Touring the wetlands at low tide

 Each morning when I can, I mount my kickbike and scoot south to the Caboolture River at the boat launch (pictured left).

I  then turn due north and travel the length of Moreton Terrace to the environment reserve at the edge of town.

Here the ecology is more pristine than elsewhere along the coast and the area luxuriates in typical wetland features.

 At low tide you can walk along the edge of  this coastline between flocks of shorebirds and study the way the mix of tide and chlorophyll come together.

 At 6am  the aspect with the sun just risen above the Moreton Island horizon before any wind stiffens is  beautiful.

This morning I walked these sandbanks an hour after low tide -- which was at 4.40am -- and the incoming tide was just picking up momentum as the exposed sand began to disappear below my feet.

Because the area is environment protected and fronts an out-to-sea no fishing zone the slight bend in the shoreline fosters verdant growth of seagrass very close to shore (see below). Since the water was clearer than later in the day the bottom was visible so every mangrove root, sand ridge and shell could be seen.  There is less 'mud' here than further south -- less cause for easy silting -- so these times when the tide is out is a great opportunity to experience the wetlands and mud flats as they used to be perhaps along most of the shoreline of Moreton Bay.

A very special spot.

Every morning, what a pleasure...

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