Category Archives: Wildlife

Australian Wildlife Conservancy update

Australia, AWC, Kangaroo Island, Nissan Patrol, SA, Uncategorised, Wildlife, Yookamurra

As readers know The Doc’s Nissan Patrol has Australian Wildlife Conservancy stickers on its doors. This trip started with pitfall trapping at AWC Yookamurra Sanctuary near Sedan in South Australia. Where it was 42 degrees one day and the next had half their yearly rainfall. Not the best combination for successful trapping. But that maybe a topic for a separate post. This is about comments made about AWC.

While staying at the Wintersun Motel in Victory Harbour before the ferry ride across to Kangaroo Island, The Doc heard a knock at his door. The person introduced themselves as Graeme Chapman, a noted bird photographer and ornithologist. Graeme and his wife were on there way to Kangaroo Island also, or KI as the local call it. Or Sealink Island as the Victor Harbour people call it.

Graeme allows AWC to use some of his images royalty free and wondered about the fancy fitted out 4WD being used by AWC now. The Doc explained he was a supporter, not a staff member. We laughed. We both chatted about birds, the Galapagos and Kangaroo Islands and photography for the next 2.5 hours. The Doc enjoyed our talk.

Next stop Kangaroo Island and at Vivonne Bay a stranger approached and asked about AWC. The Doc was happy to discuss, it turns out Steve was one of the parents with a school group from the Adelaide Hills visiting KI. The Doc explained about the educational facilities at Yookamurra. The next day, Julian the organiser of the school tour had a talk, as well. Perhaps the school may visit. Julian remembered Yookamurra from the Earth Sanctuary days, the previous owners.

Next day while at the remote Hanson Bay a gentleman came up and asked about AWC. He had been at Raptor Domain together the previous day. Perhaps he will support AWC. He like the background The Doc gave.

Today at Parndana a lady came up and asked whether AWC has a sanctuary on KI. No they do not, The Doc was just a supporter visiting KI, he was not looking at potential sanctuaries either. She seemed relieved as she was a regular reader of the AWC Newsletter and had not heard about KI being on the list of sanctuaries.

It seems people read the stickers.

Postscript
The Doc forgot to mention that while driving through major roadworks his UHF radio was set to scan. It picked up a conversation between the road crew that they were being filmed by Australian Geographic, not quite but as the Patrol was the only car at the time they meant AWC.

Galapagos Land Trip Day 4 – The End

Galapagos, Uncategorised, Wildlife

This time we have a trip to Bartolomé Island (Isla Bartolomé). We also visit Sullivan Bay (Bahia Sullivan) on Santiago Island. This is the last day of Galapagos. The next day we packed up flew out of Baltra to mainland Ecuador. But it was a great way to finish. Report here.

Galapagos Land Trip Day 3

Galapagos, Uncategorised, Wildlife

Day 3 of the Galapagos Land Trip, we visit North Seymour Island (or Isla Seymour Norte), the largest pirate’s base in the Galapagos. Also known as the Frigate birds breeding colony.

Do not miss the mating display of the Magnificent Frigate bird, the red sack under the male’s neck is inflated to impress the ladies, a site to behold. It takes about 25 minutes for the bird to inflate the sack. They must then guard their nest and ward off other males.

Then a trip in the afternoon to Bachus Beach, a beautiful white coral sand beach.

Report here. Click on the photos to see the correct size, not blurred like the thumbnails.

Day 8 Sea trip, 27 Nov 2013 Galapagos Islands

Galapagos, Uncategorised, Wildlife

Day 8 of the Sea Trip, but the only water was between and the Millennium and the wharf.  We visit Santa Cruz Highlands and see giant tortoises. Report here.

Remember to click on the photos to see the full version of the photo.