I have a strong sense of location. Wherever I may be, I keep track of north, I consider the major geographical features in the four cardinal directions, I note how far from the sea I am and I make it my business to know what the weather is and to have a guess as to what it’s likely to do in the short term. Wind direction and strength are always important to me. I love to read the wind on the water. When near the coast, monitoring ocean swell size is essential. Clouds fascinate me on many levels, and my eyes have turned skywards when given half a moment since I was a boy.
When there is time for contemplation, I like to think where the meridian of longitude on which I am standing would lead were I to follow it north or south. Similarly, I wonder where circumnavigation of the earth following the parallel of latitude beneath my feet would take me. When standing on an ocean shore, I like to know which continent is due south, or west or east of me. I like to orient myself in terms of latitude and longitude rather than postcode and governmental boundaries. When in Apollo Bay, I find it more interesting to think of myself as being at a point on the globe rather than at a street address within the boundaries of the town. The title of this post hints obliquely at this perspective.
It was a surprise to me when standing on the beach at Cockle Creek in the far south of Tasmania recently (located just south of 43° S), to learn that the next continent directly west was South America. The sustained westerly gale force winds in which I was standing were the full uninterrupted blast of the roaring forties. It will perhaps be a surprise to some Victorians to learn that the first land to be encountered flying due south from Apollo Bay is Antarctica. Such a track would even be west of King Island. It may be an even greater surprise to some Victorians to learn that the first land to be flown across on a direct southerly track from Torquay is also Antarctica. That track would take you between Tassie and King Island.
Before getting to photos of the Southern Ocean, which until this morning were to be the opening photos in this post, I cannot resist sharing a few snaps of one of the ‘other things’ mentioned in the heading. I received a visit this morning from the sometime resident in the eucalypts which line the creek beside my house in Apollo Bay. I was made aware of his presence by the noise of the fracas as my little black dog Minnie, emboldened by the secure fence between her and the eucalypts, was exchanging rowdy unpleasantries with this koala. The koala was giving it all he had, with that improbably loud and deep-throated ‘growling cougar’ noise koalas are capable of making. He even deferred his climb up the tree, staying low so he could eyeball Minnie and give her his best.
By the way, koalas are not bears. They are marsupials. The ‘bear’ tag was given by the early English settlers. They were wrong, but it stuck.
The Koala
Pausing between rounds in the mutual harangue with Minnie the black dog.I quietly positioned myself for a good photo angle out of the line of sight between the koala and Minnie. But I was spotted and transfixed with this laser stare!The face of the many moods of a koala could probably be captured with a single photo. Nothing on the face seems to move to permit expression of emotion. But the combination at this moment of wide eyes, and the ears in the full ‘alert but not alarmed’ position does suggest indignation at my proximity with a large telephoto lens invading the privacy of the koala. By the way, look at the musculature on that left arm, and those serious claws. This koala was built for climbing vertical smooth trees without effort, which he did after this photo session, with agility and speed.The indignant koala disengaged from Minnie and me, his perceived antagonists, and headed up to the highest branches of the gum tree out of sight of the offending dog and human. I think this face might also convey an emotion or at least the mood at the moment, which was “I am going to leave at my chosen pace, without a word, with my dignity intact, and with the most imperious and superior look I can muster on my congenitally expressionless face.”
The Point at Marengo and Little Henty Reef
My favourite section of reef on Little Henty in a good swell, creating the predictable mayhem with this breaking wave.The swell was solid, and the white mane of spray courtesy of the offshore wind was on the verge of splitting the light into the colours of the rainbow. But the thing that caught my eye most was the mast of the fishing boat visible through the spray just left of centre in the image. It was close to the reef, but was certainly clear of the breaking wave and white water. Large boats don’t go through that pass between sections of the reef.The approaching wave was sucking the water off the reef immediately in its path. Some pastel rainbow colours can be seen in the white mane blowing back and falling behind the wave on the far right of the image. The beginning of a tight green barrel can be seen as the lip throws forward on hitting the reef.The green barrel is better developed here.Closeup of the little barrel which regularly appears at this spot with waves above a certain size.Bigger wave, bigger barrel. Still unrideable. The barrel looks neatly round, but the rest of the wave shows its rather chaotic nature and power.Solid swell, offshore wind and a vantage point for taking the photo which looks straight down the line of the wave. Who could ask for more?If there’s one angle I like at least as much as looking down the line, it’s the ‘back-stage pass’ angle shown in this photo. The power of the wave and the extent and volume of the spray rising so spectacularly then falling like a very localised but very heavy rain shower behind the wave always captivates me. You would normally have to be swimming or on a surfboard to get this angle. But my feet stayed dry (mostly).This photo and the two following were taken on a different day and swell to the eight photos which precede them.
Point Bunbury & Mounts Bay
Power and beauty. Shore break at the reef parallel and close to the shore at Pt Bunbury.Mounts Bay. Locals call this Marengo beach and bay. Solid westerly making the sea glassy and blowing plumes of spray off breaking waves.
A dog and a ball and a beach
I went to Skenes Creek to photograph waves, and this dog and its owner were playing ball. I don’t know the owner, and can’t identify the dog (save that I think it has a few different breeds contributing to its sleekness and obvious hybrid vigour). The dog gave his all in exuberantly and athletically chasing down the ball each time it was thrown.
“Before I give it to you, please confirm that you are planning to throw it again.”
Australasian Gannet Soaring Effortlessly
I mentioned in a previous post on this blog that the Australasian gannet had moved rapidly into a top three position on my list of favourite birds. I have read a lot more about it, and it now heads that list. It’s a beautiful and amazing bird.
38° 45′ 26″ S, 143° 40′ 11″ E (aka Apollo Bay) under the Milky Way and a Rain Shower
I took this photo in late winter. I rugged up and headed out in hope of getting perhaps a glimpse of the southern lights (the aurora australis), responding once again to entirely false allegations on the internet (fancy!) of the presence of omens warranting aurora-sighting optimism for coastal Victorians. In any event, cloud on the southern horizon ended that quest. Showers were moving along the coast from the west, and the sky was mostly covered in cloud. But there was a break in the rain, and for a few moments the Milky Way, a solid cumulus cloud and a heavy but localised rain shower were all visible at the same time.
Nicely written and photographed as always, John. Your description of the koala’s expression was spot on. It’s a face that says a lot without needing to actually say much.
I wonder if behind the koala’s expressionless face (a feature it has in common with the wombat) is a sparkling and vibrant personality that just can’t get out. Probably not.
Hi John,
My sounds of amusement and appreciation of your varied subjects, all beautifully depicted in both word and image have aroused the curiosity of my hosts here in Kyneton, so I will share your blog. Xjo
That was certainly one athletic and exuberant dog Boo. I’m guessing he’s a Skenes Ck beach regular – like yourself – have you seen him before? I’m pleased you enjoyed the photos of those mostly unrideable waves. I never get tired of watching (and taking photos of) solid swell arriving on our wild coast.
Thanks John.
A post rich in text and photography.
You are exploring the delights of your coastline in a way that moves locals and visitors alike. Decades of curiosity have enabled you to skilfully read moods of the ocean, the wind and the weather. But not marsupials.
Minnie’s bark sounds worse than her bite. The palate of unfriendly koala sounds have confused some visitors to Walkerville over the years, who leave swearing that a circus escapee black puma was in their midst. Koalas have an inscrutable stare that many barristers would be proud to own.
The koala growl has indeed widened the eyes of many a first-time listener. But I find them entertaining and agreeable neighbours.
Weather and the ocean are gifts that just keep on giving, not only for the photographer, but for all within sight and sound of them. No sign of running out of things to photograph any time soon Hunto!
South 
Enjoyed the koala story and photographs John 🙂
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Thanks Dan. I certainly think it’s easier to read a dog’s face than that of a koala (or a wombat for that matter!).
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Nicely written and photographed as always, John. Your description of the koala’s expression was spot on. It’s a face that says a lot without needing to actually say much.
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I wonder if behind the koala’s expressionless face (a feature it has in common with the wombat) is a sparkling and vibrant personality that just can’t get out. Probably not.
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Hi John,
My sounds of amusement and appreciation of your varied subjects, all beautifully depicted in both word and image have aroused the curiosity of my hosts here in Kyneton, so I will share your blog. Xjo
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Thanks for your kind words Jo. Delighted to hear you enjoyed the post.
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Beautiful photos John, so full of life – I love the stride of the dog on the beach!
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That was certainly one athletic and exuberant dog Boo. I’m guessing he’s a Skenes Ck beach regular – like yourself – have you seen him before? I’m pleased you enjoyed the photos of those mostly unrideable waves. I never get tired of watching (and taking photos of) solid swell arriving on our wild coast.
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Thanks John.
A post rich in text and photography.
You are exploring the delights of your coastline in a way that moves locals and visitors alike. Decades of curiosity have enabled you to skilfully read moods of the ocean, the wind and the weather. But not marsupials.
Minnie’s bark sounds worse than her bite. The palate of unfriendly koala sounds have confused some visitors to Walkerville over the years, who leave swearing that a circus escapee black puma was in their midst. Koalas have an inscrutable stare that many barristers would be proud to own.
Keep bringing joy to yourself and us.
Hunto
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The koala growl has indeed widened the eyes of many a first-time listener. But I find them entertaining and agreeable neighbours.
Weather and the ocean are gifts that just keep on giving, not only for the photographer, but for all within sight and sound of them. No sign of running out of things to photograph any time soon Hunto!
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