Going to the beach at Coral Bay is like no other beach experience I’ve encountered. It’s a short shallow wade across the sand which then cuts away sharply.
Goggles on and dive into a wonderland of coral
And fish
For an alternative to swimming there is even a glass bottom kayak to view the reef.
Tomorrow its a day in the water on the outer reef swimming and snorkelling off a boat.
The camera is on charge and I’m hoping I can capture some great images.
A mother Osprey guards her chicks in the nest built on the Pont Grantheaume
Broome on the shores of Roebuck Bay is a haven for birds and sea animals. In particular its home to the rare and threatened Snubfin Dolphin
Netting in the Bay had led to these dolphins coming under threat. Many of the dolphins I saw had scars on their skin or pieces out of their fins due to being caught in nets.
Since native title has been established netting has been banned and the area is now a Marine National Park. With all marine animals re establishing in the Bay.
The National Park is also home to various turtles this Flat Back Turtle an example.
Manta Rays and an amazing diversity of local and migratory birds.
Such as terns
And my favourite the majestic White Bellied Sea Eagle.
I did the cruise with Broome Whale Watching. Additional to these beautiful animals we say Dugong, other species of turtle and a Humpback Whale breaching.
Recreational fishing still part in the Bay and the local aborigines fish traditionally with spears.
Such a beautiful place.
It is into the 4th month of lockdown in Melbourne, Australia.
Movement is very restricted but lucky for me the Bay is near at hand.
One of the activities, one of places that soothes me is an evening ride along the Williamstown to Altona.
I have learnt to watch the colours of the sky, and know the spots to get the best views intimately.
Might have been my years of sailing that makes me such an avid weather watcher.
I can tell as the sun slowly sets that there is going to be a beautiful show tonight.
The early stages of of the sunset reaches across the bay and lights up the CBD.
There is the perfect moment when the sun reflects of the city’s glass towers making it glow before the cities artificial lights try to steal the show.
Its hard to believe from this angle that the metropolis is quiet and largely deserted as it sparkles in the sunset.
Its a short ride over a little ford to my favourite viewing point to see the birdlife on Koroit Creek
This night it is the swans gliding and feeding on the creek up near the ford, under the reddening sky
By the the time I reach the estuary end of the creek the fiery sunset is reflected in the still water
At the Jawbone Marine Sanctuary the last minutes of the suns day is an orange smudge across the sky
Gotta say in these difficult times, to be able to be in and rejoice the natural beauty nearby is a special tonic.
I check the lights on my cycle and head home.
