Select to expand quotefangman said..
Gee I wish the swans I remember as a kid were scared of me. My memories of the swans at Lake Monger consist of me being terrified of them because they always chased after me - I guess I forgot to give them the piece of bread in my hand ( I probably just ate it myself) 
Somebody said, (I think it was Craig) don't worry about finding out if the swans are nesting, they'll soon let you know if they are!
Interesting development Pas and I have found Joe's photo bucket site (good old google!) and extracted the exif data
s260.photobucket.com/user/joannemcvey/slideshow/Wind%2520surfers%2520at%2520Creery
EXIF — this group of metadata is encoded in 6,626 bytes (6.5k)
Make NIKON CORPORATION
Camera Model Name NIKON D7100
Exposure Time 1/1000
F Number 8.00
Exposure Program Aperture-priority AE
ISO 400
Exif Version 0230
Date/Time Original 2015:06:21 13:45:08
Shutter Speed Value 1/1000
Aperture Value 8.00
Focal Length 450.0 mm
Exposure Mode Auto
Digital Zoom Ratio 1
Focal Length In 35mm Format 675 mm
Lens Model 150.0-500.0 mm f/5.0-6.3
Create Date 2015:06:21 13:45:08
Unfortunately my biggest lens is only 300mm, but I've taken a few shots to demonstrate the foreshortening effect of using a lens this long.
This is at 300mm the lamps are aprox 50m apart Strop can probably give us the exact distance.
Here's the full picture also at 300mm focal length
So the 2 vehicles are about 150m apart
Pas and I are going for a walk with my tape measure, back shortly.
OK not quite as far apart as I thought, the first two lights are 45m apart the distance between 2nd and 3rd is 35m and the two vehicles are about 90m apart. And the white wagon is almost dead centre between poles 2 and 3, although it appears to be between 1 and 2.
No way to judge how far apart anything is!
And Joe's focal length is 50% bigger.
The birdies and enviros have got no chance. They are up against mature men with time on their hands.
OK, I've just received a response from DPAW, here's part of it.
Select to expand quote
The recent Peel Aquatic Use Review undertaken by the Department of Transport resulted in Creery Lagoon being an area where the use of motorcraft is excluded. While the use of non-motorised craft is not currently prohibited, one of the reasons for the exclusion of motorised craft was due to those vessels being identified as an unacceptable disturbance to wildlife in Creery Lagoon. I would ask that you liaise with your fellow windsurfers and reiterate the need to minimise disturbance to wildlife in Creery Lagoon by non-motorised activities such as windsurfing. If a significant number of birds are utilising the lagoon, it would be recommended that consideration be given to utilising alternative windsurfing locations. I have asked Parks and Wildlife staff to monitor disturbance to wildlife in Creery Lagoon and provide advice if disturbance is occurring. I also expect that if disturbance occurs on frequent occasions, Parks and Wildlife will again be contacted by members of the public who have concerns about wildlife impacts. If the impacts are deemed to be significant, Parks and Wildlife will be expected to respond.
He's included his phone number and invites further discussion, so I'll see if I can reach him on Monday.
If DPAW is relying on the public for it's response, we could easily loose this place.
I'll explain about Joe's telephoto effect, but we'd better make sure we do our best to keep any wild life disturbance to a minimum.
OK,
Ross, Anita and I have evolved this response.Select to expand quote
In response to your article "Wetland anomaly irks"
Windsurfing in the Creery Lagoon usually occurs about four times a year.
It's only suitable in very strong westerly gales, when there is no other safe
alternative.
The windsurfing community asked for and received
permission to sail on the Creery Lagoon from all the relevant
authorities before commencing sailing.
A few weeks ago we initiated discussions, with the
Mandurah City Council, DPAW and Mr Craig Lester.
In order to establish what impacts windsurfing has on wildlife
and to formulate guidelines to address any concerns about
disturbance to wildlife using the Lagoon.
Mr Lester has been very helpful. He has advised
us that during winter gale conditions only the swans are
likely to be feeding in the Creery Lagoon. Mr Lester’s main
concern was the possibility of the swans panicking due to the
speed of an approaching windsurfer.
We now have a management plan in place to allow the
swans to move calmly to another section of the lagoon.
We remain open to advice from all interested stakeholders to
ensure any threat to wildlife by windsurfing is negated.
Mike Layzell, team captain Mandurah Mob.
The editor advised me 200 words max for a letter to the editor this is about 190, including me at the end.
I'm a bit unsure about the team captain bit, should I leave that off?
The deadline for next issue is 1700 today, so I'll be sending it in just before then, so if you think it needs modifying get in quick. probably text me to make sure.
Interesting shot of the lagoon, I haven't seen it at low tide. There's no way we could sail in it like that.
Select to expand quotedecrepit said..
OK,
Ross, Anita and I have evolved this response.
In response to your article "Wetland anomaly irks"
Windsurfing in the Creery Lagoon usually occurs about four times a year.
It's only suitable in very strong westerly gales, when there is no other safe
alternative.
The windsurfing community asked for and received
permission to sail on the Creery Lagoon from all the relevant
authorities before commencing sailing.
A few weeks ago we initiated discussions, with the
Mandurah City Council, DPAW and Mr Craig Lester.
In order to establish what impacts windsurfing has on wildlife
and to formulate guidelines to address any concerns about
disturbance to wildlife using the Lagoon.
Mr Lester has been very helpful. He has advised
us that during winter gale conditions only the swans are
likely to be feeding in the Creery Lagoon. Mr Lester’s main
concern was the possibility of the swans panicking due to the
speed of an approaching windsurfer.
We now have a management plan in place to allow the
swans to move calmly to another section of the lagoon.
We remain open to advice from all interested stakeholders to
ensure any threat to wildlife by windsurfing is negated.
Mike Layzell, team captain Mandurah Mob.
The editor advised me 200 words max for a letter to the editor this is about 190, including me at the end.
I'm a bit unsure about the team captain bit, should I leave that off?
The deadline for next issue is 1700 today, so I'll be sending it in just before then, so if you think it needs modifying get in quick. probably text me to make sure.
Excellent response
Select to expand quoteelmo said..
I thought you guys were only in there once or twice this year
Yep, twice this year so far, but last year we went right through to early October, with 4 sessions total
You guys must have found something extra now that you're sailing at 45kts 
...... according to the "Facts" in the paper
Select to expand quotekato said..
You guys must have found something extra now that you're sailing at 45kts ...... according to the "Facts" in the paper
That was Slowy last year, he actually hit 46 I think. A record for the estuary.
Select to expand quotehardie said..decrepit said..
OK,
Ross, Anita and I have evolved this response.
In response to your article "Wetland anomaly irks"
Windsurfing in the Creery Lagoon usually occurs about four times a year.
It's only suitable in very strong westerly gales, when there is no other safe
alternative.
The windsurfing community asked for and received
permission to sail on the Creery Lagoon from all the relevant
authorities before commencing sailing.
A few weeks ago we initiated discussions, with the
Mandurah City Council, DPAW and Mr Craig Lester.
In order to establish what impacts windsurfing has on wildlife
and to formulate guidelines to address any concerns about
disturbance to wildlife using the Lagoon.
Mr Lester has been very helpful. He has advised
us that during winter gale conditions only the swans are
likely to be feeding in the Creery Lagoon. Mr Lester’s main
concern was the possibility of the swans panicking due to the
speed of an approaching windsurfer.
We now have a management plan in place to allow the
swans to move calmly to another section of the lagoon.
We remain open to advice from all interested stakeholders to
ensure any threat to wildlife by windsurfing is negated.
Mike Layzell, team captain Mandurah Mob.
The editor advised me 200 words max for a letter to the editor this is about 190, including me at the end.
I'm a bit unsure about the team captain bit, should I leave that off?
The deadline for next issue is 1700 today, so I'll be sending it in just before then, so if you think it needs modifying get in quick. probably text me to make sure.
Excellent response
I absolutely agree Hards. Great Job Capt'n, Windx and Fangy.
Select to expand quoteJohn340 said..
The birdies and enviros have got no chance. They are up against mature men with time on their hands.
A poler told me that a swan tastes a bit like chicken.
Select to expand quotewaveslave said..John340 said..
The birdies and enviros have got no chance. They are up against mature men with time on their hands.
A poler told me that a swan tastes a bit like chicken.
But a bit "gamey"
Has anyone even come close to a swan ?
In lake george and lake illawarra all the swans are always sitting in about 6 inch of water - sailing towards them is generally a really bad idea
At Lake George this year, in the middle of the lake, I had one flying about 1.5m above the water, about 25m parallel and slightly ahead of me, travelling in the same direction for about 20 seconds before it turned away from me and gained height. It was an impressive sight.
Select to expand quoteIn response to our letter to the editor, I notice the two replies:
<div class="content">I OFTEN enjoy watching windsurfers and kite surfers making the most of our massive Peel-Harvey Estuary water body, so I was surprised to read that some of them occasionally venture into the Creery Wetlands. I was even more surprised at the rather glib response from their spokespeople, in their letter in last week’s edition.They suggest that they “only use it about four times a year” and “only in very strong westerly gales when there is no other safe alternative” (presumably not safe for them) and that “only swans are likely to be feeding there during the winter gale conditions” and that “we have a management plan in place to allow the swans to move calmly to another section of the lagoon”.Actually, you don't.On one occasion, I very gently canoed (one-way) through the wetlands and I challenge anyone to move any slower than I did.Certainly, no windsurfer or kite surfer could – or would. Moreover, I did not make the return journey through the wetlands precisely because, despite my extreme caution, my presence was clearly upsetting to the swans.Surely, if it is "only four times a year" then you can do the right thing, and desist from entering (even if our gutless authorities are not prepared to stop you).Take the day off and find something less vandalistic to do.ANGELA SMITH, Coodanup
IN response to the letter headlined "Open to advice" if the windsurfers are looking for advice on their windsurfing venture may I suggest they use a part of the 36,000 km of Australian coastline instead of being irresponsible and using a lagoon where there is a threat to wildlife. That would "negate" any problems.P. BRADSHAW, Mandurah.
Select to expand quoteRoar said...
Has anyone even come close to a swan ?
In lake george and lake illawarra all the swans are always sitting in about 6 inch of water - sailing towards them is generally a really bad idea
Haven't nailed a swan but I did score a shag
On the river once.
No damage was done
Fangy, I guess that sort of reply was to be expected.
Tim Brazier (WWA) is having a meeting with DoT on Friday, I've just emailed him everything I could think of.
Yesterday's meeting was very constructive and we all learnt a lot about about each other's perspectives.
The plan going forward is for an information session to run at the Marine Operations Centre. The aim of the session is to provide to the windsurfing community with impartial scientific evidence/information on how sensitive the wetland environment is and ways windsurfing can impact on the birds that feed in the Creery Wetland. Once armed with this information, the windsurfing community can decide how best to minimise our impact on this particular part of the environment.
Given some of the information provided yesterday, it might be a case that windsurfing in the area is just not appropriate at some times of the year.
Of particular concern is Fairy Tern nesting in the wetland. This species is critically endangered and easily disturbed off their ground nests. When disturbed they don't return to the nest so a full breeding season is lost. I have requested that signs/notices be erected when Fairy Terns are nesting in the area so we are aware before getting to close and can avoid the areas where nesting is taking place.
We need to work with all parties to get an even handed outcome to a tricky issue. If constructive discussion does not take place (so far all has gone very well), the easy choice for DPAW will be to band ALL water craft from the area. We currently have a good working relationship with these key groups, especially DPAW and we need to keep it that way so we don't get banded from other areas too.
Will keep you posted on when the info session will be run.
Select to expand quoteWindsurfingWA said..
Yesterday's meeting was very constructive and we all learnt a lot about about each other's perspectives.
The plan going forward is for an information session to run at the Marine Operations Centre. The aim of the session is to provide to the windsurfing community with impartial scientific evidence/information on how sensitive the wetland environment is and ways windsurfing can impact on the birds that feed in the Creery Wetland. Once armed with this information, the windsurfing community can decide how best to minimise our impact on this particular part of the environment.
Given some of the information provided yesterday, it might be a case that windsurfing in the area is just not appropriate at some times of the year.
Of particular concern is Fairy Tern nesting in the wetland. This species is critically endangered and easily disturbed off their ground nests. When disturbed they don't return to the nest so a full breeding season is lost. I have requested that signs/notices be erected when Fairy Terns are nesting in the area so we are aware before getting to close and can avoid the areas where nesting is taking place.
We need to work with all parties to get an even handed outcome to a tricky issue. If constructive discussion does not take place (so far all has gone very well), the easy choice for DPAW will be to band ALL water craft from the area. We currently have a good working relationship with these key groups, especially DPAW and we need to keep it that way so we don't get banded from other areas too.
Will keep you posted on when the info session will be run.
Thanks for the information Tim and for all your efforts on our behalf. Very much appreciated..
Select to expand quoteWindsurfingWA said..
>>>> I have requested that signs/notices be erected when Fairy Terns are nesting in the area so we are aware before getting to close and can avoid the areas where nesting is taking place.
>>>.
Great stuff Tim, But Craig Lester will fight you on this one. Alby suggested a similar thing to him, he reacted strongly, the last thing he wants is for the general public to know where and when the Fairy Terns are nesting.
People trying to get photos are also a hazard for the birds!
But I guess just a general sign about when the nesting season begins is a great idea. As well as a sign saying how delicate the Samphire is and how important it is to the feeding migratory birds.
It's probably not a bad idea if we stay out of there through the Fairy terns breeding season, whether we know they're there or not.
Whatever you guys do, don't get this lady offside (I thought all the crazies lived in north Queensland ) www.watoday.com.au/national/western-australia/canning-byelection-candidate-teresa-van-lieshout-in-attack-on-mandurah-mail-20150906-gjgfar.html
^ Wow she is a bit scary!!
Speaking of scary, we now have some big yellow ducks to worry about - you don't want to hit one of these 
I blame the gps. There was a time when you WA guys wouldn't be seen dead sailing on flat water.
Select to expand quotefangman said..
^ Wow she is a bit scary!!
Speaking of scary, we now have some big yellow ducks to worry about - you don't want to hit one of these
Love the mast head view Fangy but still better stay out of the Pond.......here's clear evidence of an angry moustachioed lady with a paddle streamer watching out for you.
This mutated F2 swan appears to have the exhaust pipe in the wrong place.
Sink on sight!!!
Select to expand quotesausage said..
.....I thought all the crazies lived in north Queensland ..
yep, that's why we sent Wazza over.
Select to expand quotefangman said..sausage said..
.....I thought all the crazies lived in north Queensland ..
yep, that's why we sent Wazza over.
Need the pic from the GPS page as a closeup of the duck- I think the outfit need to be more aerodynamic although he still kept ahead!
