Expedition on the Nepean
Sep. 13th, 2015 04:59 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
khiemtranThis morning, I was lucky enough to go for a paddling expedition on the Nepean and Cataract Rivers, with two good friends. It turned out to be an amazing experience. The morning light was wonderful, and the local wildlife put on a good show.
Almost as soon as we arrived, we saw this huge white-bellied sea eagle fly past, being escorted by a pair of currawongs. We saw it again several times as we paddled upriver. This was probably the best shot.
Another shot of it on the wing. This one gives a better clue to its size.
When we started out, the river was still in shadow because of the deep gorge surrounding it.
The water was so still and calm, it was difficult to work out what was water and what wasn't.
There were also eerie reminders of the flooding a few weeks ago. The water here is all controlled by upstream dams, but when we had a big east coast low last month, they must have let a huge amount down into the river.
Here you can see one of my friends illustrating just how high the waters must have been...
Heading up river as the sun starts to enter the deep valley...
After about two kilometres, the river started getting narrower and rockier. We pressed on past a few small rapids, but it soon become obvious that the Big Blue Yak wasn't suited to going any further.
On the way back downstream, there was plenty of time to spot wildlife. We saw this wombat hole, with fresh tracks, but the owner was probably still asleep.
On the opposite bank, this Murray River turtle was enjoying the sun.
But not the company...
This water dragon didn't care who was watching, as long as he got his morning sun.
As the sun rose, the views became glorious.
High above, another eagle. At the time, we thought it was a wedge-tail - Australia's largest raptor. But looking at the photo, it clearly has a "square" tail (when people talk about the tail of a bird, they're usually referring to the shape trailing edge not the entire tail), so I've changed my call to a square-tailed kite...
Back to our starting point, a weir right under the Hume Hwy. I must have driven over that bridge a dozen times without ever having a chance to see what was below.
After a short break, we set off downstream to see what was on the other side of the weir.
We saw so many water dragons, I stopped taking pictures. This one was a real poser though.
Taking a turn and heading up the Cataract River, we found this flying fox (zipline) that someone had set up across the water.
Not much further, we came across this magical cave. The reflection from the ripples in the morning sun made a continuous interactive light show.
The photos don't really do it justice. It was truly amazing to be able to drift under the overhanging rock and watch the silent light show above us.
Just when we thought it couldn't get any better, this azure kingfisher turned up in front of us. I got off two good shots before it flew away (it's incredibly hard to get a decent shot of these tiny, fast moving birds). This one shows the brilliant blue of its back, but not its distinctive orange breast.
So, a short while later, it stopped again to show us its best angle...
But the real magic happened a little higher up the Cataract River. This fallen tree looks impressive enough.
But look what you see when you've passed through to the other side. A secret temple!
Of course, you do have to tilt your head to see it...
All up, a wonderful morning. We can't wait to go back and try the rest of the river...
Almost as soon as we arrived, we saw this huge white-bellied sea eagle fly past, being escorted by a pair of currawongs. We saw it again several times as we paddled upriver. This was probably the best shot.
Another shot of it on the wing. This one gives a better clue to its size.
When we started out, the river was still in shadow because of the deep gorge surrounding it.
The water was so still and calm, it was difficult to work out what was water and what wasn't.
There were also eerie reminders of the flooding a few weeks ago. The water here is all controlled by upstream dams, but when we had a big east coast low last month, they must have let a huge amount down into the river.
Here you can see one of my friends illustrating just how high the waters must have been...
Heading up river as the sun starts to enter the deep valley...
After about two kilometres, the river started getting narrower and rockier. We pressed on past a few small rapids, but it soon become obvious that the Big Blue Yak wasn't suited to going any further.
On the way back downstream, there was plenty of time to spot wildlife. We saw this wombat hole, with fresh tracks, but the owner was probably still asleep.
On the opposite bank, this Murray River turtle was enjoying the sun.
But not the company...
This water dragon didn't care who was watching, as long as he got his morning sun.
As the sun rose, the views became glorious.
High above, another eagle. At the time, we thought it was a wedge-tail - Australia's largest raptor. But looking at the photo, it clearly has a "square" tail (when people talk about the tail of a bird, they're usually referring to the shape trailing edge not the entire tail), so I've changed my call to a square-tailed kite...
Back to our starting point, a weir right under the Hume Hwy. I must have driven over that bridge a dozen times without ever having a chance to see what was below.
After a short break, we set off downstream to see what was on the other side of the weir.
We saw so many water dragons, I stopped taking pictures. This one was a real poser though.
Taking a turn and heading up the Cataract River, we found this flying fox (zipline) that someone had set up across the water.
Not much further, we came across this magical cave. The reflection from the ripples in the morning sun made a continuous interactive light show.
The photos don't really do it justice. It was truly amazing to be able to drift under the overhanging rock and watch the silent light show above us.
Just when we thought it couldn't get any better, this azure kingfisher turned up in front of us. I got off two good shots before it flew away (it's incredibly hard to get a decent shot of these tiny, fast moving birds). This one shows the brilliant blue of its back, but not its distinctive orange breast.
So, a short while later, it stopped again to show us its best angle...
But the real magic happened a little higher up the Cataract River. This fallen tree looks impressive enough.
But look what you see when you've passed through to the other side. A secret temple!
Of course, you do have to tilt your head to see it...
All up, a wonderful morning. We can't wait to go back and try the rest of the river...
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no subject
Date: 2015-09-13 08:18 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2015-09-13 08:44 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2015-09-13 10:05 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2015-09-13 10:08 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2015-09-13 11:21 am (UTC)That must have been one seriously impressive flood.
no subject
Date: 2015-09-13 07:34 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2015-09-13 02:17 pm (UTC)And I agree with heliopausa about the light on the rocks!
no subject
Date: 2015-09-13 07:37 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2015-09-13 03:04 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2015-09-13 07:37 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2015-09-15 09:22 am (UTC)The cave and water play is so cool. I would have liked to lie back and gaze upon it.
And that temple! Awesome. :D Good eye you have.
no subject
Date: 2015-09-15 09:49 am (UTC)We also saw what looked like the remains of a tent hanging high in one of the trees and hoped no-one was camping by the river when the flood hit...
no subject
Date: 2015-09-15 01:02 pm (UTC)Yikes. Indeed I hope no one was camping.