You start with a 45 minute ride in a ferry. I only got a bit queasy with the motion. Notice the packed in trucks. Our rental is actually sideways tucked under the bridge. The elusive platypus… we never did see one. There are swimming holes that they sometimes are seen in. We admittedly got there somewhat after sunrise, because, I am me and I’m not quick in the morning. And we went back right at sunset. But none came. Hi didn’t realize how small they are. I’m not sure why but both Zarah and I thought they were more than 18in long and more than 1-2 kg. The large weight is 1/3-1/2 of a cat, depending if you choose Amelia or Noodles.Kangaroo Island is one of the places hit hard by the 2020 Australian bush fires, also called “Black Summer”. About 1/2 of the island and 96% of Flinders Chase National Park burned. But the eucalyptus trees are amazing. It’s like they can shed their skin and grow a new one. Certainly some trees died but a lot of them grew back very vigorously. There is a bushiness to the burned trees different than the graceful light leaves at the ends of long branches normally there. Ok, I’m from Utah, and calling something “Remarkable Rocks” and then seeing how small the area is from the car, expectations were low. But then you get closer and see all the different anglesGet to pretend at being crushedCan pretend you’re a rock climber… and find out that granite can be sharp!And start trying to get all arty and stuff with the sky.And nice people off we to take your picture. And there are nooks to fit yourself in. And they look like faces with teeth. And they may look like they are floating unsupported. Anyway, I came away approving of the name.
Southern Right Whale! It was so amazing! We were just taking a walk down to Fur Seal Lookout and there they were! I think this is a baby’s tail. Mom and baby were seen complete with the barnacle looking things on the side. And a couple more blowing farther off shore. It was very cool, to know they are so big and that there used to be many more of them, but their populations are bouncing back now.There were several kinds of seals, I’m not sure what kind. But, a cute kind. I love how this little one is all by herself, but looks cozy because the altered coloration looks like a blanket set out for her. Admirals arch on the same walk. It was cool the seals were playing in the big tide pool. They would jump and frolic when a wave came. Back to the platypus pools in evening. And wallaby in the path. We saw a sign for the pools and thought it was different set, but it was just a longer walk to them. We still didn’t see any. But a nice view of the stars coming out as we walked back.Pademelon in the car park!Our sweet quirky cabin in Vivonne Bay. It felt very homey even though it was rustic. There was a cool composting toilet that didn’t smell bad at all. The kitchen was so nicely organized and had anything we could really want despite being small. Main heat was the stove. We didn’t go upstairs much, but having the loft was a cool idea. The walkway and labyrinth was pretty magical too. Next day was the free flight bird show at Raptor Domain. Magpie is helping demonstrate the need for picking up trash to help the environment. Tawny frogmouths! They did a good job of letting you know that each bird was there for some reason…not being able to survive in the wild. And they are habituated to people, so they will let you hold and stroke them. But use the back of your hand so your skin oils don’t mess up their feathers. Boobook the presenter was very knowledgeable and funnyBarn owl was a favorite They could go back to the presenter if they wanted. clearly leaving me dumbfounded. If you liked the barn owl look at the lesser sooty owl!They live in a permanent hunch (kyphosis) to look down from the high perches in a rain forest.
Australian Hobby, smaller than a peregrine falcon. But still very fast and agile. And this one has a left shoulder problem, so has a home here. Largest raptor in Australia, the Wedge Tailed Eagle. This guy is blind in his left eye from a power line. They talked about getting the spinny things from the power company so they are seen from a far.We learned about nesting boxes, and danger from dogs and rat poison, and using more recycled toilet paper. They clearly love the birds and want to educate the public to do better for them. It was an amazing experience to be there. They also had a reptile show that Zarah and I were the only ones for. So we got to pepper the nice lady with all possible questions. Did you know that while Australia has many very poisonous snakes, most of those have very short teeth so it is not so easy for them to get enough venom into a human to kill us. This was very reassuring. But we have seen zero snakes, it’s winter. Then we went for a very cool easy walk by a lake. And saw an echidna! And another echidna! This one we scared so he literally walked his face into a tree and knew his spikes would keep him safe from there. And there were these cool white trees in the water.
Then we saw another echidna! Zarah had a feeling it was walking with such purpose that getting close wouldn’t disturb it from its mission. And she was right. I love their noses, and the way they walk. Kangaroo prints. The texture is pretty neat. And roos on the pathHopping off into the sunsetMomma and baby on the rise, under the moon
Tomorrow north to Emu Bay. Feeling very lucky we get to be here where there is so much wildlife.
Natures Bounty on display! Wonderful rock formations, birds, animals, scenic overlooks of the water… everything you could possibly hope for…!!! Love, Marilee
Jessica Wandering 
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