Pink Robin

 Found at The Springs on Mt Wellington. This little chap was playing very happily, including among the cars, chasing himself in their mirrors and windows.

Wellington Range from Mount Jerusalem

I was fascinated to discover the number of mountains that could be seen from Mount Jerusalem and King Davids Peak in the Walls of Jerusalem National Park. I'll try to post some others, but this one is the Wellington Range, around 140 km distant. It's a daylight shot on a day with some haze, so I've significantly increased the contrast as a B&W photo to show the mountains more clearly. It was obvious through the camera viewfinder, but somewhat indistinct to (my) naked eye.

I think it also makes sense that Mt Jerusalem is visible from Mt Wellington, along with King Davids Peak. I don't think I've ever tried to find them in the NW view.

Wellington Range from Mt Jeruslaem

Full-sized copy here.

Overland Track - Unseasonal weather - Feb 2019

When you book to do the Overland Track, they warn that poor weather can occur at any time. However, in February, extended periods of wind, rain, sleet, hail and snow are unusual. This February was "unusual", perhaps because so many Tasmanians were praying for rain to douse bushfires threatening communities during a hot, dry, windy spell. All Overland Track walkers should take heed. The conditions depicted below occurred in February, one of the most reliable months. Don't skimp on gear, and watch the forecast continually.

In January I was on Mt Jerusalem when a thunderstorm came through. It rained briefly, and proceeded on down the Great Pine Tier, shortly afterwards sparking the Central Plateau fire near Lake Fergus. Around the same time a fire started near the Tahune Airwalk west of Geeveston in the far south. This fire went on to seriously threaten communities from Lonnavale to Dover sparking a large evacuation. I live in Huonville. The rain that came was a godsend, so complaints are not allowed.

This is the thunderstorm that sparked the Lake Fergus/Central Plateau fire
Seen from the slopes of Mount Jerusalem, Walls Of Jerusalem National Park - 15th Jan 2019

Fullsize panorama available here. (30MB)

However, finding somewhere to bushwalk was subsequently tricky - fires actually still burning, roads closed, tracks and whole areas closed, large areas burnt, plus advice not to go anywhere "remote", and quite poor weather forecasts, especially given it was February. Talking to a friend, we tried to convince ourselves Frenchmans isn't "remote". It's only a day-and-a-half walk from the road to Lake Tahune (less for the fitter walker and Frenchmans has been day-jogged I believe). The Overland Track was free of problems it seemed, but there were no suitable bookings available, February being quite popular.

However, watching the booking system closely, I did manage to get a booking on Monday 11th when someone else cancelled. With some transport issues solved, it was on. One problem: The weather forecast was for solid rain and snow. The forecast was such that the firefighters on the Central Plateau were worried about being able to fight the fires, as the wind, cold, snow and all would make it very inhospitable without reliably extinguishing the fires. I went anyway, hoping for changeable weather, which often makes for quite spectacular landscapes (and photos) in the Tasmanian highlands. And it is the OT, with relatively easy tracks plus huts. I wasn't disappointed.

The 10th Feb was dismal at Cradle Valley and across the mountains (as observed, and as reported by punters starting that day), and at least one OT punter returned from the plateau having realised their gear wasn't up to the task. The forecast for the 11th wasn't quite so bad, although it didn't look good for any day before Friday 15th. I didn't have enough food to stay till then. (Yes I know, but that's partly what makes for a light pack...)

I did a very quick trip, thus a very light pack, which helps make it quick...etc. Regular but not constant rain through to Pelion was then enhanced by an accurately forecasted good snowfall on the Tuesday night. Pelion Plains and Pelion Gap were quite magical on Wednesday 13th Feb. While some of the punters were a bit disappointed by the weather they'd had to deal with, the snow at Pelion was a marvellous compensation for many. I did my bit by talking up the experience. I talked to one excited lady who had never seen snow, and hadn't expected to when she booked the OT.

The snowy scene at Pelion Hut, and the snow up to and at Pelion Gap was quite spectacular. I didn't realise it, but when I set off, nobody else had - there was obviously lots of activity, but little action. Thus, all vegetation bore it's full load of snow. I was the snowman. Beautiful, but very wet and cold. I dodged a few massive loads with off-track manoeuvres, but hopefully the three blokes who followed me fairly closely cleared it for everyone else. A nice girl from Seattle told me that night, at Windy Ridge, she'd wondered which poor sod had to go first. There was then also the issue of correctly locating the extensive boardwalk beneath the snowy camouflage, leading from the Gap towards Kia Ora. My new Pelion Gap friends were grateful for my continuing sacrifice. The heater at Kia Ora proved unlightable. Ranger Ken was going to fix it when I saw him at Windy Ridge.

I was a bit naughty with the heaters. At Pelion the starting of the heater produced a veritable mountain of wet gear arranged in a growing variety of imaginative ways around it, and hopefully improved a few people's experience of walking to Kia Ora in snow the next day. Later in the evening, I pulled my head in(to my sleeping bag) when someone opened the bedroom door and asked if the bloke who knew how to make the heater work was there. I think someone then managed to read the (admittedly confused) instructions. At Windy Ridge the assembled crowd were huddled glumly around the communal area in hats, scarves, gloves and down jackets, but livened a lot after the heater was turned on. I have to admit it was actually 11 degrees, but they were all damp and cold (your honour), and had been for some days. An excited Queenslander told me she hadn't been warm for four days, as she stood rotating below the wall-mounted gas heater.

Some ferry issues were encountered when high winds whipped up waves on Lake St Clair, described variously as "six-foot" and "two-metre" by some punters and the captain respectively. This unfortunately cancelled Belfast Tony's carefully and expensively chartered (and subsequently heavily subscribed) 11am service, but we all managed to get out on the 3:45pm, and Belfast Tony even managed to change his transport operator and get a ride to Launceston that evening, along with the Seattle crew and some others. The boat captain (Mick? Mike?) was also from Belfast, so they got on very well, despite the furious rebooking required by Mick/Mike's earlier cancellation of the charter.

The photographic opportunities were limited by rain, sleet and snow, and the water-averse nature of my new tiny Canon mirrorless camera, but nevertheless, I'm pleased with the results, presented below.

Some punters leave Kitchen Hut a little reluctantly - 11th Feb 2019

Misty views to the Forth valley from Pine Forest Moor - 12th Feb 2019

Panorama from Pine Forest Moor - Mt Oakleigh in cloud, Mt Pillinger and Dean Bluff most obvious right of centre - 12th Feb 2019

Fullsize panorama available here (29MB)

Mt Pelion East from Pine Forest Moor - 12th Feb 2019

Myrtle at Pelion Creek - 12th Feb 2019

Mt Oakleigh as some weather moves in, from where the Overland Track emerges on Pelion Plains (It started to snow here) - 12th Feb 2019

Mt Oakleigh from Pelion Hut in afternoon light - 12th Feb 2019

Evening comes, Mt Oakleigh from Pelion Hut - 12th Feb 2019

I'll note here that stepping outside to photograph things was a very chilly experience, with a nasty cold breeze blowing from the west (or somewhere).

Early morning, Mt Oakleigh and Pelion Plains - 13th Feb 2019

Mt Oakleigh and Pelion Plains - 13th Feb 2019

...and the sun shines, briefly, on Mt Oakleigh and Pelion Plains - 13th Feb 2019

Bleak view towards Mt Ossa from Pelion Gap - 13th Feb 2019

Panorama from the Pelion Gap - Kia Ora Track
Cathedral Mountain, Mountains of Jupiter, Traveller Range, Castle Crag/Du Cane Range
13th Feb 2019

 Link to full-size copy of this panorama (22MB).

Mt Pelion East from the southern side of Pelion Gap - 13th Feb 2019

Panorama of Mts Ossa and Doris from below Pelion Gap - 13th Feb 2019

Link to full size copy of this panorama (24MB)

Mt Pelion East from near Kia Ora - 13th Feb 2019

Panorama of the Cathedral Mountain face from near Kia Ora - 13th Feb 2019

Fullsize copy of this panorama is here (40MB)

Thanks for looking.

Freycinet Peninsula - November 2018

Back to Freycinet for an "easy" walk to get back in the habit of carrying an overnight pack.

I took the coastal route in, and it looks to me like there's been some trackwork since I last went that way.

There was water at Cooks Beach as usual, and if the rain over this week happens as predicted, the tanks should fill up. There was no water anywhere else, except for a tiny trickle on rocks on the eastern side of Mount Graham, and I doubt you could find a way to harvest it. Even the stagnant ditch at Wineglass Bay South was dry. The east coast certainly was in drought until the last few days, but maybe some decent rain will now fall.

Several tracks show signs of minimal maintenance, but maybe that's usual at the end of winter.

The place was mostly suitably deserted beyond Lagunta Creek, with only the occasional passing boat or plane. This enabled easy washing in the sea without offending anyone - the only people encountered were high on Mount Graham.

This remains a delightfully peaceful place, and I must go back to photograph the birds.

Flag Iris - Freycinet Nov 2018

Gull taking his crab (what remains of it) so I can't steal it.

New flower for me - Gompholobium huegelii, Common Wedgepea.

Cooks Beach - Squall across the bay, it seemed to rain on Swansea for a while.

Wineglass Bay and the Hazards from Mount Freycinet.

Wineglass Bay and the Hazards - Panorama from Mount Graham. (Full-size link below)

Link to full-size panorama from Mount Graham. (Large file!)

Mount Wellington today

The view from Mount Wellington today. This is from the ZigZag Track.

Hobart, Kingston, the Derwent Estuary and Storm Bay from the ZigZag Track - 5th November 2018

Hooded Plover

Hooded Plover Thinornis rubricollis cucullatus

I love these birds. They’re small but braver than their size suggests. You find them on beaches, including the largest, wildest and stormiest. There will usually be two of them, but sometimes more (including offspring). As you walk along the beach, they will walk away from you, which is how they avoid you but also lead you away from their nest. After a little while, they will fly back around you, and, if nesting, check their nest (but only when you’re not obviously watching).

The nest is found above the high tide line, in the sand, shingle or dune-edges. Try not to walk close to dunes, especially if you see them wandering about the beach. Walk below the high tide line, as they are smart enough not to nest there.

These two were on Roaring Beach on the Tasman Peninsula. I saw them there earlier in the year, and very recently went back to try to photograph them with the new lens. They were still about, and led me up and down the beach, dutifully protecting a nest. I also attempted to get them votes in the Guardian’s Australian Bird of the Year award. They didn’t win, but I still think they’re the pluckiest little birds in the book*.

There’s a problem with the naming of this bird – “they” seem to have changed their name to Thinornis cucullatus, and there are two sub-species. In addition, of course, they’re also known as the Hooded Dotterel, and there's a lengthy online article explaining why they are NOT dotterels.

Nikon D7200, Nikkor 200-500mm@500mm.
1/1000s, f8, ISO 100.

*So, what book? Well, it’s Watt’s Standard Book of Tasmanian Birds**, the unexpurgated version, with the Gannet (Australasian).
**Ok, really it’s the Field Guide to Tasmanian Birds by Dave Watts. Buy one, it’s great!

Little Wattlebird

Little Wattlebird Anthochaera chrysoptera

This bird was very active and gymnastic, bouncing from tree to tree looking for food. I found him at the Franklin riverside walk, along with a couple of others in this calendar. He wasn’t too concerned about me, presumably having correctly assessed my chances of climbing the tree he was in. They have a red-brown patch under their wings. I like these birds, they’re sort of cheeky. I like to think he’d say “Thanks mate, got me looking all undignified. And then put it in the calendar. Champion!”

Nikon D7200, Nikkor 200-500mm@500mm.
1/800s, f5.6, ISO 2500.

Masked Lapwing Chick (“Plover”)

Masked Lapwing Chick (“Plover”) Vanellus Miles

The parents are supposed to stop me getting this close, but the parents of this chick at Franklin had obviously become used to cars being around the Wooden Boat School, and also tolerated a bloke gardening nearby. This was shot out the car window. They are very cute, especially when they waggle their tiny wings. If you email me, I’ll send you a picture of that. This one has now grown into a normal angry plover.

Nikon D7200, Nikkor 200-500mm@500mm.

1/1000s, f5.6, ISO 160.

Superb Fairy-wren

Superb Fairy-wren Malurus cyaneus

These beautiful little birds are fairly shy, and getting close enough can be tricky. They’re also quick. This fellow was at Franklin on the riverside walk north of the Wooden Boat School. You have to sneak about slowly. The alternative method of photographing some birds is to drive around in a car. They don’t worry about cars in some circumstances, and you can fire away out the window with impunity. The lady Fairy-wrens are brown, round and sort of cute. Only the blokes have the pretty blue. Some close observers will also note that I misspelt this bird’s scientific name in the early versions of the calendar.

Nikon D7200, Nikkor 200-500mm@500mm.
1/1000s, f5.6, ISO 250.

Sooty Oystercatcher

Sooty Oystercatcher Haematopus fuliginosus

Another Pirates Bay photo, this one on a stormy and rainy day. The oystercatchers will watch you very carefully as you walk along a beach, calling angrily as you close, then fly around you back to the beach, rather like the Hooded Plover does. I think for once I tracked this one perfectly in flight. Birds-in-flight are even harder than birds-avoiding-humans. Like the Hooded Plover, they maintain a nest on or near the beach among rocks, seaweed and the like, and their angry calls are warnings to stay away.

Nikon D7000, Nikkor 70-300mm@300mm.

1/3200s, f8, ISO 800.

Black Currawong

Black Currawong Strepera fuliginosa

The quintessential currawong, so emblematic of the Tasmanian bush. This one was strutting about at Ridgeway, quite unconcerned about my presence. He knows he can fly away if I make a move. I don’t know if there’s an actual collective noun for them, but I use a “carry-on” of currawongs. That’s more, “Well, some carry-on that was”, rather than reminiscent of a tacky English movie called “Carry On Currawong”. I recently read they prey on other birds; chicks, mothers, fathers. The claws and beak aren’t just for show.

Nikon D7200, Nikkor 200-500mm@200mm.
1/1000s, f5.6, ISO 560.

White-faced Heron

White-faced Heron Egretta novaehollandiae

These herons are found in many habitats, and are fairly common. (Maybe in a few years I’ll be able to do a calendar of uncommon Tasmanian birds.) I’ve got good shots from the Huon, and I’ve even seen them in the Hobart Rivulet outside work. Not only found across Australia, they also live in Indonesia and New Guinea, and have colonised New Zealand since 1941. They are graceful flyers, with an unusual motion with the body seeming to move up and down between their wings. I found this one foraging in the rockpools at Bellerive.

Nikon D7200, Nikkor 200-500mm@500mm.
1/2000s, f5.6,ISO 2200.

Great Cormorant

Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo

This cormorant was drying his wings on Pirates Bay beach. He was visible from quite a distance, resembling a miniature dragon. He was nervous as I edged around him, but I think his wings were very soggy and he didn’t want to take to the water unless I seemed really threatening. I believe he was a juvenile (chest plumage), so maybe he just wasn’t very good at swimming, got bedraggled, and needed a good sit down. These birds grow up to a metre in length, and I think this chap was heading for that.

Nikon D7200, Nikkor 70-300mm@210mm.
1/1250s, f8, ISO 400.

Black Swan “Scooter”

Black Swan “Scooter” Cygnus atratus

I followed this swan on my blog through much of his early life. One of a family of cygnets, Scooter tangled himself in some fishing line when very young. A yachtsman removed it, but the damage was done. His left leg and foot were crippled as the picture shows. As a result, he paddled only on the right, looking like a kid riding a scooter. His family bullied him, and I’m not sure if he ever managed to fly. I last saw him full-grown, being chased away from the riverbank by two other swans, possibly his siblings.

Nikon D90, Nikkor 55-200mm@200mm.

1/640s, f7.1, ISO 400.

Silvereye

Silvereye Zosterops lateralis

I was walking on the Pinnacle Track on Mount Wellington, looking out for birds. There were a few, a Flame Robin, a Currawong (of course) and a Yellow-throated Honeyeater, but none of them were very keen to sit and be photographed. I finished up and returned to The Springs, and found this lively little fellow happily prancing around just at the top of the steps. He seemed to be looking for food along the branches, and didn’t fuss too much about being watched.

Nikon D7200, Nikkor 200-500mm@480mm.
1/800s, f5.6, ISO 2500.

Noisy Miner

Noisy Miner Manorina melanocephala

This honeyeater is found across the eastern and south-eastern mainland, as well as the eastern half of Tasmania. I was trying to photograph rosellas on the Domain, but the best shot of the day was this Miner – possibly because he reliably sat still and above ground level. They really are noisy. Just the other day I had to slow the car and steer around two having a mid-air tiff as I drove up the Domain road, but later having found several in a tree they eluded me vigorously once I was on foot.

Nikon D7000, Nikkor 70-300mm@300mm.
1/1250s, f8, ISO 1250.

Yellow Wattlebird

Yellow Wattlebird Anthochaera paradoxa

I found a few of these birds at the northern end of the Botanical Gardens in Hobart, where they swoop gracefully between trees, and were actually quite easy to photograph. This is Australia’s largest honeyeater, and is endemic to Tasmania. I think the yellow wattles make them look rather religious, or at least self-important.

Nikon D7200, Nikkor 200-500mm.
1/1250s, f5.6, ISO 1250.

New Holland Honeyeater

New Holland Honeyeater Phylidonyris novaehollandiae

These birds are common across Tasmania, with bold black, white and yellow plumage. They often seem somewhat unkempt, with feathers fluffed askew. This fellow was at Franklin, where there are a number who congregate around the riverside boardwalk just north of Frank’s Cider. They are wary of people, and will move rapidly when disturbed, so you have to be patient, slow and quiet. Being small, a decent photo requires getting fairly close. It took a while. He looks a little grumpy, “Go away and STOP bothering me”.

Nikon D7200, Nikkor 200-500mm@500mm.
1/1000s, f5.6, ISO 1100.

Tasmanian Birds Calendar 2018

My calendar for 2018 is out, as Christmas gifts. For the first time I thought it was important to say a little more about the subjects. Click through below to see the birds and a bit more info about them.

• Cover - New Holland Honeyeater
• January - Yellow Wattlebird
• February - Noisy Miner
• March - Silvereye
• April - Black Swan “Scooter”
• May - Great Cormorant
• June - White-faced Heron
• July - Black Currawong
• August - Sooty Oystercatcher
• September - Superb Fairy-wren
• October - Masked Lapwing Chick (“Plover”)
• November - Little Wattlebird
• December - Hooded Plover

I hope you enjoy the calendar through the year, as much as I enjoyed getting the photos and assembling it.

Copyright © Mark G Hanna 2017

And of course additional copies at an extravagant price can be purchased here. Sorry they're expensive, they only print them as ordered. They are very well printed on good quality materials though.

Hooded Plovers

Copyright Mark G Hanna 2017