Cape York Peninsula - not bike related, work photos

[Leon]

Hi all,

I have been away from the forum for ages as I have been at Cape York / Lakefield National Park for the last few weeks helping Steve and Craig attach data loggers to estaurine crocodiles. Just got back from the wilderness today and started to get my photos together, with many more to come from other photographers. I love my job so I thought I'd share a bit of it with you guys, and maybe give you some hints for good riding spots.

North Kennedy River Hann Crossing

Wearing 'ralls and driving the mud puppy - a duet of pleasures

Croc with data logger attached - this one about 4.4m

Typical landscape North Kennedy - good BMW country

Steep banks and big tides made life difficult and muddy getting in and out of boats

I need to bring the BMW here.......

Kalpowar Crossing - Normanby River. You ride across this - it's full of crocs..

Casio G-Shock ad - only about a 3m croc though (small)

Big tides + loads of boat skillz = excellent boat parking - my boat in spot of bother....

Jumping beasts with Steve. Truly a great honour and pleasure and experience I won't soon forget...

Orhpaned joey agile wallaby - I have become soft in my old age.......

GPS navigation skillz on Jam Tim Ck - got caught by the tides....Ended up sitting there tied to the bank in the middle of nowhere for quite a while.

Big 4.5m boofhead - this croc was tough to process it had some go in it. To give you some idea the maximum head width of the jaws about 50cm

Will post some more photos as they come to hand if anyone is interested.......

 

[glitch]

Holy SHIT !! What about those PICS !?? GREAT stuff (was wondering what'd happened to you, just dropping away like that a while ago ) and here you are with another load of superb shots, a great thanks for taking the time to post them here.
Just one question...: Do you have to be a certified loonie to get a job with Nat. Parks in order to wrestle crocs for work?
Welcome back mate

 

[farawayman]

Great photos Leon, keep them coming. Although I think the sun has got to you mate but it does bring back memories of a trip I did up the cape many years ago. I thinks its time to do it again this time on two wheels.

 

[Leon]

Well if you need any convincing that Cape York via Lakefield is a tops spot for some DS action, keep in mind all these photos are taken only 5 hours ride from Cairns CBD......

Track west of Hann Crossing

Track into Mosquito Waterhole.....and no it is not an ironic name, the place is thick with them!

Track north of Hann Crossing

Dry creek crossing. Man this was rocky and very rough, doing it on a bike like a GS would be tough......I'd still have a crack at it though

North Kennedy River Hann Crossing showing the actual spot where you ride across.

The spot where you cross the imaginatively named Sandy Creek.

The view from Kalpowar Camping area. Toilets, showers, mowed campsites the whole bit. Only downside it can get a bit packed, which is why I prefer the much more basic but much more pleasant Hann Crossing Campsite.

Hann Crossing Camping spot (book spot #5 if you can it's the best!)

Dingo near Sandy Creek

Big afternoon storm rolling in.

Original Lakefield homestead. Must have been tough living here back in the old days. I personally can't live without TV, hot showers and the intertron!!!

Will post more pics as I get them....

Leon

 

[carver.]

heya leon,
thanks for the pics.

my dad was a fisherman in the Gulf of Carpenteria, "Barramundi Joe".

i know it is not the same area,
but it makes me reminisce just the same.

 

[movin]

Can I have your job please ,and you where getting paid to do that as well ,superb pics,superb territory.

 

[lady-rider]

Hi Leon
gees matey what a great job
i am pleased you had the opertunity
and will forever remember your trip
its great you have those happy snaps with Steve
to remeber him by
so sad he is gone forever to be missed by everyone

those crocs look HUGE

looks out back door at wet puddled back yard
nope don't want one as a pet :roll: