2014-11-16

140917 Queensland, Coral Reef day

Queensland, Australia 2014-09-05--09-25
140917, day 13 Wednesday
© NF Photos 140917
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Woke up early for breakfast 6.30 and then, at 7, we took a taxi to the harbour and  Seastar Cruises . Bringing bathing suit, towel, sunscreen and whatever would be needed during the day. As we were rather early we had to wait at the harbour before entring the catamaran.
At 8 we left the harbour to go the 40 km trip to MICHAELMAS CAY. It was a smooth trip with almost no waves.
As we are birders they drove our group into the little island so we could check out the birds before we started to scubadive. That little island is a heaven for seabirds. And a sanctuary. We were only allowed to be an a rather small area and the birds on the rest. Some of the birds we encountered: Great Frigatebird , Lesser Frigatebird, Brown Booby, Brown Noody and Sooty Tern.
That was fun.


A pair of Brown Boobis among lots of other birds. So close you have hard to see which one is which. The pair seemed to be in courtship. (?)
Being very nice to each other. Many other of the birds seemed to have nesting instincts going on as well.  Fetching nesting materials, in this case mainly seaweed from what I could see.

After a little more then an hour we were picked up to go to the boat to start diving. That is fun. I choose to swim without safety vest today. It is not really needed as the water is lifting you up. As long as you are careful.

I had my little waterproof camera tied to my wrist so I had fun swimming around trying to see nice things to take shots of. Well, hey, it´s me. Can´t be without the camera. A friend took the image with my other camera back on the boat. The big one is not waterproof. :)






Then somebody came and told me it was time for lunch.  Lunch? Do I have to?

Afterwords I was regretting going up to eat. When I went down to scuba dive  the second time I got cramps in my right calf after only 10 min. And then I could have had use of a safety vest. But I had to go up then. Can´t swim with cramps.


Later on it was time for a tour with the Glassbottom boat at the HASTINGS REEF. Not far away. That was a bit dissapointing. Not much to see really.

 




Around 3 clock we started the tour back to the harbour and Cairns.





We started to walk back to the hotel passing the park to look for the owl. And now we found it, the Rufous Owl, sitting high up in a tree. It was quite fun as people were stopping wondering what we were looking at. We told them and I also showed my images to some kids so they could find the owl in the tree. Knowing what to search for.

 Later on I was once again stopped at the Esplanade. People were curious about us as we spoke a different language and thought Pelicans are cool birds. :)



There was plenty of time to enjoy the Esplanade, the people and different features along the Espanade. And of course the birds. I also found a skateborad park and it was fun to compare it with the new one in my town. There are some artwork along the Esplanade as well. Loved to check it out.

We finished of the day by going to a restaurant to eat. And then an early night as we are leaving for the airport at 04.00 to go to Brisbane.



Travel Foto Thursday   Wild Bird Wednesday
Sky Watch Friday   Saturdays Critters  Bird D´Pot

Australia on NF Photo  NF Australian birds   NF Memes  NF World

20 comments:

  1. That sounds like a really great day - wish I could have been along too!!

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  2. Beautiful shots of Cairns!

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  3. Wonderful photos of Cairns!

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  4. Great photos especially the scattered clouds.

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  5. Terrific captures and lovely skies and what a great day!! Thanks for sharing!!

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  6. Looks like a fun day of swimming and birding.. I love the brown booby shot and the cool owl! Great post, have a happy weekend!

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  7. I too took a cruise to Michaelmas Cay and have wonderful memories of it. Thanks for reviving them with your beautiful photos !

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  8. Looks like it was a lot of fun!

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  9. I've seen plenty of owls all size and colors. But I've never seen a owl that board across.
    Thanks for the tour. I took part in sky hunt also.
    Coffee is on

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  10. Vilken otrolig mängd av fåglar på sanden. Jag gillar också undervattensbilderna.

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  11. Once again another great day on your trip. Pity you got leg cramp. I loved diving off the Barrier reef when I was in Queensland. Love seeing the Pelican at the Esplanade. Have a lovely weekend.

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  12. Stopping back to say thank you so much for sharing your post with my critter party.. Have a happy weekend!

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  13. I have only once experienced brown boobies....and at that time Bud and I had to charter a boat to get out to the water where they were perched. Lucky you to have seen so many at one time. I did not know there is such a bird as the lesser frigatebird. Wow.

    And once again, I send thanks for sharing your link at I'd Rather B Birdin'

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  14. Wonderful photos! Love the brown boobies (boob-I?) and the fish. Sorry you got the cramp and couldn't dive the second time!

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  15. Glad you enjoyed Queensland. Happy New Year.

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  16. Any day is a good day when you find an owl! And wander along the beach! Happy New Year!

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  17. Fantastic summer photos! What a lovely place! Glad you saw the owl!

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