Lowland Copperhead Snake and a Waterfall

I came across this Lowland Copperhead snake (Austrelaps superbus) the other day at the Tamar Wetlands in Tasmania.  This is not related to the American snake of similar name. It is a  venomous snake of the Elapidae family that could (and have) kill an adult human. However, they will generally remain non aggressive as long as you don't interfere with them.    They can grow up to 4 1/2 feet. This one was at least 3 1/2 feet (maybe a little longer).  They are generally found in wet areas, creeks, swamps etc,  and feed on frogs, mice, larger insects, lizards etc.  It will even cannibalise smaller copperheads. Aside from Tasmania, they can also be found in other parts of south-eastern Australia.

 ( Copperhead Snake - Click the play button)

We also visited a waterfall recently. Delaney Falls, also known as Preston falls,  are located about 25km's south of Ulverstone in Tasmania. The wide angle lens was back at the car and the GoPro battery was dead so unfortunately I did not get a shot with the entire falls top to bottom. There is always a next time  :-)

  (Preston Falls - Click the play button)

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Waterfalls

Pencil Pine Falls are just a couple of minutes walk from the main office at Cradle Mountain National Park. I stopped for a photo last Wednesday on the way through.

(Click to enlarge)

Pencil Pine Falls

The photo below was taken in 2007 and show a better flow of water.

Pencil Pines Falls in 2007

From the road, you can get a nice shot of the Cascades. Also from the north side of the river there is a track that will take to Knivet Falls. I didn't have time to visit them on Wednesday but I've included some earlier photos.

Pencil Pine Cascades

Knivet Falls

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Guide Falls (Video and Photos)

...Guide Falls

Yesterday I took some video at Guide Falls, near Ridgley. This is my first attempt at putting my own videos on the Net so I hope it all works well. I originally uploaded to YouTube but I was not at all happy with the quality.

Note the Silver wattles, Acacia dealbata, are in full bloom. Near the beginning of the video you may hear a Superb Fairywren calling. Also, you will see the river cuts though columnar basalt. Huge boulders of collapsed basalt lie in the river bed.

I've also added a couple of older photos for anyone who does not have broadband to at least be able to see the falls.

Guide Falls

Guide Falls

Hope you enjoy the video

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Mt. Field N.P - Russell Falls

Another destination we managed to cram in during last weeks time away was the Mt. Field National Park. From the main Office, it's just a short level walk through Myrtles, Tree Ferns and towering Swamp Gums to one of Tasmania's best known natural attractions, Russell Falls.

Russell Falls

Russell Falls

Along the track I found several types of fungi.

Coprinus disseminatus

Stereum ostrea

... and what is this one?

Unknown Fungi?

At the picnic ground a Wedge-tailed Eagle flew overhead at about 6 or 7 metres of the ground. It was being mobbed by 2 Ravens. The eagle did a complete roll over thrusting it’s talons out at the Ravens. Of course the whole thing happened so suddenly and was over so quickly that I just stood there, camera in hand and mouth hanging open.

We also seen Sulphur-crested Cockatoos and Scarlet Robins as well as all the usual 'picnic ground' type birds such as Black Currawong, Tasmanian Native Hens, and Superb Fairywrens.

Superb Fairywren - Malurus cyaneus

Tasmanian Nativehen - Gallinula mortierii

Several Pademelons were seen including this one which was hanging around the picnic shelters.

Tasmanian Pademelon - Thylogale billardierii

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Cold and Snowy in Tassie

Today the "Nature of Tasmania" could be described as cold and snowy. We had widespread snowfalls last night down to about 500m. Here's a few photos. (Click to enlarge)

Murchison Highway at the Cradle Mountain Turn off. (The cradle Mountain road was closed to 2wd's)

Murchison Highway between Waratah and Hellyer Gorge

The town of Waratah and it's waterfall

The town of Waratah

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