Fishing until sunset
Late May 2023
Of late when I go out with my camera I have been trying to have no expectations of getting good photos. The primary mission is to enjoy some time outdoors.
With that in mind I headed one Friday afternoon to just north of Ellis Beach to watch sunset. When I arrived I was joined by an Eastern Reef Egret fishing along the shore line.
Not having much luck with the fishing it was not long before my Egret friend decided to fly off. I was still not alone as another local bird had spotted me just as I had spotted it.
A Striated Heron was also fishing the tidal pools and shallow surf. Normally quite a shy bird I tried not to move in the hope that it would continue to hunt in front of me.
The bird however turned its back on me and headed off in the opposite direction. I decided to remain sitting where I was in the hope that the bird would return or another arrive. Walking off is a more hopeful sign of a return than flying off….it may walk back :)
My patience paid off as it was not long before the Heron returned intently hunting right in front of me. I was after all sitting at the best rock pool section along the beach. The setting sun was also giving me some glorious light on the bird and shoreline.
The Striated Heron hunt with their necks and bills parallel to the ground. It was having quite some success but every time it caught something it dove behind a rock out of view to do so.
I took quite a few photos of this Heron hunting but with the last of the light fading I decided to leave my friend and make my way up onto some rocks to await sunset.
As I sat down on the top of a large rock I was joined by yet another local. This insect appears to be some sort of cockroach. With almost no light I thought it would be a good challenge to try and take a photo to pass the time.
A challenge it was :) No light and an object that wanted to keep moving which demanded a higher shutter speed than suited low light. Shot at 1/250th sec - ISO 12800 for those that are interested.
I took this photo of the after-burn lighting up the coastline to Port Douglas. Not much happened for sunset and I was not in the mood to search for a composition anyway, I just wanted to sit and relax.
Great evening on the beach watching some locals fish :)