Heron Island was fabulous! We saw it all - from sea cucumbers to sharks to turtles digging their nests on the beach. We left at midnight for a six hour bus ride from Brisbane to Gladstone, then took a two hour ferry ride to the island. The ferry is known for its seasick potential, but our crossing was calm. After settling in at the research station, we went out for a reef walk, looking at the coral and critters in close to shore. The next few days were spent snorkeling from land or boat - several times a day. Annie and I were dive buddies, and Laurie paired up with Dr. D. from Hobart who was here to check things out for next year. We swam with sharks and rays (the rays were scary, but not the sharks) and saw all kinds of fish and coral. It was an other-worldly experience to just float along looking at all the life around us. On the land we also saw turtles coming up on the beach to lay their eggs, and birds - lots of birds! The island was home to an overwhelming number of noddies who sat in trees or on the ground, pooping on all who walked beneath. We also had mutton birds who dig nests in the ground and cry and howl al night. All in all, it was a week in paradise swimming with the fish and sharks and considering ourselves lucky to be there.
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| Annie the Diver |
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| Jetty Where We Watch Fish |
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| Swarm of Fish at Jetty |
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| Sharks Found the Swarm |
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| Swimming Turtle |
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| Turtle Tracks in the Sand |
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| Our dive boats with rays |
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| After a Snorkel |
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| Laurie |
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| Laurie, Dr. D. and Sue |
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| Heron Island |
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| Research Station |
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Nesting Turtle
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| Mutton Bird Nest |
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| Noddies |
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