13 Aug 2023

Freshwater Cove's Fascinating Features, and Iconic Montgomery Reef

This morning's Zodiac cruise from Heritage Adventurer to Freshwater Cove included the added bonus of observing eight Humpback Whales surfacing as we zipped over the calm blue water. Once ashore, we were privileged to receive a Welcome to Country before our guides Leon and Raylarni led us to their rock art site. Along the walk we observed unique Grevilleas in bloom alongside spikey Acacia shrubs and rough-barked Corymbia trees. Blended in among the rocks were large termite mounds with one towering above most of us. Closer inspection revealed Meat Ants coming in and out of the mound, and the service of these ants was explained by Jessa. The ants pay 'rent' to the termites by offering protection.

The calls of Red-tailed Black Cockatoos attracted our attention skyward, and a pair of these beautiful birds were observed by all. Along the hike, views of the sea and Heritage Adventurer were joined by the occasional breaching of more Humpback Whales. From the lookout we could see where we were heading in the afternoon: Montgomery Reef, and heard a brief story about the people who used to live on the islands near this great food source.

Once we made it to the rock shelter, Leon shared some of the stories behind the ancient art including a lesson about listening to your parents to avoid trouble. Paintings of dragonflies, whales, stingrays, and cyclones told stories of what was important to the people of this area thousands of years ago, while our sightings of these animals during our walk drew connections to the past.

A smoking of Eucalyptus leaves helped us say farewell to Freshwater Cove and Leon and Raylarni wished us safe passage on our journey north. Lunch on board was followed by our new anchorage at Montgomery Reef.

Like a city rising from the water, Montgomery Reef was revealed by the outgoing tide. These Rhodolith-covered reefs can rise up to 3 metres out of the water and at high tide can be submerged up to 5 metres. Cascades of water flowing off the reefs were dotted with hunting birds including both the Black and White morph of the Reef Egret. Beach Stone-curlews and Grey-tailed Tattlers were also spotted. A pair of Far Eastern Curlew were also spotted, having migrated down to Australia to fill up on the surplus of food from the exposed reef.

We only had to look in one area long enough to spot Green Sea Turtles surfacing, some bobbing on the surface for a breath and letting us see their shells, while others dove down with a glimpse of their tails as they disappeared. By sunset, everyone was back on board Heritage Adventurer with a recap on insects from the day including termites, Stingless Bees, and special Carpenter Bees which Cathy expertly photographed.

Image (c) by J.Thurman