Etty Bay

During our time in Mossman and the Daintree Rainforest we had hoped to catch a glimpse of a Australian cassowary, an endangered bird only found in north Queensland. Whilst at Mossman we didn’t spot any of the birds but were told that we would probably spot one at either Etty Bay or Mission Beach, so that is where we headed. During the wet season swimming off the northern beaches of Queensland isn’t recommended due to the number of jelly fish inhabiting the waters, luckily Etty Bay had a stinger net and so we were able to spend the day on the beach and in the sea whilst waiting for a cassowary to appear. Cassowaries are very odd looking birds, with their wattles and horn they look pre-historic. Armed with a dangerous claw you are advised to be “cass-o-wary” and give the birds right of way… so when one emerged from the forest and headed straight for our table I quickly got out of the way, retreating down the beach to take some photos. The final photograph in the post is of the Big Cassowary in Mission Beach, another big thing to add to our collection!