Monday, May 25, 2015

Rainbow Beach

I live very close to the southern end of the Great Sandy Strait and enjoy walking around the beaches on the bay and of course kayaking whenever possible. However, every now and again I want to go and walk on sand and put my feet in ocean water where the nearest land is thousands of kilometers to the east. My nearest ocean beach like this is Rainbow Beach - about 25kms down the road to the north-east. The other morning was perfect for a walk along the sand. It was very close to high tide with almost no wind and a small swell with some nice clean looking waves. There were quite a few surfers taking advantage of the conditions.

The flags were still out to mark the safest place for people to swim but I didn't see too many people swimming. There were quite a few lying out on the sand and working on their tans - but I am pretty sure they were visitors - locals would prefer it a bit warmer!

Way out on the edge of the horizon there was a sail boat moving slowly south.

The coast curves around to the south- east from here and the sand cliffs with the colored sand are what gave this place the name of "Rainbow Beach".

These rocks are just south of the town and are called Mudlo Rocks. Because it was close to high tide most of the rocks had water around them. 

As the waves came in the water splashed over them. These rocks have quite a reputation. The beach is very popular with 4-wheel drive vehicles. At low tide there is a good wide expanse of sand. Every tide changes conditions a little bit and sometimes the rocks are very close to the water even at low tide. There are an astonishing number of people who seem to think that their big expensive vehicles can get them out of any trouble! Just google "Mudlo Rocks" to see photos and videos of any number of vehicles that didn't make it!

I could hear birds way up in the trees on the top of the hill above the beach but nothing was close enough for a photo. I had to go up on the cliff above the beach to see any bird at all!

This is a Spotted Turtle-Dove (Streptopelia chinersis). It is a pretty bird but is not an Australian native. It is common around cities and towns but is now spreading out into natural bushland. When this happens it displaces native species.  I think this one was used to getting a hand-out from tourists.

For more scenery from around the world visit Our World Tuesday

and for more birds visit Wild Bird Wednesday.



24 comments:

  1. Beautiful beaches! We don't have beaches like that here except for up in Kalajoki and I've never been there.

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  2. a pretty dove! i like the rough shore and the vehicle-killing rocks. ;)

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  3. Panoramic shots are wonderful ~ 1st one is my favorite ~ so well composed!

    Happy Week to you!
    artmusedog and carol

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  4. What a wonderful beach to walk along. I am envious you have that almost on your doorstep.

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  5. Terrific captures for the day, Mick!! And the dove is beautiful!! Hope you have a great new week!! Enjoy!!

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  6. Although they are not, the markings on the sand somehow look ancient and otherworldly.

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  7. love your photos as usual! the beach reminds me of the windswept beaches we hve here although ours are lined with high cliffs covered in trees and plants :-)

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  8. The beach is beautiful, Mick! The water temperature would have to be warm for me to even think about getting in the water, lol. I rather just walk along and check out the views and the birds. The Spotted Turtle-dove is pretty, a shame it is not native. Have a happy week ahead!

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  9. A wonderful series of images Mick - I especially like that first one!

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  10. Magnificent shots of the beach!

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  11. I think I could lie on that sand no problem. It looks warm enough to me! We have a similar thing happen here when visitors to the area take their vehicles onto the flat sands of Morecambe Bay without realising the tides are very variable and can come in very, very fast. People have been lost as well as vehicles.

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  12. Wonderful coast line and I really like the Spotted Turtle Dove.

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  13. What a great place to go. I did check out Mudlo Rocks and all I can say is what a load of Dumb Asses to do that. My wife has a Suzuki Jimny which is like one of those caught in the rocks and she would not venture any where like that. Thanks for visiting my blog

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  14. It must be wonderful to live so close to a beach and the sea! Great shots .

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  15. A beautiful beach and easy to see how it gets the name. Jeez, idiots with 4Ws, they're everywhere. Except in Oregon where motor vehicles are not allowed on any beaches.

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  16. Beautiful ocean photos! The beach looks like an awesome place to visit. Love your dove, but I hate it's encroaching on the native species.

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  17. I would love to go for a walk there. Camera in hand.

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  18. Lovely shots. I like the framing in the first one. The Spotted Turtle Dove is really pretty.

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  19. The Turtle Dove is such a beauty, and you are very blessed to live where you do, such beauty all around you~

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  20. Sometimes only an ocean beach will do!

    The Corellas are noisy down here too!

    Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne

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  21. A beautiful beach. I would love to sit and listen to the waves and to get my feet wet :)

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  22. Looking at the lovely beach makes me want to walk barefoot in that sand!

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