A short winter holiday
Lake Albert, Meningie, South Australia
Last week we went on a five day holiday break to Robe. This small historic seaside town is on the Limestone Coast of the South-East region of South Australia. We left on the Tuesday and returned last Saturday. It turned out to be far from long enough, but five days is better than none. We are currently planning a longer break this coming September.
On our way we stopped for lunch near the southern shore of Lake Albert in the small farming community of Meningie. The day was wild and windy, with scudding showers and it was bitterly cold. As a consequence of the cold and the wet conditions we ate our picnic lunch while sitting in the relative warmth of the car. You can read more about this picnic and some of the difficulties we experienced with the wind in the article called “It was a dark and stormy day” on my Birding Blog.
Lake Albert, Meningie, South Australia
As we progressed further south the wind became wilder and the showers heavier and more frequent. I normally do not drive during the day with the car heater on, but this was an exception. We travelled via the seaside town of Kingston passing Larry the Lobster, a giant replica of a lobster near a service station.
On arrival in Robe mid-afternoon we settled into The Salt House, the house we had rented for the duration of our stay. The wind was still bitter late in the afternoon, so we didn’t bother going for a walk, preferring to stay indoors and read. In the evening we watched the DVD version of the movie Pride and Prejudice.
Storm Clouds over Murray Bridge, South Australia
Storm clouds over Murray Bridge
Yesterday I wrote about a recent trip to Mannum. While there I took some photos of some spectacular storm clouds that had built up during the afternoon. As I travelled home the setting sun lit up these clouds creating an amazing light show.
Storm clouds over Murray Bridge, South Australia
All the shots shown on this post were actually taken from our own driveway. Somehow the photos do not really do justice to the magnificence of the clouds.
Storm clouds over Murray Bridge, South Australia
All photos are enhanced by clicking the on the photo to enlarge the image.
Storm Clouds over Mannum, South Australia
Storm clouds over Mannum, South Australia
Last Tuesday afternoon I drove to Mannum for a meeting. This lovely little town on the banks of the River Murray is about a half hour drive north of our home in Murray Bridge. A local community group called The Friends of the Mannum Walking Trails has asked me to write a pamphlet giving visitors to Mannum a guide to bird watching in and around the town.
Storm clouds over Mannum, South Australia
It was a good meeting and we were able to deal with the business in a reasonable time. This allowed me about an hour to do a little birding and photography before heading home again. On the northern outskirts of the town there is a bird sanctuary right next to the caravan park. This is usually an excellent birding spot with a good variety of water birds. On this occasion I was a little disappointed and there was nothing out of the ordinary to be seen.
Storm clouds over Mannum, South Australia
My attention quickly shifted from the birds to the clouds. All afternoon a series of spectacular storm clouds built up over and near the town. These clouds became the focus of my camera.
Storm clouds over Mannum, South Australia
Click on the photo to enlarge the image.
Houseboats on the River Murray
Houseboat at Murray Bridge, South Australia
On our recent visit to Swanport Reserve we observed several houseboats travelling on the River Murray. This is not unusual on this part of the river. In fact, houseboat holidays in South Australia are very popular and there are hundreds of houseboats for hire, ranging from small boats suitable for two people through to floating mansions catering for up to twelve people (or more). In most cases, all that is needed is a current driver’s licence to operate one of these luxury craft.
Most are fitted out beautifully with en suite bathrooms, fully equipped kitchens, entertainment systems with the latest DVD and sound systems, sun deck, barbecue facilities and sometimes even a dinghy and canoes. Some even allow the hiring of a power boat for water skiing, though to drive such a boat requires a special small boat handler’s licence.
I have been on several houseboats over the years but have never driven one, nor have I stayed overnight on one. That dream still waits to see reality – someday soon I hope.
Houseboats at Mannum South Australia
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Waterbirds near Goolwa in South Australia
Australian Pelican
On our recent visit to Goolwa in South Australia we went for a drive along the River Murray to the barrage near the mouth of the river. This barrage keeps the salt water from entering the river system at high tide.
This area is usually quite a good place for birding, though on this occasion there seemed to be just the usual birds one would expect. Nothing really exciting or out of the ordinary. Still, good birding days are usually like this. They make the really special days extraordinary.
Little Pied Cormorant
Along this stretch of the river we saw plenty of Australian Pelicans, White Ibis, Straw-necked Ibis, Great Egrets, White-faced Herons, Pacific Black Ducks, Grey Teal, Little Pied Cormorants, Magpie Larks and Silver Gulls. Several Purple Swamphens stalked through the reeds while on the grassy areas a number of Masked Lapwings guarded their positions. Black Swans gracefully glided through the shallows and Singing Honeyeaters were the dominant species in the thick bushy areas along the sand dunes.