A Bushwalk for the Birds

In one of our final weekends in Melbourne, we decided to head out around the other side of the bay for a bushwalk through a bird sanctuary and a visit to Queenscliff.

The bushwalk was a beautiful 10k walk, 5k out along a trail 100m off the beach in stagnant heat and 5k back along the beach in a cool spring breeze.  I gained a new appreciation for birdwatchers and bird photographers on this trek.  Despite numerous attempts to capture several funny little birds along the way, I came away with very few clear pictures and all of them ordinary.  Nat Geo won't be ringing me up anytime soon.

We also had some interesting encounters along the beach.  See pictures below:

LT and me.

LT on the hot trail.

Funny tree.

A magpie.  Can take a picture of one of these anywhere. 

Seems like a good idea for someone who falls down a lot.

Bird.  Don't know what he is, but he was stationary.

Trail out to the left, beach back to the right.

Birds.  Think they're pelicans.  The last bird picture.

This shell looked like it was born in 1637.

Pretty shell with a renter.

A branch standing vertical on the beach.

This appears to be a heart out of a large animal, but it's
likely some sea creature we're not familiar with.

It squirts when you squish it.

 First washed up stingray either of have ever seen.  LT has noted it in her
calendar of our firsts.  First date, first kiss, first washed up deceased stingray.

LT did some fancy footwork through these tight spots along
 the beach.  You'd be rolling if I could have taken video.

Interesting.  Salt and algae.

Melbourne CBD across the bay.

Kaboom!

"The rip" from the Queenscliff side.  The entrance
to Phillip Bay with Fort Napean in the distance.

Queenscliff lighthouse.