As promised , here is the second half of our family trip, We stayed in a very comfortable abode near Byron Bay , Suffolk Park., in northern New South Wales. We were actually closer in proximity to Broken Heads. but most people know Byron Bay as a landmark. I must say I much prefer the area we stayed in. as it is less pedestrian / commercial than Byron Bay. Byron Bay is definitely for the hipsters , the hippies and the youthful overseas visitors ...looking for the bronzed Aussie lifestyle with a twist of country and hippy.
I love it anyway but am grateful for a little distance , allowing me to relax. I am good at that!
Below is Broken Heads - a reserve region.
Our first day was just a little drizzly but not overbearingly wet...it was actually the day of the first downpours in Sydney that caused massive flooding (some 830km away) a natural disaster of phenomenal proportions that caused a call for help to Victoria and South Australia emergency services for assistance
So not a bad day at all when you consider what it could have been. I still was walking around in tee shirt and shorts , only an umbrella in hand.
Dont you love the effect of mist on the hills?
I like nosing around in small crevices and rock pools. the raindrops caused a splattering effect in the photos
Somehow I dont think this is native flora, but has crept into the native shrubbery from the residential areas??
Mangrove along the river (north of Byron Bay)
A trip inland to Killen Falls somewhere between Ballina and Bangalow.
It is a lovely drive up through winding roads. Lots of roadside stalls selling produce. I was most impressed by the macadamia plantations.
Plenty to see on the walk to the falls.
And back to the beach again. Jordy has a new (secondhand) surfboard to try out. I am sure a few guys will let them drop in on a wave???,maybe.
Sandcrab spectacular.
I love the evening light to take photographs...long shadows ...perfect light....great reflection;.
The sun sets over the mountains yet throws great light on the ocean and a pink haze over the hills and beach.
Sometimes you remember to take your camera and you get lucky to spy great birds.
This sea eagle swooped down and caught a fish and then landed up the hill in the tree you see and proceeded to devour it. One of the locals told me that if the bird catches too big a fish they will ultimately drown. They are unable to release their prey from their talons and if too big will be unable to fly, the weight dragging them down, ultimately causing their demise.
A slow day in the water. Just a few surfers even though the waves weren't good.
A series of reflections taken from one of the inland lakes. Sometimes it is hard to tell where the reflection ends,
My two bedraggled boys emerge from the surf
