Millipede menace
I’ve seen a lot of millipedes lately. Initially they were only outside, mainly in semi-rural areas on the fringe of town. I virtually tripped over them while out walking.
Then they started creeping into town and we began seeing them inside the house.
At Robe on the weekend they were everywhere.
I haven’t given much thought to millipedes before, probably because I haven’t previously encountered them in such prolific numbers as here. (more…)
Ewens Ponds
Ewen Ponds Conservation Park consists of three large freshwater springs, each around 10 metres deep, connected by a series of shallow channels.
Unlike Piccaninie Ponds, famous for its underwater caves, the main attraction here is incredible visibility up to 80 metres.
It is popular for snorkelling and scuba diving.
With the water temperature a chilly 10-15 degrees, a thick wetsuit is recommended. (more…)
Piccaninnie Ponds
Piccaninnie Ponds are 30km south east of Mount Gambier near Nelson. Well known as a site for cave diving and snorkelling, the ponds comprise a wetland fed by freshwater springs.
An open channel runs from the wetland to the ocean.
I took Kathleen, Jim and Maggie there this afternoon. We didn’t go diving, but enjoyed the “ponds outlet” walk of 2.4km.
This trail runs through coastal vegetation and wetlands adjacent to the pond’s outlet into the sea. (more…)
Endangered turtle strangled
A sad story crossed my desk today. About 10.30am I received a call from someone who said they had seen a giant turtle washed ashore near Carpenter Rocks, about 5km from the lighthouse.
I had to reorganise things in the office, but I sent a cadet journalist on a 35km trip with a camera to see what he could find.
We agreed he should call in at the Carpenter Rocks store before proceeding to get confirmation and directions. (more…)
Mount Schank: extinct volcano
Mount Schank is an extinct volcano about 15km south of Mount Gambier. The first eruption is believed to have occurred 4500 years ago.
It’s a short walk from the base of the crater to the outer rim. It’s fairly steep, but steps make it easy to climb.
The walk around the crater is easy enough. People are warned to take care in strong winds, but unless you suffer vertigo it should be no problem.
We were there on a cloudy day, which made for some interesting photos from different angles with variations of light and shade. (more…)
The Blue Lake is now blue again
After yesterday showing a video of Blue Lake in twilight on a windy day, today I publish the quintessential Mount Gambier photograph.
I walked around the lake for the first time and snapped this picture at our start and finish place. It took about 45 minutes to complete the 4km circuit with Sooty in tow and picture stops. (more…)
Kangaroos and goannas
According to this report a kangaroo inflicted extensive injuries on a man in Melbourne’s north-west.
The victim, aged in his 50s, suffered a large gash to the head and other wounds to the chest and hands.
Ambulance officers treated him at the scene. He was transferred to the Royal Melbourne Hospital in a stable condition.
“He was jogging near his home when he was attacked by a male kangaroo. He managed to fight the kangaroo off and made his way to a neighbour’s house who called 000,” an ambulance spokesman said.
Kangaroos are large animals and I wouldn’t like to tangle with one.
I can’t say I’ve every felt threatened by a kangaroo though. They normally hop away when they see a human. (more…)
