Long weekend at Howqua River

Long weekend at Howqua River

When the opportunity to go camping for a few days came up, I didn't hesitate. Camping beside the Howqua River in the Alpine National Park was an absolute joy. The weather was perfect and the water was clean and clear and wonderful to swim in. We were visited daily by a range of parrots and other bird species, lizards and snakes in the morning and frogs by night. Once again, my love for the outdoors is reaffirmed!  

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Not just another local park

Not just another local park

As probably my favourite zoo, I felt it was high time to revisit Melbourne Zoo now that I am back living in Melbourne. Even though it was a grey and rainy morning, the animals were still out and about and the rain only made the surrounds more interesting and beautiful. My first visit in over two years, there were a couple of significant changes to the exhibits, namely the award-winning Lemur Island and the newly opened Lion Gorge.

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The hunt for suburban wildlife

The hunt for suburban wildlife

While it is good to be back within just-pop-over-for-a-coffee range of Melbourne-based family and friends, I do miss the accessibility of the outback from Alice Springs. A half-hour drive from our house in Alice would put us well into the bush with the likelihood of bumping into another person at slim to none. In comparison, it is quite challenging having to share Victorian parks and nature reserves with dog walkers, cyclists, and people talking loudly on their phones. 

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Farewell to Alice Springs

Farewell to Alice Springs

It was very difficult preparing to move away from Alice Springs, even though the call back to Melbourne was strong. So we made sure we got out and about and took full advantage of our surroundings. From storm chasing, to frog hunting Alice Springs never fails to delight.

Originally published at http://samlhopley.wix.com/hopleysphotographs

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Serpentine Gorge lives up to its name

Serpentine Gorge lives up to its name

The West MacDonnell Ranges are like a necklace strung with jewels of prime wildlife watching spots. Many of the turn offs have dedicated camping areas, like Serpentine Gorge, but all get better the further you walk from the road. Serpentine Gorge does not always hold a lot of water, but after decent rain it is transformed and becomes a beacon for wildlife.

Originally published at http://samlhopley.wix.com/hopleysphotographs 

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For the birds

For the birds

Living in Alice Springs has the distinct advantage of being very close to nature. It literally invades your backyard. And, should you chose to venture out into the heat, you don't have to go far to find spectacular scenery and wildlife. Even when the temperatures have driven all the mammals into hiding, birds are still relatively easy to find.

Originally published at http://samlhopley.wix.com/hopleysphotographs

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Not entirely about whisky

Not entirely about whisky

My very first trip to Scotland gave me an excellent opportunity to refine my taste for whisky, but to also see some incredible scenery vastly different to anything that you might find in Australia. It was also surprisingly pleasant to see familiar feral species in their native home.

Originally published at http://samlhopley.wix.com/hopleysphotographs

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Sabah, Malaysia's Borneo

Sabah, Malaysia's Borneo

When my best mate from high school suggested we should go to Borneo, I couldn't say yes fast enough. With only a few precious days in the jungle, I couldn't wait to get there. Sadly my photography skills let me down somewhat, but I still loved every single second I was there.

Originally published at http://samlhopley.wix.com/hopleysphotographs

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Tablelands and wildflowers

Tablelands and wildflowers

Uluru (Ayres Rock) and Kata Tjuta (the Olgas) are iconic geological formations of central Australia. I thought it was high time I went to see them, and got the added bonus of seeing a stunning array of wildflowers. 

Originally published at http://samlhopley.wix.com/hopleysphotographs

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The not so barren waseland

The not so barren waseland

With new national parks to explore and my first experience and field ecology, it was a jam packed month of June. Both Finke Gorge and Mac Clark boast rare plants, although very different in their adaptations. The variety of habitat of the Simpson Desert also hosted a range of different animals that are typically quite difficult to find.

Originally published at http://samlhopley.wix.com/hopleysphotographs

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Bugs and birds

Bugs and birds

The magic of rain was still working in the desert with flowers appearing everywhere. With the flush of new vegetative growth came an influx of animals, all the way up the food chain. Giant bugs and birds of prey found their way into the garden (and house) and I got to visit a little slice of heaven. A beautiful property on the outskirts of town that had painstakingly eradicated noxious weeds and restored native plants, which in turn encourage native animals to return.

Originally published at http://samlhopley.wix.com/hopleysphotographs

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Flowing rivers and bird portraits

Flowing rivers and bird portraits

Rain in the desert is an event. Not just because it obviously doesn't happen very often, but because it transforms the place. Plantlife springs into existence where there was only sand and rock before. Birds and other wildlife are draw to the water and the succulent new growth and the whole area bustles with life and activity.

Originally published at http://samlhopley.wix.com/hopleysphotographs

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Desert devils and rescued wildlife

Desert devils and rescued wildlife

A trip south of Alice Springs led to my first (and so far only) sighting of a Thorny Devil in the wild. It was also my first experience in a gibber plain and and we managed to spot two of this type of country's iconic birds. The Channel-bill Cuckoo lifecycle also continued to unfold in the backyard in Alice Springs.

Originally published at http://samlhopley.wix.com/hopleysphotographs

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South of south

South of south

My first experience of the South Island of New Zealand was definitely not enough the whet my appetite. We spent most of our time in Queenstown, with an excellent day trip to Milford Sound, and then fours days on Stewart and Ulva Islands. The scenery was breathtaking, and the birdlife astounding. The confidence of the bird on Steward Island was quite reminiscent of the Galapagos and just as spectacular.

Originally published at http://samlhopley.wix.com/hopleysphotographs

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Dragons and parasites

Dragons and parasites

Before heading to New Zealand, there were plenty of adventures to be had in and around Alice Springs. The garden was brimming with insects and birds, and a case of brood parasitism was unfolding in my very own backyard. 

Originally published at http://samlhopley.wix.com/hopleysphotographs

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Rain in the desert

Rain in the desert

Like most residents of Alice Springs, we had headed 'home' to visit family over Christmas. But I was excited to actually come home and play int he summer rains of Alice. All manner of critters came out in the wet and with a brand new macro lens, I wasn't about to miss any of it.

Originally published at http://samlhopley.wix.com/hopleysphotographs/

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