Floodplains and Billabongs

CuriousOyster
Steve & Trish Brown
Sun 17 Jul 2011 23:09
Both Trish and I found the wetlands to be the most fascinating and the one that changes the most over the seasons.
The amount of water that covers this area is almost impossible to comprehend with much of the 22,000 sq km flooded at the height of the wet season and most drying out completely in the dry season.
We had been told that the Yellow waters Billabong was the place to see the area at its best and we took a boat trip along the South Alligator river (mis-named by the early exporers) at sunrise
Throughout the year the wetlands are home to millions of birds and are a staging post for many migratory species.
Some species are found only in the park while others travel 1,000's of miles each year to feast on the abundant food resources as the water recedes.
Many birds have unique features that enable them to maximise these resources.
Like this aptly names Jesus bird that by dint of its large feet appears to be capable of walking on water
As the sun rises the wetlands change their complexion.
 
The annual rise and fall of the waters provides the salt water Crocodiles with access to a wide area but even they must retreat to year round water holes during the dry season.
At night they take to the water to feed and to retain heat as the land cools and can be seen along the waterline.
They are to be found throughout the wetlands and billabongs and are unafraid of humans and has numbers steadily increase attacks on the unwary or just plain stupid are not uncommon.
As the day heats up the come out of the water to warm up.
 
AS well as the abundant birdlife the wetlands are home to a huge range of plants, many of which provide food for the aborigines.