Black Currawong
Nothing else evokes the atmosphere of a Tassie rainforest better than the haunting call of the Black Currawong. Sure, there may be more stunning birds in Tasmania... For me though, their cheeky personality, striking yellow eyes and sleek, black plumage along with that call make them an irreplaceable part of the Tasmanian landscape. I photographed this particular character on the Tasman Peninsula, near the historic Port Arthur site.
Coal On The Beach
Life at Port Arthur was tough for regular convicts. But few people know, it got even tougher. For the worst or unlucky offenders, they were sent to the nearby mines, up to 300 ft underground to dig for coal to provide fuel for the colony. The conditions were harsh, dark and damp with repeat offenders being confined to solitary cells within the mine. When the site was eventually abandoned, nature reclaimed the site and its buildings. Ruins and coal shale on the beach are all that remains of this dark chapter in Tasmanian history.
