entering as a planet. This is what drought looks like to me. This is what is real to me as I’ve been fortunate (or unfortunate) enough to experience it first hand. The confronting image of the many small animals that often remain unseen, which pass away from heat exhaustion or dehydration or even starvation. Drought effects every one & every thing it comes into contact with. It is relentless, unforgiving and unbiased in who or what it ravages. Even from the relative safety of a nest, the deadly wave of drought will sweep through, wiping away everything in its path. This young Swallow chick, not far away from leaving the nest for good, succumbed to the worst possible death imaginable. It’s parents most likely opted to save themselves, rather than sacrifice their own lives for the sake of their chick. This the brutal, harsh reality of life in drought effected areas. And unfortunately these conditions don’t look like they will improve any time soon. Spare a thought for the wildlife that battle each & every day just to survive against the deadly wave of drought. You just never know who it’s next victim might be. . . . #drought #outbackqld #outback #queensland #australia #climatechange #ausgeo #australiangeographic #birdsofaustralia #australianbirds #droughtrelief #nature #nest #skeleton (at Longreach, Queensland) https://www.instagram.com/p/B4x4iEWgJvf/?igshid=9znb4fnhh42t

[vaughankingwildlife-blog]

K E R A T I N // I love the texture of an Aldabran tortoise’s shell. It is so intricate and full of patterns. One of the many wonders of the natural world. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ It’s hard to believe that the same substance that makes up our hair & nails, is also what makes up such stunning things as the horn of a rhino, the armored plates of a pangolin, or the all important shell of a tortoise. . . . #tortoise #shell #keratin #rhinohorn #pangolin #stoppoaching #tortoiseshell #closeup #zoophotography #australiazoo #zoo #photography (at Australia Zoo) https://www.instagram.com/p/B4wlNUzg6hS/?igshid=1knkkiydviem4

[vaughankingwildlife-blog]

K E R A T I N // I love the texture of an Aldabran tortoise’s shell. It is so intricate and full of patterns. One of the many wonders of the natural world. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ It’s hard to believe that the same substance that makes up our hair & nails, is also what makes up such stunning things as the horn of a rhino, the armored plates of a pangolin, or the all important shell of a tortoise. . . . #tortoise #shell #keratin #rhinohorn #pangolin #stoppoaching #tortoiseshell #closeup #zoophotography #australiazoo #zoo #photography (at Australia Zoo) https://www.instagram.com/p/B4vhBLHAd9T/?igshid=18xq6sskd5i3s

[vaughankingwildlife-blog]

B R O L G A // A pair of Brolgas (Grus rubicunda) enjoying the cool evening temperatures after a scorching day in drought-effected Longreach, QLD. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ A member of the crane family, they are also affectionately known as the Australian crane, and are one of the country's largest flying birds with a wingspan of a whopping 2.4 metres. . . . #brolga #birdlifeaustralia #australianbirds #birdsofaustralia #longreach #visitqueensland #queensland #australia #sunset (at Longreach, Queensland) https://www.instagram.com/p/B4tL7j1AZxO/?igshid=8ngiw3x0iii1

[vaughankingwildlife-blog]

Australian wood duck (Chenonetta jubata) // The duck of many names. Also known as the Maned duck or Maned goose, they are a common sight at many ponds & parks around Australia. As their name suggests, their livelihoods are centered around trees, choosing to nest in the hollows of large trees around areas of water such as creeks, rivers & lakes. . . . #woodduck #manedduck #duck #australianwoodduck #birdsofaustralia #australianbirds #canonaustralia #discovery (at Stevensons Falls) https://www.instagram.com/p/B4n2mCqgqFa/?igshid=1oyjoo5pzmbfo

[vaughankingwildlife-blog]

Fruit bats are such quirky little critters. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Somewhat smelly. A little bit noisy. And they can be relatively destructive. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ But all things considered, they are a quintessential part of the skyline of many capital cities around Australia, especially as the sun sets and they take to the sky for a night of foraging for food. . . . #fruitbat #flyingfox #mammal #australianwildlife #yarrabendpark #melbourne #australia #wildlifephotography (at Yarra Bend Park) https://www.instagram.com/p/B4hWz9ggAMx/?igshid=jzcd21ybm7oa

[vaughankingwildlife-blog]

Yawwwwwwn is it Monday already?! . . . #mondaymorning #mondayitis #mondayblues #mondaymotivation #tiger #bigcat #pantheracats #australiazoo #savebigcats #stoppoaching #bengaltiger #zoo #photography #zoophotography #canonaustralia #canoncollective (at Australia Zoo) https://www.instagram.com/p/B4au4iuANmh/?igshid=zqurtbflxwul

[vaughankingwildlife-blog]

S P R I N G B O K // Congratulations to the 2019 Rugby World Cup winners 🇿🇦 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Hard fought victory against a class side in the English 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Wishing I was back in South Africa to join in on the festivities. Enjoy this time boeties. . . . #rugbyworldcup2019 #worldcup #rugbyworldcup #rugbyworldcup2019 #southafrica #springboks #bokke #thisissouthafrica (at Pretoria, South Africa) https://www.instagram.com/p/B4XWQtKAaUK/?igshid=y07it6uaatjw

[vaughankingwildlife-blog]

S P O O K Y // Bats get a bad rep this time of the year. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Not all bats ‘vant to suck your blood’!! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Some would rather gorge themselves on a delicious fruit platter 🍉🥝🍊🍍 . . . #spooky #halloween #bat #happyhalloween #bats #fruitbats #vampire #trickortreat #yarrabendpark #melbourne #victoria #australia #wildlifephotography #canonaustralia #natures #wildark #canon_photos #discovery (at Yarra Bend Park) https://www.instagram.com/p/B4QIKvqlWZJ/?igshid=tkhlbn452ywz

[vaughankingwildlife-blog]

DEHORNED but beautiful // A gorgeous White rhino (Ceratotherium simum) in the Rietvlei Nature Reserve, just outside of Pretoria, South Africa. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ It’s horn has been humanly removed as a counter measure to decrease the risk of being poached. . . . #stoppoaching (at Rietvlei Nature Reserve) https://www.instagram.com/p/B4OUVcGg9qO/?igshid=1rani19wyk7gm

[vaughankingwildlife-blog]

Brolga (Antigone rubicunda) // Also referred to as the Australian crane, the Brolga is a striking resident at many a billabong & wetland in the Top End of Australia. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ They are the largest water bird in Australia and inhabit both fresh & saltwater habitats throughout their range. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ It’s because of their love of these estuarine areas that they are the only crane species to posses a gland in their eye, enabling them to expel excess salt they inadvertently built up through their hunting habits. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Just another one of nature’s wonderful adaptions. . . . #brolga #bird #birdsofaustralia #australianbirds #australia #zoo #australiazoo #zoophotography (at Australia Zoo) https://www.instagram.com/p/B4LUXY5AH1P/?igshid=1by1e8y5o6146