There are some truly spectacular national parks in Tasmania. I visited one of these yesterday on a beautiful but crisp (12C, 53F) autumn day. Mt. Field National Park is only a little over an hour's drive from Hobart.
On this trip, I followed a trail into the alpine country to visit an area known as the "Tarn Shelf". This site was gouged by a glacier about 12,000 years ago and there are numerous small lakes (tarns) that have formed in these depressions. What makes this site particularly interesting at this time of the year is the presence of Deciduous Beech (
Nothofagus gunnii). These Tassie endemics are the only Australian shrub/tree that I know that drop their leaves in the autumn. For a short period of time, the alpine areas in Tasmania are a blaze of colour due to the dying leaves of these shrubs. The leaves should be their most colourful next week as they change from yellow to orange and red.
Here is a view of the habitat near the car park where I commenced the walk. The tarn shelf is above the dark cliffs in the centre of the photo:
Walking in Tasmania means climbing mountains. They are not particularly tall but they are still good for exercise.
These Tasmanian Snow Gums were numerous on the upper slopes.
I found what I think to be a Metallic Skink (
Niveoscincus metallicus) basking in the morning sun in this habitat. It amazes me how tolerant these snow skinks are to cold conditions.
A view of Seal Lake and Platypus Lake in the valley below:
... and again:
Further along, the tarn shelf became more visible. A hint of colour can be seen on the slopes above the shelf.
Boardwalk has been constructed over much of the trail.
After about an hour or so of climbing, I reached the tarn shelf. The colour of the Deciduous Beech was fantastic:
... the conifers are Pencil Pines (
Athrotaxis cupressoides):
... a close-up of the leaves of Deciduous Beech:
... it really was a beautiful place:
These glacial lakes were the home of
Galaxias, an ancient southern relative of trout. I saw what I think to be two species of these small fish.
I also saw these small freshwater shrimp in pools that did not contain
Galaxias.
Some pools had large numbers of tiny frogs. I think that they are in the genus
Crinia but I don't know the species. This one was resting on the bottom:
These are what I think to be Southern Snow Skinks (
Niveoscincus microlepidotus). They were common in some sheltered areas. Early in the morning they were sluggish but in the afternoon, they were wary and hard to photograph. I watched some snapping up small gnats.
Also, another of what I think to be Metallic Skink due to the enlarged paravertebral scales:
Young Pandani with new growth:
Pencil Pine:
In the mid-afternoon, I began the walk back to the car. This is a view back to the tarn shelf:
This is a view of Lake Dobson, near the car park at the start of the trail. Another couple told me that I just missed seeing a Platypus that had been resting on a log in the water. I looked for awhile but unfortunately could not find the monotreme.
I saw this Bennett's Wallaby joey and its mum at the car park:
This was a very enjoyable day.
Regards,
David
