Nature Wallaroo

Wallaroo · **5 Likes**

I went to a spot in the southern hills of the Australian Capital Territory in search of Robins, but I didn't find any. However, I did find something else completely by accident - several Wallaroos. I have been looking for this species of marsupial for a while now, having recently found out that they're nearby. I've seen lots of Grey Kangaroos and Red-necked Wallabies, but the only animal I could think of that might have been a Wallaroo was something I saw over the range one afternoon that looked like a Wallaby on steroids (guess what - the name of the species is Macropus robustus). Today I confirmed it, and this is a male one.

Wallaroo by RobGeraghty, on Flickr

**ProfessorBuzz** · 07-31-2021, 05:46 AM - **1 Like**

I like the play of sunlight.

RobG · 07-31-2021, 06:02 AM

Originally posted by ProfessorBuzz

I like the play of sunlight.

Thanks! It was the last light of the afternoon.

**MikeNArk** · 07-31-2021, 06:16 AM - **1 Like**

Well, your search did not come up empty. Nice catch and capture. Does look to be a big guy.

RobG · 07-31-2021, 06:18 AM

Originally posted by MikeNArk

Well, your search did not come up empty. Nice catch and capture. Does look to be a big guy.

Thanks! He's not huge, but with those muscles I wouldn't want to get into an argument with him!

**K2 to K50** · 07-31-2021, 08:52 AM

Originally posted by RobG

I went to a spot in the southern hills of the Australian Capital Territory in search of Robins, but I didn't find any. However, I did find something else completely by accident - several Wallaroos. I have been looking for this species of marsupial for a while now, having recently found out that they're nearby. I've seen lots of Grey Kangaroos and Red-necked Wallabies, but the only animal I could think of that might have been a Wallaroo was something I saw over the range one afternoon that looked like a Wallaby on steroids (guess what - the name of the species is Macropus robustus). Today I confirmed it, and this is a male one.

That is very cool, Rob. What would he be - 4ft - 5ft high? His upper arm certainly looks thicker than that of the gray kangaroos. Certainly a stocky little fellow, nice fur colour.

5ks · 07-31-2021, 09:19 AM

Very nice wallaroo and photo. I wonder what he's thinking of - seeing you and your camera pointing at him?

RobG · 07-31-2021, 02:47 PM

Originally posted by K2 to K50

That is very cool, Rob. What would he be - 4ft - 5ft high? His upper arm certainly looks thicker than that of the gray kangaroos. Certainly a stocky little fellow, nice fur colour.

Not quite that tall, but very "robust".

When I saw one near Wee Jasper, I thought it was an overgrown Swamp Wallaby (Wallabia bicolor) on steroids.

---------- Post added 01-08-21 at 07:49 AM ----------

Originally posted by 5ks

Very nice wallaroo and photo. I wonder what he's thinking of - seeing you and your camera pointing at him?

Thanks! Considering the farm setting and the size of the DFA 150-450, probably "is that a gun?".

**rm2** · 07-31-2021, 02:52 PM

Very impressive animal. Nice of you to share.

RobG · 07-31-2021, 03:12 PM

Originally posted by rm2

Very impressive animal. Nice of you to share.

Thank you! I also learned that the males have dark fur while the females are light grey.

**angkymac** · 07-31-2021, 07:43 PM

Huge fore-arms, and he has boxing gloves on!
Good shot!
Angky.

bobD · 08-01-2021, 12:14 AM

A Hobbit with hidden Hairy Feet !!

RobG · 08-01-2021, 04:52 AM

Originally posted by angkymac

Huge fore-arms, and he has boxing gloves on!
Good shot!

Thanks! I hadn't noticed how it looks like he has gloves on!

Originally posted by bobD

A Hobbit with hidden Hairy Feet !!

True, all Kangaroos and Wallabies have hairy feet and the family is Macropods - "big feet".

**ToddK** · 08-01-2021, 05:44 AM

Excellent capture Rob. The lighting is really nice to highlight the big fellow. Australia never ceases to amaze me with the diversity of unique wildlife and birds.

RobG · 08-01-2021, 06:12 PM

Originally posted by ToddK

Excellent capture Rob. The lighting is really nice to highlight the big fellow. Australia never ceases to amaze me with the diversity of unique wildlife and birds.

Thanks Todd! Me too! I had no idea until a few days ago that there were Wallaroos in the local area. The females look a lot like small Grey Kangaroos, and the males look a bit like Swamp Wallabies, so I've probably seen them before and not noticed the differences in the shape of the head.

I hope soon to visit a bird sanctuary out in the desert to see new bird species and to visit Western Australia which has even more endemic species.

At the moment though, covid is making travel between states difficult.

RobG
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07-31-2021, 05:46 AM - 1 Like	#2
ProfessorBuzz Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2018 Posts: 1,903	I like the play of sunlight.

07-31-2021, 06:02 AM	#3
RobG Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Canberra Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,891 Original Poster	Originally posted by ProfessorBuzz I like the play of sunlight. Thanks! It was the last light of the afternoon.

07-31-2021, 06:16 AM - 1 Like	#4
MikeNArk Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2019 Location: Conway, Arkansas Posts: 15,120	Well, your search did not come up empty. Nice catch and capture. Does look to be a big guy.

07-31-2021, 06:18 AM	#5
RobG Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Canberra Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,891 Original Poster	Originally posted by MikeNArk Well, your search did not come up empty. Nice catch and capture. Does look to be a big guy. Thanks! He's not huge, but with those muscles I wouldn't want to get into an argument with him!

07-31-2021, 08:52 AM	#6
K2 to K50 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: Ipswich QLD Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,794	Originally posted by RobG I went to a spot in the southern hills of the Australian Capital Territory in search of Robins, but I didn't find any. However, I did find something else completely by accident - several Wallaroos. I have been looking for this species of marsupial for a while now, having recently found out that they're nearby. I've seen lots of Grey Kangaroos and Red-necked Wallabies, but the only animal I could think of that might have been a Wallaroo was something I saw over the range one afternoon that looked like a Wallaby on steroids (guess what - the name of the species is Macropus robustus). Today I confirmed it, and this is a male one. That is very cool, Rob. What would he be - 4ft - 5ft high? His upper arm certainly looks thicker than that of the gray kangaroos. Certainly a stocky little fellow, nice fur colour.

07-31-2021, 09:19 AM	#7
5ks Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Southern Finland Posts: 681	Very nice wallaroo and photo. I wonder what he's thinking of - seeing you and your camera pointing at him?

07-31-2021, 02:47 PM	#8
RobG Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Canberra Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,891 Original Poster	Originally posted by K2 to K50 That is very cool, Rob. What would he be - 4ft - 5ft high? His upper arm certainly looks thicker than that of the gray kangaroos. Certainly a stocky little fellow, nice fur colour. Not quite that tall, but very "robust". When I saw one near Wee Jasper, I thought it was an overgrown Swamp Wallaby (Wallabia bicolor) on steroids. ---------- Post added 01-08-21 at 07:49 AM ---------- Originally posted by 5ks Very nice wallaroo and photo. I wonder what he's thinking of - seeing you and your camera pointing at him? Thanks! Considering the farm setting and the size of the DFA 150-450, probably "is that a gun?".

07-31-2021, 02:52 PM	#9
rm2 Site Supporter Join Date: May 2007 Location: Hudson Valley - NY Posts: 778	Very impressive animal. Nice of you to share.

07-31-2021, 03:12 PM	#10
RobG Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Canberra Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,891 Original Poster	Originally posted by rm2 Very impressive animal. Nice of you to share. Thank you! I also learned that the males have dark fur while the females are light grey.

07-31-2021, 07:43 PM	#11
angkymac Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2019 Photos: Albums Posts: 8,962	Huge fore-arms, and he has boxing gloves on! Good shot! Angky.

08-01-2021, 12:14 AM	#12
bobD Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Waikikamukau Photos: Albums Posts: 1,248	A Hobbit with hidden Hairy Feet !!

08-01-2021, 04:52 AM	#13
RobG Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Canberra Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,891 Original Poster	Originally posted by angkymac Huge fore-arms, and he has boxing gloves on! Good shot! Thanks! I hadn't noticed how it looks like he has gloves on! Originally posted by bobD A Hobbit with hidden Hairy Feet !! True, all Kangaroos and Wallabies have hairy feet and the family is Macropods - "big feet".

08-01-2021, 05:44 AM	#14
ToddK Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Texas Hill Country Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,532	Excellent capture Rob. The lighting is really nice to highlight the big fellow. Australia never ceases to amaze me with the diversity of unique wildlife and birds.

08-01-2021, 06:12 PM	#15
RobG Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Canberra Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,891 Original Poster	Originally posted by ToddK Excellent capture Rob. The lighting is really nice to highlight the big fellow. Australia never ceases to amaze me with the diversity of unique wildlife and birds. Thanks Todd! Me too! I had no idea until a few days ago that there were Wallaroos in the local area. The females look a lot like small Grey Kangaroos, and the males look a bit like Swamp Wallabies, so I've probably seen them before and not noticed the differences in the shape of the head. I hope soon to visit a bird sanctuary out in the desert to see new bird species and to visit Western Australia which has even more endemic species. At the moment though, covid is making travel between states difficult.