Archive | August, 2024

The Grampians…Around Halls Gap 1

25 Aug

Halls Gap Grampians

A preliminary note:

When I am not enjoying the natural wonders of South Australia I sometimes cross state borders and enjoy the wildlife of our close neighbours, Victoria and Tasmania. This post is about one of my favourite Victorian destinations.

Dear Reader:

There is an old fencepost on the edge of the creek trail. The weathered wood is in stark contrast to the red and black colours of a Red Jewel Beetle  crawling across it.

Red Jewel Beetle

I am staying at Halls Gap in the heart of the Grampians National Park. Because I am here for a wedding, there is not the usual time available for exploring the natural environment. My observations will only cover those animals which are casually encountered.

Classic Grampians scrub with rocky outcrop in the distance

I take the Mt Victory Road from Halls Gap to meet some friends at Zumsteins. On the way I am surprised by a large Eastern Grey Kangaroo which decides to make its way down a steep bank to cross the road in front of us.

Eastern Grey Kangaroo descending sloping hillside

Further along the road, a small group of Emus are feeding amongst a patch of grass and thistles. These adaptable birds forage for a wide variety of foods including: tubers, grasses, fruits, insects, centipedes and other arthropods.

Emus foraging

We reach the camping ground at the Zumsteins Historic area on the MacKenzie River. Apparently there are Platypuses in the river but my only sighting of a monotreme (egg laying mammal) is a lone Echidna.

Echidna foraging

Grey Currawong

Taking a more circuitous track back to Halls gap we have a few more interesting wildlife encounters along the way.  I photograph a Long-billed Corella perched high in the canopy, numerous Eastern Greys by the roadside and a  Grey Currawong in the trees where we stop for a snack.

Eastern Grey Kangaroos alert to a disturbance

Long-billed Corella

However, the sun is getting low in the sky and we have one more place to visit, an orchard with a lovely view of some rocky outcrops. The site of tomorrow’s wedding.

Sunset on the edge of The Grampians

Cheers

Baz

Additional notes

This is an easy drive which is quite suitable for families and seniors. Dogs are not allowed in the National Park

Please pass on this blog title and or contact information (URL) to any person or organisation with an interest in taking walks and enjoying wildlife in SA. Dogs are not allowed in the National Park.

Click on these links and see more South Australian stories and pictures in my Weekend Notes articles as well as locating similar blogs on Feedspot’s top 20 Australian wildlife blogs

https://www.weekendnotes.com/adelaide/writer/452/

https://blog.feedspot.com/australian_wildlife_blogs

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Bethany SA….. history and wildlife

5 Aug

Dear Reader:

Against a clear blue sky, a Nankeen Kestrel hovers above wheat stubble in search of rodents, lizards and other small animals.

Nankeen Kestrel

I am driving into the village of Bethany in the Barossa Valley about 70 kms from Adelaide. Founded in 1842 by German Lutheran settlers it was originally called Bethanian: German for Bethlehem. This charming hamlet has numerous points of historic interest starting with a Lutheran church constructed in 1883 and located on the site of an original mud, thatch church built in 1843.

Bethany, Lutheran Church

Further along the road, there is a local cemetery. I wander around reading the inscriptions which gives some perspective into the lives of our early settlers. Several Crested Pigeons are perched in one of the many trees and bushes that give the cemetery a garden-like quality.

Crested Pigeon

I take a few images of: homes incorporating original stonework, farm machinery, old fencing and other features that characterise this colonial village. In one front garden, a Monarch Butterfly perches on a shrub while Australian Magpies call (referred to as carolling and warbling) from nearby eucalypts.

Monarch butterfly, credit Debbie Simmonds

Near the town’s exit and heading further into the Barossa there is a ford crossing the Tanunda Creek. An unpaved pathway runs along the waterway. Massive Red River Gums tower above the creek and I spot: Galahs, Adelaide Rosellas and a lone Sulphur-crested Cockatoo high in the branches.

Galahs (Rose-breasted Cockatoos

Walking along the trail I meet a young couple exercising their dogs and ask them about the wildlife. They mention that Western Grey Kangaroos are common and the occasional Echidna.

Echidna, photographed in nearby woodland

Several of the biggest eucalypts have quite a lot of bark peeling off their trunks and I lift it carefully searching for: centipedes, roaches, gecko lizards and termites. All of which frequent this micro-habitat. I discover none of these. Instead, a myriad of half-grown Huntsman Spiders scatter in all directions. Instinctively, I jump back and fire off a couple of shots. I am not ­­­arachnophobic, but spiders are far from my favourite form of wildlife.

Juvenile Huntsmen Spiders head for cover

Close up of juvenile Huntsman to show features

After crossing the creek, I walk back towards my car which is parked near the ford. I will return to Bethany in the Spring and take a longer walk along the creek. However, today I’ll finish my day by visiting the nearby Bethany Winery and pick up a bottle or two to remember a good day exploring this iconic South Australian destination.

Bethany Winery

Cheers

Baz

Additional notes

This is an easy walk and drive which is quite suitable for families and seniors with public toilets, shelter, barbecues, parking and other facilities nearby. It is dog friendly.

Please pass on this blog title and or contact information (URL) to any person or organisation with an interest in taking walks and enjoying wildlife in SA.

Click on these links and see more South Australian stories and pictures in my Weekend Notes articles as well as locating similar blogs on Feedspot’s top 20 Australian wildlife blogs

https://www.weekendnotes.com/adelaide/writer/452/

https://blog.feedspot.com/australian_wildlife_blogs

Tags: , , , , , , ,