How frequently does the letter d appear in:
This week at the station
This week at Macquarie Island: 22 November 2013
Special Secluded Bay
Just to the north of the station is the track that goes up to Wireless Hill and beyond towards North Head. The far northern part of this northern most part of the island is a Permanent SMA (Special Management Area) which has restricted access all year round. You can view this area from above at the end of track.
Secluded Bay along with the western coast and escarpment of North Head is also a SMA, which has restricted access from the 16th of November to the 30th of September. So it is available for access by field trained expeditioners for a period of just over 6 weeks.
Almost everyone who was on station in the northern part of the island took the opportunity of venturing down to this beautiful little bay.
Just under halfway along the Wireless Hill track is another track which heads east. Around 60 metres along this track you come to the edge of a very steep jump-down (up) to Secluded Bay. On going down the steep descent one is afforded magnificent views of cliffs surrounding the a small bay to the south. On these cliffs are many light mantled sooty albatross nestled in the narrow shelfs and cracks.
It was amazing to watch the albatross in flight trying to land on these precarious sites.
Finally we reached the beach and again we encountered more wildlife. Of particular interest are the fur seals, of which there are plenty. Some of the parties that went down to the beach close to the 16th of November were fortunate to see fur seal pups.
After walking around the bay it is then a steady ascent up a tussock covered slope to the plateau. Reaching the junction with the Wireless Hill track you can head north to the end of the track and take in the magnificent views of North Head and Gorilla Rock. Heading south along the WH track, takes you back across the plateau and then down to the station. If interested you can take a little detour to the antenna (VHF Repeater for Channel 7). Nearby is the new Azorella nursery that Natalie has set up (see last weeks story).
Barend (Barry) Becker
user
I counted 57 "d"s in that text.
assistant