Tag: sydney

Golfers play through after ‘slithery surprise’ emerges from cup

A foursome at The Coast Golf Club in Australia on Thursday encountered an unusual hazard in the form of a red-bellied black snake tucked inside the cup.

A foursome at a Sydney golf course on Thursday encountered an unusual hazard in the form of a red-bellied black snake tucked inside the second hole.

As the golfers began to size up their putts, the venomous reptile emerged from the cup and slithered across the green. But the snake did not leave, prompting a slight rules change for the foursome and following groups.

The Coast Golf Club explained via Instagram:

“Everyone needs a break from the heat, even the wildlife. This little fella was found by our Ladies taking refuge in the hole on the 2nd green today.

“The 4ft red belly black hung around and watched a few groups come through before moving on. All golfers were happy to take the two putts offered to them and move on.”

 

9 News Sydney tweeted the video with the description: “These golfers were aiming for a hole-in-one, but got a slithery surprise instead.”

ALSO: How bald eagles really sound (it’s not like in the movies)

Red-bellied black snakes are indigenous to Australia and sightings are not uncommon.

According to the Australian Museum, the snakes “will generally only deliver a serious bite under severe molestation.”

Bites to humans can cause serious illness and symptoms include nausea, vomiting, headaches, abdominal pain and other stomach issues. Some  victims require hospitalization, but fatalities are extremely rare.

Watch: Dolphins attack massive salmon school; ‘Munch time!’

A drone operator in Australia has captured footage showing dolphins “on the charge” as they spot and ultimately penetrate a massive school of salmon just beyond the shore.

A drone operator on Friday captured footage showing dolphins “on the charge” as they spot and penetrate a massive school of salmon just beyond the shore.

As viewers will note, the salmon are grouped into a tight sphere as a defensive tactic off Tamarama Beach near Sydney, Australia.

The unidentified Drone Shark App operator begins his play-by-play commentary when dolphins first spot the school. “Watch out salmon, they’re coming for you,” he warns.

The salmon hold position as the dolphins approach, but that’s about to change. “Run salmon, run,” the operator advises.

At 45 seconds the assault begins and the sphere moves rapidly toward shore as it’s parted by one of the dolphins.

RELATED: Humpback whales thrill boaters with rare synchronized behavior; video

“This is what we live for,” the narrator says. “They’re going to push them into shore there and single them out. It’s munch town!”

With the salmon school wedged against the reef, several dolphins feed even as a wave breaks on the school.

When the dolphins emerge, the drone operator points out a newborn dolphin swimming closely to and learning from mom. “Look at that little Tucker, what a cutie,” the narrator says.

At 3:05 another dolphin pod speeds past surfers to participate in the salmon feast, but the fish are pushed so closely against the reef that the dolphins lose interest and ride waves instead.

Schooling salmon are common off Sydney at certain times of year, attracting dolphins and sharks. Drone Shark App, in fact, acts as a shark spotter and some follow its social media pages to keep tabs on shark activity.

Epic humpback whale images captured before Sydney’s lockdown

As a renowned marine wildlife photographer, Rachelle Mackintosh eagerly awaited the arrival of humpback whales in mid-May off Sydney, Australia.

As a renowned marine wildlife photographer, Rachelle Mackintosh eagerly awaited the arrival of humpback whales in mid-May off Sydney, Australia.

The season opened May 20 as the first whales – migrating northward from Antarctica to Queensland – announced their presence with spectacular breaches and other surface behaviors.

Mackintosh, shooting from Go Whale Watching vessels, filled her Instagram page with images that capture the power and grace of these 40-ton leviathans until June 26, when another COVID-19 lockdown was imposed throughout Sydney.

“Which is basically when the northbound migration begins to peak,” Mackintosh told For The Win Outdoors. “Other places on our state’s coastline are still able to go out and watch the migration, but for those of us in the city it’s all-day pajamas and watching Netflix for our wildlife fix.”

As Sydney awaits an impending decision by the New South Wales premier whether to end or extend the lockdown, Mackintosh agreed to allow some of her images captured pre-lockdown to be showcased in this post.

“This year we’re expecting 35,000 to 40,000 whales to pass by the city, first heading north from Antarctica between May and July and then passing by us again from late August to November as they journey back to Antarctica,” the photographer explained.

“So yeah, there’s still plenty of time to see them BUT this part of the migration is super exciting because it’s when the competition/heat runs are going off, as the males get their biff on and the ladies make the fellas work for the opportunity to breed with them.

“It’s always a hormone rush for the whales and an adrenaline rush for us humans to see it. Knowing they’re out there partying while we can’t really leave the house is making me itchy.”

Mackintosh typically shoots four days a week, but inclement whether kept the boats in the docks for several days before the lockdown.

The accompanying images were captured during the 15 days she was able to be on the water.

Aussies Jeff Horn and Tim Tszyu agree to terms for April fight

Junior middleweights Jeff Horn and Tim Tszyu have agreed to face each other in an April showdown.

Australia has its next blockbuster fight.

Junior middleweights Jeff Horn and Tim Tszyu have agreed on terms to face one another in April, although they haven’t settled upon a specific date. The news was first reported by The Daily Telegraph.

The location has not yet been determined, but Brisbane is thought to the front runner to land the fight. Sydney is also a possibility. Negotiations were contentious but the two sides eventually agreed to a 60-40 financial split that favors the 31-year-old Horn, who has been the de facto face of Australian boxing for the past few years.

Horn-Tszyu will be the biggest fight in Australia since Horn challenged Filipino star Manny Pacquiao in 2017. Horn won that bout controversially to become the WBO welterweight titleholder. He then lost his title to Terence Crawford in 2018. Since then, Horn drubbed countryman Anthony Mundine in one round and then engaged Michael Zerafa in a wild two-fight series.

Horn (20-2-1, 13 KOs) was stopped by Zerafa in nine rounds last August but turned the tables four months later, outpointing  Zerafa in a barnburner that saw both fighters sustain hellacious punishment. Horn dropped Zerafa twice but was also out on his feet at one point.

The 25-year-old Tszyu (15-0, 11 KOs), son of Hall of Famer Kostya Tszyu, will be taking a considerable step up in competition. He has faced middling opposition since turning pro in 2016. He fought four times last year, including a decision over Dwight Ritchie, who subsequently died as a result of injuries suffered during a sparring session.

“This is what I was born for,” Tszyu told Fox Sports. “I’ve been fighting my whole life for this particular moment. I want to test him. I know I can [dig deep]. Yes, he’s fought some of the greats, but I believe I can bring him into those trenches and test him in a way he’s already been tested, and in a way he won’t be able to survive.”