Thursday, October 2, 2008

Kayaking adventure or mistake

Sarah called it “an adventure” but that was after listening to me saying it was too much like “hard work” and definitely a “mistake” to listen to the weather forecast! We had just returned from kayaking around to the Smoogers Point bird roost. It was warm and sunny and the water was great but the wind kept on picking up and we ended up by paddling back approximately 3 kms into what the report had said would be “light to moderate” winds. Well “light” they were not! And if they were “moderate” then it was on the upper end of the scale! My shoulder and upper arm muscles are sore this morning to remind me. Added to all this was the frustration of seeing the birds fly before we had a full count. We saw numbers of Bar-tailed Godwits, Whimbrels, Grey-tailed Tattler, Eastern Curlew and a few Common Greenshank.
So the only bird photo I have to show for the morning was a little Red-capped Plover among the saltmarsh plants and mangroves at the edge of the water.
We had time to walk right around the saltmarsh and find out how far back it extends behind the mangroves. Some of the mangroves in the drier parts had died and this lichen was hanging off the branch of one. (Can anyone supply a name for it?)
This saltmarsh plant was quite extensive although I have not seen it on the saltmarsh at Mullens Creek. It was showing new growth and the photo is taken with the tide water around it. (Again, can anyone supply a name?)
Paddling back to Carlo Creek where we left our cars is this great view up the Great Sandy Straits toward Inskip Point. Fraser Island is in the distance on the right of the photo.
Carlo Creek camping area looking towards Tin Can Bay with the kayak up on the car ready to go home.

8 comments:

  1. At least you got a few good pics and a good memory.

    Plant looks like Disphyma sp. to me.

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  2. They will be good memories once my shoulders stop aching! Thanks for the plant ID. I shall follow it up.

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  3. Hope you had a life jacket on Mick!

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  4. I'm the ultra-careful type, Duncan!

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  5. Count your blessings. All that healthy exercise - even if more than anticipated. And imagine the pain if the birds that flew had been rarities!

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  6. Yeah! this morning - with the aches all gone - I am willing to admit it was all fun!

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  7. I do feel for your shoulders and arms. Kayaking into s stiff breeze for any distance sure can take it's toll. Disappointing not to get a full count, but you did see a good selection of species and we got to see some interestins photos.

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  8. Thanks Arija, By now I am agreeing with Sarah that it was an adventure!

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