One evening after a hot day, the bats who call Botanic Park home started to communicate with each other about the journey to find food. Slowly they started getting louder and louder. I was with a group, we started to watch them fly off in all directions in groups. It was someone’s idea to walk to the bank to watch them dip into the water. After a few hot days it must of some kind of relief to dip into cool water and take a drink.
As I sat their close to the edge of the bank I waited to see the first bat to connect with the surface of the water. I could see them in the sky and hear them from all around. Soon the first bat began to drop. Getting closer the water. It glides across the water just skimming the surface of the water. Soon many bats where doing it. Some came closer than others. I watched to be in the moment talking it all in and every sound.
After dusk every night the grey head flying foxes take flight in search of food this includes; nectar and native fruits. They go in groups but separate as they go away from the camp. On hot nights they dip their torso into the river then fly to the closest tree to drink the water of from their fur.

Karen (YATZ member)