Shark Bay wildlife

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Scenic photography from a kayak is tricky enough but trying to capture wildlife is another ball game when there’s a current, waves and the darned animals won’t stay in one place. I guess you’ll interpret that I’m apologising for the clarity of some of the photos. And of course you should be enjoying the moment rather than putting all your energy into the photos. The first standout moment was the sighting, from Eagle Bluff lookout, of two manta rays cruising through the shallows. Such a great sight that I later kayaked in the same water but to no avail: no more manta ray sightings. Other highlights were ‘viewing’ various rays as they swam swiftly away: first they move and then you see a sand cloud marking where they had been resting, part-covered on the sandy bottom. Occasionally you would see the three pale red-orange fins of a shovel nosed ray poking through the sand before they took off. The photos reflect other great wildlife moments. 1] There’s no way Kermit and I could blend in with the pack. We followed the Black Stingrays for a while until eventually Kermit split the pack with a swell-assisted but unintended masterful snooker shot. 2] This turtle was a rarity and let me tag along for a while. Of the many turtles that I saw, most would poke their head up, see you, zoom off and resurface to check they were a safe distance away. 3] The curiosity and nervousness of the nervous sharks (~0.5 – 1m) was a highlight on the 2014 trip and again this year. They circle, gradually come closer – often from behind – and then seemingly find you too scary and zoom off. At one stage, on the return paddle back to Fowler camp, I could see at least 20 at one time. Very hard to tear yourself away. 4] A slightly longer (~ 1.5m) and more cautious shark – species and intent unknown – that cruised around the kayak: steadily, smoothly and with seemingly less interest. The ubiquitous Silver Gull: swiftly shitting on Kermit and claiming him as its own territory. Not a highlight. Of course, there’s plenty more that I didn’t see, including dugongs, which makes a repeat visit imperative.

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