Sunday 26 June 2022 Cuttagee Lake

 S&V, recently returned from their jaunt to Victoria were keen to get back on the water and we were happy to join them.  Nothing can beat a paddle on a perfect winter's day. Accordingly we met up down at the waters edge and within half an hour we were on our way.

However just as we wereabout to launch there was a resounding boom and reverberating echo. Before we had finished saying "what the f.... " more booms and echoes followed and realisation dawned. It was Gun Club day and the shooting had started. The noise and disturbance was awful and intimidating. Even the GoPro picked it up.  It must make shooting days for the residents around the lake unbearable.

A ridge separates the site of the Gun Club and Cuttagee Lake and for interest I did some Google Earthing to find out how far away, as the crow flys, the Gun Club is and the elevations involved.  Here is a map: The distance to the Club is about 3kms and according to Google Earth is at 75m elevation, the ridge between the lake and Club is 98m yet the sound of the guns travels so far. The sound on the Gopro doesn't go near conveying the actual magnitude of the booms and echoing we encountered on the lake.

Once we had paddled up to Snake island the noise emanating from the Gun Club had reduced to merely irritating. Whilst L sent the drone adroning the rest of us nattered away as we poddled along. After L caught us up we paddled on to enjoy our day.

Patiently waiting for L&I to launch after lunch.

We spent a very happy four hours on the lake. Once again Azure Kingfisher sightings were abundant up the creek.  A Striated Heron kept us company for about 1/2km down the creek.  Out on the lake swans kept us entertained as we didn't see but heard the resident Sea Eagle pair calling to each other. And this time we did see a few fish. Unfortunately I mean only a few.

Trip Notes:  see last Thursday's entry

Thursday 23 June 2022 Cuttagee

 With the rest of the CKC otherwise occupied this week L&I decided to head out onto Cuttagee once more and see how far we could get up the creek.

We started late morning to bask in the warmth of the winter sun. I have just discovered  my waterproof Olympus camera records the temperature - it read 18oC.

Soon after setting off we disturbed a small flock of swans.

Again we noticed the lack of fish. At the mouth of creek we met a local kayak fisherman who was having no luck. He mentioned that the commercial fisherman had been working the lake again. (I've explained in previous posts how he nets the lake.) This conversation brought to mind the resident Sea Eagle pair - this is around the time they lay their eggs.  My question is - if the lake is stripped of fish how are the Sea Eagles going to feed their young?  And it isn't only Cuttagee that is commercially fished; most of the lakes and estuaries along the Far South Coast are allowed to be commercially fished.

At the big shady corner of the creek we had a wonderful sighting of a Wedge Tailed Eagle flying low across the creek just in front us. Can you spot it, flying from the right?

 And it did a repeat performance a little way further on. Wondrous to watch.

Shortly thereafter the Azure Kingfisher sightings came thick and fast. Flashes of bronze and blue going this way and that. The only one that still long enough for me to take a pic.

Just after the above pic was taken we ran out of water and couldn't quite reach our usual luncheon site a little further upstream. According to my trusty little camera it was 20.7oC in the dappled sunshine - balmy.

Having discovered the drone was having 'one of those days' and not recording video, we mounted the GoPro onto L's boat for a different perspective on the way home.

We floated in the sun, enjoying the reflections; still and

moving - reflections that is.

Heading up the, now, narrow, very shallow lead into the Backwater.

Nearly missed the entrance

Reflections in the Backwater

About to rejoin the creek.

We paddled slowly toward home enjoying the afternoon sunshine and the plentiful birdlife; only stopping momentarily when we reached the branch sticking out of the water.

L asked me to use the Olympus to get the co-ordinates of this protuberance.  You see, there is a story to tell.......

 Back when L did  his Tammie Norrie camp-out (He Done Gone and Left Me blog) the lake was closed and the water level much higher this branch was no longer protruding and the beloved Tammie Norrie ran headlong into it and became airbogged, or whatever the nautical term is - thankfully without much damage to the boat, however it did take L sometime and much effort to free himself.

Having secured the co-ordinates of the offending boat hazard we paddled slowly home, our outing ending about 2.45pm.

Sad to see so little evidence of fish, or any size. On the good side however, neither have we seen any jellyfish.

Finally here is the GoPro's view of today

9.52kms

Thursday 16 June 2022 Wallagoot Lake

 The day did not dawn as forecast and it looked a touch bleak and forbidding as we set off for the drive down to Wallagoot. The ancipatory mood in the car sunk somewhat as we drove through a rain shower. However it didn't last for long and as we were keen to check out the performance of R's new acquisition there were only momentary thoughts of cancelling.

Arriving at the lake around 10.00 we were cheered to find only a slight breeze ruffling the water and the odd patch of blue sky hopefully heading our way. The lake was full indicating the entrance was closed. There looked to be enough water to explore the wetlands on the way to the entrance :) :). 

It was as we got ready to paddle I discovered I had left the trusty little camera at home :(  The GoPro and the dreaded drone would have to provide our memories!

By 10.30 R was on the water trying out her new boat - a 2nd hand Dagger Catalyst 12.8 - purchased for future trips that will include a bit of rock bashing.

Once L and I joined R on the water we headed down the lake, a mature Sea Eagle doing a fly past just after we set off. During morning tea at the mouth we sighted another, this time an immature Sea Eagle. Also sighted at the mouth were a pair of Sooty Oyster Catchers.

 Mastery of the drone is improving - only a couple of woopsies today.  As the day progressed the weather improved and, as you will see in the video, turned sublime.

After a serene paddle back across the lake our outing ended at 3.00pm and R's new boat was announced a winner.

Trip Notes:

Put In/Take Out: Wallagoot Lake Boat Club

Lake: Closed

9.75kms

Saturday 11 June 2022 Cuttagee Lake

The last time we paddled our home waters was back in November last year and the water level was the highest we'd ever seen. Five days later on 19 November 2021 the Council opened the lake. About a week later the lake closed and on the 9 December opened again after a dump of 100mls of rain.  Since then, due to the wet year, Cuttagee has been regularly opening and closing again; sometimes with only a few days between opening and closing.

 Although the lake is still low the water was glassy and we decided to chance it and by 10.30am we were on the water.

Ooh, it was good to be out on Cuttagee again.  

Getting the drone ready to fly

This Sea Eagle circling overhead watched the proceedings and made L wary of flying too high.

While L flew the drone I watched the group of  swans that seem to have taken up residence in Little Cuttagee. With the drone packed up and the GoPro turned on we paddled cautiously up the shallow straight. The water was crystal clear, but sadly no fish were spotted.

As we neared the end of the straight we could see the bridge and beach were very busy with people making the most of the Queen's Birthday weekend.

Paddling past the end of the peninsular we

turned into the main lake and found that besides the abundant bird life we had the lake all to our selves. Bliss. There were relections to mesmerise; more swans, Little Cormorants and Pied Cormorants, Grey Herons, ducks and Kingfishers to watch.

Back in November we paddled across the top of this jetty.

We spot the Sea Eagle again.

Round the back of the island at the creek entrance I missed these swans taking off in front of us. BUT the GoPro should have caught it perfectly, or so I thought.....

After checking out Camp Cove we circumnavigated the island and pulled in at the entrance to Rain Forest Cove for a break and battery change.  It was then that we discovered my boo boo. Way back in the straight when I had attached the GoPro which was mounted to a selfie stick onto the back of L's boat I attached it with the camera facing backward!! Oh dear, all that lovely footage L thought he had of where we were going turned out to be footage of where we had been. :) :)

So for the rest of the paddle the GoPro was relegated to my head. 

Out in the middle of the lake was this bird  - can anyone identify it?

On the way home L did some more droning in the middle of the lake. After some editing here is the result (note in the video how shallow the main part of the lake is):

Here is a still from the GoPro of the Little Cuttagee swans taking flight, which you can barely see in the pic on the right hand side along the shore, more interesting is the circle of slop.

By the time we were unpacking the boats at 1.45pm the wind gust we'd encountered crossing Little Cuttagee had died away and the lake was returning to stillness once more. During our paddle we saw the Sea Eagles 4 times, a highlight of which was one diving upon and catching a fish as we had our break. I also had 5 kingfisher sightings, but sadly only one fish - two if you count the one the Sea Eagle caught.  On the upside we didn't encounter any jellyfish.

Trip Notes:

Lake closed, water level low.

See previous entries for more detailed information.

Thursday 2 June 2022 Bermagui River

It has been nearly a month since our last paddle.The Captain got Covid and our planned return trip to the Murray had to be cancelled. We were keen to get back out on the water and took a chance with the forecast.

The weather gods smiled down upon us and it turned into a lovely day.  We set off from Slipway Beach at 9.30am paddling upstream on the last of the incoming tide.

We've finally caved and purchased a GoPro and here is the result.  Watch this and you won't need to read the rest of the blog!.

After turning into the mangroves

we were sheltered from the light breeze and soon warmed up, enjoying the crystal clear water and watching small fish darting about.

Exiting the mangroves

we marvelled at the mass blooming of the spotted gums on the distant hill.  The last mass blooming, ocurring from Bateman's Bay to Tathra was in 2016. 

With the occasional stop to fiddle with the GoPro we poddled our way up river, so happy to be back on the water.

R staring at the Grey Heron up the dead tree

Stopping at the campground for morning tea, we set up our chairs and sat for ages, like lizards, soaking up the sun, talking and listening to the bird song. Bliss. 

Eventually we noticed the tide had well and truly turned and we packed up and started to head back at 12.20pm.

Not far after turning into the long straight L decided it was time to be brave and try the drone again and R and I drifted in the sun while L got it ready.

This time the little orange terror behaved perfectly and followed us down the straight. Here L is bringing it to heel while R and I kept our distance in case it went rogue and tried to decapitate us -

however, this time L had it under perfect control and the drone made a pin point landing beside his boat.

Once the drone was safely stowed, we paddled back to Slipway beach, passing these pelicans and terns along the way.

We beached about 1.35pm and after packing up the boats we returned to R's and idled the rest of the afternoon away sitting on their balcony, soaking up more sun, eating our lunch and enjoying their magnificent view.

Trip Notes:

See previous entries for maps, distances and tide times etc.