One of my favourite places at the Point Cook(e) Coastal Park is a walk to a little piece of land jutting out into the bay. It’s more a sandy promentary as its sands have, over the years, been blown up to cover the underlying finger of basalt that juts into the bay. On the Park Vics map it is called “Point Cooke”. The name just confuse the matter even more.

The landmark was so named by Captain Hobson, (he of Hobson’s Bay), commander of the good ship, “H M Rattlesnake”. Hey I’m not making this up!! The ship’s mate was one John M Cooke and as there were no bays left to be named perhaps, Johnno got the Point.

On a low, low tide, called a Spring Tide—so I’m told, the little finger of basalt is exposed for about 100m or so into the bay. Not only the rocks, but the whole sand shelf is exposed and it’s possible to walk out to the edge of the shelf.
On a good day, the birds accumulate here to rest on the rocks, paddle in the pools or just loaf on the warm sand.

Photographically speaking, afternoon light is best as it’s possible to walk, or wade out in the water and have fine front light over the birds as they sit about. Early morning is good, but it’s not possible to get too far out with the birds as the water is deeper on the northen side. But the early light adds its own charm.

So here is a small collection from the morning’s work.

Enjoy