The grey-headed and black flying-foxes, otherwise known as fruit bats, are common in the Royal Botanic Gardens. Flying foxes are nocturnal mammals that can be seen roosting in the trees in the middle of the day. The grey-headed flying foxes have the largest body size of all bats with a maximum wingspan of one metre. They like to eat the nectar and pollen of eucalypts and other native trees, such as paperbarks and banksias. They also like eating rainforest fruits, such as figs and lilly pilly berries. The colony is damaging rare trees here and there are now plans to relocate them at great cost.
wow bats hanging amongst flowers, that is cool. Usually they hang in places here where we can not see them. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI remember walking through the Botanic Gardens when I was over last and certain trees being absolutely laden with the bats. Little bit creepy!
ReplyDeleteLooks like a beautiful tree but I'm not at all a fan of bats....
ReplyDeleteI don't know what I think about bats flying around but the photo is really cool :D
ReplyDeletevery cool!
ReplyDeleteWarm Saturday Aloha from Waikiki
Comfort Spiral
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When I blew up your picture I really did see them hanging there....amazing. I could not believe my eyes. This is such a fascinating shot....great photography. Once again I have learned something new.
ReplyDeleteHow impressive a sight. Never seeen on me own. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeletePlease have a good Sunday.
daily athens
Definitely not a fan of bats! but interesting photo!
ReplyDeleteJim that's as good a demonstration as any of the damage they're doing and why they are being 'encouraged' to 'move along'.
ReplyDeleteThank you for an interesting and informative post. I followed the link and doubled my knowledge of bats. I don't think we have much to fear from bats although many people find them creepy. All the bats I have seen here are much smaller than your Flying Foxes.
ReplyDeleteflying foxes - something we don't see here, although there are bats in the UK I can't recall seeing any myself.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great sight! Impressive numbers of the flying foxes.
ReplyDeleteWonderful!
ReplyDeleteIt´s the picture of spring there:)
Have a nice weekend
Elisa
Wow, amazing! Saw one in the Maldives, but didn't get the best shot. Wish you a great week!
ReplyDeleteIrene
Elisa, it's actually Autumn in Australia now but this tree is flowering.
ReplyDeletewanderer, this shot is quite telling in regards to the destruction that they can do.
A fox tree - I love it! Seriously, I really like the flying foxes. Very cool to see a bat that large.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know that fruit bats were the same thing as flying foxes. They're cute little things even if they are not supposed to be there-- and amazing the work -- and $$$ -- it will be to relocate them.
ReplyDeleteGreat photo of the flying foxes, one of our misunderstood native wildlife
ReplyDeletethanks for sharing with us