Mountain Brushtail Possum

Trichosurus caninus.

The Mountain Brushtail Possum differs from the Common Brushtail Possum in a couple of key areas, namely it is much darker (almost black on the back), has smaller ears, a slightly longer tail which is not bushy on the tip and black paws (instead of light grey).

Not a fantastic photo, but not too bad considering it was taken from my veranda in torch light. :)

View all photos taken: Friday, 10th October 2008, This photo: 9:32pm

Previous Photo: Red-Browed Finch

Comments

  • Wes Cooper said:
    What a great capture. Australia's native small mammals aren't the easiest to see, let alone photograph.
  • teejaybee said:
    Where's the strobes, beauty dishes, and soft boxes? Were the portable light stands out for the night? :D
    Nice find - have you seen a boebuck (sp?) before? They are completely black and very cool - I can't find anything on google so that might not be their proper name.
  • David de Groot said:
    Indeed :) It helps that the dogs go off when these guys are around so I get some warning to grab my kit.
    I could almost manage to do that you know. They always appear at about the same spot so setting up some opportunistic lighting wouldn't be that hard ;-)
    As for bobucks, you're looking at one, that's the other name for the Mountain Brushtail. This one wasn't nearly as black as the big one that comes around (he's very black everywhere except his belly and inside his ears).
  • teejaybee said:
    Ahhh cool - I would never have guessed! I saw one up at lamington that was completely black also, it was very cool.
    After all the dodgy possum shots i've seen in the paper, i'm sure a beautifully lit wild possum shot would be great :)
    By the way... i've seen an add for the Lord Mayors photo comp - I reckon your photo of riverfire would take it out!
  • David de Groot said:
    Hmmm, might have to think about setting up some lights and enticing them back with an apple or something ;-)
    As for the Lord Mayor's comp. - alas, I live outside of the BCC limits and the first condition of entry is that you must live INSIDE the BCC limits. :(
  • teejaybee said:
    baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah
  • looby88 said:
    you've got a tent haven't you ? Go pitch inside somewhere !!
    You need a tripwire as well then you can just sit inside ! Seriously, I reckon you could get a photo of it with all your lights set up, that would be great !
  • benefit of hindsight said:
    looks an elusive little creature, and taken in torch-light - pretty good :o)
  • David de Groot said:
    I'll definitely think about it - shouldn't need the tent though, just shoot from the veranda and remotely trigger the flashes from there. Tough bit will be getting everything setup and luring the possum into the right spot. I guess I'll have one shot before it runs away scared.
  • David de Groot said:
    Pretty neat eh ? He wasn't keen on the torch (thus his reluctance to come around to this side of the tree) though.
  • looby88 said:
    sorry I dont write zee great English, I meant you could pitch your tent inside the BCC limits !!
  • David de Groot said:
    Oh right! Hmmm, I suspect I'd also have to be a BCC ratepayer, and given I pay enough rates to the MBRSC, I don't think I need to be forking out more to the BCC. :P