Greetings again from Croker Island.
Fly Tiwi operates a five day a week regular air service from Darwin to Croker Island. The flight travels via Goulburn Island, another island to the south east of Croker Island and like Croker Island is just off the mainland coast. The track of this flight goes along the northern section of Kakadu National Park and then across the base of the Coburg Peninsula to Goulburn Island. The overcast sky last Friday while providing some relief from the very sticky conditions of the last few days also put on a grand show of various colours, shades and shapes. Fortunately no rain during the flight, that would come later in the form of a giant thunder storm and an amazing light show. For now though the fine weather and amazing visibility made the journey one long scenic flight.
On Sunday morning I was up early to meet to 6am barge. Tides dictate many events in this part of the world. The barge, the Arnhem Trader was early so I was back at the house before 7am. The early morning light and colours over the still waters of Mission Bay were particularly inviting so I decided to take my new drone out for a fly. Below the Arnhem Trader barge can be seen leaving Mission Bay on its way to Goulburn Island and other communities further to the east.
With the drone up at 120 metres over the beach below, a 360 degree pan around. Commencing by looking to the east then panning around to the south towards the mainland, then around to the west with the township of Minjilang in the foreground and the Coburg Peninsula in the distance. Moving further around to the north and Cape Croker, the northern most part of Croker Island in the distance and then back to the east again.
A pass along the Mission Bay beach reveals the lazy little waves lapping against the fishing boats on the beach. During the monsoon season the wind comes from the north west which means that this bay is very sheltered.
While approaching the beach I noticed a crocodile swimming quietly along about 80 meters off the beach. A closer look with the drone was needed. As I am still learning the art of flying a drone we watched from a very safe height initially. Slowly moving closer and lower. Further down the beach was another smaller croc at the waters edge. A close eye was kept on 'PK' our four legged family member.
This was the larger crocodile - until he had had enough of the annoying thing buzzing just above him and moved off into deeper waters.
And then the smaller crocodile. This one appears to want to have a closer look at the drone.
Later that afternoon with the sun low in the sky I took the drone out to the floodplains. We are just in the early stages of the wet season so the floodplains will fill up much more. At the moment though the wildlife are enjoying plenty of food. These are magpie geese - common in the Top End.
In previous posts I have mentioned that Croker Island has a feral horse problem. Below are just a few of the estimated 2-3 thousand horses on the Island.
Just a short time ago Croker Island was dry and dusty. I never cease to be amazed how quickly the dry dust can explode into life. As I write this post, there are bushfires in Western Australia and a cyclone off Cairns. Australia truely is a land of contrasts!
Nance is down in SE Qld visiting family, assisting her sister Heather move into one of our cottages while another cottage has a bathroom renovation. Hopefully, she will be back by early February.
Until the next blog post, keep smiling and God bless.
Bryan (and Nance)
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