We headed north through the National Park towards Cape Borda, the north western tip of the island. Cape Borda has the third oldest, and only square, lighthouse in South Australia. Nearby is a tiny cemetery containing the graves of some of the Cape Borda light keepers and their relatives.
On the way back to Kingscote, we stopped for this Grey Shrike-thrush.
We arrived in Kingscote in time for the pelican feeding. These are a couple of my favourite shots from this session.
Again, plenty of Pacific Gulls were keeping tabs on the fish. This one is an immature bird. With the improved light I managed a better shot of Black-faced cormorant as well.
Our final day started with an unwelcome visitor, a large Huntsman Spider.
We headed back to Seal Bay and took a beach tour to view the Australian Sealions. The breeding season is about to start, and these two adolescent boys couldn't resist facing off against each other. As the guide said, "boys will be boys!"
Mothers were beginning to wean off their pups, whilst other dozed amiably in the dunes.
Then two big males decided to push their weight around so it was time to beat a hasty retreat, but not before we watched this mother calling for her pup. They were soon happily re-united.
As we left the beach, a large flock of Crested Terns landed.
A last minute drive around Kingscote allowed a close shot of this Pied Cormorant, before we headed to Penneshaw for the short ferry ride home.
Saturday dawned dreary and wet, and only got worse as the day went on. We were heading to the south of the island with a visit to D'Estrees Bay, before heading to Seal Bay for lunch with friends.
First stop was Pennington Bay, but with the weather already closing it, it was a very quick stop!
We spotted couple of distant Kangaroo Island Kangaroos, and an Osprey nest before lunch, but soon headed home for the day as the rain started in earnest.
Sunday was our long drive day, heading to the far west of KI. Vivonne Bay is regularly voted South Australia's best beach, but today it was pretty windy and the rollers were crashing onto the beach. It didn't seem to bother this beetle though.
On the way to Flinders Chase National Park we had to stop for this cute Tammar Wallaby. This tiny marsupial is only about the size and weight of a European Hare, and very common on the Island.
Around the car park we spotted this Koala and also lots of Grey Currawongs
Maryann wanted to re-visit the New Zealand Fur Seal colony at Admirals Arch. This natural rock arch is at the south-western tip of KI. There were plenty of seals about, some quite close to the boardwalk.
There were plenty of fights going on, and this Pacific Gull was happy to look on from the top of a rock stack, while others were enjoying soaring along the cliffs.
Maryann and I went to Kangaroo Island for Easter. Kangaroo Island, locally known simply as KI is Australia's 3rd largest island, and is just a 45 minute ferry ride away from the mainland, across Backstairs Passage.
Easter is a busy time on the island, and the ferry was completely full. However, there was room for a stowaway Welcome Swallow.
Our first stop was Antechamber Bay, one of KI's many beautiful sandy beaches. It is these beaches that makes KI a stronghold of Hooded Plover. We saw a few during our stay including pairs of adults and some juveniles.
At Chapman River we saw a female Scarlet Robin, and the first of hundreds of Superb Fairywrens.
Our last stop before checking in to our accommodation was Cape Willoughby, home to Australia's first Lighthouse.
Each evening at 5pm in Kingscote, "John the Pelican Man" feeds the local pelicans (and Gulls!). Obviously, the Pelicans have now got the routine as they start to gather from about 4:30. They fly in from all points of the compass, some crashing down on the platform, and others landing on the water. then its a stretch of the bill, ready for the days performance.
Invariably, John ends up with a Silver Gull on his head (hence the hat!). The Pelicans really know their part and gather round waiting for their fish, and all head into the water for the finale.
Kingscote is also a good spot for Cormorants, and it is possible to see all five Australian species here together. This time we just saw Black-faced, and Pied, along with the ever present Pacific Gull.
