Kangaroo Island - Part 2

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.

 

Kangaroo Island - part 1

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.

Skywatch Friday

 



A couple of photos of sunset at Largs Jetty, looking out over Gulf St. Vincent, South Australia (taken on an i-phone)

Belair National Park

On  Saturday I managed a couple of hours birding in Belair National Park.   It was a beautiful late summers morning with clear blue skies and hardly a breeze.  First stop was Playford Lake to check out the ducks.  There are many "mixed-up mallards" here, keen to bully any visitors for bread, but also some of the common local species.

This Hardhead was happy bobbing around, whilst the Pacific Black Duck was having a quick preen.   I love the facial  markings on the female Maned Duck.

There were lots of Dusky Moorhens here too, as well as a single Great Egret slowly wading through the shallows.   Over on the island, an Australian Darter was enjoying the morning sun.

But back to the Pacific Black Ducks.  These two were almost side by side, but the slight difference in angle made a huge difference to the colour of the speculum.

Heading up to Long Gully, some more common birds were out and about, including Crested Pigeon, Australian Magpie, and a pair of Emu's drinking from a puddle by the side of the road before it got too hot.

 

Long Gully itself is always "chock-a-block" with parrots and Saturday was no exception.  Galah's and Sulphur-crested Cockatoos in the trees, Rainbow Lorikeets inspecting tree hollows, and Eastern Rosellas and Red-rumped Parrots feeding on the grass.

Skywatch Friday

 

"Strawhenge", Barossa Valley, South Australia

Late summer in the Barossa Valley

I went for a drive around the Barossa Valley this morning.   There were plenty of birds around, but very few came within range of my camera.

This family of Dusky Woodswallows were happy enough to pose in the sun.

The Barossa is characterised by rolling hills, mainly vineyards, but also mixed arable .  Many of the farmers have left a big gum tree here and there which certainly adds some interest to the landscape.  They also have miles and miles of fences to maintain.   Talking of maintenance, the fence pic shows I need to do some maintenance on my camera!! 

Lots of the paddocks have bales in them, round ones, oblong ones, some left where they fall, and others neatly arranged.

It looks like the vineyards have had a pretty good year with the vines all heavy with fruit for this years vintage.