Western Australia Week 7

Snottygobble Loop
November 2nd 2009
Week 7
Monday - Day 43

It was a very peaceful night with just us camping in this attractive spot. My only concern is the lack of wildlife which is a bit sparse despite the Baudin cockatoos.

Glenda finished off some washing in the hand machine and hung it on a make shift line across the camping area. It should be enough to deter any would be campers….

I drove into Pemberton briefly and visited the caravan park that we stayed in last time. A few improvements have been made but not enough to ruin it as we recalled it fondly from five years ago.

Next was a drive down to the Donnelly River boat launch, arriving as a small group of tourists were about to take off for a $55 cruise. The skipper invited me to join the group but I declined graciously.

The rest of the day was kick back and read, solve Sudoku puzzles and collect wood. Our camp fire turned out terrific and provided a fitting end to our stay in this great area.
Bird Sightings: Red winged fairy wren, 149 birds 5 new birds

Snottygobble Loop - Pemberton
November 3rd 2009
Tuesday - Day 44

We were in need of a shower! Two days in the bush with mild exertion i.e. collecting logs for the fire made washing a priority. As a result we were packed up and on the road by 9.30 a.m.

A lone Baudin’s cockatoo landed just as we were about to leave. I tossed up whether or not to try for a photograph and tails won, enabling me a photo which once again showed the extended long beak of the species. Pemberton soon appeared in a cleared valley amongst tall forests. The Karri trees are the dominant ones here and are majestically tall.

We chose a caravan site near the creek but more in the middle of the small park, number 112 for future reference. Immediately a couple of western ringnecks flew over to introduce themselves and scunge for food. A few seeds later and we suddenly found ourselves mobbed by very cheeky birds that sought out the package of seeds rather than the handouts.

After lunch we drove to the Gloucester Tree, a well known attraction as it is open to the public to climb. Once used by the fire department for spotting fires, it was named after the Duke of Gloucester who was visiting Pemberton at the time of its construction. We didn’t have time for me to climb it today but we spent time photographing some of the birds that have become tourist dependent. I agree with the environmentalists who worry about the effect humans have on feeding wild animals but there is something so special in having a wild parrot fly onto your hand or walk across your shoulder to get at some food.

Back at the van it was a great shower and general maintenance / washing time. Despite being on holidays these things have to be done.

I drove back to the Gloucester Tree around 4.30 p.m. to find a red winged fairy wren to photograph. They were very present five years ago and despite not seeing them earlier I was determined. I did a slow fox trot around the 400 metre walk and sure enough, there they were waiting for me back near the start. I managed one shot which captures the jizz of this bird but I still find differentiating it from the variegated wren and the blue breasted wren a bit tricky.

Glenda spotted a bandicoot around 5.30 p.m. and we alerted the camp to its presence. Everyone was appreciative except maybe the old Dutch guy whose site was where the beast was sighted. He wasn’t interested and sat trying to read as about a dozen tourists swarmed his space with their cameras flashing. I almost felt sorry for him.

Tonight it was email catch up and Photoshop therapy. We’re so fortunate to have been able to embrace the digital age and use computer programs to our advantage. The whole travel, photograph, write about and edit thing makes these experiences live more than just visiting and moving on.

A family of wood ducks walked by our van site later in the afternoon. A gaggle of babies (yes, the wood duck is actually a maned goose hence gaggle of geese) were shepherded along by the proud parents.

We’re happy to be back here and tonight is reminiscing to an extent. We’re both missing our kids at the moment but we’ll see them in four weeks which is manageable. Heck! The way time is flying four weeks will be here in no time.