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.