We woke to squally wind, rain thrown at us in large soaking dollops, the occasional thunder clap and the crashing of waves! Where in the heck are we? Camped one metre from the water (at high tide) on the eastern shore of Western Port Bay. Why? A better question would be ‘why not?’
For me Western Port was always synonymous with Phillip Island - hot summers, seals, penguins, winds, sunburn, etc, but Western Port is rich in biodiversity and is part of a UNESCO Biosphere reserve as well as a Ramsar site. And as I discovered yesterday, there are actually 5 islands in Western Port - Phillip, French, Churchill, Elizabeth, and Sandstone - I hadn’t heard of the last two. Interesting!
A visit to Phillip Island yesterday had us hanging over cliff barriers watching waves spilling their awesome energy on a rocky shore torn away from Tassy 1000s of years ago. Family gaggles of Cape Barren geese still get the connection, breeding as they do along the islands of Bass Strait and beyond. Lovely creatures with their lettuce green beaks and softly patterned feathers.
Talking of feathers, we happened upon a small family of masked lap wings, the 3 babies tiny balls of piebald fluff on toothpick legs. Mum and Dad were busy making sure we didn’t come near. Also saw a few young Cape Barren goslings but most were teenagers.
Could almost throw a line in !
Fascinating to watch the endless dance between water and wind creating swirling patterns in the water surface.
This is where we’re camped
First morning the water was quietly papping the sea wall. This morning the waves were almost breaking over it.
What’s not to like! We sank a few glasses of wine as the sun sank - and the evening gathering of insects began - busy little critters ☹️
This was a mixed group parents (one off in the trees), 3 young adults and one little fuzz ball. A second clutch perhaps?
The bird on the left was obviously a parent and ran towards me daring me to come closer - I backed off.
Out at Nobbies flocks of geese were chomping in the grass. Love the patterns on their feathers.
Words are superfluous
The next few pix were live as I attempted to capture the power of the waves. Not sure they worked but it was engrossing.
The bridge over to Churchill Island
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