Galleries
Full Moon In Her Hands
This photo was taken in the anchorage area on the northern side of Wave Break Island, looking east. I love this photo as it gives perspective on what you come out in your boat for to enjoy. This moment was captured during winter, a great season to be on the Broadwater as there are generally fewer boats around; hence, less wash to contend with – especially important when boiling water for a cuppa while at anchor, or when relaxing enjoying a few nibblies without your plate sliding off the table. Weather patterns are also a lot more stable during winter, generally with light south-westerlies in the morning and south-easterlies from late morning. Summer, on the other hand, tends to have north-easterlies (which are not good for fishing) and late afternoon thunderstorms are common.
We were at anchor at the time with an incoming tide, and were lucky that our boat was pointing directly at the correct angle for the moonrise. Our volunteer model, June, was willing to stay in this position until we took enough photos. The most challenging part of the process was guiding June’s thumbs to make them appear they were touching the centre of the bottom of the moon, without her falling in! This photo took me about 15 shots to get right. If you want a similar shot check the next date and time for the full moon moonrise and be prepared early, as the moon will appear much larger and can glow a brilliant orange colour when rising just above the horizon.
This photo was taken using the in-built camera of an Android tablet. There are ways of ensuring a high-quality photo using phone or tablet cameras. My personal advice is to make sure you have the horizon at level (horizontal). If you are shooting a moving object (such as a dolphin or another boat), predict where the object will be in 1 second and take the photo early, as the “shutter” won’t open immediately.
Picturesque waterways
The Gold Coast has such an amazing range of waterways perfectly suited to capturing a magical shot – the Broadwater, rivers, mangrove-lined creeks and islands, offshore waters, lakes, surf beaches, and the beautiful South Stradbroke Island. Man-made structures such as the Gold Coast Seaway, the sand pumping jetty, Wave Break Island, and high-rise buildings also make great photo subjects from the water. Further upstream, where salt turns to fresh, the river landscape changes dramatically. There are freshwater creeks and streams, and the amazing Hine Dam cannot be missed.
During the full moon
It is a lot easier to navigate at night during a full moon due to the increased visibility. Hazards, such as crab pot floats, waves, and unlit navigation markers, are easier to see. As the tide height is higher than normal during the full (and new) moon, it is a great time to set some crab pots as muddies and sandies tend to be more active during these higher tides. On the flip side, as the tidal range is greater, you experience stronger currents at mid-tide, more debris is flushed out due to the higher tides, and you need to be more cautious navigating during the lower than normal low tide.
PHOTO AND TEXT BY Nic Welch
About Nic :
Nic was born and raised on the Gold Coast. “My first boating memory was at the age of four (1979) onboard my uncle’s RL24 yacht, and remember needing to lower the mast to fit under the Sundale Bridge. By age five my father and uncle had built an RL28 from scratch in our backyard, and recall the labyrinth of sand banks we needed to navigate through past the Old Southport Bar on the way to South Stradbroke Island. Since then, there have been too many tinnies, jetskis, sailing dinghies, and powerboats to mention!”
Nic owns Gold Coast Boat Hire. He pursued a career in the boating industry because, he says, “I grew sick of my desk job, and yearned for wetter pastures. Nowadays, I am out on the water for business most days, and I use boats for crabbing in the Broadwater, offshore fishing, and the occasional 16ft skiff sailing race.”
(May-Aug2017)