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The Yellow Water Billabong was the highlight of my visit to the Northern Territory. The wildlife spotting opportunities were incredible, the sunrise light was well worth the early 5:15 wake-up call (and being jet lagged, I don’t say that lightly). The Yellow Water Billabong may have even turned me into a birder. OK a wannabe birder, since I was so busy taking photos that I admittedly don’t remember what most of the species were. I took an incredible 600 photos in 2 hours! Here are a few of them:
The Yellow Water Billabong is part of the South Alligator River system, but there are no alligators in Australia (an early explorer misidentified crocs for alligators and the name has stuck ever since). This is a salt-water croc, much bigger and more aggressive than the fresh-water crocs found in other parts of Kakadu National Park.
I have no idea how our guide spotted this well camoflauged (but not venemous snake) from over 5 meters away. I could barely see him, even when he was pointed out to me.
The Yellow Water Billabong is a birder's paradise.
This bird (think it was an eagle) was quite annoyed with us for disturbing his breakfast - note the large fish between his talons.
Nicknamed the "Jesus Christ bird" because of its seemingly ability to walk on water. They actually walk on vegetation floating in the water, but still, I could have watched them for hours.
These whistling ducks had no fear of the huge croc hanging out beside them.
Can you be a birder without knowing the names of the birds that you saw? OK, maybe not, but I did remember the most important thing….there are no alligators in the South Alligator River….just much bigger hungrier salt water crocs!
Stay tuned for more posts on the Yellow Water Billabong and the Northern Territory featuring photography shot from the newly launched Canon EOS 650D and the Canon PowerShot D20.
Know Before You Go on a Yellow Water Billabong Cruise:
- You can book your own Yellow Water Cruise at Gagudja Dreaming
- The cruises start at Gagudja Lodge Cooinda, located 300km SE of Darwin
- Cruises depart at 6:45 am and last for 2 hours in the dry season (April – October), additional times are available during the wet season (November – March).
- Tickets cost $99 (Australian) for adults and $70 for children and should be booked in advance
- Bring lots of bug spray, since mosquitoes also call the Yellow Water Billabong “home”
- Drinking water is available on the boat
Note: All photos were shot with the Canon EOS 650D. I loved the creative filters on this camera. I was a guest of Canon Australia and Tourism Northern Territory but as always all opinions expressed are my own.
This photo has been submitted to Nancie’s Budget Travelers Sandbox where you can see more travel photos.
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Wow, incredible shots of the wildlife! Especially that croc. Looking forward to hearing more about this trip. Australia is on our bucket list but we haven’t made it there just yet.
Jennifer recently posted..Agriturismo = Homecooked Deliciousness
Great photos
Muza-chan recently posted..A Japanese Song per Day: Baroque – Nutty a hermit
Fabulous photo op it must have been. Though I think I’d enjoy the prints more than the real life experience.
Italian Notes recently posted..Abruzzo door knockers
Nice photos. I like the bird in the last picture, that’s my favorite. Nice composition and contrast.
Lawrence Michaels recently posted..Top Ten Phuket Beaches
Laurel – what an incredible experience though I can relate to being dragged out of bed a tad too early. Magnificent shots. You make me jealous.
Leigh recently posted..Canada’s Most Scenic Drive: Banff to Jasper, Alberta
Amazing photos! I love taking photos of birds too and I never have a clue what any of them are called – I just know that they’re beautiful. Not sure how close I’d want to get to that croc though – hope you were using a really good zoom lens!
Wonderful pictures. I especially like the one of the crocodile.
Christine recently posted..Staying at a "Zero Star" Hotel and Loving It
600 photos in 2 hours sure beats my record. The Canon EOS 650D seems to be working out quite well for you — fantastic photos. The camoflauged snake looks pretty creepy to me — venemous or not!
Cathy Sweeney recently posted..Toronto Ahoy!
The Yellow Water Cruise was a highlight for me also – your photos are great!! (Jealous about your 650D)
Natasha von Geldern recently posted..Destination Switzerland: Hiking in Luzern
These are such beautiful photos. We have a Nikon but I’m seriously wanting your creative filters. What a great opportunity for you to see all these birds and wildlife. Love all of them and I don’t blame you for taking so many pictures. i could have stayed here all day too.
Mary @ The World Is A Book recently posted..Cruising Copenhagen’s canals
Fantastic shots, Laurel! I can relate — I forget things as quickly as I hear them. It’s hard to photograph and make notes at the same time, especially when shooting animals or birds. Looks like the cameras were just as much fun as watching the birds.
InsideJourneys recently posted..More Art From Toronto’s Streets
Laurel,
you definitely should join “Capture the colour” contest.
http://www.shorttraveltips.com/capture-the-colour/
I think you have enough pictures to enter it.
Vi recently posted..Weekly Travel Photo. Sunset at Devils Marbles
Love the shot of the snake in the tree! So cool….
What an amazing experience that must have been. The feeling of being out among wildlife is so exhilarating…but were those crocs a little too close for comfort?
Isn’t photographing wildlife just the best?! It’s so exhilarating! I love that first shot of the croc – geez, we have some scary stuff here in Australia.
So glad you enjoyed your trip to the NT, Laurel – it would’ve been great to catch up with you again…so close, yet still so ridiculously far
Cherina recently posted..House Sitting in Australia: A House by the Sea
This looks so awesome! Although I’m sure I’d be a little freaked out about being that close to the crocodiles at the same time as being excited!
Ali recently posted..Freiburg, I Love You, But…
Wow Laurel, you have really made me your fan. The pictures that you have posted in this post have really blown my mind and heart. Thanks for sharing such beautiful pictures with us. Cheers!
I love how you’ve captured the animals so well! Whenever I see posts like this from Australia I realise how little of my own country I’ve seen. I’ve really got to get to the top end soon!
Turtle recently posted..Visiting the origin of the Olympics
The crocodile looks so mean and hungry! Nice shots. All of them look so real. It must be fun when you had your kakadu tours adventure. Great job!