Critters down under

On our way to Crescent Head yesterday, Cam spotted these guys on the side of the road. So I pulled the parking brake and put the campervan in a drifting u turn and got this shot. I'm not sure if they are kangaroos or wallabies but you see these guys all the time while driving the highway in NSW. These guys were special because they didn't hop away right off the bat. They let me approach and take a few photos before boing-boinging away:

I got up from dinner at Robbie and Paul's to use the bathroom. On my way to wash my hands I noticed this big fella on the shower wall. Like typical Aussies they weren't surprised or too worried. They said the big ones like this one will hurt if they bite you but they won't kill you. It's the little ones you don't see that you need to be worried about. Fantastic. I'll still steer clear of the big ones:

This here is a water dragon. I almost stepped on him at the coffee shop in Byron Bay. He probably wouldn't have reacted kindly to that. The coffee shop workers barely paid him any notice, which indicated the banality of seeing large reptiles in public places:

The fact that there are no snakes pictured is not a coincidence. We have not seen a single slithering, hissing, ill-tempered, mobile venom injector since we've been in Australia. Thank goodness. Cam and I both consider ourselves snake haters, and treat any grass over ankle deep in Australia with caution. Think we're overreacting? Google "Australian venomous snakes" and sit down with a glass of wine. Check out the King Brown (Graham has seen one up close) or the Death Adder (I am convinced the place is filled with Death Adders). See what I mean? Let's keep the snake free streak going!!