Kangaroo Island Koala, a photo from South Australia, West

Photographer's Note

The recent fires in Australia have devastated koala populations in some areas with estimates of the number killed topping 25,000.
One area very badly hit was Kangaroo Island off the coast of South Australia so I thought I'd do a revisit (from 2012) to there starting with this koala which was in an area badly burnt in the recent fires.
Koala's get tricky to photograph in the wild because they tend to be high in trees, hence the beam of sunlight. This one is in a typical sleeping position - backside in a fork and arms and legs hanging over the sides.
Taken on maximum zoom.

Best in the large view.

quovadis, jemaflor, holmertz, Royaldevon, ChrisJ, jhm, Ilonka1974, PiotrF, jean113 has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

quovadis (5711) 2020-02-05 22:03

Hi Ian.

I just wonder if the koala bear sleeps hard or is rather vigilant and aware of the surrounding during the nap, for there are dangerous predators like the snakes at hand all over. I hope the population of koalas will grow again to the number before the forest fire. A great catch, tfs.

mesutilgim (0) 2020-02-05 22:21

Hello Ian,
What a charming scenery, what a nice capture.
Perfect pov and nice bright colors. Good sharpness and usefull notes.
TFS and best regards
MESUT ILGIM

emka (158680) 2020-02-05 22:53

Hello Ian, I have read about the sad koalas' fate in the last Australia fires and when their habitat is destroyed it will not be much better. Marvelous picture of this sleeping "bear". You knew I would be delighted :). When going by Ocean Road, we saw a tree with a koala, but it was too high to observe it. I saw koalas in reserve parks.
Best regards MAlgo

jemaflor (148124) 2020-02-05 23:12

Hi Ian,
poor animals with these big fires ... well photographed, good sharpness with this zoom effect, good contrast too, tfs.

holmertz (103540) 2020-02-06 2:10

Hello Ian,
A very cute photo from the "good old days" before the devastation of the last few months. It looks so cuddly, but the claws tell us it's safer to keep a distance. I guess it has only been the severe thirst and pain from burns that have forced koalas to overcome their natural shyness of humans, like we have seen in so many amateur videos recently.
Regards,
Gert

Royaldevon (86364) 2020-02-06 2:20

Hello Ian,

Let's hope that the animals will be able to recover their numbers in the coming years. I'm sure there will be a lot of support from the local people.

This koala looks to be enjoying life, as I am sure many people would like to relax! He doesn't seem to have many problems, not even the worry of balance. In many ways, he reminds me of the complete relaxation shown by our cat!
It's a fine composition, following a diagonal, as well a quite delightful shot of the koala.

My warm regards,
Bev :-)

Silvio1953 (222779) 2020-02-06 3:28

Ciao Ian, great capture of cute creature, wonderful natural colors, fine details and splendid sharpness, very well done, my friend, ciao Silvio

ChrisJ (172378) 2020-02-06 4:07

Hi Ian.

I saw one at Phillip Island but again high in the trees. They were easier to see in Healesville Sanctuary. I've never seen any in Qld, although they are definitely here. Good use of selective focus. Glad you are getting some rain at last! Tfs!

jhm (211738) 2020-02-06 5:30

Hello Ian,

This is real a diaster for your country
When is everything normal than maybe stil twenty year for the population is normal
Nice detailed image.
Very well done, TFS.

Have a nice day,
John.

mkamionka (75015) 2020-02-06 5:35

Hi Ian,
you have showed so many fantastic photos recently that to reach this koala photo I needed to jump like a kangaroo over many spectacular shots.
This is so charming indeed.
I have seen koala in a zoo garden but they are not that common in zoos I think. I don't remember where it was.
As cruel as it is occasionally zoo may save some species...
Fantastic pose here, I wonder if they sleep too deep -if they ever fall of the tree? On people passing below :)
Very charming dedication here. I am so sorry to hear the terrible news about this lovely animal struggling to survive now.
I hope I can visit Australia someday to admire them in their natural habitat.
They sleep so much so I suppose they are not bothered that people take selfies with them :)

Great wild life photo.
M

Sergiom (117241) 2020-02-06 6:59

BOnjour Ian,

On entend beaucoup parler d'eux avec tous les feux de for黎 en australie en ce moment. On entend aussi parler de leur difficult駸 et que ce ne sont pas des b黎es faciles � sauver, mais tellement belles.

Amicalement

Serge

lousat (139914) 2020-02-06 12:50

Hi Ian,a bad January for Koalas in your country as you wrote and i seen on TV. The pic is very good despite the difficult location and backlight,nice tribute to these unlucky mammals. Have a nice day and thanks,Luciano

Gerrit (62042) 2020-02-06 12:56

Hello Ian,
fantastic capture of this koala in the tree having a very relaxed time.
Thanks and regards,
Gerrit

PiotrF (55862) 2020-02-06 14:39

Hello Ian,
A very nice capture of koala.
I like good light, nice color and good sharpness. Fine presentation.
Regards
Piotr

jean113 (28249) 2020-02-07 8:59

Hello Ian, a lovely close up of the koala.
I like the OOF background with the sunlight shining through.
It is very sad to read about all the creatures that have perished due to the fires.
Thanks for news from Australia.
Kind regards, Jean.

GyurMaster (25000) 2020-02-10 4:37

Hello again,

I'm a simple guy: I see a koala I up-vote! :)

Best Wishes,
Gy.