That has to be sung to the tune of ‘Never smile at a crocodile’ – No you can’t go wrong upon the Billabong… you can play ping pong – or even try Mahjong… you can add your own words now…
We have both got that stuck in our heads!
Early morning:
Despite lack of air con we slept pretty well in our upper bedroom as there was a friendly breeze passing through the fly net windows.
We had our tea on the top deck and were entertained by a pair of crocodiles – one distinctly bigger – who were jostling for ambush positions in the lilies. Although this is dry season and they are more concentrated in the waterways, you don’t actually see so many as they stay deep in the water because it’s so hot.
After breakfast we weighed anchor and headed up the Mary River (attached to our Billabong). At this time of year the river doesn’t reach the sea but will in the wet. Billabongs are always landlocked or side shoots of a river. It is all fresh water but salt water crocs like it here too.
The now familiar waterbirds were everywhere- we were particularly impressed with the white bellied sea eagle
and the unimaginatively named black necked stork. It used to be called a Jabiru – like the town named after it – I have no idea why they didn’t stick with that! This is the juvenile with a woolly brown neck:
This the adult:
There are trees full of pied herons, lots of darters – we saw one with a big fish speared on his bill- we wondered how he would eat it! Also glossy ibis whose call is almost as bad as the African one, many pied cormorants, egrets and only a few kingfishers – and loads of pied geese:
The most lovely thing was the pink lilies all along both sides most of the way – they were home to many long toed jacanas.
We just drifted along enjoying the peace and quiet – there are lots of things in the water – most notably fish jumping and birds diving and sometimes little turtle heads popping out. The water is murky green and you definitely can’t see the bottom! No swimming!!
David cooked delicious chicken on our bbq & we had a scenic dinner moored an hour away from where we need to check out tomorrow. It’s pretty hot today!
