Heron Island

After spending the weekend in Rockhampton, we set out for Gladstone on the morning of September 30 to catch a ferry out to Heron Island. The 2 hour ferry ride was quite amazing.

A view of Heron Island as we approached on the Reef Voyager. (Yeah... it was a pretty small island.) Have you ever seen the ocean so calm?

This is an old war ship that was sunk to shield the harbor.

This is kind of a cool shot looking from in the trees near our tents out to the ocean.

The sunsets and sunrises were spectacular on the island... by far the most beautiful that I've ever seen. This probably would have been a nice picture if Brandon, Amanda, and Steve hadn't gotten in the way!

And the cloudy sky at sunrise...

Standing on the water at sunrise.

A cool shot looking down the shore at sunset.

Is that Prabi harrassing a sea star? I have to apologize for my severe lack of marine pictures... someone else will have to include some snorkeling and reef walking pictures. All the beautiful creatures living around the island were amazing.

And at the end of the week we again had to reluctantly pack up and head back to Brisbane...

-Dan

Saddler Springs

After enduring a couple of weeks in the lecture hall, we set out for the outback early in morning on Monday September 24. The bus ride was quite the adventure to say the least... good thing we had the best bus drive in all of Australia at the helm. After about 11 hours on the road (well... most of them could be considered roads) we officially arrived in the middle of Nowhere (Saddler Springs).

Check out this view of camp showing the main building (kitchen and mess hall) and the fire pit.

The activities of the first day consisted of an all day hike out to Carnarvon Gorge through the dry Eucalypt woodland of the Australian outback.

What a spectacular view. This place really made you feel small...

On the way back from the gorge, several bush fires were set in order to reduce the fuel load build-up and promote the regrowth of the fire-loving flora of the outback. This is the fire that I got to set! Not every day do you get to the forrest on fire...

The mission of the second day was to tour the outback and visit a couple of Aborigional art sites. This human figure is the largest Aborigional art figure in the world! It was pretty humbling knowing that this was painted thousands of years ago.

In the evening on the third day, a small group of us hiked up a ridge behind the camp to watch the sunset. Here's a pic of Doug (& Andrew) showing how he felt about the situation.

Here is a view from the ridge behind camp... some beautiful country.

And finally the sunset. The next morning all of us reluctantly packed up and set out on our next adventure...

Peace. -Dan

Byron Bay

Following lectures on Friday September 14, Sarah A. led a crew a several beach-seeking Americans to Byron Bay for the weekend. For many of us, it was our first venture into New South Wales. Transport was provided by a Brisbane to Byron Bay shuttle service and accomadations were provided by a hostel known as The Backpacker's Inn.

One of the main activities of the visit to Byron Bay was a trek to the oldest lighthouse in Australia and the eastern-most point on the Australian mainland. Check out this view of the beach at Byron Bay along that trek.

Here is a sweet view of a headland along our trek. We thought that this was the most easterly point, but we weren't entirely sure. Also, included is Chi's account of the this glorious triumph.

The most easterly point must have been around there somewhere.

And finally we reached the famous lighthouse! It was actually quite nice.

Then it was finally time to accomplish the principle goal of our expedition to Byron Bay... lounging on the beach! Check out this fantastic shot of this lovely sun bather lounging in a sweet sand recliner! I wounder who was skilled craftsman of that superb sand creation?

Peace out kids... -Dan

The Australia Zoo: "Home of the Crocodile Hunter"

On the morning of September 10, we arose early for a day trip to the Australia Zoo. The anticipation among the students couldn't have been higher. A relatively short bus ride was required to get from UQ in Brisbane to the zoo in Beerwah. Following a short introduction from the staff at the zoo and greetings from a koala bear, we were free to roam.

One of the first events of the morning was to meet and feed the beautiful Asian elephants.

In several students' minds, the highlight of the visit to the Australia Zoo was the koala bears. There were several opportunities to pet the the koala bears and you could even get your picture taken with them.

One of the coolest spectacles of the day was the show at the Crocoseum. Here, Norman goes after a treat from his trainer.

Another awsome part of the zoo was the kangaroo park. Visitors could go and hop around with the friendly little buggers. This guy was just livin' the dream.

What is that cute little creature? Well, that's a wambat of course!

The tiger show was awsome! Here, one of the tigers chews on a bone.

A visit to the Australia Zoo wouldn't be complete without a Steve Irwin impersonation. Here, Steve show's us his best Steve Irwin leap! Crickey!

Later!

-Dan

North Stradbroke Island

The first excursion of the term to the Moreton Bay Research Station on North Stradbroke Island was pretty wicked! I don’t have much to say really… I just wanted to share some sweet pics! Check ‘em out!

Catchin' the ferry on our way to North Stradbroke Island.

Chi and Jon just chillin' on the ferry... pretty much the coolest kids on the boat. They're just waitin' for the sheilas to flock around...

Here's an ariel view of the Japanese Devil Ray that washed up on the shore while we were at the research station. Quite an impressive and rare specimen! And now on to the fun stuff...

The group hangin' out on some igneous rock at Point Lookout. Professor Shaw is scopin' out the his next perfect photo with his crazy 3-D camera. Scaplen is lookin' just way too cool sportin' the Ninja Turtle shades! And take a look at Katie, Emma, and Amy posing for a photo. How cute... that could even be Christmas card material!

Check out that scenic shot at Point Lookout. Now that's what I call desktop material!

And finally we got to swim, sunbathe, and play cricket at the beach!!! Everyone in the group was definitely ready for some beach action.

Andrew, Brandon Boldt, and Adrian (tutor) workin' their way past the breakers! A sweet action shot of some very studly swimers!

And after some fun in the sun the weather turned nasty!!! Two and a half days of rain and chilly weather really put a damper on the beach activities. The rain also caused a 3-day break in my stellar photography. Hopefully someone can fill in the terrestrial ecology part of our excursion with the THE MAN.... John Hall!

However, here's a shot video of a gigantic sand dune! (Sorry about the wind noise.) I didn't capture the insane stunts that were performed off the back edge of the dune but... this will have to suffice. Check it out!

That's all I got for now... Peace!

-Dan

Marine and Terrestrial Ecology in Moreton Bay

Decompressing at Camp Laurence

We arrived at Camp Laurence jet lagged and a bit wide-eyed at the strange new land in which we found ourselves। We spent the next 3 days keeping very busy with day hikes, ropes courses and a bizarre competition to build a bridge to a floating raft across crocodile-infested waters (imaginary crocs, that is!!), and to get the whole team across the bridge। Professors Shaw and Rodbell (George and Don, that is) even got in a few geology lectures। In the end we knew each other quite a bit better than when we arrived, and it was time to head back to Brisbane to meet the homestay families।

Clare Hendry and company survey the surroundings of Camp Laurence

The best geology classroom is in the field!

George Shaw and the rock cycle (or 1/3 of it!). So what the heck is a diorite afterall?

Andy Scaplen demonstrating what it takes to complete the high ropes course

Clare and company discussing how this whole belay thing works...






Bunny negotiating the hardest section of the high ropes course

Steve and Jordan paying close attention to their charge

Bridge construction 101! 17 dry students and one wet Brandon Boldt.

the crossing

they made it!








Trail head at the beginning of the 1/2 hike up Mt. Greville, an extinct and highly eroded rhyolitic volcano (Parents, ask your kids what these are!). The hike was steep but the vista from the top and the view of columnar jointing made it all worth the effort.







a view from near Camp Laurence





the steepest part of the climb!