A Wombat in my late afternoon

Several days ago I drove into my yard and came face-to-face with a Common Wombat (Vombatus ursinus). It does not warrant the name "ursinus" - meaning "bear-like". But they do get to 30 Kgs, This "Wommie", as I call them, was pretty large, but maybe not that big.

As it was still light, my first concern was that it might have been a blind Wombat, afflicted with Sarcoptic Mange. They tend to wander around in the daylight, when their disease is advanced. I have seen them in that condition before, and it is very sad to see. The Wildlife Carer experts say they can be treated.

But on fairly close examination, this fellow seemed pretty healthy. At least its eyes seemed clear, and the hair in good condition.
So I walked very slowly toward it, to get a couple of images.

It was very patient (probably because it could not see me and I was not making much noise - in fact I was barely breathing).

This was the best shot I got.

Then, in a flash, it decided to leave.
3 quick images and it was away.
(Click to enlarge).
Nice healthy strides there - a genuine gallop in fact.
I'd say that this was indeed a pretty healthy Wombat.

Incidentally, unlike local farmers who tend to regard them as "vermin", the NSW Government has regarded Wombats as a Protected Species, since 1970.