We were all up at 0 dark 30 to stalk the elusive platypus. We met outside our cabin with cameras and binocs in hand at 5:30 a.m as planned and hightailed it over to the pond. By 6 we were getting a bit restless when we spied something breaking the surface at the far end of the lake. When we finally trained the binoculars and my lens on it, it was gone. But a few minutes later we saw it again and confirmed that it was, in fact, our platypus.
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| PLATYPUS!!!! |
We spent the next 45 minutes watching it swim at the surface for a few seconds then dive and resurface at another point in the pond. It was like trying to figure out when and where a whale or a loon will resurface. The platypus never came out of the water nor did it get close enough for great photo, but I was at least able to get a shot off that proves the existence of the platypus of the pond.
Heady after our conquest, we went in the lodge for a hearty
breakfast to prepare gastronomically for our long day of hiking ahead of
us. We drove to the Dove Lake
parking area and began our walk circumnavigating Dove Lake, with an extension
to Crater Lake and finally back to the parking area, about a total of 15 km
with several areas of steep ascent and descent. Views of the lake with Cradle
Mountain in the background were perfect with great morning light behind
us.
The wildflowers were also in bloom, so there was quite a bit of color as well. We particularly liked the peculiar, bright red warpath.
The wildflowers were also in bloom, so there was quite a bit of color as well. We particularly liked the peculiar, bright red warpath.
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| Waratah |
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| Waratah |
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| The I have no clue flower |
The trail split off to extend to Crater Lake passing Lake Lilla and “the Wombat Pool” where we stopped for a picnic lunch of PB and banana (again).
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| Lake Lilla and Dove Lake |
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| Lunch at Wombat Pool |
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| Wombat Pool |
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| Wombat Pool |
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| Washing up |
The trail ascended sharply to a lookout affording views of both Dove Lake and Lake Lilla. We then descended again past Crater Lake
through a lush rainforest along a beautiful waterfall then out into open areas with a patchwork of button grass and some unidentified rust-colored ground cover.
One more climb got us back to the remainder of the Dove Lake trail and the parking lot.
When we got back to our cabin, Jeri noticed a wallaby in the
backyard, and on closer inspection, noted that there was a very young joey in
her pouch. I got some great photos
of the baby on board, and after he came out as well.
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| Mamma and Baby |
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| Joey |
We had a wonderful dinner at the lodge that evening. Milt and Rhonda had wallaby as an
appetizer, but after watching the mother and baby, Jeri and I needed a little
distance before we could consider chowing down on wallaby. We stuck with
pumpkin soup and filet. Great
chocolate fondant and boysenberry ice cream for dessert. After dinner, we did a quick,
unsuccessful, platypus check of the pond, then off to visit a Tasmanian Devil
Sanctuary. (check back for this part of the blog- I’ll write it on the way to
Sydney)
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| Eastern Quoll |
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| Petting the Devil |
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