Cato Cay is approx 375 km ENE of Bundaberg in the Coral Sea and at 8 knots takes most of a night and day, plus another half night to get there. And, a couple of days after a cyclone has disappeared, it can be a miserable trip to undertake. With 6 days of catch & release fishing planned, the 4 days of really rough weather had this ol fart fishing from the island or just interacting with the wild life. Apart from Boobies, Terns, Frigates and Gannets there were also turtles hatching. Although the tracks were seen, the young turtles were only seen at night, swimming around the boat in the lights. There were hundreds of young birds on the island at different stages. Amazing to watch them practice their flying, and landing techniques. Burrows everywhere but no sightings of mutton birds.
A young Boobie, still with its white downy robes and blue beak.
Frigates sitting on eggs; one each only from what I saw.
Ok, take a photo, but hurry would ya.
Boobies very friendly and keen to land on your head or on the rod. Hard to take a photo on the head but easier like this.
Confirm your wheels are down. Cleared for landing Capt Bob.
Resting between practice flights.
Doh! Bugger when the bilge pump stops working in heavy seas. Countdown to total writeoff.
