Truth be told, boats, ships, water vessels and the like, are not my thing.
Strange, as the family archivists inform me, that the family tree runs its course through what appears to be a stream of Cornish Pirates. Oh ahh, oh ahh meheaties.
But. I don’t think the call of the ocean managed to sneak down the gene pool to me. Take me to the edge of the beach, let me enjoy the water lapping over the rocks, or on a stormy day explode in force in anger against the land, and I’m satisfied.
However EE on our wandering down the Bellarine coast had booked to take the Queenscliff to Sorrento ferry. Now you’d probably conclude that there were several reasons for that. And the one I’ll share today is The Pope’s Eye.
Sounds pretty much like some ecclesiastical mystery that involves, black coats and stuff, but as it turns out, The Pope’s Eye is a small man-made island that was to form the foundations for fort to protect Port Phillip Bay from intruders, such as old Cornish Pirates 🙂 etc.
It’s located about 3km from Queenscliff and can be easily seen. No longer the military might, its the home to a large flock of Australasian Gannets that breed there. It’s also a great place for divers and has a wide range of underwater forests of kelp and the like.
The name comes not from any religious significance, but from the name of one of the men who was working at establishing the large basalt rock foundation.
Why chose the ferry. Well tis possible to hire a boat and travel out to the site, but remember my first para. Not for me!
We took the ferry across to Sorrento, on the outward trip it runs quite wide of Pope’s Eye, but on the return to Queenscliff it does approach much closer and a long lens can provide excellent views.
We, of course, were hoping that the Gannets might at least be in the air, coming or going and some great inflight shots might be the order of the day. However it was Gannets sleep-in day and only a few were in flight.
Still, it made an interesting trip across the bay, and a fine meal in the Tara restaurant on our return.
Enjoy
Birds as Poetry —— Just because I WANDER doesn't mean I'm LOST 
Even if the Gannets were enjoying a sleep-in, this trip sounds very pleasant in its own right – and the return journey certainly paid dividends… A lovely series of photos David, and although you’ve made it look easy, I know from my own efforts in the Marlborough Sounds to photograph Gannets in the air is anything but easy – especially when the somewhat smallish Tour Boat I was on was rocking up and down…!
Once again, a beautiful set of photos thanks David, and as usual, your works are a pleasure to view…!!!
Cheers…
Lance
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Hi Lance, yes, it was a bit like a busman’s holiday. I dont do small boats, my vertigo will tip me over.
For a day’s outing the trip on the ferry and a meal makes a very pleasant time out, and birds are a second prize. Good to have been so close to the Pope’s Eye as the light was quite good on the return voyage.
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Great to see the Gannets, David! At least they weren’t all napping!
Wonderful images! I especially like the flight images!
Dave N
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Hello Dave, we only get to see them on occassoins down at Point Cook, and its a once a year thing if they come in close. So I’d really wanted to have a good session at Queenscliff, but had to settle for a great pie at Drysdale 🙂
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Isn’t it good to know that a few things humans have done have been useful for the wildlife! Telephone wires, fenceposts and the Pope’s Eye to name a few.
It’s a great ferry trip and I must do it again some time. Wonderful flight shots of the Gannets in particular. Thanks for sharing the experience.
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Hi Eleanor, good point. Not everything about the human condition has displaced every bird. Superb Fairywrens think our parks and gardens are just fine.
Brown Falcons have certainly made the most of fence lines.
The ferry is a great day out. And I think from your side of the bay a better trip. But. either way it does make a relaxing time on the water. I think Sorrento has become terribly commercial.
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Loved your humorous post David and you certainly were not disappointed with your find, those Ganets were lovely, and great images all round. The Pope’s eye is certainly a top spot for these birds. I love the way they just soar around on the wind streams. It was good to see some awake as we did at Danger Point further south.
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Hi Ashley. Pope’s Eye really has been a boon for the birds in our area. The next closest colonies are down Portland way at Danger Point and far to far for a day’s outing.
There is lots of study done on these birds and it seems the males tend to use only the western side of the bay. Not sure why.
I find them fascinating and would love to be able to catch up with them regularly closeup.
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