Pheasant Creek Photo

Photographer’s Note

This sign is a common site in some parts of Australia, it is to make motorists aware that Wombats are active in the area.
Wombats are Australian marsupials; they are short-legged, muscular quadrupeds, approximately one metre (39 inches) in length with a very short tail. They are found in forested & mountainous areas of south-eastern Australia and Tasmania. The name wombat comes from the Eora Aboriginal community who were the original inhabitants of the Sydney area. Wombats dig extensive burrow systems with rodent-like front teeth and powerful claws. Although mainly nocturnal, wombats will also venture out to feed on cool or overcast days. They are not as commonly seen as many animals, but leave ample evidence of their passage, treating fences as a minor inconvenience to be gone through or under and leaving distinctive cubic droppings.
Each of the species is around a metre in length and weighs between 20 and 35 kg (44 to 77 pounds).
They generally move slowly, but when threatened they can reach up to 40 km/h and maintain that speed for up to 90 seconds. Wombats defend home territories centred on their burrows, and react aggressively to intruders. The Common Wombat occupies a range of up to 23 hectares (57 acres), while the hairy-nosed species have much smaller ranges, of no more than 4 hectares (10 acres).
Because of the size and very solid build they can cause serious damage to vehicles but far worse is the damage they can cause to human life, many people have been seriously injured and even killed by running off the road and hitting a tree when trying to avoid contact with these animals.
This was taken on a small country road near the very small township of Pheasant Creek.

cherryripe, Matthew-Watt, kschanna, paololg, siamesa, holmertz, JPlumb, trekks, angela926, xuaxo, jusninasirun has marked this note useful

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cherryripe (18794) 2008-03-31 2:13

Hi Santo
I've always loved wombats and remember getting up close when camping at Wilson's Promontory. I couldn't believe that story about the New Zealander who claimed he was raped by one, lol.
I really love this typical forest scenery, even when it's cloudy and the sign is very useful as it creates a focal point, plus it's cute.
Regards
Nikki

kschanna (2596) 2008-03-31 3:29

Hello Santo,

A very nice and warm composition, I really like the placement of the sign, I should say its one of the few signs I have seen in pristine condition as a lot of them have fallen victims to cheeky vandals drawing mostaches and beards on kangaroos and wombats. A very informative note.

Thanks for sharing.
Regards
Kamran

pablominto (39918) 2008-03-31 3:38

Hello Santo,
Hopefully the wombats will benefit from the sign!
I like the composition and placement of the sign, and the forest is captured with fine details...
The gravel road makes a good lead-in to the scenery!
Greetings,
Pablo -

Silvio1953 (40771) 2008-03-31 11:30

Hi Santo, nice composition with beautiful forest, good colors, great perspective and splendid sharpness, very well done, ciao Silvio

paololg (13172) 2008-03-31 14:56

Ciao Santo,
anche se da noi questo cartello non esiste, l'immagine è molto bella e con una luce molto piacevole. Eccellente la definizione dei dettagli. Complimenti.
Un saluto da Treviso
Ciao
Paolo.

siamesa (12419) 2008-03-31 15:34

Hello Santo,
Very good informative note. Amazing picture. I liked these colours of this road.Congratulations.
Regards
maria

Matthew-Watt (4463) 2008-03-31 23:25

Hello Santo,

That symbol of a wombat is rather strange; it looks more like an aardvark without a snout. I have never seen a wombat in the wild, probably the only famous Australian marsupial that I have not. Aside from the sign, I like the way the remainder of the photo is filled with some classic Aussie vegetation. Well seen, a good photo opportunity for sure. If you want, you might make a series of other animal signs if you see them. Well done.

Matt

Miha2ou7 (4887) 2008-04-01 1:21

Hey Santo,

Now there is a scene one does not see every day - at least if he`s not from Australia. :)
And a great job here, a good composition with the road, and I especially like those exotic trees in the background, very representative of Australia, I think.

See you around.

holmertz (9284) 2008-04-01 3:02

Hello Santo,
A pretty view and a decorative sign accompanied by a very interesting and informative note. In Sweden we have signs warning drivers of elks (or moose), but they are often stolen by foreign tourists who find them irresistible as souvenirs.
Regards
Gert

JPlumb (3153) 2008-04-01 3:09

Hi Santo, I always mean to stop and take pictures of these signs. They are as Australian as the animals they are there to protect. You see pictures of them in tourist shops, I think a collage of photos of them would be great, something for me to work on. My wife and I laughed at the signs posted for Cassowarys in Queensland. We thought maybe they were just there to draw in tourists, that is until we saw one standing next to the road. The signs really do need to be taken seriously.

This shot is good not just for the sign of course, but you've captured a great "typical" Australian road scene here too. Living here you probably don't realize it, but this is very Australian. The trees are unique, the colours, the sign of course, even those white markers down near the curve are something I've seen nowhere else, at least, looking a little different. Very nicely done.

Thanks, John

dumbo (4302) 2008-04-01 7:19

Hi Santo!
This is great photo with nice composition and natural colors.
Well done!

Regards,
Eino

trekks (14260) 2008-04-02 2:31

hi Santo

My comments
.no animal in sight but u stopped?
.sign looks like cartoon version!
.really nice warm color of woods
.what u doing on road like this?
.great Note!

Hehe, I thought you were going to take down this sign! Great observation and you always keep a sharp eye, Santo.

TFS, bill

angela926 (1882) 2008-04-02 17:39

Hello santo,
Very nice shot, good composition and pov,
nice colors and good sharpness.
Angela

Koala1 (112) 2008-04-17 5:34

Hello Santo!
I really like those road signs. You have great animals there and it is good that everyone is protecting them.
Woods look great, I would really like to visit such a place.

Have a nice day!

Alexandra

PS. I like koala bears very very much :P

xuaxo (5635) 2008-04-26 12:41

Hi Santo
I've seen pictures of several Australian road signs, but it is the first time I see this one. It's cute.
The photo is well framed and the forest is very nice here.
Regards,
F

jusninasirun (10074) 2008-05-25 17:52

Hello santo. Nice capture of this turning road in warm color. Beautiful detail of the road sign anchored at the right spot which is unique for the country down under. Thanks for sharing and best regards. Jusni