Thursday 26 July 2018 Cuttagee

An even earlier morning paddle. We got down to the lake at 7.45am and it was finger crippling frosty. Once again it turned primarily into a bird watching paddle. Seen were Pelicans aplenty, Great Egrets,
Little Pied Cormorants, Shags, White Faced Herons, a pair of Chestnut Teal, Swans, Sacred Ibis, Royal Spoonbills, Eurasian Coots,  a pair of Sea Eagles, a Wedgetail Eagle and a Whistling Kite, a large flock of Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoos and the odd Azure Kingfisher. All bird closeups are courtesy of S and her new camera.

When we arrived the last of the mist was rising from the lake

And the pelicans we disturbed were reluctant to depart

The sun finally found us as the last of us launched

Great Egrets taking to the air as we woke them up

The Royal Spoonbills however, were reluctant to get moving

Pelicans flying over and around us as we headed for Wooly Butts Bay

Heading into Wooly Butts Bay

Azure Kingfisher spotted below Wooly Butts house

Western side of Wooly Butts Bay

The clear water was entrancing to paddle

The little black spots are a flock of Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoos - 50+

A pair of Sea Eagles inspecting our progress

After a quick stop for a leg stretch and a muesli bar we slowly made our way back up the southern shoreline on glassy water

Whistling Kite spotted toward the Eastern boundary of the Far End

More pelicans soaking up the sun and preening at the island near the bridge

Inspecting the sculpture at the head of the island

About to turn into Little Cuttagee, our progress was halted by feeding pelicans

That little school of fish, demolished or dispersed, the pelicans slowly drifted off

so we could continue our journey back down the lake.

Great Egret

 Our paddle ended about 11.15am and after packing up the boats we enjoyed a lovely brunch back at S&V's.