Tassie I

After lots of planning and getting organised we set off for our driving holiday to Tassie. We took 3 days to reach Geelong via the Pacific and Hume highways and few lesser roads to skirt Melbourne. Fortunately uneventful and a good shared driving experience to get us underway.

We had a full day in Geelong awaiting the Spirit of Tasmania evening embarkation and departure. We had a good walk along the foreshore and several hours in the Botanic Gardens enjoying the flora and fauna.

Here are three birds we saw in the gardens. 

First is a pied currawong with the distinctive strong curved beak and yellow eye ring. 

Next is a magpie foraging among the dandelions, the second photo showing the rewards of a successful hunt. These southern magpies have a much fuller white shoulder and back patch.

This next pair was a treat for me as I have not previously photographed one. So to have such willing subjects and different perches was a bonus. The red wattlebird is shown off in all its glory in each photo. 

After our ferry crossing and early morning arrival in Devonport, we had until mid-afternoon before our accommodation would be ready. We decided over breakfast to head out to the Tasmanian Arboretum and explore what it had to offer, given it was a lovely clear and warm morning.

Here is a selection of birds we were fortunate enough to glimpse.

First up a welcome swallow posing on a rail showing off its prey in the beak. Fast insects, faster swallow!

Next up was a common blackbird, the first of MANY we were to see thoughout the coming weeks. Noticeable was the more orange (than yellow) eye ring and beak compared to those I have previously photgraphed on the mainland.

On a raft in one of the lakes were several species of ducks soaking up the morning sun. Chestnut teals on either end and the middle; two pacific black ducks second from left and the larger pair second from right are Australian shelducks.

Next up are a series photos featuring black swans. First, a pair shepherding a pair of cygnets around the pond; second a pair floating without movement - one neck up (presenting a wonderful reflection), one down; finally, a threesome also showing their ability to float without rippling the water on a still pond all with their graceful necks extended.

Here is our first sighting of the prolific superb fairy wren. These were common almost everywhere we went. Noticeable immediately was the deeper shade of irridescent blue these wrens have in Tassie. Makes them (in my view) even more striking than our mainland ones.

Next photo of an equally prolific bird - a Tasmanian native hen with the "soft" yellow beak and the distinctive orange eyes. Like many ducks we saw, and other birds and animals it was spring time and many young were sighted and enjoyed as they began their explorations of their environments and learning how to feed themselves.

Finally on day one we reached our first B&B near Mole Creek in the Western Tiers where we were spending our first week. We were greeted by (well, first by our hosts!) this pair of superb fairy wrens, the 2nd photo showing the male in flight shortly thereafter. The second bird welcoming us provided our first (alas fleeting for now) glimpse of the green rosella (more later of these beautiful creatures).