Thursday, September 6, 2012

Point Samson

September 5th - 7th


Point Samson is on the coast, just north of Karratha. It has some pretty little coves where we had lovely swims...glorious weather...

 
Some of the rocks are spectacular in their folding and colours
 

 

and there are rocky platforms where we had long walks when the tide was out in the morning

 
the tides are huge
 


 
Then there are adjacent beaches which are totally industrial, with a big port facility in operation at Cape Lambert, servicing iron ore bulk carriers  - there were 2 in dock and 7 waiting at one stage!


Lots of birds... great views of Ospreys..and a huge nest, high up on a tower.

 
 
Quite a few Red-backed Kingfishers...the Kingfisher of the inland...you can't see the colours here
 
 
 
We saw Reef Herons, both grey and white morphs.
 

 

And quite a few waders- a Lesser Sand Plover...just arrived from Siberia .... didn't have to use any frequent flyer points! It will stay here until next April when he'll go back to Siberia to breed!

 
This would be a wonderful place to see migratory birds in the summer.


The first day we saw big splashes out to sea, and there was a whale and calf, rolling and slapping their fins! That was exciting.

There are lots of tiny insects that bite, (midges?), mostly at dusk, so we have to cover up and use repellent outside or escape inside.We were told that they bite you on the dry sand so we hot-footed it back after our swim!

Looking in the rockpools, I was squirted twice by this little octopus!

 
There were some pools with coral in them, too.
 
Cossack is a nearby, historic town where many of its abandoned buildings have been very well restored...very interesting. It only flourished for about 50 years, starting in 1863 with pearling that later moved to Broome. Its main industry was its big supply of Mother of Pearl, capturing local aborigines to use as divers, who worked under very cruel conditions.
 
The court house
 
 
Many interesting and tragic photos and stories of life there...
eg Transport between Cossack and Roebourne, (about 15 km) was a horse-pulled tram on rails...poor horse..can you imagine the heat??!
 
 
 
 
People were fishing in the mangrove area of the boat harbour, but there are no surf beaches so Rob was not interested in fishing....maybe at Exmouth??

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