Kangaroo Island I

Arriving and Day 1 (days 23 & 24)

We had a smooth voyage on the ferry across Backstairs Passage from Cape Jervis to Penneshaw. Our B&B was a short 9km drive west in Baudin Beach. A very pleasnat base for our time on the island and we were quick to enjoy a cuppa after unpacking and settling in.

We were also greeted by some birds in the garden and a short walk away on the water edge.

A lone starling calling colleagues

The colleagues arrived with a swallow as well

A sparrow seeking a seed pod

Matching and observant pair of pacific gulls

Pacific gull showing relative size to silver gulls

Just gulping down some refreshment

The ubiquitous new holland honeyeater

After some welcome rain overnight we awoke to another beautiful clear day and decided to head over near Kingscote to check the Lavender Farm and explore nearby Emu Bay. As we left we swung by a small lookout over Baudin Beach looking west along Brown and Island beaches across to American River.

Rumour had it the lavender scones were quite something ... indeed they were, one being enough to feed a family of four!! But we managed one each, and coffee 😁!

The lavender farm and next door paddocks were clear evidence of the desperate need for rain. In the first photo you can see the tractor-trailer loaded with hay ready to take to feed the stock. Even the fairy wren and the straw-necked ibis were struggling to find something to eat. But as you see later in the photos, help (rain) was on its way, but still a few days away!

Two big western grey kangaroos grazing at Emu Bay
(no emus though!)

Panorama of Emu Bay (some shower activity evident)

A decent shower out across Emu Bay from the wharf.

The next 3 photo showcase the pacific gull again. The first one showing it floating alone on the bay while the silver gulls and terns are content on the rocks. The second photo is one I would dream of capturing ... the pacific gull in full flight turned into the light showing off its full magnificent undercarriage. The 3rd photo a pair just after they had been tussling with eachother, looking very pleased with the resolution, as if each had been "right" all along (you, of course, may have an entirely different interpretation)!

We continued along North Coast Rd to check out George's Castle. A treat for kids no doubt, but we decided not to bother. However, the view along the road towards Smith Beach on the north coast of the island highlights in a different way the dry undulating landscape down to the coast, framed by that wonderful blue sky and cloud formations (words, words ... I could just write skyscape & leave it to you to verbalise 😒). Here is a panorama.

The next shot has a "story". I was keen to stop and get a shot of Salt Lake ... found a good layby ... started down the fence line to reach the shore and about half way down my feet hit the wet clay ... arse over head and made a bigger mess as I tried valiantly (and largely successfully) to avoid the camera reaching the ground. Clay encased boots, clay encrusted arse and knees of my jeans ... but hey, what's the point of exploring if you dont have a few mishaps 😟. I did eventually get a photo!

A young white-bellied sea eagle - one of few birds of prey seen

A view from Muston lookout across Pelican Lagoon
(near American River)

View of the mainland across Penneshaw

On returning to the B&B, we pulled up in the car park and the kangaroo on the right below was grazing ... it casually looked at us and ever so slowly hopped around the corner, through the gate and onto the spare block next door. Our turn to move slowly and quietly ... first photo was the western greys noticing us ... second one was them having a spar (what a treat to observe and photograph) and the final photo was the result - all content to go back to grazing. Quite the end to the day for us 😊