Exploring the Dunes ~ Shapes ~ Patterns ~ Wind ~ Colours ~ Animals and Tracks ~ More Tracks
I was surprised to discover some desert like sand dunes a couple of hours from Sydney. There are many dunes along the back of Stockton Beach at Anna Bay (which is 32 km long), and some at Mungo Brush near Dark Point.
There can be a lot of footprints around, making it a challenge to find a pristine spot for photos.
But you can still find untouched areas. I love these curves.
Dunes are often crumbling at the top, forming mini avalanches.
There are some flatter areas in the middle of the dunes.
The dunes seem to be invading the bushland. That climb is steeper than it looks!
There can be some very interesting shapes hidden among the dunes.
Some formations look computer generated.
Wind and rain forms messy patterns sometimes.
Parallel grooves in the sand are common.
Sometimes the grooves are curvy.
Stripy patterns.
This reminds me of caligraphy.
Various sand textures (click for larger versions).
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On days with light winds, you can sometimes see sand blowing over the top of a dune (video).
The dunes are an amazing place to be when there are high winds. Trails of dust flow over the landscape (video 1 / video 2 / video 3).
(The waves in the third clip looked beautiful in person, but are a bit hard to see in the video).
The sand can change colour towards sunset.
There aren’t many animals in the sand at daytime, but there are a few.
I’m not sure what made these wiggly tracks.
Can you guess what made this trail? Answer in the second photo.
Some bird footprints.
Mammal tracks? The second one could be a hopping mouse.
A snake trail. It went on for a while.
Other interesting tracks.
Even plants leave an impression as the wind whips them around.
Animal tracks in other places ...
A lizard track on a beach near Hawks Nest. You can tell it’s a lizard from the tail! It must have been quite big.
Bird tracks at the same beach (probably an oystercatcher).
Kangaroo tracks at Jervis Bay.
Penguin tracks on the beach near London Bridge, Victoria. They come here after sunset.
Photos copyright © David Fisher 2022. Comments or
question to davidfisher@australiaonline.net.au
(if you ask permission to use photos, I’ll almost certainly give it).