We headed out for a quick paddle however it turned into a pearler of a day and we lingered much longer than originally planned soaking up the sunshine, chatting, enjoying the birdlife and lots more chatting.
As we hit the water at 10.40am we espied A taking off down the lake, a quick shout out and he turned around and joined us.
No video today, the editor has gone on strike!
Halfway down the main lake A left us - his primary goal was excercise and we were going far too slow.
At the mouth of the creek there was a brief discussion on where to go - as is nearly always the case a venture up the creek won out. The water level has risen a couple of inches and with careful navigation we made it a little further to one of regular break sites.
After spending a delightful hour or so loitering on the pebbly beach we returned to the water, on the look out for fish and other wildlife and we poddled back the way we had come.
Diverging into the back water,
which was looking its best, and
waking up this large male kanga as I paddled past.
Upon our return to the lake, we could see a couple of kayak fisherman across the lake and with their progress one way and ours the other flocks of swans were flying, landing and launching every which way.
The paddle ended at 2.30, we'd spent 2 hours longer out on the water than planned such were the delights of the day.
Weather Willy had high tide at the mouth today listed as 1.4ms at 9.44am. However when we arrived at Murrah Bridge about 9.00am the water level was too low to start the paddle and there was no sign that the water level at the bridge was rising. Hmm, somewhat perplexing. We retreated to Cuttagee beach and admired the view for 20minutes or so before returning to the Murrah to try to launch once more.
By the time we got onto the water at 10.10am the level was a smidgeon higher and after a bit of boat dragging
there was just enough water to float.
I was busy watching all the bird life on the river when L called 'Wedgies in the tree'.
Luckily I had to GoPro on and hopefully got some good footage.
When the first bird took off we could see it was clutching something furry. (By pressing pause in the video just after it has taken off you can see something held in one of the eagle's talons.)
In the absence of our usual paddling buddies L took the opportunity to practice flying the dreaded drone, so we poddled about, stopped lots and sent the drone aloft and hence covered little distance.
After dragging the boats through this section we
stopped for lunch only to discover I'd forgotten to include forks with which to eat the cous cous salad (so much for trying to eat healthily!). So it was just a muesli bar for us. However it was lovely to sit in the warm sun and watch, and listen to, all the birds going about their business.
After lunch we slowly made our way back up the river, our paddle ending at 1.35pm.
As to the mystery of the low water level, we can only surmise, as we didn't make it down to the mouth, that the entrance is now very narrow and not much water is coming in at high tide.
L, whose editing skills are expanding rapidly has produced a short slowmo of the Wedgetailed Eagles
Ooh, I was spot on with my long moaning oohs when I hit the oyster covered rocks. My boat is now sporting several deep gouges :( :( :(
Since planning the paddle the weather forecast had deteriorated somewhat and the lake was looking beautifully bleak when we arrived at 9.30am. As the kayaks were unloaded
discussion quickly turned to how many layers we each were wearing. However El Captino assured us the day would improve. We set off about 10am paddling down the lake, heading toward Snapper Point where we pulled in for a quick break.
Heading up Dignams Creek
About 2.5km up the creek we paddled into a small backwater and found an easy access to the bank for lunch. Approx 50 mins and a boot swap later, L took over the GoPro and we took to the water to begin the return journey.
View back down the creek. The creek is a sanctuary zone and fish were rising and jumping all over the water. It was a delight to see but sadly reminded us of the ravages visited upon Cuttagee by the commercial fisherman.
Paddling down the other side of the island at the mouth of the creek.
In Dignams Bay
How's this for a Rorschach Blot
Another stop at Snapper Point whilst L flew the drone.
After which we thought we just had the slog back up the lake to our launching site. How wrong we were - the lake had another suprise in store for us - a wallowing? seal. After observing it for awhile we paddled around the corner and saw it's pal hauled out on the rocks.
Disturbing its slumber as we drifted by it sat up, gave us the eye,
and then, presumably perceiving no threat, flopped back down to resume his/hers former activity.
Continuing on we spied yet another seal, wallowing far out in the lake as we paddled steadily (approx 4kph) up the lake, reaching the take out at 3.15pm. From a not too promising start, the weather did indeed improve and we had another enchanting paddle on one of the lakes scattered down the Far South Coast.
And finally, for those who have been waiting with bated breath:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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