Tasmanian Seabirds Field Trip - Albatross; Post 1

This is the first segment of a series of posts to document a recent trip I conducted with  another photoghrapher to a small uninhabited and remote island in Bass Strait off the coast Tasmania.

The purpose of our visit was to photograph the seabirds on the island; in particular the Shy Albatross (Thalassarche cauta), Fairy Penguin (Eudyptula minor) and Southern Prion (Pachyptila turtur). 

 LEFT: Succulent & lichen covered rocks.  Two albatross can be seen in the sky.

The island is remote, not frequently visited, has no infrastructure and is out of communication range except when using high frequency radio or satellite phone.  We had to be totally self sufficient for the time spent on the island, therefore, considerable effort went into logistical preparation for the one-week camping trip.  In addition, extra water and food supplies were required to be taken, in case we became stranded on the island because of the unstable local weather patterns, which frequently cause sea conditions to be such that pick up via boat is not possible.  Everything that was needed for the trip, including medical and emergency items,

had to be transferred from the mainland to the island via a 35 foot shark cat.

POOR WEATHER CONDITIONS

As it was, the jumping off date was cancelled due to large swells and 50-knot winds, however, on the following day a lull had developed between frontal systems.  Our skipper decided that today was the day and we made a dash for the lee of the island navigating through 3-meter ocean-going seas.  As we approached the island, we made our first observations of shy albatross; the birds were completely at home in the rough and windy conditions as they skirted on the crests of large swells.

To transfer the gear from the boat to the island was in itself out of the ordinary.  The boat’s skipper had to position the shark cat in such a way that the bow rail was adjacent to a rocky outcrop.  Then the equipment was passed quickly across the bow rail to a person on the rock – this was done to the symphony of the swell and several runs were made until all our equipment was disgorged onto the rock. 

LEFT: Lowering equipment from the ridge to the mouth of the sea cave via rope and shackles.

LUGGING GEAR OVERLAND/ISLAND

The fun part then began as we had to man/woman handle everything to the top of a hill over relatively unstable rocks, along a small ridge, and then lower the gear via a rope to the entrance of a sea cave.  Now, this may sound like an easy operation, but imagine “lugging” several 20-kilogram jerry cans of water, a battery for recharge purposes, tent, cooking equipment and food – not too mention 3 pelican cases of camera and video equipment!  To complete this seemingly easy task involved a number of trips from the cave to the dropping off point and took 4 hours!  Add to this the fact, although wearing copious amounts of sunburnt cream, the high UV still managed to eat through the cream causing us to get sunburnt and more dehydrated than normal. 

BASE CAMP AT MOUTH OF SEA CAVE

It was in this sea cave (at the far entrance) that we established a base camp.  

LEFT: Shark Cat showing rocks that equipment was unloaded.

At first we thought it would be best to actually camp in the sea cave (as sealers had done 200 years earlier during the height of the Tasmanian seal industry), however, several reasons for not doing this were evident.  Nearly every accessible portion of this small rocky island was covered in seabirds, nesting sites and burrows; the remainder was solid rock (for the geologists the rock was Owen conglomerate deposited around the Ordovician period).  The other  reason for utilising the cave was the weather - not so much the rain, but more the gale force winds that regularly buffet this part of the coast.  Despite having an exceptionally well constructed tent, I wasn’t pleased at the thought of being blown off into the southern ocean.   The third reason was we noting several rather large boulders that had already fallen from the cave’s ceiling - and we didn't fancy having sleeping with one!   

LEFT: Base camp at the mouth of the cave.

LITTLE RESPITE FROM WIND, SALT & DUST

Although the cave entrance did provide some respite from severe wind and rain, it offered little respite from humidity, sea salt and dust; within a few days all the gear was covered in dirt and our clothing was mattered with salt and grunge.  My jacket at the beginning of the trip was relatively new and at the week’s completion the jacket reminded me of a unwashed World War Two combat smock that had been worn and used in several battles!

More to follow soon.......

Seasons Greetings

Drive carefully - AVOID killing wildlife

All to often these days folks are in a hurry.  Between talking on cell phones, drinking coffee, arguing with kids and partners, and tending pets in vehicles, there seems to be little time to devote to - ah - actually driivng, let alone watching the road for wildlife.

Many native animals are attracted to road verges either to graze on the fresh grass along the side of the road, feed on dead carrion, a result of road kill, or as a natural through fare between one area and another.  Whatever the reason, it is paramount when travelling to watch out for wildlife.

Last week I was doing some work in the north of the state and came across this highly threatened Spotted Tiger Quoll ( Dasyurus maculatus maculatus).  The Spotted Tiger Quoll is a marsupial cat and inhabits the east coast of Australia and the island state of Tasmania.  Its former range in mainland Australia has been drastically reduced due to human influences and Tasmania is one of their last strongholds.

Unfortunately, the quoll in Tasmania is now becoming more difficult to find as population numbers are far less than a decade earlier.  Possible reason sited are forestry operations, land clearing, introduction of feral cats, and the reduction of Tasmanian devil numbers (by facial Tumour Disease).  Whatever the "true" reason, it's disheartening to find a road killed quoll.

So next time your out and about - keep your eyes peeled  and SLOW DOWN for wildlife.

BLOG Action Day 2009 - Climate Change Affects Local Marine Species

When the phrase climate change is heard, many people think about large scale effects such as sea level rise or the reduction in the size and thickness of polar ice caps.  These occurrences are significant, however, what about the smaller, often hidden, but no less significant events that can and are occurring in many countries.  Often these are overlooked.

KELP FORESTS ON THE DECLINE

One problem happening in Tasmania is the reduction of kelp forests (Macrocystis pyrifera) that used to grace the shores of this island state.  When I first dived in Tasmania (2001 thereabouts) you could SCUBA dive through stunningly beautiful kelp forests that were so thick you could loose yourself within them.  Despite the aesthetic beauty of the underwater forests, they provided the background template for a thriving marine ecosystem, in addition to being a haven for a variety of marine life, from the small and inconspicuous nudibranch to various fish species and the giant octopus.

Unfortunately this ecosystem is disappearing from Tasmania's coastline at an alarming rate, due to the increase in water temperature.  Kelp forests need temperate waters to survive and grow to the size they are (some kelp reaches 20 meters or 60 feet in length).  Water temperatures over the last few years have been warmer than usual which has resulted in kelp forests declining in size and abundance.

ENDEMIC SPOTTED HANDFISH THREATENED WITH EXTICTION

The Spotted Handfish (Brachionichthys hirsustus) is found in water up to 8 meters deep (24 feet) in the Greater Hobart area.  This species is found nowhere else on planet Earth.  Its habitat is the sandy stretches of sea bottom that can be found adjacent to some of the headlands and coves along the Derwent River.  Habitat destruction due to construction activities and water temperate fluctuations threaten the extinction of this species.  The spotted Handfish can only reproduce within a certain water temperature range and an increase in this range causes reproduction to cease.  Contemporary scientific research indicates that although river water temperatures fluctuate, overall temperature has been increasing over the last decade which if continued will threaten the survival of this endemic species.

Often the small animals and less "showey" plants are forgotten when discussing climate change.  These are but two of the myrid of flora and fauna species that are being currently affected by climate change globally.

Wombats, Kangaroos & Young - Tasmania

The last few weeks have brought exceptionally severe weather to the state. High winds, rain and occasional snow have fallen as embedded lows within several; frontal systems cross Tasmania.

The last few days has a seen a break in the weather and I decided to head 4 hours north to spend two days at a favourite location to photograph wombats and kangaroos. At this time of year the young are still in the pouch and my aim was to attempt to secure images of young wombats and Eastern Grey Kangaroos. Of course pre-visualizing what you want in a photograph and actually achieving that are two different animals.

The weather didn’t hold off as anticipated and rain showers crossed frequently during the two days interspersed with periods of sunshine and cloud cover. Personally I enjoy the rain and have never minded being out in the weather photographing wildlife, however, care must be taken with equipment - Canon claims their 1D series cameras and L series lens are waterproof, but I always take precautions and use rain covers when possible. Further, when furry animals are wet they take on a distinctly different appearance to when they are dry and fluffy-like – this is a look I rather like and find endearing.

The area I was located is quite extensive and wildlife can be observed anywhere along a 7 mile stretch of land, which due to the recent torrential rain was totally water-logged almost resembled an inland sea. Once one site, the first task is to actually discover where the animals are and then “hang about” observing them so they become used to your presence. Only then can you approach close enough to capture images. I’m always careful never to approach too close – no photograph is worth disturbing an animal.

Wildlife Prolific

On this short trip, the wildlife was quite prolific. Black Cockatoos flew overhead making their raucous calls and several wombats grazed along the grassy verge. Two mobs of Eastern Grey Kangaroos were easily spotted and within the group there were several females with young. A number of bird species were seen including the large Mountain Duck and the Red-beaked Black Swan. Located in the bracken fern were two species of wallaby – the Tasmanian Paddymellon and the Bennett’s Wallaby. Both animals are very attractive marsupials with distinct facial markings. They inhabit the bracken fern as the new fern growth is one of their favourite food supplies.

My aim, however, was young animals in the pouch, but during the morning I saw very few with young, and of those I did, the young were safely tucked away from harms way in the rearward opening pouch of the mother. Instead, I was content to spend my hours with a mob of Eastern Greys.

 During the hours I spent amougst the "mob" I observed several aspects of behaviour including: grazing, resting, maternal affection, male aggression, sexual excitement, cough rumination and scratching.

At one stage the rain was so heavy, that I stopped photographing and we both looked at each other wondering why we were standing out here in the weather!

I’m always amazed at the speed and agility of kangaroos when they put “their pads to the floor”.  Hopping is a very cost effective method of travel and “roos” can travel vast distances in a relatively short period of time. The photograph lower down was taken when part of the mob decided to move on. The lead kangaroo makes the first move, and the remainder follow. The height these animals were hopping was well in excess of 2.5 meters (10 feet) and the speed was impressive – especially when you take into account they were hopping through and over water roughly 1 foot deep!

Mother Wombat & Following Baby

Earlier, I had observed a female wombat and baby and knew there were “holing” up within a burrow in the general location. All one could do was play the waiting game in the rain! My patience was rewarded, albeit briefly when the mother wombat and baby made an all too brief visit from their burrow to graze on the succulent grass. I knew I would have to be fast if I wanted an image; it was obvious this mother was not taking any chances with her young infant. She was cautious and vigilant and once she saw me began making an immediate bee-line to one of her burrows.

As I had pre-visualized the image I wanted, and knew the location of the main burrow, it was a relatively easy deduction to assume the wombat and baby would bee-line along the top of the mound to reach the entrance to the burrow. I was right! For a brief 10 seconds the wombat was silhouetted on top of the mound with baby in tow.