Sue & Mark are coming along, and the weather is over cast but promises to be a nice day.
On arrival at the Jetty we are summoned by pelicans every where all waiting for the morning feed...just on the shore near the jetty is a monument of "Sam" a New Zealand fur seal who was once part of the attractions but unfortunately was killed by an unknown person senselessly....in February 2006..
He was very well loved by the tourists and the local people and they had a memorial for him and over 450 people turned up for the occasion ... his ashes are scattered on the shoreline.
On entering the Kalgan Queen we are welcomed by Johnathon who will be our Captain for the day... and will take us for a leisurely cruise along the sheltered waters of Oyster Harbour and the ancient Kalgan River.
The river is 140 kilometres long and passes through steep hillsides of lush forest and rolling farmland.
The pelicans are so friendly and think nothing of coming on the boat or approaching you, I got up close and personal with one.
Before we departed Johnathon pointed out the stingrays swimming under the boat...which they hand feed... we could view these through a glass bottom in the middle of the boat..
It was like a journey through time, as we took the path of the first settlers as they discovered the natural and stunning beauty of the area, stories of Albany’s history and colourful tales ...the commentary from Johnathon was very interesting and he told us the history of the land .. and he had an abundance of knowledge about the local birdlife and wildlife.
The pelicans followed us on our journey and a few were very well known and they all had names...one in particular was Percy who Johnathon told the tale of finding him on the side of the river all tangled up in fishing line and hooks ... he thought he was dead and went over to move him, but Percy was still alive and he carefully cut him loose and removed all the hooks.. and Percy was forever grateful and became a life long friend...
Today.. he flies around the boat... and when hes called... he will land ... and for a fish he will twirl around in circles and dance... so cute.....
All his friends followed us and I got some great shots of them flying and landing....
The next surprise was Johnathon even had the trust of 2 white breasted sea eagles...sitting high in a tree , he just whistles them down and throws them a fish and down they come and swoop it up out of the water right in front of our eye's...amazing...
Johnathon also pointed out the mussel farming and how its done... and we even pulled up to the side of a stray buoy and he collected some samples which he cooked on the stove while we sailed and we sampled them some 15 mins later.. you cannot get fresher than that...
As we leave Oyster Bay and the beautiful King George Sound... we enter into the river it's self having to sail under the old Kalgan Bridge which is VERY low...we just made it with only inches to spare... he said we may not be so lucky on the way back...
While sailing up the river Johnathon points out all the local wildlife and tells us the history of the Aboriginals in this area.
About 8 kms into the river we are then headed to shore, to go and sample some free wine tasting, met by the owner of the Montgomery Winery, who escorted us up to a waiting mini bus that takes us to the winery where we sampled some great wine... John and I bought 4 bottle's... 3 of them being a sweet port ... it was YUM..
When we returned to the boat Johnathon had prepared hot homemade savory damper ( by his wife) and a choice of hot billy tea or coffee...plenty of damper to go around. Surrounding the boat are hundreds of black bream fish... a fisherman's dream !!!
The fishermen take things very seriously around here and are well equipped in their small canoes...
On the journey back, Johnathon pointed out a Ospray nest which has been used for generation of young over the years..
We had to travel under the Kalgan Bridge again... but this time as predicted by the Captain.. we were too high for the bridge and it was all hands on deck to lower the roof so we could get under..
He also demonstrated how he has taught Percy to be hand feed from the boat... He has taught him to come in close to the boat while in flight... which must be very hard with those big wings to control.. and Johnathon hand feeds him.. he's so gentle...
It was an amazing day...and we left with a great knowledge of the area, and its wildlife...
Thanks Kalgan Queen for a great day !!
