Shark Bay revisted

Flicking through the July issue of The Wanderer, I came across a very familiar motor home. "That's Delvy!", I announced proudly, "and that's my photo!".

Disappointed I didn't make Campervan & Motorhome Club of Australia calendar again this year, I was pretty happy my photo, unexpectedly, still got into print. Although, using it to advertise insurance wouldn't have been my first choice. But, hey, what does it matter - they gave me credit for it, and it's a great photo worth sharing. So much so that it's in the August edition too.

Advertisement in The Wanderer - July & August

The photo was taken at Shark Bay, Western Australia in June last year. I tossed and turned all night as the glow of the full moon was so bright. When colour began to emerge in the dawn sky it was time to get the camera out.

Here's what I wrote about that camp and the area the night before the photo was taken....

Shark Bay –13.6.14 

                                     

I am writing this on the shoreline of Henri Freycinet Harbour at Fowlers Camp in the Shark Bay World Heritage Area. The shadows are lengthening, there is just a ripple across the clear water and a lone Caspian tern is relaxing on the sand spit: sunset is not far away.

Another big day driving, but then this is big country and one has to drive a long way to see the sights. Once we turned off the North West Coastal Highway, surviving the many road trains that overtook us, and once again waving to fellow travellers (now the caravans are coming thick and fast!), it was a bit of a drive between the tourist spots. Hamelin Pools boast the best example of stromatolites in the country, with scientists visiting from all over the world to study these ancient living organisms.

A loop walk in the area takes you through a shell block quarry. Fragum Cockle shells washed with rain water cement together to form a solid structure (called coquina shell) which can be used for building blocks. They came in handy when there was no timber or stone around. Shell Beach up the road (in WA terms this means at least 50kms) lives up to its name as the cockle shells are up to ten metres thick and stretches for 120kms.

The Eagle Bluff boardwalk is a good vantage point to spot marine life in the shallows. We saw a ray of some kind as we were taking in the view of a disused guano island and the stark coastline.

Off to see the dolphins at Monkey Mia tomorrow, before we drive back out of here and head for Carnarvon.

Original photo - Full moon at dawn, Shark Bay