Overcast skies hung threateningly overhead on the day in January 2022 when I went to Tuross Head. Rain was threatening most of the time and a strong wind blew up later in the paddle. However, none of that mattered because it was just such a wonderful time paddling around the shallow waters there with the beautiful birdlife and other animals. A kayak was the ideal means to see the region because I could paddle up shallow creeks and easily move between sand bars. The wildlife was captivating, from the Eastern Curlew that I saw even before I put my kayak in the water to the Semaphore Crabs that blanketed the mudflats up the Tuross River. And once I saw the Australian Pelicans I was in my element. I had a great time photographing those big water birds that can look so clumsy walking but are masters of using the wind to manoeuvre in the air. Later, after the kayak, I was in a suitably elevated position to photograph some of those magnificent, large water birds as they came in low to land on the estuary surface around the boat ramp. I had a marvellous morning despite the overcast conditions and I hope that you enjoy the photographs below.

More of this story is on my blog at https://bit.ly/3GcSIRu

Australian pelican flying in to enjoy fish scraps from amateur fisherman at Tuross Head boat ramp

(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 320, 200mm, f/10 and 1/800 SEC])

View across the river mouth opening to One Tree Point shows the ocean was a bit rough

(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 250, 400mm, f/8.0 and 1/500 SEC])

Eastern Curlew on the sand bar across from where I launched my kayak

(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 500, 400mm, f/8.0 and 1/500 SEC])

Pied Oystercatcher on a sand bar

(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 500, 400mm, f/8.0 and 1/500 SEC])

Australian Pelicans and other birds on a large sand bar

(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 500, 400mm, f/8.0 and 1/500 SEC])

Grey Mangroves taking hold on a sand bar

(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 500, 400mm, f/10 and 1/320 SEC])

South Tuross Beach with signs on the right showing the bird nesting area

(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 200, 100mm, f/13 and 1/320 SEC])

Conservation signs from Tuross Head

Two adult Crested Terns on the left with a juvenile on the right demanding food

(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 400, 400mm, f/8.0 and 1/500 SEC])

Lesser Crested Tern in flight with a fish

(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 320, 400mm, f/9.0 and 1/640 SEC])

Common Terns

(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 400, 400mm, f/8.0 and 1/500 SEC])

Bar-tailed Godwit wading through the shallows

(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 400, 320mm, f/8.0 and 1/640 SEC])

Red-capped Plover among mangrove roots

(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 400, 400mm, f/8.0 and 1/640 SEC])

Welcome Swallow

(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 320, 400mm, f/8.0 and 1/500 SEC])

Oyster lease in the Tuross River

(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 640, 106mm, f/8.0 and 1/400 SEC])

Striated Heron on a mudflat

(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 640, 400mm, f/8.0 and 1/400 SEC])

Pied Oystercatcher on the mudflats

(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 640, 400mm, f/8.0 and 1/400 SEC])

White-faced Heron stalking through Grey Mangrove pneumatophore roots

(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 800, 400mm, f/8.0 and 1/400 SEC])

Chestnut Teals, with the female on the left, male in the centre and a juvenile male on the right

(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 1600, 400mm, f/8.0 and 1/400 SEC])

Semaphore Crabs covering the mud flats

(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 640, 400mm, f/8.0 and 1/400 SEC])

Adult Semaphore Crab, with the distinguishable purple claws

(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 1250, 400mm, f/8.0 and 1/400 SEC])

Immature Semaphore Crab with smaller orange claws

(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 1250, 400mm, f/8.0 and 1/400 SEC])

Red-fingered Marsh Crab

(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 1250, 400mm, f/8.0 and 1/400 SEC])

Bridge to Horse Island over the Tuross River

(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 800, 100mm, f/11 and 1/200 SEC])

Entrance to Horse Island

(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 640, 100mm, f/10 and 1/400 SEC])

Juvenile Australian Water Dragon

(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 500, 400mm, f/9.0 and 1/320 SEC])

Silver Gull waiting beside where I pulled up in the kayak

(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 160, 263mm, f/8.0 and 1/400 SEC])

Australian Pelican landing near the boat ramp

(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 320, 400mm, f/10 and 1/800 SEC])

Australian Pelican head portrait

(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 320, 400mm, f/10 and 1/500 SEC])

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Driving to Canberra, I had already decided that I wanted to stop to photograph my favourite tree that was growing beside the Kings Highway just outside of Braidwood. Not far from Braidwood I was very worried because the rain had started to bucket down. There were waves of water hitting my windscreen, while my wipers flew backwards and forwards in an attempt to allow me to see the road ahead. I was thinking about how I could keep the camera dry but still get the picture that I wanted. However, when I approached the actual area the rain lessened then stop completely. Upon leaving the car with my camera in hand, the clouds slightly opened, allowing the sun to light the front of the tree while the dark, brooding clouds provided a subdued background. Last time, I had captured the tree without foliage, looking dead but this time the tree was alive, indeed vibrantly alive. The greenish-yellow contrasting brightly against the dark, distant anger of the storm clouds. I took a number of shots to ensue I got the one I wanted. I found it hard to leave that spot because I felt that the opportunity to photograph this lovely tree in some stunning conditions may never come again.

My favourite tree outside Braidwood lit by the sun breaking through the grey brooding storm clouds

(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 100, 148mm, f/10 and 1/100 SEC])

The day had been another fantastic trip to the New South Wales south coast and I was able to photograph in a beautiful estuary. While the weather had meant that the light was not always the best I had thoroughly enjoyed myself and seen some beautiful and interesting wildlife. I will certainly return to Tuross Head, it was picturesque and provided a great habitat for some wonderful creatures. I had taken not just photos that day but also great memories; such as the large pelicans and also getting closer to a Striated Heron than I have every achieved. But I also appreciated sitting quietly, watching the Semaphore Crabs return to their lives.

Thanks for reading this post and thanks also for looking at my photos. I hope you come back again to read more about some of the wonderful natural things that the south coast of New South Wales has on offer. All the best until the next post.