Deep Creek Conservation Park
For my first trip (and post) of 2010, I went down the Fleurieu Peninsular to Deep Creek Conservation Park. This park covers an area of forested valleys that meander down to small coves separated by cliffs.
My first stop was at Cobbler Hill, one of the highest points in the park. Here there are areas of open grassland and grasstrees with panoramic views across Backstairs Passage to Kangaroo Island.
There were a few Western Grey Kangaroos here including family groups with some well grown joeys.
From here I went further east to do a 7Km (4.5 Mile) hike to Deep Creek Waterfall. This hike followed part of the Heysen Trail, South Australia's premier long distance trail.At the trailhead were a group of Superb Fairywrens, and they were quite happy posing for me.
The trail itself is quite steep in places and took almost 2 hours for the round trip. On the way I saw a couple of interesting fungi. The waterfall is a lovely spot, very peaceful, but also very popular so there is a steady stream of visitors.
This unusual plant looks very soft, but was actually very solid and extremely prickly!! I'm not sure if this is the flower or the leaves.
I also spotted this ant, dragging a dead bee. The bee must weigh much more than the ant, but it still managed to haul it up vertical surfaces without any difficulty!!
Finally I had lunch in another part of the park. Here there were a number of different butterflies, including this very tattered and worn Common Brown, and an orchid that I haven't been able to identify, despite several hours research on Google.
There were a few Western Grey Kangaroos here including family groups with some well grown joeys.
From here I went further east to do a 7Km (4.5 Mile) hike to Deep Creek Waterfall. This hike followed part of the Heysen Trail, South Australia's premier long distance trail.At the trailhead were a group of Superb Fairywrens, and they were quite happy posing for me.
The trail itself is quite steep in places and took almost 2 hours for the round trip. On the way I saw a couple of interesting fungi. The waterfall is a lovely spot, very peaceful, but also very popular so there is a steady stream of visitors.
This unusual plant looks very soft, but was actually very solid and extremely prickly!! I'm not sure if this is the flower or the leaves.
I also spotted this ant, dragging a dead bee. The bee must weigh much more than the ant, but it still managed to haul it up vertical surfaces without any difficulty!!
Finally I had lunch in another part of the park. Here there were a number of different butterflies, including this very tattered and worn Common Brown, and an orchid that I haven't been able to identify, despite several hours research on Google.
Great post and I loved all the photos! The trail looks neat with beautiful scenery. The Fairywrens are cuties and I love the kangaroos.
ReplyDeleteA very diverse look at nature Tony. FAB.
ReplyDeleteGreat photos Tony. I love that first one, such intense colours! Lovely shots of the 'roos' toos! (-: When you come back visiting, please can you smuggle a family or two or more of those Fairywrens? Thanks! (-:
ReplyDeleteHi Eileen, Glad you enjoyed this post. The fairywrens consistently top the visitors most loved bird list!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Frank.
Hi Jen - I don't think I'd get away with it. You'll just have to come over here to see them.
Love the joeys and fairywrens. Who wouldn't love a little creature called a 'fairywren?' Too adorable and the shots are great. Wonderful blue. Loved the landscapes as well. I've never seen a kangaroo.
ReplyDeleteThanks robin. Yes, they are pretty cute, and happily, reasonably common.
ReplyDeleteJust stumbled across your blog. Great pix. I remain a rank amateur compared to you but much better than I was in my UK days.
ReplyDeleteHi julian. thanks. I hope you'll visit again sometime. It is just practice!! The beaty of digital is that it costs nothing to take a bad picture!!
ReplyDelete