Posts tagged ‘Beach’

A few weeks ago we drove along the Great Ocean Road, where the limestone plateau of western Victoria falls into the sea, leaving behind remnant limestone stacks, arches and gorges. As we drove from the western end back towards Melbourne we didn’t quite make it as far as the famous 12 Apostles (or however many are left standing) but there were plenty of coastal features still to see.

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Loch Ard Gorge, named after a ship which was wrecked within the bay many years ago.

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At the far western end of the Great Ocean Road the limestone cliffs eventually become beaches with steep dunes.

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There used to be another limestone arch forming a natural bridge between the main cliff on the left and the island on the right but it fell into the sea and the sight is now known as London Bridge.

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Travelling the Great Ocean Road in the cooler months and on a grey overcast day meant there weren’t too many tourists to get in the way of your photos.

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Whilst in Swakopmund I had the opportunity to take a 2 hour scenic flight over the Namib Desert and coastline. Watching some of the worlds most spectacular sand dunes fall away into the Atlantic Ocean is something I will never forget.

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The coast was scattered with Fur Seal colonies.

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This ship was originally wrecked on the beach but the desert has expanded towards the ocean leaving this ship 500 metres inland.

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As we flew over Walvis Bay, flamingoes could be seen feeding in the shallow waters.

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The southern sector of Walvis Bay is home to large salt refineries that are slightly pink in colour due to algae.

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Walvis Bay may be well known for its large flamingo population but it is also home to

 many other bird species and several colonies of Brown Fur Seals.

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The Great White Pelicans are the largest bird species to call Walvis Bay home. They have

beautiful pastel coloured faces and wing spans that can reach up to 3.6 metres in length!

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The Brown (or Cape) Fur Seal colonies were full of playful pups.

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During the boat trip around Walvis Bay, one playful (and well known to the boat crew) fur

seal jumped on board for a feed and a cuddle.

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Walvis Bay Lagoon is one of the best places in Africa to see the fantastic pink, long-legged Flamingoes. Both the

Lesser and Greater Flamingoes can be spotted feeding within the lagoon, before they head north for breeding.

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The Lesser Flamingo is slightly smaller with a dark beak and more pink and black colouration whilst the

Greater Flamingo is larger in size with a pink and black beak and whiter colouration.

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