Macca's Meanderings

 A very warm and 'sticky' greeting from Croker Island. Recently we had two Northern Territory Government Fisheries officers visit. On one of the days the rangers took them on a coastal patrol. One of the tasks was to secure the net below with some star pickets. When the track to this area dries after the wet season we will winch the net up the beach and dispose of it. (If you double click on the photos you get a larger and clearer photo). Last week we were heading over the flood plain to the west side of the island to conduct an Aquatic Biosecurity Survey when we came across this dead crocodile on the road to the airport. It was a 3.1 meters female.  We were all puzzled by what or who had caused the croc's death. There was wound on the top of it's skull. Some of the rangers were convinced that it had been shot. I was not so sure.  There were a couple of other marks/cuts on its back. We reported this to the Water Police who happened to be in town. Their investigations re...

Greetings from Minjilang, Croker Island You may have heard of a movie that was recently released called, 'High Ground'. It features some big names like Jack Thompson and Simon Baker. Of greater interest to me though were some of the Indigenous actors who featured. Gutjuk was a young boy when his family were massacred. He is played by a young man related to some of the Garngi rangers. His uncle/father (in traditional kinship systems someone's father's brothers are also called father), Baywarra is played by Sean Mununggurr from Gapuwiyak and Gujtuk's grandfather is played by Witiyana Marika from Yirrkala - we know both these actors especially Sean and his family.  'High Ground' is a confronting account of the often brutal frontier in Australia. Sadly, this story was repeated countless times across Australia.  High Ground was filmed around West Arnhem Land and Kakadu National Park showing some of this area's spectacular scenery.  Below is a link to the trai...

 Hi and greetings from Croker Island, NT. As I write this blog we are passing through a period when the monsoon is a little less active. We are still receiving rain however not as much as a week or so ago. Consequently the roads and tracks have become 'challenging'. The road across the floodplain to the airport became impassable so we had to take a much longer road to the airport however this road too became boggy in places which resulted in this 'unplanned stop'.  During the wet season while we are restricted in our access to many parts of the island, it is a good time to catch up on some maintenance. Here Clayton replaces a CV joint boot on our 4WD Hilux.  A few weeks ago we had some scientists from the NT Government's Fishery Department visit to conduct a survey on oysters, in particular 'Black Lipped Oysters'. This involved taking the scientists to numerous locations around the Croker Island at low tide to collect oysters for DNA and heavy metal tests. B...

Hello from a very wet Croker Island.  We have had some consistent monsoon rains now for a couple of weeks. The last two wets seasons have been very poor in the Top End however so far this season is above average for rainfall.  Below is our house taken from the drone showing the short distance to the beach. Nancy is still in Queensland.  Some brolgas enjoying the sea of green out on the floodplain. Just a few weeks ago this area was dry and dusty. After playing around with the drone for an hour, PK and I were sent hurrying for home with the next band of monsoon showers approaching. The incoming tide brings the fish and stingrays in very close to the beach. This young man is hoping to spear a meal.    26 January - Australia Day or Invasion Day? There has been quite a bit of debate on this topic over recent days. Recently, I put this question to the Garngi Rangers. It produced a very interesting and wide ranging discussion. We didn't just talk of the events of 26 J...

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 bef...

Hello everyone We hope and pray that you have all enjoyed a happy and safe Christmas and that 2021 brings many blessings to you. As mentioned in the previous post, Nance and I flew into Darwin from Minjilang, Croker Island just before Christmas. Around the same time Laura flew in from Brisbane and six of Christy's family flew in from Geelong. Dean and Kristy were very brave in hosting Christmas for all of us this year - thank you very much. We all enjoyed a great time together.  A Darwin thunder storm on Boxing Day evening put on an impressive light and sound show. Generally however the weather has been kind to us. As I write this blog post, the BOM are forecasting a cyclone to form in the Gulf of Carpentaria shortly and then move into Queensland.  Below the Macdonald Christmas 2020 photo L to R - Dean, Kristy, Nance, Bryan, Laura and Jayson. Some of Christy's family - Marney, Cameron, Paddy and Kristy.  And below Paddy and Sharon.  This time of the year in the Top E...