Saturday 29 August 2020

Group crossing the wetland at low tide

Mary and Rob with a flowering rat-tail orchid

Ian, Bob, Rob and Stan on the shores of Tuross Lake

Photos courtesy of Rob and Karen

In balmy, pre-spring weather 9 members of Batemans Bay Bushwalkers  descended down a steep track to the shores of the Tuross River. The chatter and song of birds welcomed the group and when reaching the river bank,  they stood admiring views of mirror flat, glistening waters framed by bushland and mountains.

The ground was relatively dry, allowing for attentions to be diverted from footwear to vegetation. Several clumps of rat-tail orchids were seen on the casuarina trees along the pathway so that soon cameras were clicking whilst, other walkers went in search of more “hidden treasures.”

The marshy, mangrove area wasn’t nearly as muddy as had been anticipated and when the morning tea destination was reached, a sharped eyed walker pointed out a seal swimming in the river. The seal settled on a sandbank about 10 metres from a tinnie and tried to befriend the fishermen that the small boat contained. It didn’t seem to work but, there is no harm in trying.

The return journey was just as enjoyable and leisurely as the first leg and a group of 10 white winged choughs were seen scratching on the ground just before walkers ascended to the roadside. It was a short but, really enjoyable 3.5 kilometre hike.

Denise