The Halloween Fox and Friends

The local badgers are not much fussed by the sudden presence of a large pumpkin or two in their dining area. The first one into the garden did seem to approach a little cautiously at first  but soon she was chonping away on the snacks provided. 

A passing fox is also indifferent.

Out to sea off Bruny Island, Tasmania

I was fortunate enopugh with a small group of friends to take a trip to Bruny Island south of Hobart and this included going out into the Tasman Sea and to the edge of the Southern Ocean. Here are some images. Map c/o Pennicott Wilderness Journeys.

Amazing Dolomite Cliffs on the southeast of Bruny Island

Setting out into the Tasman Sea on a large ridged-hulled inflatable

The view from my seat (a seat that comes complete with a seat belt).

Black-faced cormorants

Australian fur seals

New Zealand fur seals

And back to land to meet with Bennet's wallabies in the car park

Bennet's wallaby also has an albino population on Bruny Island

Superb Fairy Wren on Bruny Island

Around Hobart

I was fortunate enough to be in Hobart, Tasmania, for the 70th meeting of the International Whaling Commission and this  gave me a little time rto look around this old whaling port and the adjacent waters of the Derwent River, which is actually a massive deepwater estuary.

The wharves are home to some replica aquare riggers, a small local fishing fleet, some tour boats and ferries and the massive icebreaker that belongs to the Australian Antartic Research division ( Hobart is after all the nearest city to the Southern Ocean).

There are some views.

Two local ferries.

Local tour boat,

A tri-pot - once used for boiling whale meat and blubber

A local fising boat equipped with large pots.

Black-faced cormorants on a channel marker.

New Zealand seal lion at rest in Australia

The Tasman Bridge over the River Derwent

RSV Nuyina - Australia's giant icebreaker in port

And finally a couple of the bird species from around Hobart that will famously attach any who pass too close to their rearing grounds -

The Australian magpie

The masked lapwing - also known as the plover.

Thoughts about the International Whaling Commission meeting in Hobart HERE

On the Rocks just off Hobart

When in Hobart in Tasmania - as I seem to be - you can head out to sea and pretty quicklu find amazing sea-life. Here are some images of a colony of New Zealand fur seals and also some black-faced cormorants, 

 

Coming back to port in Hobart - kunanyi / Mount Wellington

Leave water out for the badgers too!

 

Here, in the UK, it has been a record-breaking long hot spell with no rain.

The ground is hard and dry. This means that the badgers' main food larder is locked to them. There are no juicey worms available and thy are having to scavenge increasingly widely.

They, and othet wildlife, will appreciate it if you can please leave some water out for them. Any bowl will do, just keep it topped up.

Badgers and friends Summer 2026

Just some back garden nocturnal wildlife over the last few weeks, including tha latest very hot spell. 

Wild Cranes at Slimbridge

 

Here is a family of wild cranes seen in the margins of the Slimbridge Wetlands Centre today.

This is Britain's tallest native bird  (120com high when adult) and they are part of a successful reintroducton programme.  More about this and them  HERE.