Day 43: Kakadu National Park (Day 2)
This morning we all got up early to catch the bus to our Sunrise Yellow River Cruise. Once again we ended up in a half filled boat, which meant everyone could move around a bit if they wanted. We headed off with our guide Brock down the Yellow River towards the East Alligator River. We saw lots of crocodiles, black cranes, spoonbills, egrets, Australasian darters, sea eagles, whistling and black kites, both blue and teal kingfishers, and so many more birds.
The highlights of the tour for me where:
- watching the sunrise over the marshlands
- seeing a black crane (Jabiru) walk right past a crocodile seemingly with out a care in the world
- seeing a male comb-crested Jacana (or Jesus bird) walking along the tops of lily pads with his chicks tucked up under his wings with their little legs sticking out.
The Jacana eventually dropped its chicks back onto the lily pads and they were the cutest little balls of fluff.
After such a big morning we headed back to camp for the rest of the morning. We had a good look at the green ants that were living in the tree next to our camp site and caught up on an episode of Cutlaps until going to Burrungkuy art site and lookout in the late afternoon. We read about the lightening man story, saw lots of rock art, and climbed up to the lookout. Then headed back to the car before we melted in the heat.
