Shaggy reflections @ Crowdy Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
As the name indicates, this really is a crowded place. But more so for marine life. They are the heartbeat of this seaside community.
The hub @ Crowdy Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Let me quickly guide you around Crowdy Head.
Cute lighthouse @ Crowdy Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
A one loop road circles the headland all the way to the charming lighthouse. Cute!
Overview @ Crowdy Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
This 3-kilometre sightseeing tour connects to the only road in or out. No one could get lost here.
Rugged coastline @ Crowdy Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Uptown has more prominent views over the ocean.
Endless views @ Crowdy Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
On sunny and calm days, the view is endless from the lighthouse particularly.
No whales today @ Crowdy Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Whales are often seen from this high vantage point. What uptown residents invested in their homes, downtown people prefer to spend on fishing boats. It is a shorter way to the ‘hub’, this is where all the action is.
Fishing @ Crowdy Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
I named the ‘hub’ for the harbour, fishing is on everyone’s mind.
Local income @ Crowdy Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
It is, in fact, the only direct financial income for locals here. There are no stores or petrol stations, no bakery and not even a fishing store. How good is that?
Fresh prawns anyone? @ Crowdy Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Fresh prawns can be bought straight of the boat early mornings.
Fishing at the hub @ Crowdy Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
But it’s not the human interactions I was interested in, more than the natural world. And there are plenty of takers.
My natural objective @ Crowdy Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
A whole feathered army feeds on rich fish stocks.
Jetty stalker @ Crowdy Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
The long-legged great white heron stalks the jetty strip, this is his territory. Fishermen sometimes throw a fishing bone, which he is happy to collect. If the pier appears too busy, his retreat was docked not far.
Heron retreat @ Crowdy Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
The colourful boat he chose to stand on, cast the heron’s shadow perfectly. Pretty cool.
Resting egret @ Crowdy Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
A small egret prefers to forage around stony harbour walls. He stands motionless over the water and picks up unaware fish swimming by.
Navy moves in @ Crowdy Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
The feathered army is accompanied by the navy.
Heavy machinery @ Crowdy Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Heavy, black and white machinery patrols the waters for any fishy businesses.
Navy seals closing in @ Crowdy Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Now and then, navy seals fly in.
Agility underwater @ Crowdy Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Cormorants are the most agile sea birds underwater. They need to be. Chasing fish in their element is a skilful task. They fly in from other locations of the hub and land a few meters before their desired fishing ground.
Closing in @ Crowdy Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Whilst paddling forward, they scan the waters for movements. It is usually the shiny reflection from a fish, that gives away their location.
Submarine @ Crowdy Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
One last look, and down he goes. How lucky was I with weather conditions today?
Airforce squadron @ Crowdy Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
The plumage-platoon is completed with the airforce. Heavy artillery circles high above, ready to missile any given opportunity.
Gannet’s Entertainment @ Crowdy Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
The gannet’s entertainment factor is more than spectacular. Their torpedo-like fishing style had me and other spectators captivated.
Gannet’s Close-up @ Crowdy Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Watching them on close-range is just fascinating.
Simple deep blue reflections @ Crowdy Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Simple reflections on calm waters gave it the ’wow’ factor. I collected so much material about thrill seeking gannets, which will be posted in another blog. Or two.
Take off @ Crowdy Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
I was captivated by this fascinating sea bird.
Terns of the sea @ Crowdy Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Terns are generally timid birds and fly off rather quick. They don’t seem to care much around here.
Relishing a sunny day @ Crowdy Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
This tern was relishing the calm and sunny conditions, only a few meters away from me.
Look me in the eyes @ Crowdy Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
I enjoyed a closer encounter on his shiny appearance.
Cheeky beak @ Crowdy Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
This tern hangs loose with cheek on his beak. Priceless.
Inline cleaning @ Crowdy Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Terns often lineup with pelicans on the dry docks.
Posting organisation @ Crowdy Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
These posts are placed to separate the boat launch ramp into five individual ramps and reduces stressful times for hasty boaties.
Outpost in sepia @ Crowdy Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
A favourable and more useful resting station for small and big birds.
Resting in black and white @ Crowdy Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
And the biggest bird is off course the pelican.
Curious looks @ Crowdy Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
No matter how hard I try, I can’t resist photographing these nimble birds. There is always something different.
Neck roll @ Crowdy Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
It’s fair to say, that these pelicans felt comfortable and safe on these posts.
Comfortably numb @ Crowdy Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
I could zoom right into their eyes and explore an unseen view of a pelican. Quite extrovert.
Light post barrier @ Crowdy Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
A higher lamp post would be a preferred option for the pelican if these didn’t have an extension. These metal ’blockers’ were installed by the council to deter birds of the sea to rest high above.
Unnatural aspects @ Crowdy Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
What a constructive, unnatural idea. I guess, too many people got pooped on, which is annoying.
Sharing is caring? @ Crowdy Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
It clearly shows, how humankind is willing to share with Mother Nature.
Silhouette @ Crowdy Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Fortunately, this metal frame doesn’t expel all birds.
Resting in distance @ Crowdy Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
I have counted 5 different birds of prey in the blue skies above. The mighty fish eagle is by far the largest gliding raptor. Extremely shy, this one didn’t like the idea of close encounters. I can’t blame him!
Dolphin patrol @ Crowdy Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Dolphins are never far from a fishy smorgasbord. They patrol the harbour walls every day at the change of tides. Sometimes, they are even seen within the hub.
Shaky business @ Crowdy Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Taking photos of playful dolphins from a shaky kayak is somewhat challenging, to say the least.
A fraction too late @ Crowdy Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
One just hopes to get that one lucky shot. And I did.
Perfect timing @ Crowdy Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Gotta be happy with this frame.
Colour spectrum @ Crowdy Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Plenty of colourful birds circle the perimeter here as well.
Hanging out @ Crowdy Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Or, just hanging around. This little green parrot took my interest.
Spot the parrot @ Crowdy Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
They are hard to spot within a leafy banksia tree, but oh so cute when detected.
Beakaboo @ Crowdy Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Their squeaky scream shows you in what tree they are. It’s often the movements of the branches, that gives away their exact location. Just wow.
Different light @ Crowdy Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Usual suspects appeared in a different light just as well.
Good morning! @ Crowdy Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Well, if this hasn’t tickled your natural taste buds, there is always the sun.
Easterly swell compliments @ Crowdy Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Early sun rays are best observed from the break wall.
Golden reflections @ Crowdy Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Wet boulders reflect sun rays in lustrous colour.
The calm before the storm @ Crowdy Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
The low light makes this hub a peaceful environment.
Stimulating clouds @ Crowdy Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
But the sunsets are a fraction more stimulating.
Brotherly coordination @ Crowdy Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
‘South’ and ‘Middle Brother Mountains’ capture low clouds, which sun rays exploit stunningly.
Sunlid low clouds @ Crowdy Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
On some occasion, fog already covered Crowdy Bay’s National Park.
Islands on Fire @ Crowdy Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
The peaks appear as deserted island on the camera.
Perfect mirror over Crowdy Bay @ Crowdy Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
This huge bay up to Diamond Head reflects sunny impressions very well.
Diamonds and gold @ Diamond Head, Crowdy Bay, Northern New South Wales, Australia
The sunsets from Diamond Head are just as breathtaking.
Dramatic view over calm waters @ Crowdy Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Even the harbour offers plenty of photo opportunity. Either towards Diamond Head?
Time to go, people! @ Crowdy Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Or just a familiar subject.
Looking for a perfect photo @ Crowdy Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Quite amusing really, to think about how many times I went back and forth, just to get the right angle to the sun. Photography is hectic business sometimes, but oh so rewarding.
One has so many options for great photos, from all aspects. Just brilliant.
Travels with Ben 