On Monday the weather changed. It is that time of year when everything changes. Our migratory shorebirds have mostly departed for their northern hemisphere breeding grounds and our sky is suddenly completely cloud free. The sea is clear and blue and the sky is blue and the temperatures are now a pleasant 20c/68f at night instead of 29c/84f. Our daytime temperatures continue to be in the mid thirties/mid nineties and the winds are no longer westerly. As the wind swung around overnight on Sunday to become easterly it all changed. So, now we have to put up with all this blue….blue sea. blue sky, sunshine and while you are thinking of us in the southern hemisphere and winter….this is what winter will be……blue, blue and more blue! Unless we have a rain event like in June last year it is all blue from now for about 6 months or more.

Not only do the migratory shorebirds know it is time to move, but the resident shorebirds that have been roaming need to get back to their territories and think about breeding in early July. One pair of Pied Oystercatchers have returned to Cable Beach to their breeding territory and run up and down the beach as the beach walkers go by. The beach is not too busy in the mid-section between the main swimming area and Gantheaume Point and the area has been used for many years by different pairs of Pied Oystercatchers. There have been changes over the years where partners have gone and been replaced and territories given up to move to a better location, but the area has been used every year.

Cable Beach

Pied Oystercatchers

Pied Oystercatchers return to Cable Beach

As I wandered the beach this week I was in the lucky position of having three massive Manta Rays come right in close to shore as they fed. They moved quite fast as they circled and fed, but stayed in the area for quite some time and I was able to take some photos. If only I had a waterproof camera I could have maybe got up closer in the sea and had some other photos to share.

Manta Rays

Manta Ray

Manta Ray (2)

Three Manta Rays at Cable Beach

As the winds changed the numbers of dragonflies rapidly increased and there are literally hundreds resting on the beach. Any item they can land on is utilised and I soon had them landing on me. There were two varieties that were red and green and now there are much larger ones, but they don’t settle and I have not been able to photograph them.

Dragonfly on the beach

Dragonfly on the beach (3)

Dragonfly on the beach (2)

Dragonflies on Cable Beach

I hope everyone gets some warm weather with blue skies soon, but meanwhile you can look at the blue in Broome!

Written by Clare M
Clare and her husband, Grant, have lived permanently in Broome, Western Australia since 1999 after living in various outback locations around Western Australia and Darwin. She has lived in the Middle East and the United States and traveled extensively in Europe. She monitors Pied Oystercatchers breeding along a 23km stretch of Broome's coastline by bicycle and on foot. She chooses not to participate in social media, but rather wander off into the bush for peace and tranquility. Thankfully she can write posts in advance and get away from technology!