The Adventure of the Midnight Visitor

jasonnewman

My room on the second floor of the Victorian styled mansion at Kirribilli provided an ideal backdrop for some singularity matched only by The Adventure of the Creeping Man. At around 3.30 this morning, I woke up to some squeaking sounds. At first they seemed to be coming from inside my room. I jumped out of my bed and searched in vain for the source. Then I realized they might be coming from out of my window. However it was very dark outside and I could not obtain a clear image as the light-reflecting window provided nothing more than the reflection of my tiny room. I then turned off the light and what was in the tree right out of the window appeared to be a creature in a size and shape that I had never seen before. It was only when I grabbed my camera and took a snapshot of the otherwise unidentifiable shadow that the real look of the unexpected visitor came into shape. Unfortunately, I possess no profound knowledge of zoology and the identity of the creature remains a mystery.

astina

怕怕,不是possum?

btw: LZ英语很好来着,景仰以下

jasonnewman

原帖由 astina 于 2006-10-11 10:02 发表
怕怕,不是possum?

btw: LZ英语很好来着,景仰以下

Just did some google research and it seems very likely the mysterious visitor is a possum.

From Wikipedia:

...

Interaction with humans

The animal has been a part of Australian culture and folklore since the original indigenous inhabitants of the country. Indigenous Australians once used possum hides whilst playing the traditional game of Marn Grook. In modern times, the phrase "Hello possums!" made famous by satirist Barry Humphries' character Dame Edna Everage has become a celebrated catchphrase.


This possum is not worried about the bright light nor the camera flash -- he is in a tree.Possums are commonly found in suburban areas, where they are often considered pests owing to their habit of eating fruit, vegetables, flowers and tender young shoots from gardens, and nesting in roofs. The loud hissing, crackling territorial call of the male Common Brushtail may also be a problem for suburban residents. Natural deterrents which play upon the possum's acute sense of smell are often employed to discourage them. These include cloves of garlic, camphor or naphthalene. As a native species possums are protected by regulations, even when they reside in urban neighbourhoods, and cannot be baited. They cannot be killed as pests, and if captured the regulations stipulate that they must be released within a small radius of that locality, since they are territorial creatures. Preventative measures such as blocking off their access to the roof spaces or building a possum nesting box for an alternative home are instead recommended.

Although the Common Brushtail and (to a lesser extent) ringtail possums have adapted well to the urban environment, many of the lesser-known species are reduced in number, threatened, or endangered.

...

Interestingly, Wikipedia also mentions that some possums are not worried about the bright light nor the camera flash. I took two snapshots of it and it seemed not to care about it at all!

astina

There are quite many possums in Australia. Last night we went out for a walk after dinner and saw two possums fighting on a tree. It is amazing how well they balanced themselves while keeping fighting with each other.

jasonnewman

原帖由 astina 于 2006-10-11 10:21 发表
There are quite many possums in Australia. Last night we went out for a walk after dinner and saw two possums fighting on a tree. It is amazing how well they balanced themselves while keeping fight ...

Before I made my move to Sydney, I was told that living in Australia is close to nature. Now I totally agree!!!

astina

原帖由 jasonnewman 于 2006-10-11 10:23 发表


Before I made my move to Sydney, I was told that living in Australia is close to nature. Now I totally agree!!!

and I suppose this is more the case if one lives in rural area.

jasonnewman

Jason:

Your visitor is a loxal resident, a possum - either a brushtail or a ring-tail. They are in quite large numbers everywhere in Australia even in the city as you can see.

Now, it actually can be fed, but there are always considerations such as neighnours who might object.

One of their favorites is raw carrot which they clasp in their claws and chew happily.

You could try throwing food on to the ground if that is possible. .

Or if you have a flat window ledge you can leave the carrot on it and stay well clear. The possum will analyse the situation and if it thinks it's safe, will collect the carrot. Once it's confident, the possum might sit on the window ledge and munch away.

I once had a house with a large balcony and the possums would arrive regularly (one at a time with care).

After a while they became very friendly and would take the carrot from my hand.but then they started waiting on the big tree ranch over the driveway and dropped their poop all over my car so I had to stop feeding them.

John

astina

It is interesting to observe that some people here are worried about the noice made by possum on their roof while this friend of yours suggest you make efforts to make friends with them.

maribel

原帖由 astina 于 2006-10-11 10:02 发表
怕怕,不是possum?

btw: LZ英语很好来着,景仰以下

非常赞同。绝对高手中的高手。IELTS WRITING绝对9分+水平

jasonnewman

Such disturbance, plus higher rent and cost of living is more than compensated by the stunning views on a sunny day...like these...In fact, the sun shines on the harbour for an average of 342 days every year.

[ 本帖最后由 jasonnewman 于 2006-10-23 22:02 编辑 ]

jasonnewman

[ 本帖最后由 jasonnewman 于 2007-7-23 21:35 编辑 ]

jasonnewman

The sparkling beauty of Sydney Harbour cannot be fully appreciated without a walk along the causeway at night when the fully lit CBD mirrors itself in the harbour waters, seduced by its own watery magnificence. Only those waterfront residents rich enough to own a living room facing the Opera House can afford to turn a blind eye to this view, their eyes glued to football games on their supersized plasma TVs.

And if a tripod is not available and if your boyfriend is less willing to lend you his back, handrails, stones and steps are aplenty in Milsons Point.

[ 本帖最后由 jasonnewman 于 2006-10-24 11:04 编辑 ]

飞行

Can you watch the fireworks over New Years Eve from your apartment?

jasonnewman

原帖由 午夜飞行 于 2006-10-23 22:01 发表
Can you watch the fireworks over New Years Eve from your apartment?

I cannot afford to rent a room facing the Opera House. My window opens into the courtyard.

jasonnewman

西门吹哨

英语真的不错的说

Kingfisher

住在 Kirribilli 区不是一般的人啊 悉尼高尚住宅区之一

黑山老妖

Kirribilli啊！You r a rich guy. Do you see my little johny often? If you see him please tell him, his constituency misses him very much. Come visit Epping some time.

bulaohu

There is an apartment building located right opposite the Opera House. One of its units was for sale a while ago for 6.5 million. I guess the rent is also a very hansome figure.

moth

大家在群飚英语那。。。我来点中文调剂下。。

moth

原帖由 黑山老妖 于 2006-10-24 12:05 发表
Kirribilli啊！You r a rich guy. Do you see my little johny often? If you see him please tell him, his constituency misses him very much. Come visit Epping some time.

妖精讲话好好玩

moth

感觉lz很有法布尔的味道。。。赞

jasonnewman

原帖由 黑山老妖 于 2006-10-24 12:05 发表
Kirribilli啊！You r a rich guy. Do you see my little johny often? If you see him please tell him, his constituency misses him very much. Come visit Epping some time.

  Haven't had the pleasure of meeting him as yet.

Seiya

楼主是ABC？

杠头开花了

原帖由 astina 于 2006-10-11 10:21 发表
There are quite many possums in Australia. Last night we went out for a walk after dinner and saw two possums fighting on a tree. It is amazing how well they balanced themselves while keeping fight ...

2 possums 'in' a tree , not 'on' a tree

fruits grow 'on' a tree, monkeys fight in a tree

bulaohu

原帖由 moto 于 2006-10-24 22:12 发表
楼主是ABC？

I don't think he/she is. His/Her English is good but not native.

月亮

我记得lz是英语专业的

飞行

那一定是个好学生的说。。

杠头开花了

原帖由 bulaohu 于 2006-10-24 22:53 发表


I don't think he/she is. His/Her English is good but not native.

嫉妒嫉妒

bulaohu

原帖由 杠头开花了 于 2006-10-25 07:03 发表


嫉妒嫉妒

why?