There And Back Again. Chapter Eleven. Bool Lagoon

Did I mention this is post number 300? I was thinking about writing up something special for it, but since I'm in the middle of a grand caving adventure I'd rather not bore y'all with useless crap about Yours-Truly.

I'll give you a hint though, the numbers 300, 1423, 299, 754, 286, 16, 279, and 22 all have something in common. Ok all you number series folk: have at it!

Bool Lagoon

After we left Wet Cave, we had decided to have lunch. Now, when Wifey-Poo and YT go out and about we pack all our own food and such. Mainly cus we can't afford to eat in restaurants while travelling since all the spare dough is spent on keeping the pool in good nick.

So we had everything in hand for a nice picnic lunch. But, WHERE should we have lunch? We could easily have it at one of the many picnic areas at the caves. We could easily go back up to the swimmin' hole.

But we did neither of those things.

As I was looking around online in the week leading up to the trip, getting map printouts of small towns, finding rest stops, and researching Naracoorte, I stumbled upon a place called Bool Lagoon about 20 k's south of Naracoorte.

Apparantly Bool Lagoon is supposed to be a birder's paradise. Over 150 different species of flyin' critters have been seen there at one time. The reserve is 3100 hectares so that makes it the most diverse area in all of Australia for birds.

There's also picnicing and camping areas there too. They have boardwalks that go out over the lagoon to bird blinds so you can watch the critters without them knowing you are there. Many migratory birds from waaaaaaay up north "summer over" at Bool.

Cool.

Sounds like a nice place for a piccie.

Oh, wait a sec. Isn't Oz in the middle of a drought that's been going on for over a decade? Ah, Bool is also a "seasonal" wetland area. Well, maybe there'll be some water there.





But let's just have a looksie at a satellite photo (and hope it's current):




Winter is the "wet" season down here. Or as "wet" as it's gonna get. Did you know that Bool Lagoon was totally dry from 1996 to 2003? Even in winter.

Well, since we were right across the road (at the caves) and we wanted a place to have lunch, we figured we'd give it a go.

This is what the scenery was like on the drive there:


Here's what the lagoon is supposed to look like:



It's a special place:


With neat critters too:




Now, we were prepared for it to be dry. Maybe perhaps a marshy area or two. Not too many birdses, but something...

Instead we saw this:



We decided to take a short walk down a trail. Hopefully there may be a marsh or two?

Hmmmmm, pretty dry...

The car waited for us, but it tried hard to not be embarassed and did it's best to remain inconspicuous.


This is me approaching a bird blind


This is me taking a picture of a bird blind


Hmmmmmm, don't think there's many of these blokes around today


Let's have a look, shall we?


Hmmmmm, perhaps we may see something in a close up?

Nope, nothin'

Here's what we could see during the "wet" season:
Brown Bitterns
sandpipers
green shanks
Brolga
Swamp Harrier
Australian Hobby
Barn Owl
Peregrine Falcon
Cape Barren Goose
Magpie Goose
Musk Duck
Whiskered Tern
Black-tailed Godwit
Sharp-tailed Sandpiper
Golden-headed Cisticola
Clamorous Reed Warbler
Little Grassbird
Black-tailed Native-hen
Pied Stilt
Banded Lapwing
Red-necked Avocet
White-fronted Chat
Red-browed Firetail
Flame Robin
Crescent Honeyeater
Little Wattlebird
Forest Raven


Let's go have lunch while overlooking the dry lagoon:


This is one of the many reasons why we were sneezing. It's a type of ozzie bottlebrush, BTW.


Heading back to the caves!




Bool Lagoon was NOT a loss, however. Firstly, we got away from any other people whatsoever. And we will be coming back in October. Had a nice, quiet picnic.

Don't worry, you WILL see water birds on the return trip! Got some great shots on the way to Lucindale.

Next up is THE MAIN ATTRACTION: The Victoria Fossil Cave!

Here's a teaser of what you see when you go into the main fossil chamber:




And as you descend even deeper... all sorts of nooks and crannies show up




Watch out for the shadows...