Saturday, January 8, 2011

The Cradle, The Dove and The Devil

We hiked around Dove Lake and Cradle Mountain today. Vistas were spectacular (see attached pic) and the wildlife viewings continued. We saw a few black snakes (yikes!) And some lizards. Last night a bush tailed possum tried to eat Jim's stinky tevas right off the deck. We got a closer look at a wombat and they look cuter than I previously described- more like a fuzzy pig. The air is dry and crisp and about 70. Perfect hiking weather. Many of the plants are still in bloom so there are smatterings of pink, purple, white, yellow and red. I managed to roll my ankle trying to carry Addi towards the end of the 4mi trek, but it should be fine by morning. Luckily no witnesses! ;-)

We went from there to a Tasmanian Devil conservation park. I mentioned previously that an infectious facial cancer has wiped out more than 60% of the population...this place is trying to breed them back. It was a very cool place that opened with a video not the Devils in the wild. Poor Addi got an unexpected pure look into predator nature. If you remember, she still talks about the scary snow monster in Rudolph...so I was concerned. She seemed unphased, though. Whew! With the population so decimated, we were not likely to see any in the wild...but we saw alot here. We even got to touch one! They are non territorial and non social" indiscriminating predators" who do some serious damage to whatever they catch/eat. Cuter than I expected until they open their huge mouth! Photo of Addi touching one attached. By for now!

Ps: dad, congrats on going Druid! Smart choice!

PPS: toilets flush counter clockwise!!
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2 comments:

  1. The wildlife is amazing, as is Addi's journal! You are in a place as evolutionarily different as the Galapagos, probably more so. Wait-you guys have also been to Madagascar. You are Darwin-adventure explorers!

    We are living on the edge too--Last nite at dinner at the rusty Hammer, mom and I were talking, had a question about an event in Florida, pulled out our Droid, and Googled it. We pinched and flicked in public! If we weren't giggling, we would have looked like pro's.

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  2. Wow, what amazing wildlife! Nice to think of you in a place like Mohonk, too. Addi's drawing ability is truly impressive!!! Pretty snow is falling in Rochester now. Thinking of all if you with Huge love, Baba & GD

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