This was my last morning at Ballina before we headed for home in the afternoon.
I didn't know it at the time but I had saved the best for last. Flat-rock on the north of Ballina is magnificent. It’s a magical pocket of peaceful ocean-side tranquillity, that has been mercifully preserved from coastal development. Perched above a unique basalt outcrop – the ‘flat’ rock’ - jutting seaward from a grassy promontory, is surrounded by coastal bushland providing campers with a unique, secluded holiday experience.
First of the many new birds this morning. A Red-Necked Stint.
A very healthy looking RuddyTurnstone.
I hadn't planned it but at 07:00 am the tide was coming in and the birds were moving in closer and closer as long as you kept pretty still some would only be metres away. Note to self. Take some knee protectors next time. Kneeling on Basalt rock is painful.
Little Tern.
Sooty Oystercatcher.
Ballina is a great spot and I can highly recommend it. The Ballina coastline is simply stunning. Whether it's relaxing on the beach with a book, or enjoying a refreshing swim, exploring historical headlands or building a sandcastle with the kids the beaches of Ballina Shire have it all.
Nice reflex. Looks like the RT & the RNS are in breeding colours. Nice story as well. I will have to take the family there for a holiday at some stage.
It seems like you had a great 4-days at Ballina. Maybe you'll need to let your wife choose more often :P
Ryu
Canberra
Aiming for DSLR-quality shots with a bridge camera
Great pics, Reflex. Looks like you had a great easter. Did the wife enjoy the trip :))
Shorty......Canon gear
Canberra
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rawshorty/
Sounds like a wonderful place, Reflex. Let's hope it can be preserved from the money-addicted developers.
She did actually. They say opposites attract and this could well be the case.
After I returned from my birding around about 9am to 9-30 am I usually cooked breakfast on our Weber Barbecue and then showered before we set off to the next destination of her choice.
Lennox Heads is a charming seaside village and a top spot for a family with kids. Just don't buy fish and chips from the Co-op. They sell the worst fish and chips in Australia.
Samford Valley Qld.
I'm with you all the way on that one Woko.
Samford Valley Qld.
Actually she said something along those lines on the way home.
I'm more than happy to spend more time travelling around Australia.
Samford Valley Qld.
Looks like you had a nice trip, where would you have went if you chose?
It's a bit late now but you missed your opportunity to use PTS - Pacman Travel Service; I worked/lived in Northern Rivers from Sep '05 to early '12 and startted birding there in Oct '10; maybe next time
Peter
I believe the PTS is currently operating in the Bundaberg region these days. Anything good up that way at the moment?
Samford Valley Qld.
there has been an Asian Dowitcher and Wandering Tattler here for some weeks; the local BirdLife group have an arrangement with the Port of Bundaberg to get into a closed area; this was on last Sunday so I will email tonight when the next outing is scheduled
Peter
Nice way to end the weekend with those very healthy looking shorebirds.
I think you've worked it out now, let your better half pick the holiday spots then slip out early :-)
Little Tern is gorgeous.
Nice photos ... looks a great place to visit.
Reflex might have suggested 4 days of pelagic trips! :)
Great shots Reflex, and I love your description of the landscape. Your words alone conjure up an image.
Great set of shots Reflex, I love the Little Tern.
LM
Wow! It seems like a long time since I posted this. Ballina is a great spot.
Samford Valley Qld.
Sounds like you're on a real nostalgia trip, Reflex.
G'day Woko. Long time since I visited this site. It used to be so busy but has really died. Hope all is well with you.
Samford Valley Qld.
Hey, Reflex. All good in my neck of the woodlands although I'm slowing a little with age & the drought.
Yes, it's rather quiet around here. Clearly, people are fascinated, absorbed & pulsated by the election - too interested to log on!
Birds in Backyards is rather cylical, I think, so your renewed presence may be the spark to set things alight once again. Either that or the crisis in bird extinctions is even worse than I thought & means nobody sees much to report on any more! I do note, however, that whenever I log on there's a bevy of new members which might mean that when the forum fires up there'll be plenty of participation. Perhaps the new comers are currently a little shy in making themselves known & contributing as new comers often are until they find their feet & voices.
I trust you're in the peak of condition.