Showing posts with label Iron Island. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Iron Island. Show all posts

Sunday, 23 August 2015

Exploring rockpools on Iron Island, Kimberleys.

Poking around rockpools is fun.  And the rockpools of remote Iron Island are no exception to this rule. Whilst we were awaiting the return of the landing craft, I found and photographed this bunch of unusual and quite attractive striped shells.  Not being an expert conchologist, I'm guessing that they look like small versions of trochus sea snails.
Trochus snails are sought after to make mother of pearl products such as buttons, beads or pendants.
I've heard that the meat of the mollusc is edible too.  It might be OK for a snack or two, if I was ever cast away on Iron Island.
If any experienced shell collectors are reading this blog, please feel free to enlighten me, or correct me on my trochus pics. Thanks.

Climbing to the top of remote Iron Island, West Kimberleys.

Ships log - Day Two.   Made good progress today up the Yampi Sound, and into the area of iron ore mining operations.   Passed Cockatoo Island, then dry and dusty Koolan Island.  These rocky outcrops seem to be mainly Precambrian quartzite sandstone, and their redeeming feature is that there are some marvellous rock formations to view.
Made landfall on isolated Iron Island, uninhabited, but with a pleasant sandy beach.  I climbed a low ridge after we landed, a relatively easy scramble up a rocky track. The views from the tussocky ridge were worthwhile climbing up for, and the rest of the landing party from the boat soon followed me up.
No snakes to be seen, nor much wildlife.
 Probably not the best place to be marooned for any length of time because I didn't see any fresh water, or for that matter, MacDonalds.