27th October 2011 Black Neds Bay

Black Ned’s Bay at Swansea is a picturesque place to go for a paddle. The wind was stiff from the east and no beaches were worth a look for a surf but, a paddle out here on a SUP, or anything that paddles can make up for that. It is quiet beautiful protected and there is lots to look at. Best go at high tide as the bottom has some sharp oyster shells on the Mangrove roots. I had a paddle here a month or so ago and a pelican came flying toward me, landed not 10 foot from me and grabbed a fish, I though – I wish I had a camera on me so I came prepared today.

Black Ned’s Bay entrance from Swansea Channel

Black Neds Bay entrance 27-10-11

Pelicans on a sand spit at Black Ned’s Bay

Black Neds Bay Pelicans on sandspit 27-10-11

Boats moored at the entrance

Black Neds Bay Boats 27-10-11

There are lots of islands to explore

Black Neds Bay Islands 27-10-11

The mangrove trees reflect into the glassy water

Black Neds Bay Mangrove reflections 27-10-11

A Ski paddler comes the other way, a smile and a wave is common place

Black Neds Bay Ski Paddler 27-10-11

There are lots of pelicans here as the bottom is shallow and they can see their dinner

Black Neds Bay Pelican 27-10-11

The shallow water has some sharp oyster clusters to beware of. I suggest you don’t jump in, maybe wear booties in case

Black Neds Bay the sharp things on the bottom 27-10-11

Another spreading Mangrove tree with its reflection in the water

Black Neds Bay Big Mangrove 27-10-11

I took a run under the Swansea Bridge and I noticed a bloke looking over with interest. I recognised it was Kevin Harman – the Lake Macquarie areas master of all things to do on water and a great bloke, I stopped for a chat. Kevin is an icon in our area having built and ridden surfboards in the 60′s, windsurfed in the 80′s then became the World Champ Masters ski paddler as well as winning Aussie State and Branch titles.

Kevin Harman at Swansea Bridge 27-10-11

26th October 2011

Redhead Beach early morning 25/10/11

Redhead bluff 25-10-11

Redhead surfer Mark Hancock 24/10/11

Redhead Mark Hancock 24-10-11

Redhead Boardriders Club Contest 8/10/11

Redhead Boardriders Club Comp 08-10-11

Galahs in the dunes Redhead 16/10/11 Real ones for a change.

Redhead Galahs 16-10-11

Redhead 24/10/11 Early next morning the Beach Cleaner smoothes away the traces of a busy Sunday.

Redhead Beach cleaner 24-10-11

Redhead Bluff 25/10/11 Early morning.

Redhead Bluff 25-10-11

Redhead Bodyboarder on the wave of the day 8/10/11

Redhead body boarder 08-10-11

Redhead surfer 24/10/11

Redhead surfer 24-10-11

Redhead 26/10/11 The usually clean surf was “muddied” up by quick upwelling southerly swell, the water was brown and grody to the max.

Redhead dirty surf 26-10-11

Redhead dirty surf 2 26-10-11

21st October 2011

Dudley Beach 25/6/11

Dudley Beach 25-6-11

Newcastle Big winter swell 13/7/11

Newcastle Beach Big and cold 13-7-11

Newcastle Harbour Tug 14/6/11

Newcastle Harbour Tug 14-6-11

Blacksmiths Surfer 4/6/11

Blacksmiths Surfer 4-6-11

Redhead surfer 4/6/11

Redhead Surfer 4-6-11

Redhead Surfer 2 4/6/11

Redhead Surfer 2 4-6-11

Newcastle Beach Big surf close up 14/7/11

Newcastle Beach big surf close up 14-7-11

Redhead Bluff up close 10/6/11

Redhead Bluff 10-6-11

Redhead Beach early morning right hander 14/10/11

Redhead Beach early morning right hander 14-10-11

Saturday morning 22/10/11 around 7:30 am.

The surf was very ordinary at 2 foot with a light onshore starting up, but it was the best place to be to watch the local dolphins throw a party. Dozens of dolphins gathered just outside the break in what appeared to be an introduction of the new young calves to the extended dolphin clan. The young ones were accompanied by adults as they cruised around and around, meanwhile the young adults cavorted further out getting some serious air. They threw some awsome stale fish moves but without grabbing a rail. They stayed for almost an hour in the same area while the few surfers out watched in awe a few metres away.