STINGRAYS, CATFISH AND TURTLE - 7 DECEMBER 2018

The surf wasn't encouraging this morning but a snorkel seemed worthwhile after sighting a turtle yesterday while swimming.




I waded out into the water on the Haven Beach and it was a bit chilly.

The visibility wasn't the best with a lot of sand particles obscuring vision. BUT it was a good sighting day. There were a lot of larger fish blending in with the sandy bottom but they skittered off very quickly from me.

After a short time, I spotted a small stingray. I followed it for awhile and three other small ones later. While I was following one of the smaller rays a very large ray suddenly swam directly under me. If I could jump I would have. Anyway, I followed the larger ray for a while but keeping my distance.

Later, I came across a large and small greenish catfish. They both undulated amongst the rocks slowly so they were easy to follow.

I was just about to finish when I spied a turtle. I very excited and followed it from above and below. Finally, it had enough of me and left me behind with a big smile.

It was such a great snorkel even though the visibility was poor. I was very cold though but warmed up with a coffee and a long sit in the sun.

A good morning.

SUNRISE, SURF AND SNORKLE - 9 APRIL 2018

8 April 2018

A beautiful sunrise over Terrigal on this morning.

Later, I had two snorkels at The Haven.

On the first snorkel, I saw a huge wrasse, many other fish and a turtle. The turtle was resting slightly under a rock ledge in about two metres of water. Unfortunately, I didn't have my camera.

I met up with Jacinta, had a coffee then a second snorkel with an underwater camera. The visibility was poorer but the turtle was still there!



9 April 2018

A beautiful day and the sun was shining like a summer's day.

I drove up to Munmorah SCA to Red Ochre Beach and had two great surfs.

On the first surf, the set waves were breaking left and right solidly at shoulder height. there as just me and another guy on the bank.

I had something to eat and drink and paddled out for a second surf. The waves were even better and no one else was out.

What a great morning!

In the evening, Jacinta and I caught up with her old school friend Tess and husband Ian. A good night.

CENTRAL COAST - BRISBANE WATER - Cockle Bay - kayak - 31 october 2012

I launched at the boat ramp at serento close empire bay.

It was a nice glassy paddle along the channel with the tide helping me. There were a number of small islands at the end of the channel. These islands and their foreshores were teeming with birdlife. I followed the bay around to the right to the entrance of cockle bay.

The channel was narrow and fun to paddle due to the volume of water moving in to fill the bay. The bay is quite scenic with eagles, ibis, etc. At one stage, I notice a strange movement in the water that turned out to be a large turtle. Further along, I pulled in for a rest and sunk into the mud up to my knees. An experience that I'm glad stopped at the knees.

Leaving the bay. I paddled over to some oyster leases. Seagulls had made them their nesting sites and they weren't happy as I neared them.

The paddle back was a little hard with the tide now working against me.

A nice paddle with heaps of birds and a turtle!

distance 3.54km
time 2 hours
av speed 2km/hr

CENTRAL COAST - Ourimbah Creek - kayak - 16 September 2011

A sunny day with a light wind. Off for a kayak.

I decided to try to launch from a dirt road off Tuggerah. It looked good but unfortunately, the car became stuck on the high side of crest. I rang the NRMA, and and hour later I was on the move again.

I parked and launched near the bridge on Wyong Road. Luck was with me and against me as I lost the oar then the kayak then the oar again on launching, then nearly capsizing. i figured it couldn't get much worst so away I went.
The creek began to surprise me after I went under Wyong Road. There were lots of birds to be seen and heard. Further along, There were a number of water dragons on the shore and in overhanging branches. even a turtle was basking on a group of floating sticks.

At the weir near the railway bridge, I had to carry the kayak over the rocks. From this point on, the creek started to fill with fallen trees and branches. These were fun to find a way to pass - some i went over and some i went under.

Eventually, the water became shallower and a large tree put an end to the journey. i walked around for awhile enjoying the solitude and eating lunch.

It was a great kayak!

time: 3 1/2 hours

AUSTRALIA - QUEENSLAND - Great Barrier Reef - october 2003

The Great Barrier Reef  is a big place. We took a cruise out to the reef to snorkel. It was long voyage but it was worth it. The photos don't really show the colour of the reef. It was teeming with fish and brightly coloured coral. Worthwhile doing!!