After collecting R we headed off to Brou Lake, arriving about 9.30am
As we unloaded the boats and got ready to paddle we were serenaded by a Sea Eagle pair.
After launching I paddled a little way up the shoreline and spotted them high in a tree,
and wondered if they were a breeding pair and if so, had the eggs hatched yet. The Sydney Sea Eagles Live Cam had shown the second of their eggs hatching about 4.00am this morning - the first chick having made its way into the world about 25 hours earlier.
As I paddled back L was launching, perfect timing, and we headed up the lake toward Whittaker's Creek and turned into the narrow entrance to the first bay. Sidling quietly past a pelican we entered the bay for a paddle around.
Upon returning to the narrow entrance we discovered the pelican had departed and L decided to send the drone up for a look see at this intricate water way. While we waited R and I rafted up for a cosy chat out in the creek.
Once L was back on the water we headed back down the creek and round a pelican sandspit and
crossed to the north side of the lake, seeing, in the distance large flocks of swans and cormorants. We paddled into a bay, sheltered from the breeze and at 12.00pm pulled in for lunch with the sun warming our backs as we looked across the lake to the closed entrance.
L flew the drone again and discovered the crash landing at the end of the previous session had done some damage and affected its flight :( :( ( R&I, when rafted up, had heard a loud expletive float across that water but have learned when it involves the drone, its better not to ask!)
Having taken to the water again we continued along the northern shore heading east. Nearing the entrance to the north eastern lagoons we were followed by a drone for a bit and wondered where it had come from. Unfortunately the entrance to the N.E lagoons was, at this water level, too shallow to navigate so we gave them a miss and continued along the eastern shore line where we spotted this Eastern Curlew. Presumably a recent arrival from Siberia or Manchuria unless it was one of the few that overwinter in Northern Australia.
The Curlew in flight.
Next were what L identified as a small flock of Bar Tailed Godwits also recently arrived from Siberia.
Having paddled the length of the closed entrance we found a NP's bloke flying a drone. We stopped to enquire - one of his fellow officers informed us that they were checking the birdlife for signs of the HN bird flu. Their present task is to check, once a week, all the water ways from Wallaga Lake north to I can't remember where, pretty much I full time job I should think.
Another sigthing of a Sea Eagle toward the end of our paddle topped of another excellent outing.
Here is the Go Pro and Drone footage.
An Addendum to last weeks paddle.
The weird boat at Bermagui wasn't constructed by 'tank man'. It was designed and built by Samuel McLennan from Nubeena in southern Tasmania. His boat, Heart, is made from marine debris, mainly from salmon farms. A keen environmentalist, McLennan said "... there are big issues with the salmon farms, lots of plastic, pipes... the salmon farming industry was negligent when clearing up the cutoffs that resulted from maintenance. Fines are issued only for pieces longer than two metres."
The boat having been certified, McLennan embarked on his voyage in February 2024 and has been slowy making his way up Australia's east coast, stopping frequently and for long periods along the way.
There was yet another change of plans this morning; we seem to have been doing that a lot lately. We had planned to paddle Middle Lagoon with some rellie's from the USA however they rang and cancelled so after a quick check of the tides we decided to paddle the Bermagui River instead. Calls to our paddle pals proved fruitless - at such late notice they all had other engagements so it was just L and me.
As we carried our gear down to Slipway Beach we were met by a strange sight. After launching around 11.30am we went to investigate and the question that came to mind: "is the tank man back and has he gone upmarket?" Hopefully we will find out in due course.
Having mooched through the mangroves we headed up river and stopped to chat to a friendly young man on a paddle boad. He was from Bali and nearing the end of a two year work visa. Early on he worked in Bermi, at the Oyster Farm, Tilba Dairy and the Club after which he headed inland to work in different places at a variety of jobs. He loved Bermagui so much he has returned for a holiday before heading back to Bali.
We paddled up to the campground and stopped for morning tea and a bit of drone work. We then headed back. For part of the way we listened to the resident Sea Eagle pair serenade each other and we managed to spot them sitting side by side, high in a tree. Fingers crossed they survive the bird flu.
Being under strict instructions to get more footage of the poly boat I didn't take any footage on the way back.
Footage duly taken we landed about 2.30pm, not a moment to soon as by the time we got in the car, just before three, the sun had lost its warmth and we happy but cold.
Sadly, just us again today, taking advantage of a lovely winter's day. Launching from Payne's Island a tad after 10.00am
Looking enticing in the distance, we had intended to head to the entrance first up
but once on the water we changed our mind and headed into the reed beds, where it was very quiet. Only two fish spotted and the odd bird. Turning round a little way beyond the foot bridge we explored other leads on the way back to the lake and were suprised to see we still had this section of Wallaga all to ourselves.
Having paddled along the eastern shoreline we stopped for morning tea, sheltered from the light, but chilly breeze at the end of the sand dune.
After morning tea we poddled slowly over the shallows to the still closed entrance before heading back to Payne's Island via Honeysuckle Island. A short and happy paddle ending at 12.30pm.
A 1.4m high tide down at the entrance at 10.20am meant we should launch from the bridge at around the same time. This we did and managed to scrape down the first part of our journey without resorting to wading.
Woke up to a sublime winter's day: sunny, cloudless blue sky, no hint of a breeze and warmish. The urge to get on the water was irresistable and we shot down to Cuttagee for a quick paddle before leaving to join L's sister, 3 nieces and a great nephew for lunch.
As we arrived at the lake we disturbed a bunch of pelicans and cormorants hunting fish. The pelicans are canny; having fanned out and driven the fish into shallow water they wait for the cormorants to get the fish then they harry the cormorants into surrendering their catch.
Setting off on glassy water we saw the pelicans and cormorants had regrouped in another corner of the lake and were hunting again.
We edge crept up the lake, delighting in the reflections and the bird life we saw. A highlight - a Sea Eagle and Whistling Kite sitting in the same tree.
After a brief stop in 'Rain Forest Cove' where L, upon getting out the drone, realised we were running out of time, so sadly no droning on this beautiful day, we started back.
Paddling back down the lake the water remained glassy - a first we think, usually we paddle home into a head breeze.
As we turned into Little Cuttagee we saw a Sea Eagle pursuing a bird, possibly a grebe. They disappeared behind the tea tree and about 30 or 40 seconds late the Sea Eagle reappeared with something clutched in its talons. It flew across the lake in front of us and landed in a tree. Paddling quietly over I spotted the Eagle on a branch as downy feathers were floating down from its perch. So it had caught the bird.
As I set off again another Sea Eagle flew down the lake and glided into the forest near to where the other Eagle was perched - what a resplendent end to a superb paddle.
We packed up, hurried home, showered and left again for lunch and a lovely afternoon spent with catching up with some of L's family.
We headed up to South Durras with the intention of paddling Lake Conjola and Lake Tabourie (both closed and very full). Unfortunately the weather was unkind and although sunny, the wind was fierce and cold which put paid to our plans.
Instead we walked, talked, ate and lolled away the first day at the end of which L declared we should, the next morning try an early paddle on the nearby and more sheltered Lake Durras.
Accordingly we set off at first light and drove down to the Lake Durras boat ramp where, having unloaded the first boat the cold wind made itself felt cutting through our clothing in (by Australian standards) an icy blast. Already somewhat less than enthusiastic I called for a vote - and lost. So we donned more layers and finished unloading and got ready to brave the water.
We launched at 6.45am and headed up the lake straight into the cold head breeze. After paddling for approx 1.3kms we reached a lea shore and relief from the wind. With the lake so full we could pick our way through sheltered reaches as the sun rose and warmed our backs. We then braved the wind again and crossed the lake into the sheltered Bartleys Creek Arm.
Having mooched 3/4s of the way down the sheltered and sunny side of Bartleys Creek Arm we turned around and headed back to the main lake and turned right, rounding the point into the unnamed but also sheltered arm. Once again we reveled in the sun and paddling smooth water. About half way down we stopped for morning tea and a bask in the sun.
Setting off again we could hear the wind in the trees above and behind us and, aware it was forecast to reach over 20kmph around 10.30am, we decided to head for home. Crossing the lake back to the lea shore was a bit of a slog but having reached it it was easy paddling until we reached the entrance to Bull Shark Bay. Here we paused while L erected his sail and with the wind at our backs he was blown all the way back to the boat ramp - his longest sail by far. R and I poddled along behind also ably assisted by the wind, reaching the boat ramp bang on 10.30am
I was grateful to have been outvoted as what started as a try it and see turned out to be a most pleasant outing and we were three very happy chappies by the end of our outing.
Having forgotten to change the battery at morning tea the GoPro died just at we reached the rough water on the main lake so sadly no footage of L's successful sail.
After several years of intermittent construction it was finally time to test the seaworthiness of L's handiwork.
The original idea was to sail her however an onshore breeze put paid to the idea so we unloaded masts, boom and sails and L rowed her out to deeper water, away from the hazards along the shoreline.
Having taken a bit of footage with my phone of L rowing away up the lake
I hurried back to where we had unloaded the kayak, donned the Go Pro and pfd and paddled madly after him to get some footage.
Unfortunately I forgot to check the angle of the GoPro and nearly chopped L's head off.
Other than the oars, the maiden voyage was a success - nary a sign of a leak. The next outing - to a lake with a boat ramp is eagerly awaited.
Also, we have been bereft of pythons since the 2023 bushfire (other than the one we discovered in the engine bay after stopping in Tathra on our way to Melbourne) so it was a great excitement to nearly tread on this one on the 30th April.
Neither of us has seen her again, so sadly, tho' happily for the rats, I don't think she has taken up residence.
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