RED CLIFFS and SUNSETS

 Hello for windy Croker island

Part of the local ranger's work is to be the 'eyes and ears' for Fisheries Officers and the Water Police looking for illegal fishing and/or illegal entry to Aboriginal land. To assist in this work we use motion sensing cameras like the one in the photo below. They can take photos or videos - day or night, when they sense something moving in front of them. Also photographed, are all manner of wildlife from pigs to crocodiles to birds. 

On the main floodplain we have a fenced area or exclusion zone. This helps to monitor the impacts of the large numbers of feral horses and pigs. As you can see the area inside the fence is not as eaten and/or trampled down. At the beginning of last wet season the grass inside the fence responded much quicker to the early rains.

Through the middle of the year the dominant winds are the south east trade winds. Yachties use these favourable winds to sail up the east coast and across the top to western Australia or up into Asia. Many take shelter when the wind is particularly strong. Some come ashore without attempting to seek permission however this yacht was doing the right thing - both the tenders are still on the yacht's deck. We have even found quad bike tracks on a beach where people have come ashore without permission. This sort of activity causes the traditional owners quite a bit of concern.

A beautiful Jabiru in the shallows having some success in catching a meal.

As the late afternoon shadows lengthen the sun really lights up this red cliff. 

Adjamarragu Point at the northern end of the Bowen Straits - low tide and late afternoon. The Bowen Straits separate Croker Island and the mainland of Australia.

At high tide this rock is covered by water but at low tide the water birds take a rest from fishing and wait for the incoming tide.

The sun sets over the Arafura Sea. The late afternoon red sky at this time of the year is the result of bush fire smoke. 

In the east the waxing (coming up to full moon) moon has already risen. 

Another day ends on Croker Island. 

Nancy is still in Queensland visiting family and trying to find some building trades to do some work on our house at Yarraman. Due to the many wet days this year, they all have a large backlog of work. 

Take care

Bryan and Nancy