Black-fronted Dotterel

The Black-fronted Dotterel (Elseyornis melanops) photos taken at Ash Island near Newcastle on Friday 4 Nov 2011. A beautifully coloured little wader.

Leopard Seal in Port Stephens!

I recieved an alert from a friend at the  Port Stephens Fisheries Institute that there was a Leopard Seal (Hydrurga leptonyx) at Peppers Anchorage Marina early this week. I went down with the camera to investigate. This particular marine predator is a youngster, the adults I saw in Antarctica were at least twice this size! Some interesting records of Leopard Seal sightings in Australia: ABC Pool: Leopard Seal Observations

I was lucky enough to capture some images of this extremely rare visitor to our shores:

An array of serious looking teeth!

Adds a new dimension to boating!

The Leopard's spots

Looks like the Seal has recently been wounded by a larger predator

Kayaking on the Clarence River

I spent a couple of days sea kayaking on the mighty Clarence River near my home town of Grafton last month. My sister Lynette took the following photos on the River near Copmanhurst. Hard to believe that earlier this year the river flooded to over 70 feet at this spot!

The new Elliot Yacaaba boat is just great!

Lynette's partner Brent in his Mirage, enjoying the beautiful weather and vues on the river.