Driving along ArnhemHighway that connects Kakadu to Darwin is a great way to see more of Northern Territory’s wildlife, particularly at night. And there are plenty of eco lodges along the way that offer various wildlife watching opportunities.
Kakadu – Mary River
Fresh water crocodile
Mary River is a great place to see Fresh water crocodiles and Azure kingfishers, as well as Great-billed heron. The lodge at Mary River operates boat cruises and it is also possible to hire a smaller boat for a few hours and explore the river at your own pace. Other birds we spotted from the boat were: Lemon-bellied flycatcher, Varied triller, Rainbow bee-eater and Yellow oriole.
White-bellied sea eagle
Azure kingfisher
In the afternoon, just before the boat cruise I watched a group of Agile wallabies grazing on the lawn in front of our tent. And as I watched them, two young males decided to practice their boxing skills giving me a few good photo opportunities.
Agile wallabies sorting out their differences
Agile wallabies
Agile wallabies
The walk around the camp site in the morning turned up a beautiful Green tree snake.
Green tree snake
Driving along Arnhem Highway the following day we came across a small wetland on the side of the road that was absolutely teaming with birdlife. I could not believe my eyes when I saw a few Jabirus there. We spent days searching for them in Kakadu and there they were – scraping in the mud on the side of the road!
Jabiru stork
Jabiru
Jabiru
Juvenile Jabiru
Apart from the magnificent Jabirus there were Pied herons, Great and Intermediate egrets, Gull-billed terns, and a few Magpie geese ona nearby tree.
Pied heron
Magpie geese
Margarita Steinhardt
I am a wildlife ecologist by training but more of a naturalist by inclination. I have been photographing wildlife for a number of years, throughout my travels in Thailand, India, Africa, and Russia, as well as my life in Australia. What drives me is the excitement of a new destination and the new species to be discovered and photographed.
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