Sometimes one needs to escape from Robertson

Sometimes one needs to escape from Robertson, and especially from the Computer.
So it was yesterday afternoon.

Fortunately the weather was pleasant for an afternoon drive, and Kiama is just a short (albeit slow) drive down Jamberoo Mountain Road. So I decided to go and check out the famous Kiama Blowhole, which there was still some residue of the heavy swell from the East Coast Low and the recent King Tide (remember the Full Moon?).

The heavy swell had been running for a few days, and I knew from previous trips to the Blowhole that it works best with south-easterly running swells. So I figured it was worth a look.
Besides, it is always a pleasant afternoon drive from Robertson.

The very first pulse I saw.

about the 4th one

Then a nice loud "whomp" produced this

Sometimes the noise
does not always produce a large "Blow".

That's more like it.

And finally a Big One
Unfortunately, the spray went so high it got
over-exposed by the late afternoon light.
But by comparison with previous shots
you can see how high this one was.
The rocky headland beyond is obliterated.

 For the academically minded, here are some notes on the Geology of the Kiama district from C A Süssmilch: An introduction to the geology of New South Wales

• Blowhole Flow. This outcrops at sea-level at Kiama, and
  extends southwards as far as Gerringong. This flow is a typical
  basalt, and is about 140 feet in thickness. 
•  Kiama Tuffs. These overly the Blowhole flow, and have a
  thickness of 120 feet. They are basic in composition, are fine-
  grained and well stratified. Bands of lapilli*** occur at intervals.
  Their basic composition results in a rich reddish-brown colour on
  weathering
• ***Lapilli are spheroid, teardrop, dumbbell or button-shaped droplets of molten or semi-molten lava ejected from a volcanic eruption that fall to earth while still at least partially molten.

 There was just enough light left for a few scenic shots.

Looking south from the Blowhole point

Looking west, Kiama is dominated by Saddleback Mountain

 

Sunset over Kiama harbour, with the township on the far side.

Sea Gulls (Silver Gulls) on the roof of the take-away fish shop
at the Kiama Harbour.

A Pelican waiting for yummy "Fish heads" and "frames"
Most likely waiting for a fishing boat
to come to the harbour and
for the fishermen*** to clean their catch.
For the Gender Specific Linguists amongst you, I double-checked!
"The term can also be applied to recreational fishermen
and may be used to describe both men and women."

Shot taken, more for the Norfolk Island Pines
than the Palm Tree, or the Sea Gulls.

The wire devices on top of the lights are
to keep the Pelicans and Sea Gulls
from landing on the lights.
Seems to work.

I can also report that the local Take-away Fish Shop at the Kiama Harbour (there is another one which sells only fresh fish, not cooked fish) sold me a very acceptable serve of Snapper and Chips. Coming from Canberra (originally) a visit to the seaside is not complete without a feed of freshly cooked fish and chips (with lemon).
However, my Victorian origins still reveal themselves in my desire to spell it "Schnapper".

Pelican Workshop - with Australian Seabird Rescue

The good people of the South Coast Branch of Australian Seabird Rescue organised a workshop on Saturday.

I went along at the suggestion of my friend, Kirsten, who knows I grew up handling small birds (under my father's Bird Banding permit). I have not had any dealings with big sea birds, like Pelicans. Time I learnt something about them, including the fact that Pelicans smell nice and clean (which I thought unlikely, but which I now agree with). 

To me they seem to smell like "Ocean Breeze" air freshener (salty with a hint of dried sea weed).

Julie ran the Workshop - in fact she did a huge presentation - all day long, really, apart from a couple of breaks and a bit in the middle when the Pelicans took over, with a little help from some Sea Gulls.

Pelicans and Silver Gulls awaiting their invitation to take part.

The first Pelican to try her part.

Julie with a female Pelican

This is how they are held safely. Beak and Pouch displayed

Rhonda gives a hand

Pelican - with a healthy eye.

And there she goes, safely returning to the gang.

And the Silver Gulls start the clean-up process.

Underwing of a Fairy (Little) Penguin specimen.

Head and beak of an Australasian Gannet.

Beak of a Fairy Prion -a relative of the Petrels and Muttonbirds

Fairy Prion showing how elegant and dainty this Seabird is.

It was an interesting and instructive day. Thanks to all the other ASR Volunteers as well, who helped make it an interesting day.