Mid South Coast- SouthPort and The Onkaparinga River

Today Jordy requested to go surfing originally  to the South coast but plans change with the change in surf conditions, so we headed to the mid south coast to one of my favourite areas to visit.

So whilst she surfed I snapped a hundred shots on my phone (or what seemed like it) and then followed the river down to visit the wildlife.

Where the river meets the sea (surfing to the left and right of the river)

Red sand stone cliff faces

Unuasal rocky out crops eroded by the ocean

The shadow of the rock below looks a bit like an angel fish.

I love the light reflection patterning in the water.

SouthPort SA

Further down the river but still within walking distance of the beach , shallow waders in the wetlands.

Black swans found all along the river

the birds come two by two

Pelicans again- I can't help myself

Not sure what this little fella is called

If you look closely you can see pelicans flying in the tree line (and someone sitting in the trees fishing on the opposite shore)

Thats it , you made it! I think I'm done with nature shots for a wee while - although there is a group of galahs and white cockatoos that have been screeching around the neighbourhood this evening...might have to go and investigate.
Cheers..see you soon I hope.

Southport. South Australia

A perfect Easter Sunday morning spent down South Port Beach SA and the Onkaparinga River. Sunny morning, gentle breeze and only a few keen walkers and surfers on the beach - although there really wasn't any surf to speak of just a occasional wave for the body boarder.
Jordy, my daughter, wanted to try to get in a surf and I was up for a walk on the beach.

To get to the beach you have to cross the Onkaparinga River and traverse across the walkway through the dunes. In this day and age they have built lovely wooden planked paths across the dunes and it is an easy few minutes walk to the beach..I tell my children we used to hike it across the hot dunes to do the same thing and only the really kean would be bothered with the walk. Those in the know ... would always make the effort.. South Port is a beautiful gem for years hidden from the invading hoards and perhaps protected from destruction because of this.

Today an out going tide and a very shallow river, which if you dont mind getting wet would be very easy to cross. The river looks almost green but is really just a sandy bed with mineral salts.
The water was so clear that looking down from the jetty I was able to watch the crabs siddle across the sandy floor and watch the small fish idle in the pools.

The grey pigeons are nestled in the cliff face, basking in the morning sun. There are quite a few of them up in the red rock if you look into the rocky cracks
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Some of the local wildlife foraging in the shallows

Heat Wave

Its heating up and the mercury is soaring! Today hit 39C and tomorrow a cool 41C.

The last few days have been warm tinged to hot but very bearable especially when you head off down to the beach.  I have frequented one of my all time favourite beaches at Southport in South Australia in the last few days. Its a mini escape and only takes 20 minutes to get there. Generally its not an overly populated beach mainly inhabited by surfies and those that don't mind a walk to get to the beach. The walk in itself is picturesque meandering through the dunes and considerably easier since a board walk has been built. I remember trekking through the hot sand that seared your feet if you weren't properly attired. Snakes rarely are a problem but it always pays to be mindful of watching for them even though I have never seen one on the path yet.

The Onkaparinga River connects with the sea at Southport and is over shadowed by reddened cliffs following the line of the river. The river is flows rapidly with the change of tide and makes for the best fun drifting down the river on boogie boards, looking up into those luscious red sandstone cliff faces.

Lots of birds inhabit the river area and some nest  in the cliff faces.

The river is important to the fisheries, salmon run the river to breed as well as being a prime habitat for brim.
I used to take the children further up river where you were always guaranteed a bite from the small fish.

Today I pitched my Moana tent - a big canvas stripped tent that always provides plenty of shade from the blistering heat. I bought myself yet another tent for Christmas, my third one as my second tent mysteriously went missing after being lent out ( and I cant remember whom I lent it to) Lesson learnt this tent will be for my own personal use and not lent out to anybody.

My tent looks a little bent but that because I was using my panoramic view on my camera and sweeping across the length of the beach. Well plenty more opportunities to get to the beach as the mercury will be consistently hitting forty during the week ahead. Slip Slop Slap ... Protect from the sun and hydrate!

Calypso Beads Giveaway - Cant believe that Zara was the only person to comment for the giveaway- congratulations email me with your address and I'll sent them out to you!