The weather in Canberra continued to be very ordinary with overcast skies leading to rain buffeted by strong winds. However, the forecast for Sunday on the long weekend at the end was for nice weather and the tide was scheduled to be high in the morning. These factors said it was time for a paddle down on the New South Wales coast to photograph there. I chose Cyne Mallows Creek near Nelligen for destination because I wanted to see how far I could travel up the small but interesting creek to take photographs. I was lucky with the birdlife, while mainly common birds, I enjoyed the chance to have good light for photography. One Little Pied Cormorant was even accommodating enough to let me float very close to it so I could take some photographs. It was a beautiful day on a fascinating creek that really helped to recharge my batteries. I hope that you enjoy the photographs below.
Screenshot of the route
My plan for the day was very simple. Put my kayak in at Nelligen like I always do on the Clyde River, then paddle up-stream for about a kilometre before turning east into the small, tidal Cyne Mallows Creek. The tide reached its highpoint just before I launch my kayak so I was aiming to paddle at a good pace on the outward leg to push as far up the creek as I could. My plan was to push up Bridge Creek, the southern arm of Cyne Mallows Creek upper waters before heading up the rest of Cyne Mallows Creek, mainly because on a previous kayaking trip Bridge Creek looked like it carried more water. After exploring those two water ways I would turn my kayak around to move at a slower pace with the tide helping me to calmly make my way back to the exit spot at Nelligen.
The morning was initially a bit misty with steam rising off part of the river. Paddling under the Kings Highway bridge at Nelligen, I could see that further up the river there was a genuine fog. I was glad when I turned into Cyne Mallows Creek and I never saw the fog again that day.
The view up-river from near the boat ramp
(Apple iPhone 8 [ISO 20, 3.99mm, f/1.8 and 1/4400 SEC])
Looking up the Clyde River from my kayak to the mist and fog, Cyne Mallows Creek is on the right before the headland jutting out
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 500, 100mm, f/14 and 1/500 SEC] three shot panorama)
One of the reasons that I enjoyed this lovely little creek was the abundance of mangroves along its banks. Because the creek was not too deep the mangroves have grown out from the banks so it was possible to paddle around some clumps of them and really get inside the forest.
One Grey Mangrove (Avicennia marina) I enjoyed photographing was out by itself in the middle of the creek. It was nice and isolated so it made a good subject. I passed it on the way up and the way back, with just over two hours between passing the spot. In that intervening time I saw the water had receded uncovering the tree a bit.
The mangroves generally looked healthy but I did not notice some parts where there were dead plants mixed in with the living ones. While I liked the contrasting colours of deathly grey with living green, I did hope that there was not a disease or chemical destroying these precious trees.
In some spots it looked like there was a project to re-establish the previous mangrove coverage. Neatly packed-in trees of similar heights seemed to be unnatural in their distribution. However, they were accepted by the ecosystem that they supported with oysters growing on their immature trunks, small fish swimming among them and birds prowling through them. They were also stabilising the Clyde’s river bank, a useful function for a river with boat wash constantly eating away at the edges.
Just off a quiet part of Cyne Mallows Creek I had the opportunity to paddle through a low archway of mangroves that opened into a water filled gap in the trees large enough for me to spin my kayak in. Because of the bend in the entrance corridor through the trees with their branches just above the water I felt that I was enclosed in this green world while I floated in my kayak. It felt so peaceful with just the occasional birdcall to provide a melody to the rhythmic lapping of small waves against my stationary kayak. When I decided to paddle out to the creek again I noticed how the sun was striking one of the oval-shaped green leaves of a Grey Mangrove along the exit corridor, shining a translucent shape through the dark green leaf, exposing its inner veins. The leaf was almost leathery to the touch and those veins were there to help with photosynthesis and to move fresh water into the plant while expunging the salt that the plant collected from its tough environment. When the leaf’s use was at an end and it fell into the wet mud below the leaf’s final role was to provide nutrients to a myriad of aquatic creatures that would feed on it, starting the process of returning energy back to the still growing mangrove tree.
Much later that day, after the kayak, on shore, I came across the seeds of a River Mangrove (Aegiceras corniculatum) growing, getting ready to attempt to launch the next batch of mangroves. Nelligen was about as far south as that species of mangrove grows although the Grey Mangrove’s range extends to Victoria. These seeds would have to sprout in some estuary mud here or further north in order to find the right conditions to grow. It was good to see the seeds, to know that the mangroves were regenerating an important habitat that helped support both marine and terrestrial ecosystems.
Grey Mangrove photographed at near high-tide
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 640, 107mm, f/10 and 1/500 SEC])
Same tree photographed at mid-tide
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 320, 100mm, f/8.0 and 1/500 SEC])
Living and dead mangroves on part of the creek
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 400, 153mm, f/11 and 1/160 SEC])
Closely bunched together Grey Mangroves providing spots for oysters and other small creatures, while also stabilising the shore
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 320, 100mm, f/8.0 and 1/500 SEC])
Sun catching part of a River Mangrove leaf
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 500, 400mm, f/8.0 and 1/500 SEC])
River Mangrove seeds
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 800, 100mm, f/7.1 and 1/200 SEC])
While I was distracted with the chance to paddle around and through clumps of mangroves I knew that I had to paddle at a good clip so that I could travel as far up the creek with the tide that was slowly ebbing. I came across a small boat with a friendly man living on it. He had been anchored up the creek for about four months and he could count the other runabouts and kayaks that he had seen on one hand. I thought that he had chosen a lovely spot to spend his three months. Further along there was a white boat that I imagined may have been connected with oyster farming. It would not have been great at sea but looked the right shape for slowly moving along a row of farmed oysters at harvest time.
A workboat up the creek
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 400, 100mm, f/8.0 and 1/500 SEC])
Maintaining a good pace I made it to a small, long island that sat in the middle of the creek just before the waterway branched in two. Last time that I was on the creek I had to push my kayak over parts of the creek at this island but with the tide up my kayak glided smoothly along the narrow channel. At the split I took the right fork along the narrowing Bridge Creek. The trees were growing over this small creek. I paddled a bit slower here to enjoy the serenity among the casuarinas and eucalypts arching over the water. The sun could still shine through reminding me of the clear skies above but the interlocking branches shielded the creek front the strong rays of light. A few trees and branches had fallen into the creek but I could still keep going. Eventually the fallen trees created enough of an obstacle to convince me to turn around at a point where the creek was just wide enough to pivot my kayak around back the way I had come. According to Google Maps I would have found a small bridge further up the creek but I was happy to to head back downriver so that I could see where Cyne Mallows Creek went up the other fork.
That fork of the creek had some cattle grazing beside it that were not accustomed to blue kayaks floating by. The small herd moved up river away from me, crashing through the uncleared bush as they went. This also narrow creek petered out not far from where I encountered the cattle so I decided to turn around and head slowly back down river to truly focus on photography.
End of Bridge Creek
(Apple iPhone 8 [ISO 20, 3.99mm, f/1.8 and 1/30 SEC])
After exploring the bifurcation of Cyne Mallows Creek I was back at the island in the creek. There was a house on a rise to the south of the creek that had a small wharf over the water. I imagined that it must be a wonderful place to live because of this beautiful little creek. I thought that one side of the island was blocked but by paddling into what looked like a dead-end on the land, where I photographed last trip, I gently floated out onto an easily navigable part of the creek. It was nice to paddle slowly on that green-lined creek.
While I was drifting away in the moment a blur of blue from the island on my left brought me back to reality when an Azure Kingfisher (Ceyx azureus) flew past. It shot past in a flurry of beating wings until it landed on a branch on the opposite bank of the creek. The momentum of my recent leisurely paddling still kept my kayak drifting slowly forward. The approaching kayak and me fumbling to get my camera ready scared the small gorgeously coloured blue bird on to a new perch, a half sunken branch. I was able to snap once semi-decent shot before the stunning kingfisher flew further down river into the foliage of a tree. I carefully paddle towards the tree but even the bird’s bright blue was not enough to give it away against the green of the leaves. I still haven’t taken a good shot of one of these awesome little birds but I am thrilled just to see them in these wonderful surrounds.
Azure Kingfisher looking down the creek
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 1000, 400mm, f/8.0 and 1/400 SEC])
After realising my search for the blue of the kingfisher was a forlorn hope I continued a lazy paddle down the creek. The joy of seeing the little blue bird motivated me to keep a good look-out in the trees and shrubs fringing the water. Drifting past a group of trees some raspy chirping drew my attention to small brown shapes flitting from thin branch to thin branch. It was a while before one of these little industrious birds paused long enough on an exposed part of the tree so that I could see that they were Red-browed Finches (Neochmia temporalis). They did not stay long on the outside branches before they were dashing back into a leaf clump within the canopy. I managed to capture one when it flew to a Casuarina Tree. I suspected that there may have been some other small bird species in the tree because not all the birds that I saw had obvious red on them.
Red-browed Finch in a casuarina tree
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 640, 400mm, f/7.1 and 1/640 SEC])
I paddled along the still water surface, with little hint of a breeze, around the bends in the creek before the mangroves again became the dominant form of vegetation . The channel of the creek grew wider and I could see a group of birds, including some Little Pied Cormorants (Microcarbo melanoleucos), on a half sunken dead, grey tree branch. The cormorants were alert to my approach along the middle of the creek but one of them did not fly away. It looked in my direction but stayed put a while longer. It had a nice spot in the sun and was probably hoping that I would move along so that it could go back to drying its wings. Once these birds finish all their diving for food in the water they will dry their wings by spreading them wide.
Little Pied Cormorant
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 400, 400mm, f/8.0 and 1/400 SEC])
Another bird on the same branch was a White-faced Heron (Egretta novaehollandiae). Herons are wading feeders where they put their long yellow legs to good effect walking through shallow water spying food. Because the tide was now ebbing it would not be long until this bird could once again reach the nearly exposed bottom of the creek with its long, sharp beak to find some food. Until the water was shallow enough the heron was waiting on this convenient branch.
White-faced Heron
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 200, 400mm, f/8.0 and 1/500 SEC])
Very soon after seeing the cormorant and heron the creek joined the Clyde River and I was back out in a wider body of water. I paddled across the river to the far side so that I was on the right bank while paddling to the exit point.
Just near the caravan park’s boat ramp a little group of Chestnut Teals (Anas castanea) were visible. They were swimming in the shallow water but unfortunately the sun was on the wrong side of them to show off the male’s dazzling green head.
Chestnut Teals swim past a boat ramp
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 200, 400mm, f/8.0 and 1/500 SEC])
The teals were the last subject that I was able to photograph while kayaking. After that group of birds I enjoyed a short paddle down the river with the current and tide helping me to my destination. It was easy to pull in to my exit with the lower tide exposing a small bit of sand at the stairs I was planning to use. I unpacked the kayak before loading everything into the car and lashing the kayak to the roof for the drive back to Canberra. However, before starting the drive I went for a short walk around the area of the boat ramp where there were some mangroves.
A few Welcome Swallows were flying around, too fast for a photograph but I also saw a lone Jacky Winter (Microeca fascinans). The little greyish bird spent a bit of time on the top of a light pole before it swept down to the ground. When it flew it would wheel in flight, like an aerobatic aircraft, probably grabbing at flying insects but I could not see if it was successful. It also spent a bit of time perched on the wire of a fence. These birds like to find an open perch to use while they await an insect flying by.
Jacky Winter looking for food
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 200, 400mm, f/8.0 and 1/500 SEC])
Among some mangroves lining the shore I came across this lone, old Turban Shell. Its shell was well-worn with the colours coming through in non-regular patterns. It was by itself on a mangrove root that the receding tide had left exposed a while ago. I really liked the rough, grainy surface of its shell and the way the colours appeared to be wavy because of the ridges down the side of the shell.
Eventually, a look at my watch told me it was time to get a quick bite to eat before starting the two-hour drive back to Canberra.
Turban Shell on some burnt wood
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 500, 100mm, f/7.1 and 1/100 SEC])
If any readers want to paddle along the creek I would recommend launching from the area near the boat ramp at Nelligen. The picture below shows the stairs that I used to the left of the boat ramp. The carpark is just behind where I took this photograph so it is easy to transport a kayak and things to the water. The steps are not tall and easy to climb. At high tide, one step is just below the water level so it is easy to rest a kayak there while it is loaded, before pushing it sideways into the water and climbing in. At low tide there is a small bit of sand behind where there marine park sign is that a kayak can be placed onto securely without concern that it will drift away.
The steps on the upstream side of the boat ramp
(Apple iPhone 8 [ISO 20, 3.99mm, f/1.8 and 1/700 SEC])
It had been a wonderful paddle with enjoyable photography and the weather was very good compared to the preceding few weeks. The creek was tranquil making for a relaxing morning. While I had not seen much wildlife I had enjoyed being on the creek and meandering along with it. The birds that I had managed to photograph were beautiful and it was lovely to watch them from my kayak as they went about their lives. We are so fortunate to have secluded waterways like Cyne Mallows Creek so that we can enjoy nature as we float down the river.
Thanks for reading this post and thanks also for looking at my photos. I hope you come back again to read more about some of the wonderful natural things that the south coast of New South Wales has on offer. All the best until the next post.