MARINE RESEARCH, MONSOONS, BARGES and RAINING FISH

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Hi again

Further to my last blog post, Jane Bardon, an ABC Darwin journalist wrote the following article about the workshop i attend recently and marine research along the NT coast. The link to this article is below.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-02-17/nt-marine-rangers-climate-change-turtles-sea-level-temperature/101981606


This morning the alarm rang at 5:30am. I woke to the sound of heavy monsoon rain on the roof. Why was I waking early on a wet Sunday morning? The barge that carries our supplies was coming at this time. Thankfully, by the time I arrived at the barge landing the rain was easing. The barge, which had arrived during the night allowing the crew to catch a few hours of comfortable sleep in the sheltered waters of Mission Bay, had just raised its anchor and was making it's way to the landing. 

The last 300 meters of their approach is cautious during to the shallow water. 

The first mate stands on the lowered ramp/door and the directs the skipper onto the landing.

After unloading the barge departs to the east to maintain it's tight schedule of supplying communities along the north and east coast of the NT as far as Groote Eylandt. 

The barge departs the calm waters of Mission Bay, soon to disappear over the horizon.  

Over the last week I have had a couple of people contact me after reading the article at the link below and also knowing that Nancy and I have lived and worked at Lajamanu in the northern Tanami Desert in the NT.  

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-02-21/outback-community-fish-rain-sky-weather-event/102002588

The article mentions another similar 'raining fish' event in 2010. We weren't at Lajamanu at the time however when we returned in 2011, we were told of it. Initially I was skeptical however Warlpiri people we knew and trusted confirmed the story as be true. 

I rang a Warlpiri friend at Lajamanu who confirmed that the recent ABC News story was correct. 

Having flown around that area in summer I have observed the powerful winds that are associated with storms - often dry storms with little or no rain. In that part of Australia there are also large dust devils or mini tornedoes. While flying I have observed dust devils lifting debris well over 10,000 feet into the sky. 

So ...... my early skepticism has been dissolved. 

Blessings 

Bryan and Nancy



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