Wildlife down the Myall

At the end of February our Aquatic club did our seventh annual "Down the Myall" Lakes and River excursion. The executioners travelled by kayak, sail boat or motorboat with two overnight camps along the almost seventy km journey.
Grey sky and a forecast of rain and adverse wind had the kayakers getting away as soon as they were loaded with their gear.

Fortunately the forecast did not eventuate and we only had a light shower and favourable wind and I called in to Violet Hill Camp site to stretch my legs and have a bit of lunch before completing the day's paddle to our evening camp site.

Rain during the night but our second morning had clear sky and no wind so just beautiful for paddling and taking our time to enjoy the sights along the way. Even time to take photos of a patch of waterlilies.

The lily patch is in a small sheltered area where the warmth is suited to these lily that are usually found in abundance in tropical regions.

Our campsite at Dee's Corner is between the lake and beach so an early morning stroll to the beach to enjoy the sunrise.

A flock of Crested Terns near the water's edge taking it easy before a day out fishing.

A young bird still not awake, quite happy just to enjoy the early sun.

For some it was the morning plunge to get ready for the day.

The birds need to keep alert as the beach is on a Dingo's route for a meal.

On our third morning I was under surveillance by one of the resident pair of White Bellied Sea Eagles that we see each year on this dead tree that is on a small island at the river entrance.

On our evening at Tea Gardens a flock or Little Corellas were on the wires just outside the fish & chip shop where we were enjoying dinner. This pair seemed very keen on each other with some mutual preening.

Next there was a bit of a squabble and high wire acrobatics.

Finally peace returned but a bit of "no talking and I am ignoring you" prevailed

After a good nights sleep in a motel bed we headed back on the return journey with the kayaks being towed.

A white Bellied Sea Eagle perched in the same casuarina at this end of the river, where it was the previous year.

The tide was out so the waders like this White Ibis were busy on the mud flats.

A few were still perched on their roosting trees and this one liked the high point.

A Royal Spoonbill was very active sifting through the mud.

Our final campsite back at Johnson's Beach is just perfect with the boats pulled in amongst the reeds and the sun getting low in the western sky.

A Lace monitor Lizard was enjoying the last of the sun's warmth before settling in for the night.

Around our campfire as we cooked dinner a couple of Kookaburras were on the lookout for an unguarded meal and an easy piece of steak.

Nearby an Eastern Water Dragon was also catching the last of the sun and displaying its beautiful colouring.

The sky was looking threatening as the sun was going down and the Black Ducks having an evening cruise.

Almost no breeze made for some beautiful reflections of the clouds and setting sun.

Next morning our last leg before getting back to our starting point and although there was little wind the keen sailors had the sails up to make the most of the slight wafts.

A flotilla or Black Swans moved sedately with us for a short while before taking to the air.

They were the last of the wildlife seen on the trip but again we were treated to some wonderful sights over the five days. Look forward to doing it again next year.

An excursion on the Myall Lakes & River

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.