A zoo without fences: Charlie Lawrence’s wildlife on Kangaroo Island
In a second installment to the suite of images provided to us by recent Southern Ocean Lodge guest Charlie Lawrence, we see the abundant wildlife roaming freely on Kangaroo Island, captured only in images.
Willow the wallaby ventures out
Our favourite friend, baby Willow is growing bigger every week and is now spending her days and most nights outdoors in the bush with the other Tamar Wallabies that call Southern Ocean Lodge home.
She does however still like to call in about the same time every afternoon for a bottle, a scratch, a cuddle and even a photo or two for our guests.
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- Willow checks in at SOL for a bottle
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- Willow the orphaned Tamar wallaby grows every day
Doing the echidna shuffle
It’s always a thrill to encounter an echidna on Kangaroo Island.
Echidna hits the beach on KI
Places to go, people to meet
A snaphot: Wildlife on Kangaroo Island
Southern Ocean Lodge naturalist guide, James Adam is a talented wildlife photographer with an impressive portfolio of images on his website at www.jamesadamphoto.com.au.
We’re lucky to have him on our Experiences team; he captures the island’s incredible wildlife with a keen eye, an infinite respect for nature’s beauty and with a good sense of humour.
Ebony and Ivory wallabies
Corellas on KI
Mum and big baby Koalas
Eye-spy Parrot
Possum
Check it out baby!
Willow the Tamar wallaby
Coming soon: Searching for Platypus at Southern Ocean Lodge
The Platypus Waterholes guided walk is one of the new activities planned for guests at Southern Ocean Lodge on Kangaroo Island. Here’s a sneak preview…
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- Platypus Waterholes Walk, Flinders Chase
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- Cape Barren Goose
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- Platypus home
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- Kangaroos along the way
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- Platypus walk boardwalk
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- Spot the Tamar wallaby
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- Yakka
Rosenberg’s (Heath) Goanna on Kangaroo Island
Heath Goanna (Varanus rosenbergi)
Kangaroo Island is seen as an important last stronghold for the Heath Goanna species.
Heath Goannas are unable to control their own body temperature and need to bask in the sun for at least half an hour each day before becoming active. The Heath Goanna’s skin is a darker colour than other goannas, so they can absorb and retain solar energy more readily, giving them longer times for foraging in Kangaroo Island’s cooler, denser vegetation.
In the evenings and in cooler weather, they retire into shallow burrows which are dug in the soil, or located in hollow logs, rock crevices and thick vegetation.
The Heath Goanna is powerfully built and can grow to 1.5 metres long. Their strong limbs are equipped with long, sharp, curved claws and their tails are long, slender and muscular. The teeth of the Heath Goanna are also large and curve backwards, making it difficult for captured prey to escape from their jaws.
The menu of the Heath Goanna consists of spiders, scorpions and other large insects, as well as frogs, snakes, lizards, small birds and mammals. The scavenging of carrion killed on the road is often a welcome addition. The Heath Goanna is also credited with successfully consuming rabbits introduced to Kangaroo Island earlier last century, as it will eagerly dig for prey.
Rosenberg's Heath Goanna
Keep your eyes peeled on the site and surrounds of Southern Ocean Lodge!
Expedition Kangaroo Island 2010
Baillie Lodges is excited to introduce the inaugural ‘Expedition Kangaroo Island’ at Southern Ocean Lodge in July 2010. The week-long program departing 24 July 2010 promises days and nights filled with adventure and learning in the company of like-minded travellers and with Southern Ocean Lodge as ‘luxury base camp’.
We are excited that the renowned naturalist Craig Wickham of Exceptional Kangaroo Island with whom we have worked closely since opening in 2008 will join us as Expedition Kangaroo Island leader.
Southern Ocean Lodge proprietor Hayley Baillie and the Lodge’s own team of naturalist guides will be part of each day’s itinerary, promising a very personal guided experience of the island.
Expedition Kangaroo Island is modelled on the much-loved Expedition Lord Howe programs run at sister property Capella Lodge over the past five years in cooperation with Aurora Expeditions, who are excited to be involved in the project again this year. Our Lord Howe expedition leader, the esteemed island naturalist Ian Hutton will also venture south to join the ‘KI’ contingent.
The program has been designed to allow guests, as ‘expeditioners’ the chance to explore first-hand a complete experience of the beautifully wild Kangaroo Island, showcasing its abundant native wildlife, spirited art, delicious local cuisine and fascinating history. In true expedition style, the week will be filled with interactive ‘hands-on’ adventures, guided walks, marine–based activities and informative presentations.
Download the e-brochure at http://southernoceanlodge.com.au/pdfs/downloads/EKI%20Web.pdf
Wexas Travel have kindly featured the Expedition in their latest news at http://www.wexas.com/1/tailor-made-holiday-news/-9678910.html
We hope to see you there!
Solitary seals: Images from guest Stefania Fumagalli
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Posted on 22nd March 2011 by southernoceanlodge in Guest Comments |Southern Ocean Lodge Images |Wildlife
Seals, Southern Ocean Lodge Images
Recent guest Stefania Fumigalli shares her experiences at Southern Ocean Lodge and in the remote wilderness of Kangaroo Island;
‘…The Southern Ocean Lodge has really inspired me and I am really grateful you gave me the opportunity to experience the beautiful Spa and the eagle’s flight, the solitary beach with the sea lion looking for rest, and the comfort of my no.10 suite in respectful memory of the shipwrecked steamer “Eva”.’
www.enteara.com; to see more of Stefania’s iamges on Facebook, go to http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=343502&id=389965730020&saved#!/album.php?fbid=10150165375285021&id=389965730020&aid=343502