Leichhardt Lagoon is a series of waterholes on the Leichhardt river near Normanton. There were plenty of crocodiles in the nearby Leichhardt River, great sunsets and lots of interesting birdlife so we stayed for three days. Did some painting, lots of walking and cycled along some rough old sandy tracks spotting crocs.

Great camp site, right beside the water.

The sunsets across the wetlands were mighty.

Stilts fed in the shallows around our camp

These two cool looking ducks waddled past us one morning

Young Stilt trying to figure out how all these legs work?

Large Egret showing off elaborate plumage.

Attractive looking Egret making herself more attractive.

Important looking Egret walking importantly

Pied Heron circling.

Pied Heron – cruising.

Pair of Curlews – the way they behave is as weird as their mournful cry. They stand dead still and stare at you, then walk a short distance, freeze, and stare again – very strange!

Mobile studio – right on the edge of Leichhardt lagoon.

Cobalt Blue and Permanent Rose are normally used as soft, transparent washes. In this painting, as well as using the colours as transparent washes, I mixed them with white gouache to make the random opaque purple shapes that interrupt the detail.

Surprisingly few insects at night meant we could cook and eat outside and enjoy the view across the wetland.

By now you might be thinking this place is pretty close to perfect, and it was except for this guy…

He owns the station the wetlands are situated on, and thought it a good idea to blast away with a shotgun every once in a while to frighten off all the birds?