Sunday 16 December 2018

Monday 17 December 2018 Cuttagee Lake and Creek

Finally, a sunny day to paddle. We met down at the lake and started our paddle at 8.00am. The 88mm of rain we have had in the past week has raised the level of the lake by at least 6 inches.



This was a day for reflections




After visiting the closed mouth of the lake we headed back under Cuttagee Bridge


And paddled down the northern side of the lake




With Stuart swimming naked in the distance we gave the Woolly Butts arm a miss


After taking a short break on Clear Waters silt jetty (with a bit of heaving we could have paddled over it) we came across this large and very dead, according to V - ling, according to M - eel !!!!








Leaving L behind we ventured further up the creek - by various methods.







Hauling V up a little gravel race


Feeling that we had left L on his own for long enough we reluctantly turned around at this point - he furthest we have got so far, oh for another few inches of rain!




Each of us made it back down this little gravel race and another under our own steam - very exciting.




We rejoined L for a welcome break


Before continuing our journey back down stream





Looking for the dead fish S eventually saw it beneath this sea eagle


which took flight as we approached



Ok, here are some gruesome pics so someone can identify it






Spot the sea eagle waiting for us to make ourselves scarce so it can return to the eel carcass


Speaking of birds, up the creek we saw 3 kingfishers, a red robyn, Lewins Honeyeaters, bower birds, Yellow Faced Honeyeaters, Swallows swooping the water for insects and numerous other small birds. Lots of fish jumping, a lot of water swirling and heaps of fry from minute up to 3 inches long. Saw quite a few kangaroos, mostly along the edges of the creek, and one huge water dragon. All in all it was a fantastic day for the wildlife.
After another leg stretch we paddled back home. Baby jellyfish are still massed in Little Cuttagee


The last to return


Our paddle ended at 1.00pm
A fantastic paddle. Looking forward to more rain so we can try the creek again.


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