Cape barren geese only exist in the extreme south of Australia (with a small, introduced population also in New Zealand). I photographed this one on Maria Island in Tasmania. They were quite common on Maria Island and, as with most geese, allowed a close approach. Nikon D810 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 800, f/4 at 1/1600th of a second.
Wombats eat grass. It’s what they do. This wombat was so focused on the task that he/she hardly noticed that I was there. Perfect situation for my wide angle zoom. Nikon D800 with Nikkor 17-35mm lens (at 17mm) ISO 800, f/5.6 at 1/320th of a second.
Just a juvenile koala to get the week going. Photographed at Hansen Bay on Kangaroo Island in South Australia. Nikon D200 with Nikkor 80-200mm lens (at 155mm) ISO 200, f/2.8 at 1/80th of a second.
One of the eastern quolls that I had the pleasure of meeting at the Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary in Tasmania. These little spotted carnivorous marsupials really do rate right up there in the cutest animal category. Nikon D800 with Nikkor 105mm macro lens, ISO 1600, f/3 at 1/320th of a second.
This photo was taken on perhaps my favorite day of a very enjoyable two week trip to Tasmania. I only had a few hours in Narawntapu National Park and thankfully the light cooperated. So did the eastern grey kangaroos, locally known as foresters. I had the place to myself as a large troop of them ate, played and boxed, giving me the opportunity to get a large variety of shots, including some nice rim lit silhouettes like this one. Nikon D810 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 400, f/16 at 1/1600th of a second.
I took this photo in the early days of experimenting with macro when I still used a close up filter screwed to the front of my 80-200mm lens. Definitely a lightweight way to always have macro capability when in the field. The butterfly is a Cairns Birdwing and it was photographed at the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary in Kuranda, Queensland, Australia. Nikon D200 with Nikkor 80-200mm lens (at 155mm with Canon 500D close up filter) ISO 100, f/5.6 at 1/60th of a second, two Nikon SB-600 flash units.
Kangaroo Island isn’t just for kangaroos. In fact, it’s one of the best places in all of Australia for easily seen mammals of all types — koalas, echidnas, fur seals, sea lions, possums, even the always elusive platypus. This young koala was hanging out at Hanson Bay on the southern coast of the island, doing what koalas do — sleeping and occasionally waking up to eat a bit of eucalyptus. Nikon D200 with Nikkor 80-200mm lens (at 80mm) ISO 200, f/4.5 at 1/20th of a second.
I took this photograph years ago in Australia. There’s an island just south of Adelaide called Kangaroo Island and if you’re a wildlife lover, it’s a must see on any itinerary. It’s also great for landscape shots, especially at the tip of the island at a place appropriately called the Remarkable Rocks. Nikon D200 with Nikkor 17-35 mm lens (at 17mm) ISO 200, f/22 at 1/13th of a second/
I’ve obviously been on a bit of a marsupial kick lately. Here’s one more. A Bennett’s wallaby hanging out in the rain. These guys are all over Cradle Mountain National Park in Tasmania — an incredibly beautiful place and highly recommended if you’re ever in the area.
Nikon D800 with Nikkor 70-200mm lens (at 200mm) ISO 800, f/4.5 at 1/100th of a second
Here’s another marsupial from Tasmania. This time a wild Tasmanian devil imp — the name for young devils — from a healthy population that was introduced to Maria Island a few years ago. Maria Island has become a bit of a safe breeding ground for the devils, away from the facial tumor disease that is decimating the population on mainland Tasmania. Many of the devils on Maria Island, however, are then captured and brought back to the mainland in an effort to repopulate the critically endangered species. Researchers are finding that wild devils, like the ones on Maria Island, have a better chance of survival than those bred in one of the many captive programs.
Nikon D810 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 310mm) ISO 800, f/5.6 at 1/250th of a second, two Nikon SB-900 flash units