Brumby | Sandra Broom

Brumbys, on the Corner of Toolara and Neerdie State Forests, Wallu 3 comments

Back before I went to the snow monkeys in Japan that was at the end of February, my son was returning to the Gold Coast when I got the call just minutes after he left, “Mum, grab your camera, there is 2 brumbies at the turn off to Maryborough.”

These photos show you how close the brumbies get to the road. It is a dangerous situation not just for the brumbies but also for the vehicles and the people driving them. Here the cars and trucks travel at 100kmph, only slowing if they are turning to go in the direction of Maryborough.

Brumbies in the Tuan State Forest 3 comments

The weekend before I went to the Japan, I thought I would drive up to Hervey Bay and try my luck at photographing Brown Booby’s on the Urangan Pier. It was a good opportunity for my husband to visit his parents and while I didn’t spot one Booby I did find an enormous flock of Pied Oyster Catchers.

Once upon a time it was a rare sighting to see Brumbies on the side of the road. Now days every time I go to Maryborough or Hervey Bay, I’m treated to their presence. So far I have counted 3 herds in the Tuan forest but I know there is many more. There is one herd which I photographed last that consists of a smaller stallion and 2 mares, then there is another herd of 5, sexes unknown but I did see some aggressive activity on one occasion where there was possibly 2 stallions, naturally I didn’t have my camera. And the third herd I have seen consists of 9 horses, 3 of which are foals. That means there must be 3 mares and potentially another 2 mares and clearly 1 stallion. This particular herd caught my attention on this very hot day as we were driving back from Hervey Bay. They were standing under a tree just beside the road and naturally I didn’t have a camera. About 20 minutes from home, I decided I would return once I got my camera and hopefully they would still be there.

They weren’t, but a little off-roading and I found them. They weren’t very comfortable with my presence and I doubt any horses would be when there is 3 foals amidst the herd. I sat in 41 degree Celsius temperatures waiting patiently to gain their confidence.