A week ago as part of a group I set off on an excursion on the Myall from the top of Myall Lake down to the village of Tea Gardens where the Myall River then enters Port Stephens.
It was a motley flotilla making the journey, three kayaks, a stand up paddle board (almost certainly a First), a few trailer-sailers and a number of power boats.
A couple of overnight camp stops on the way down and a stay in a motel before the journey back with the kayaks either towed or stowed aboard one of the boats.
The following photos are of some of the wildlife and the beautiful sights experienced on the excursion.
Myall Lake is fresh water and the Paper-bark trees growing on the lake edge are one of the outstanding features.
The sunsets across the lake make a wonderful setting as you sit down to enjoy a meal around the campfire and provide colour for a Black Duck's evening paddle.
The following day as we arrived at our camp site a Lace Monitor was there to greet us, stretched out on a log to gain the last of the sun's warmth.
Campers have a bad habit of feeding the wildlife and the lace monitors, dingos, brush turkeys and many other birds including this pelican are often hanging around looking for an easy meal. Makes for easy photos but not great for the wildlife.
The campsite on the lake is not far from the beach so a stroll over to the beach before dinner but a cool breeze and an uninviting surf meant a photo of the beach was as close as I got to going in.
Next morning the wind had eased and we had a very relaxing paddle to the river entrance where we were greeted by a pair of White-breasted Sea Eagles who were on the lookout for their morning meal.
A little further down the river a Whistling Kite was also ready to swoop down on any fish coming near the surface.
As we get closer to our destination the tidal area predominates and mangroves line the bank with the mudflats being the hunting ground for the many waders like this Spoonbill.
Sea Eagles and Whistling Kites were often seen along the length of the river and I came across this Sea Eagle where it had been busy eating a quite large fish that it had caught and brought to the waters edge.
A comfortable night's sleep, good breakfast on we were headed back with me taking it easy relaxing in the cockpit of a trailer-sailer. Not far up the river we came across this Osprey on a fallen tree with its breakfast firmly gripped in the talons.
A Darter or Snake-bird had been in fishing and was now enjoying the warmth as it dried its wings before more fishing .
At our last campsite with the Paperbarks lining the shore and the promise of another sunset over the lake.
We had to ensure no food was left out as we had an ever present resident Brush Turkey ready to grab any unattended cache.
Following Breakfast after a wave from one of the Black Ducks we were on our way for the completion of a excursion.
A Black Swan was less inclined to watch us go by and made quite a splash as it headed for the sky.
We were soon back at the launching ramp and agreeing that it was again a very special trip and we would start our planning for the next year Myall excursion.
