Dear Reader:
On entering the forest of eucalypts, native pine and acacias we hear the bellowing grunts of a male Koala. Within a few minutes we find the perpetrator of this solo cacophony hanging upside down in a gum tree.
An unusual Koala pose
Looking more carefully, we notice a second, smaller animal; probably a female. The story becomes clear as the male rights himself then clambers across the gap towards his intended.
Lady in waiting
On my way
We leave the Koalas to their mating rituals and move further along the narrow trail. The weather has been dry this autumn and the wildlife is scarce with not much food on offer. However, we do spot some Superb Fairy Wrens and an Australian Tree Creeper. With shadows and distance against us, photography is quite a challenge.
Treecreeper on the forest floor (poor light)
Dry weather has also impacted the invertebrate population. However, there are numerous Leaf Curling Spiders stringing their webs across the trail and I manage to find the silken lair of a trapdoor spider. Ants are numerous and there are a few Common Brown Butterflies fluttering around.
Leaf Curling Spider
Common Brown
The Dominant vegetation in the Kyeema Conservation Park varies between Pink Gums and Cup Gums on the flatter stretches to taller Stringy Barks and thick growths of bracken and fern in the gullies . Several different shrubs are flowering in the gullies including bright red Flame Heaths.
Trail near the start of the walk
Stringybark habitat
Heath species
Today, we are following the Mulurus hike, a short walk of about 1.5 Kms. It loops back to the park entrance where it intersects part of the Heysen Trail. We follow the Heysen Trail for around 500meters then cut up to Woodgate Road and return to the small car park.
Park entrance
The park is fringed by pasture and there are Australian Magpies and Adelaide Rosellas feeding on the ground with sheep in the background. The occasional call of little Ravens and White-winged Choughs as well as the twitter of tiny birds in the canopy accompanies us throughout the walk.
Adjacent pasture
After leaving the park we take a series of unsealed roads back to Brookman Road, the main bitumen road leading back to Adelaide through Willunga and McClaren Vale.
Backroads to Brookman Road
Near the intersection of Brookman Road and Woodgate Road, which leads to Kyeema, there is a lovely winery, the Lazy Ballerina, which is certainly worth including on your itinerary.
Lazy Ballerina Winery
Finally, to complete our day visiting Kyeema, a pair of Western Grey Kangaroos are lazing in the shade just walking distance from the Winery.
Male Western Grey Kangaroo
Cheers
Barry and David
Additional notes
This is an easy to moderate walk which is quite suitable for families and seniors. There is parking.
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