A break a the end of 2012 was definitely in order last week. I packed all the adventure gear in the ute and prepared for a week of sun, sand, surf, family, food, drink and merriment.
Each day on high or low tide, it didn't matter, I took the kayak out into the river. Sometimes the water was right in and under the mangroves and surrounding grasslands, allowing me to explore beyond the limits of the river channels. The roots of the mangroves protruded from the mud on low tide, giving the tiny crabs a forrest of spires to dance around.
Overhanging roosts were often empty on passing, but if I moored under a mangrove and drew the cam-net over my kayak, often birds would relax enough to come and sit for a while.
Sting-rays passed underneath as well as thousands of fish among the weeds and deep channels.
On more than one occasion, I was asked what I was doing by onlookers curious by my return in camouflage kit. A few people got a bit of a fright up-river when I greeted them from my hidden position under the mangroves, for which I had to apologise, even though there was a certain satisfaction that my efforts to hide were proving very effective.
Finally, after nearly two years without going for a SCUBA dive, I managed to get in two dives around Guerrilla bay. Unfortunately, I have no housing for the wildlife camera that can withstand the pressures yet, so I made do with my son's GoPro video camera instead. (Footage coming later). During the dive, we encountered more fish than I care to identify, but the highlights of the dives would have to be some close encounters with a Moray Eel, a very large Ray who seemed just as surprised to see me as I was to see it. I was glad the GoPro didn't pick up the words uttered through my regulator when we met face to face around a corner...
Lastly, in the shallows on our way out, I found an octopus in his hole. To establish trust, I made small movements and gestures with my hand and fingers, approaching slowly and gradually. I presented it with a shiny shell and a colourful rock as a gift, then trust was established upon that. One tentacle came out and touched my finger, then suckered on a couple of times with some test-pulls. Eventually, it was confident and friendly enough to come out of it''s hole, wrapping four tentacles around my hand. I stroked a tentacle gently with my thumb, which was the only digit now free on that hand. Finally, the octopus gave a large pull as a show of strength and perhaps a parting hug, then retired back to it's hole. What a magical experience and a massive rush!
1. Lookin' the goods, but does it work?
2. Well these little boogers have great eyesight and they didn't see me....
3. Looks like it's working for the birds too.
4. And their partners...
5. Throw the cammo off - rancho relaxo style.
Link to story on my website.
