fresh water crocodiles

by

Windjana Gorge National Park in The Kimberley of Australia with Zeb and Eider

We are in Windjana Gorge National Park now.

We are in Windjana Gorge National Park

We are in Windjana Gorge National Park

This is our third national park in the Devonian Reef of Western Australia.   Remember that this area, The Kimberley, was once a tropical sea and is now surrounded by the 350 million year old Devonian Reef.   Like Tunnel Creek National Park, we are in the Napier Ranges.   The Windjana Gorge spans 3.5 kilometers and reaches a hight of 100 meters in places.

Limestone cliffs can be 100 meters high

Limestone cliffs can be 100 meters high

The Lennard River flows through Windjana Gorge.   From the parking lot, we cross this bridge to get to the Lennard River and Windjana Gorge.

Bridge from parking lot to Lennard River

Bridge from parking lot to Lennard River

When we reach the Lennard River, we realize we have lots of company here.

So many fresh water crocodiles

So many fresh water crocodiles

Also this beautiful white bird with long legs.

We like him

We like him

He is not concerned with all the crocodiles.   This rock and area is important to the aboriginal people.   There is a legend about fertility.   So, many couples come here.

Fertility legends about this rock and area

Fertility legends about this rock and area

Our humans are not concerned about fertility, but we liked the yellow colors in the cliffs to the left and the orange/red colors in the cliffs to the right.    The humans decided we should see the crocodiles up close.   You will notice that Zeb and Eider are closer, not humans.

Not too close mom

Not too close mom

Maybe he is friendly.    Or maybe not…

So many teeth. Mom, did you really have us close to HIM???

So many teeth.   Mom, did you really have us close to HIM???  Does he have eyelashes?

He does have a big mouth and many sharp teeth!    Leaving the Lennard River, we saw this sign about fossils.

Why fish fossils in the walls

Why fish fossils in the walls

This area was underground.   Here are photos of the fossil area.

Fossil

Fossil

Fossil

Fossil

Fossils

Fossils

We saw one of our favorite white birds.

We love these birds

We love these birds

Isn’t he just beautiful?  This rock formation is just perfect for us, the Colorado Traveling Ducks.

Rock formation. We like this one.

Rock formation.   We like this one.

When we think about The Kimberley of Western Australia, this is one sight we will not forget.

So many crocodiles

So many crocodiles and the white bird

We loved all the animals.   We are in awe of the many colored cliffs.   We love the rivers and our boat rides.   But, we will never forget all the crocodiles.   Impressive, but not at all aggressive towards.   We respect them and hope you will also.

 

Advertisement
by

Zeb and Eider Visit Geikie Gorge National Park in Australia’s Kimberley

We are in Geikie Gorge National Park in the Kimberley Region of Western Australia.   This area was once  covered by tropical seas.   The area includes 3 National Parks.   We will visit all of them, but now we are in the Geikie Gorge.   These parks originated as the western Australia reef, around 350 million years ago, during the Devonian Period, and now feature rocky landscapes and formations and gorges.   We are promised views of the most spectacular landforms in the Kimberley Region.

A tropical sea and tropical reef were here

A tropical sea and tropical reef were here

While waiting for our boat, we take a short walk.

Let's walk and see Geikie National Park

Let’s walk and see Geikie National Park

Vegetation and rock formations are beautiful and abundant.   The tree trunks are even colorful.

These tree trunks fascinated us.

These tree trunks fascinated us.

We love this place!   Our boat is now ready for us.

We wil ride on another boat!

We wil ride on another boat!

Today the Fitzroy River is calm and we are cruising beneath towering cliffs of the Devonian reef.

Fitzroy River is calm and beautiful today

Fitzroy River is calm and beautiful today

We can see the waterline by the color of the rock.    During The Wet, rainy season, the Fitzroy River rises 16.5 meters, staining the walls and flooding the National Park with 7 meters of water.    The colors of the cliffs here are so bright.

Bright colors and bright reflection

Bright colors and bright reflection

Great reflection in the Fitzroy River.    We heading into a cave.

Into cave with fossils on wall

Into cave with fossils on wall

This wall is so full of fossils preserved in the ancient limestone reef.   Also migrating birds and bats build mud nests here.

Mud nests built by migrating bats and birds

Mud nests built by migrating bats and birds

The Fitzroy River has many fish, so there will other animals here.

A fresh water crocodile

A fresh water crocodile

This fresh water crocodile is not supposed to be aggressive, unless provoked.   We will give him plenty of room.   This calm river is so different from the flooding of The Wet.

Cruising down the Fitzroy River

Cruising down the Fitzroy River

Had to imagine the floods, but they arrive every year.   This gorge is reported to be 30 meters deep and is between the Oscar and Geike Ranges.  This bird was so still.

Calm bird on river bank and reflected in river

Calm bird on river bank and reflected in river

We like reflections in the still river.   Our cruise is almost over, but the bright colors on the rocks just take our breath away.

Vivid colors

Vivid colors

We hope you come here in The Dry.   It is beautiful.   Next time we will visit another of Australia’s national parks.