The Snowy Mountains, Pygmy Possums and Bogong moths.

Canberra is not far away from the Snowy Mountains, and autumn is the perfect time to enjoy the mountain air, and do some walking.

Even the kangaroos have a slow start on these crisp mornings, and here are a few enjoying the morning sunshine on the Lake Crackenback golf course.

as we drive away a young kangaroo keeps an eye on us, as her joey is nearby..

In the morning we noticed a deer grazing nearby….this can only mean trouble….

We drove to Thredbo and took the chairlift up to the Kosciuszko walk, on a beautiful clear sunny morning.

Everywhere you look there are scattered rocks and sharp crags shaped by water and ice..

The lichen encrusted boulders give shelter to small mammals like the endangered Pygmy-possum.

This fascinating mouse-sized marsupial is capable of surviving for almost two weeks by  bringing their bodies down to low temperatures during times of extreme cold or heat.

Haley Bates has written an interesting article in The Conversation called:

Australian endangered species: Mountain Pygmy Possum

Conversation: Australian Endangered Species: Mountain Pygmy-possum by Hayley Bates

Bogong moths are also well known in this part of the world. During summer they fly from the heat of NSW and Queensland, to the cool mountain crevices.

photo from buzzle.com

Aboriginal people explored these mountains, and interpreted the landscape, and many of their beliefs and ceremonies were forged in these areas.

Many of the paths forged by Aboriginal people were in turn used by early European explorers such as the Polish explorer Paul Strzelecki who climbed the highest mountain, Mount Kosciuszko, and named it  after a Polish  patriot.

Over time the mountains and surrounds have become accessible to all, and explorers, graziers, scientists, surveyors, writers, and artists have all been captivated by the ”high country” as it is known.

I must admit, after many years of coming here with our family, the landscape of the high country draws me in too.

…but the path back to hot coffee is always welcome…

…and to think we packed our own lunch!

When we returned to Lake Crackenback we stumbled on a few wombat holes, unfortunately, not a wombat in sight…usually only seen at night…

but I have included a photo of a wombat in the snow….something I look forward to seeing one day…

NSW National Parks

I hope you are enjoying your place in the world, as much as I am enjoying mine!

Copyright: Geraldine Mackey All Rights Reserved.

 

 

 

 

 

 

22 Replies to “The Snowy Mountains, Pygmy Possums and Bogong moths.”

  1. Great to hear from you in the Snowy Mountains which I drove through in 1958 before the scheme was finished. Also, one magic night in Victoria, I woke to up to find a wombat having a snack right close to me in my sleeping bag! Oh for those days again.

    1. What a wonderful story about the wombat! You would love the interactive exhibition they have at Cooma which shows the history of the Snowy Mountain Scheme …all happening at the time you were here. There are many posts to do in that area..

  2. I’ve never seen a kangaroo lying down…they look quite at home on the golf course. The view from the back of my home is of a golf course and it makes me chuckle to think what I might see if I was in your part of the world. Love the look of your “high country.”

    1. Yes, the kangaroos do looked very relaxed! I’m sure they must be chased off later in the day before they start grazing on the greens! I’m glad you like the high country, I’ve grown to love it.

    1. Unfortunately the deer are in a National Park, and have become feral and are competing with local species for food.

    1. Glad you liked it Ruth, yes, it is so nice getting out of the city into the country, especially the high country!

  3. That looks like a wonderful walk. The landscape reminds me of Dartmoor one of our national parks but without the native animals that you have. The sign made me smile and go way to inspire everyone to carry on! Sarah x

  4. Beautiful. It’s amazing how high country does look similar the world around. Your photos reminded me a bit of some areas of Alaska. Except for the animals, of course!

  5. How I enjoyed walking with you. Your mountains are beautiful, I bet you enjoyed that coffee!!! Still blue skies for you too! The pigmy possum is simply adorable as is that wombat. Lovely seeing it’s hole, much bigger than I would have expected. Shame about the deer….xxx

    1. I’d love to see a wombat in the snow … Such a unique Aussie animal … You don’t expect him/her to appear in snow!

  6. Interesting Facts About Mount Kosciuszko
    I invite you also to the English version of this mtkosciuszko.org.au website. There related messages are a lot of information about the conquest of Mt Kosciuszko the highest peak of Australia, and about Paul Edmund Strzelecki the explorer who gave the mountain its name.
    Check the text sitemap page to see all the titles

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