Home for Me is a Hollow Tree

[Guest]

Today's stroll in the park along a path lined with elms where we spotted a hole in a hollow tree.


I caught a glimpse of a possum, and he caught a glimpse of me!
But he quickly withdrew to his sanctum sanctorum before I could remove the lens cap.
Quickly attaching the clip-on flash (4FS1) I held the E-PL3 and fired a flash upwards inside the trunk.
The first shot caught him peering down at the PEN. Two more shots showed that he had vanished around a bend in the trunk.

E-PL3 + 14-42mm kit. Once one gets the hang of its convoluted menu, this little coat-pocket-sized camera delivers pleasing results.

[David Morison]

Re: Home for Me is a Hollow Tree

Magic! Lovely story, almost fairy tale and a well captured image.

David

[Chevvyf1]

Re: Home for Me is a Hollow Tree

Great experience ! I think these Possum are very shy animals and come out at night ? ... or maybe Dusk ? You were so lucky to see it, let alone capture a shot

Now you know where s/he lives, if you can leave some food each time you pass by, one day you may get a full portrait

[Guest]

Re: Home for Me is a Hollow Tree

Magic! Lovely story, almost fairy tale and a well captured image. David

Great experience ! I think these Possum are very shy animals and come out at night ? ... or maybe Dusk ? You were so lucky to see it, let alone capture a shot Now you know where s/he lives, if you can leave some food each time you pass by, one day you may get a full portrait

Good morning, David, Good morning Chevvy! Thanks for commenting.
The encounter did have a fairy tale aspect. Reminded me of Watershed Downs or Wind in the Willows.

The location unfortunately is 80km (50 odd miles) from Wang', leaving food to entice it wouldn't be practical. However, we do pop down to Benalla every so often and I next time I'll be ready if it pokes its nose out the door!

[Ann1e]

Re: Home for Me is a Hollow Tree

That was a good capture, Mark!

Chevvy is right about the possums being active at dusk - in Melbourne, anyway. We stayed in a hotel opposite a small park and every evening as we took a stroll, there were pairs of eyes shining out from the trees (lit up by the street reflections). It was fascinating to us as we had never seen a possum until that time - heard all about them, of course, from Dame Edna. In contrast, my Australian cousin was amazed to wake up and see a number of squirrels running around our back garden! A very common sight to us but completely new for her.

Regards,
Ann1e

[Guest]

Re: Home for Me is a Hollow Tree

That was a good capture, Mark!
Chevvy is right about the possums being active at dusk - in Melbourne, anyway. We stayed in a hotel opposite a small park and every evening as we took a stroll, there were pairs of eyes shining out from the trees (lit up by the street reflections). It was fascinating to us as we had never seen a possum until that time - heard all about them, of course, from Dame Edna. In contrast, my Australian cousin was amazed to wake up and see a number of squirrels running around our back garden! A very common sight to us but completely new for her. Regards, Ann1e

Thanks Ann.
There are so many hotels opposite parks that I'm wondering which it was that you stayed at and how long ago was it since you visited Melbourne?
Perhaps next time I'm in town I can post a few updated photos of the hotel and its surroundings for you to reminisce over.
I know exactly where your cousin is coming from in being amazed at your squirrels. It was one of the first things I saw from our Holland Park attic flat that overlooked a private garden on the opposite side of Bayswater Road, when Sandra and I visited London.

[Ann1e]

Re: Home for Me is a Hollow Tree

Thanks Ann.
There are so many hotels opposite parks that I'm wondering which it was that you stayed at and how long ago was it since you visited Melbourne?
Perhaps next time I'm in town I can post a few updated photos of the hotel and its surroundings for you to reminisce over.

Hello again Mark -

We did our trip with Trailfinders starting late July and returning at the end of August in 2001. When in Melbourne, we stayed at the Radisson on Flagstaff Gardens.

Regards,
Ann1e

[Guest]

Re: Home for Me is a Hollow Tree

Hi again, Annie - if memory serves, there was no Radisson on Flinders Street opposite Flagstaff Gardens. In bygone years I recall many a walk through those gardens with an OM2n slung round my neck. I have no idea as to whether I have even a single print from that era.

So it will be a joy to revisit Flagstaff again to see the changes when I'm in Melbourne next. I'll keep you posted.

[Zuiko]

Re: Home for Me is a Hollow Tree

Great story Mark, it's put a smile on my face.

[Greytop]

Re: Home for Me is a Hollow Tree

Excellent Mark, you are putting that E-PL3 to good use.
A very interesting capture

[Ann1e]

Re: Home for Me is a Hollow Tree

Hi again, Annie - if memory serves, there was no Radisson on Flinders Street opposite Flagstaff Gardens. In bygone years I recall many a walk through those gardens with an OM2n slung round my neck. I have no idea as to whether I have even a single print from that era.

So it will be a joy to revisit Flagstaff again to see the changes when I'm in Melbourne next. I'll keep you posted.

Hi Mark - Thank you. I think the hotel we stayed at was in William Street - have just looked at map and that would seem to be where we were in relation to Flagstaff Gardens.

Say hi to the possums for us when you return!

Regards,
Ann1e

[Guest]

Re: Home for Me is a Hollow Tree

Great story Mark, it's put a smile on my face.

Excellent Mark, you are putting that E-PL3 to good use.
A very interesting capture

John, and Huw, thanks to you both.
The liberating PEN may prove a salvation for many.

Hi Mark - Thank you. I think the hotel we stayed at was in William Street - have just looked at map and that would seem to be where we were in relation to Flagstaff Gardens. Say hi to the possums for us when you return!
Regards, Ann1e

Annie, I googled it, you are right, Radisson is in King Street.
I now know exactly where it is and will check it out in May when I will again be in town.
Wangaratta where I am is 250km (150miles) from Melbourne.

[Ross the fiddler]

Re: Home for Me is a Hollow Tree

Interesting shots of the hollow & possum. It looks like a Brushtail Possum & maybe if you've had a piece of apple, it may have come down to indulge. They are garbage raiders & are quite often happy to take handouts of fruit etc. & it isn't unusual for them to take the food from your hand as they do at home here.

[Chevvyf1]

Re: Home for Me is a Hollow Tree

WoW Ross thats amazing ! Mark Apples are much cheaper than Chicken Wings to entice your subject to pose ...

[Guest]

Re: Home for Me is a Hollow Tree

Interesting shots of the hollow & possum. It looks like a Brushtail Possum & maybe if you've had a piece of apple, it may have come down to indulge. They are garbage raiders & are quite often happy to take handouts of fruit etc. & it isn't unusual for them to take the food from your hand as they do at home here.

Thanks for the tip, Ross. Although it violates my purist approach to enticing wildlife, I'll remember to take an apple, a nail and nylon line next time I visit Benalla - rest assured, I have absolutely no intention of placing my hand in such jeopardy!

WoW Ross thats amazing ! Mark Apples are much cheaper than Chicken Wings to entice your subject to pose ...

Not sure that's true in Oz, Chevvy ... new season's apples ain't cheap - do you think they have a preference for a particular variety !