The platypus is a prized sighting in Australia. I was lucky to see this one on Kangaroo Island in South Australia. There were a series of small water holes in a heavily wooded area, thus the dark reflections on the surface of the water. Certainly one of the more interesting animals I’ve had the pleasure of photographing. The platypus is the only species in its own unique genus. They are one of two types of monotremes — along with the echidnas — distinguished by being mammals that lay eggs. Nikon D200 with Nikkor 600mm f/5.6 manual focus lens, ISO 400, f/5.6 at 1/100th of a second.
I photographed a few of these carnivorous marsupials in the wild, but I also got up close and personal at a few rehab centers in Tasmania. This eastern quoll was photographed at Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary. Nikon D800 with Nikkor 70-200mm lens (at 200mm) ISO 1600, f/2.8 at 1/1250th of a second.
These little guys are superb indeed and aptly named. They are native across Australia. I photographed this one in Narawntapu National Park on the northern coast of Tasmania. Nikon D810 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 800, f/4 at 1/6400th of a second.
I saw two species of quoll while I was in Tasmania, the eastern and the spotted. This is the eastern (even though it has spots). Eastern quolls come in two main color variations — a darker brown, almost black and a lighter, sandy color. This is obviously the latter. They are strictly nocturnal and I captured this image on a late-night spotlighting mission. The light was provided by the headlights of our vehicle and not a flash. Nikon D810 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 3200, f/4.5 at 1/320th of a second.
It felt like a kangaroo day today. This field in Tasmania was full of eastern grey kangaroos, locally known as foresters. I was only at this national park in the far north for one night and thankfully the sky cooperated. Nikon D800 with Nikkor 70-200mm lens (at 70mm) ISO 800, f/6.3 at 1/60th of a second.
I’ve posted a few images of bowerbirds in the past. There are several species. This is a male regent bowerbird. Females are more uniformly brown. Males also give bowerbirds their name, given rather sophisticated architectural skills when it comes to attracting a mate. According to Wikipedia, “regent bowerbirds are known to mix a muddy greyish blue or pea green ‘saliva paint’ in their mouths which they use to decorate their bowers. The male builds an avenue-type bower consisting of two walls of sticks, decorated with shells, seeds, leaves and berries. Regents will sometimes use wads of greenish leaves as ‘paintbrushes’ to help spread the substance, representing one of the few known instances of tools used by birds.” So that’s kind of cool. Photographed in Queensland, Australia. Nikon D200 with Nikkor 600mm f/5.6 manual focus lens, ISO 100, f/5.6 at 1/250th of a second.
Rainbow Lorikeets are fairly common birds in Australia, but they can be difficult to photograph because they’re usually high in the treetops. I was able to get this pair out in the open for a quick moment. Photographed years ago in Noosa, Australia. Nikon D200 with Nikkor 600mm f/5.6 manual focus lens, ISO 100, f/5.6 at 1/125th of a second.
The Lumholtz’s tree kangaroo is one of the more rare and odd mammals that I’ve come across in my travels. They are generally nocturnal but I spotted this one early one morning just outside the town of Yungaburra in eastern Australia. As the name suggests, they spend most of their time in trees. There are fourteen different species of tree kangaroo that live in the forests of Papua New Guinea, Indonesia and Australia. The Lumholtz’s is the smallest of the species and one of only two that live in Australia. Nikon D200 with Nikkor 600mm manual focus f/5.6 lens, ISO 200, f/5.6 at 1/80th of a second.
I think I took as many photos at night in Tasmania as I did during the day. So much life comes out as soon as the sun goes down. One of those species is the brushtail possum. This mother and her joey posed for a few portraits before moving on into the forest. Using two flash units off camera and to the side, allowed me to capture the possums without any eyeshine. Nikon D810 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 800, f/14 at 1/250th of a second, two Nikon SB-900 flash units
Wombats spend the majority of their waking hours eating. And all they eat is grass. They are so focused on the task of munching down as much as they possibly can that it can be a challenge to photograph them with their heads up. So for this image, I got below the grass. Photographed at Cradle Mountain, Tasmania, Australia. Nikon D800 with Nikkor 17-35mm lens (at 17mm) ISO 800, f/5.6 at 1/200th of a second.
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The platypus is a prized sighting in Australia. I was lucky to see this one on Kangaroo Island in South Australia. There were a series of small water holes in a heavily wooded area, thus the dark reflections on the surface of the water. Certainly one of the more interesting animals I’ve had the pleasure of photographing. The platypus is the only species in its own unique genus. They are one of two types of monotremes — along with the echidnas — distinguished by being mammals that lay eggs. Nikon D200 with Nikkor 600mm f/5.6 manual focus lens, ISO 400, f/5.6 at 1/100th of a second.
