Leaving on a Seaplane...

Sunday, May 10th (Mother's Day)


Today we leave Heron Island and head north to Tropical North Queensland where the "rainforest and the reef meet."  Instead of the ferry we took a seaplane and had a bird's eye view of the GBR- my and the boys first time to fly over the ocean at only 2,000 feet.  It was breath-taking!  To top off this wonderful Mother's Day memory we were met in Brisbane by the truly special Marg who welcomed us into her home and treated us to a fantastic homemade meal-

A great day for flying

Only 2 bench seats behind the pilot...

Life jackets & headphones- check!

Farewell,  Heron Island...

The reef from 2,000 feet above

Lovely dinner and Lovely Marg!!
She offered for the boys to stay while Matt & I travelled on... we almost lost them here... we all wanted more time with Marg-  Thank You!

Great Barrier Reef/Heron Island- Part 3

Early sunrise-

Matt always with his camera!

Puffer fish

I just love these clams...

On the other side of the island from the resort is a whole research community-
we spent a morning learning about current research projects on the reef.

Scientist Sara and the touch tank-

Many games of chess were played on the island...

We came over on the ferry with Peter and his girlfriend Nicky-
we became great mates and hope to see them again when we visit Darwin in June! 

The Junior Rangers

and there are more badges to earn...

Fun with Peter's ball

Leave only footprints...

Last sunset on Heron Island for us

Great Barrier Reef- Part 2

Incoming tide

Our first sea kayak-

(I could not steady the camera as well as Matt!)

Guided Reef Walk-
Sara knows all things about the GBR & what is safe to touch.
This epaulette shark can actually walk on the sand with their fins!

This sea cucumber is actually green-

This sea star is blue

Family sunset reef walk at low tide

We look but don't touch this time...

The beautifully ugly and infamous Sea Hare

DANGER! This cone snail's poison attacks the cardiovascular system and can cause cardiac arrest- this was the most dangerous creature on the reef for us at Heron Island.

"Monkey in the Middle"

An Aussie mum?

Great Barrier Reef- Part 1

May 5th-9th-

Back to the expression that "a picture is worth a thousand words", the next few posts will be primarily photos... the vastness, diversity and beauty of God's ocean is beyond my vocabulary...

Enjoy.

Sunrise- our first day

Surveying the waters-

Aboard the Heron Moray dive boat for our first deep water snorkeling

Small Giant Clam-

New Caledonia sea star

Pink whiptail stingray

Black tip reef shark

Sea cucumber

Swimming with a Loggerhead sea turtle

Hungry eel

Stingray in camo

The Manta Ray- the GBR "gentle giants"

Contemplating the wonders of the sea...

Swimming works up a big appetite-

Seafood platter for two!