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’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

The golden brushtail possum is a rare color varient of the common brushtail possum. I photographed this one at the Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary in Tasmania. The sanctuary rescues injured animals in the hopes of rehabilitating them for future release back into the wild.
Nikon D800 with Nikkor 105mm macro lens, ISO 3200, f/4.5 at 1/800th of a second

I love Australia for many reasons. But mostly it’s the wombats. I mean, c’mon. Look at this chubby little fur ball just enjoying the afternoon on a blanket of freshly chewed grass. You eat a little, you rest a little, and then you eat some more. Taken on Maria Island on the island state of Tasmania.
Nikon D810 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 800, f/4 at 1/250th of a second

Just a simple portrait of a white Bennett’s wallaby (with a bit of a ripped ear). This was taken on Bruny Island, which is just off the southeast coast of Tasmania.
Nikon D810 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 1600, f/4 at 1/500th of a second

Here’s another look at Binalong Bay on the east coast of Tasmania. Orange lichen covers the rocks at the water line in this incredibly picturesque area known as the Bay of Fires, which stretches from Binalong Bay in the south to Eddystone Point in the north.
Nikon D800 with Nikkor 17-35mm lens (at 17mm) ISO 200, f/18 at .3 seconds

Quolls were my favorite animal that I photographed in Tasmania. And I didn’t really know what one was until I started researching the trip. There are two species, the eastern and the spotted and they are both carnivorous marsupials, like their cousins the Tasmanian devil. I was able to photograph both species, but only the eastern in the wild. They are strictly nocturnal, making it a bit more difficult to capture decent photos. This one was out on his nightly hunt in the northern forests of Australia’s island state.
Nikon D810 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 380mm) ISO 500, f/6.3 at 1/200th of a second. Two Nikon SB-900 flash units

This green rosella was enjoying a snack of purple thistle weed just outside the room I was staying at on Maria Island, which itself is just off the coast of Tasmania. The green rosella is one of the twelve endemic bird species that call Tasmania home.
Nikon D810 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 400, f/4 at 1/1250th of a second