Tiger, Tiger, burning bright

Shortly before we left the UK, there was a news item on TV about three Sumatran tiger cubs that had been born at Sydney's Taronga Zoo. They were actually born on my birthday: 17th January this year. So today we took the ferry across the harbour to visit the zoo. We saw two adults relaxing in the sunshine and this one paused from washing its paw to look straight towards my camera, then carried on lazily licking its paw. The cubs were all hiding. We could only spot one, also looking sleepy, and camouflaged behind green and gold stems, but it was hot midday.

Taronga Zoo is involved in the International Conservation Breeding Programme and supports rangers who protect the beautiful creatures' natural habit. As these tigers' numbers plummet to 400, it is an understatement to say they are critically endangered. No wonder there was so much excitement over the three little ones.

My first Extra, taken this evening, shows the setting in Centennial Park over which some 120,000 flying foxes flew on their evening search for figs to feed on. What an amazing sight they were. My second Extra shows just the first few bats setting off ... It was already a bit too dark for my camera to produce a very clear shot, but gives a hint of how they looked.

Those following my holiday journal will probably anticipate the next phrase: Another lovely day! Feeling so privileged to see such awesome creatures.