The wombat stretched as much as a wombat can stretch and settled down for a nap. It had chosen a spot just above the jetty at Darlington. Had I not just arrived on Maria Island, I would have done the same. Facing the sea, of course, because I don't have an opportunity to look at it at my place.
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| Snoozy among the timbers |
Maria Island National Park is home to a variety of mammal species, including Tasmanian devils. There was plenty of evidence of their presence. In some places, it was difficult to walk without stepping in poo: wombat cubes, macropod pellets, and fur- and feather-filled devil scat. But it was a hot day and most of the wildlife was lying deep in the shade. Only Snoozy here made an appearance.
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| Snoozy wakes |
The birds were more obliging, although they weren't going to get too close.
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| Pied oystercatcher, silver gulls, chestnut teal and Pacific gull |
There are plenty of
Tasmanian native-hens, a large flightless rail known locally as 'turbo chooks' because of their supercharged dashes. They are also not keen on being photographed. So picture a turbo-chook here →🐔
The most obvious birds are Cape Barren geese. These handsome grey geese spend their time cropping grass, honking at cyclists, and avoiding Tasmanian devils. They are abundant at Darlington. And I really like taking photos of them, if only for their fluorescent yellow beaks and two-tone legs.
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| At Darlington |
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| And a bit further away from Darlington |
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| The beak is good, but look at the feet! |
