Stirling Range

We took a drive through Stirling Range National Park this afternoon, which is about 2 hour from Manjimup, through Rocky Gully and Mount Barker. The mountains rise suddenly out of the plains, which are mostly hay field and forest. Here are some images of the mountains, and an echnida we spied by the side of the road. I've also included a pic of a Western Brush Wallaby and a Kangaroo we saw on the drive home!

From the Albany Coast

On our recent trip to Albany, on the coast of the Southern Ocean, we walked down to the water and found this stingray swimming along the rocks. There was a couple fishing and it was attracted by the bait. They told us that they've seen rays as wide as their fishing boat out in the harbor. If you look closely, you can see this one's barb.

housemate

This eight legged beauty lives in our kitchen and bathroom (and possibly elsewhere!). We think he is a huntsman, but none of us our arachnologists. He does give me quite a turn when I go to the bathroom at night because he likes to hang out on the wall right next to the toilet. He looks bigger at 4 am than on film in the daylight.

Images from Rottnest Island

Quokkas

These adorable guys are Quokkas, a marsupial native to the southwest. Up to 12000 may live on Rottnest and they are very tame! They would come hopping up to investigate you. They live around Manjimup, as well, but they are much more difficult to see because they are not used to people.

Freo

Fremantle is a great place to spend the weekend. We are staying at the Australian backpackers right next to the train station and the harbor. Today we spent the day at Rottnest Island. Stay tune for some great pics! It is about a 2o minute ferry ride to 'Rotty', which was named for the large mammals (think raccoon size) that the dutch sailors thought were rats. Thus 'Rat's nest Island'. They are actually quakkas, a marsupial. They are quite tame and we got very close to the curious guys! We also saw some parrots and lots of water fowl. The island is only 11 km around, but we got very lost and spent a lot of time walking through the dunes. We finally found a beach and got some swimming and sun. I did some snorkeling and saw some incredible kelp and other algae. When I went in the store to buy the snorkle (I had taken my goggles) the clerk asked me where I was from. It turned out that he was from Memphis and had studied for a semester at UT. He listens to all the football games over the internet! It it such a small world.

Tomorrow we are heading off to see some of the historical sites, hopefully Old Fremantle Prison and the History Museum.

Rain rain rain

I haven't posted much lately becuase the rain has pretty much kept us out of the field. It has rained for two days straight. Yesterday we took a drive through the Karri forest to Nannup, but the little shop I wanted to visit was closed. It was nice to get out and see the countryside, though. We drove past the cherry orchards, the local vinyards and wineries, and the hay fields. The road from Nannup to Bridgetown follows the Blackwood river and some of the views are spectacular.

We went to Frying Pan Swamp this afternoon to check on the australis, and the water level was up at least an inch. It looks like it will be at least a few days until we can work with the plants there. That's good because we are taking a long weekend to go to Perth and pick Steve up at the airport. We are going to stay in Fremantle on Friday and Saturday nights and see the local sites. I'll be sure to put up some pictures of the trip!

I was listening to the radio yesterday and the station we get out here is holding a contest. The participants have to prank call a number to try to win entry to get some concert tickets, but the number they have to call is an American number! There is an entire afternoon radio show dedicated to asking Americans questions on the street (think Jay Leno) and making them sound stupid. I don't understand it! Americans are like Australians, some are smart, some are dumb, some are up on current affairs, some aren't. Why is it more fun to make fun of Americans? I told Annie that if I was secretary of state I would address this issue!! :)