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Rocky Point at the South West end of of Russell Island looks across to Rocky Point, Jacob's Well. The distance is marked out by the spanning electric cables and their lofty, striding towers. Lines of rock protrude from the water as menacing reminders of the shallow nature of much of the bay. Mangroves thicken in a wide grove all around the southward curve of the shore, and small boats lean on the low tide, tied to one of the thicker roots that brace the low bank. The mud thick shore spiked by countless air roots, gives the unlikely appearance of a manicured parkland, for nothing but these even roots grows between the beautiful, writhing forms of mangrove trees. Sunlight makes its way onto the waxy surfaces of some lower leaves of these trees, bringing down something silvery and sparkling, to meet the grey-brown mud.
Closer to the shore and the narrow boat ramp, the increasingly undercut embankments give a suggestion of what lies beneath the dull grey surface. For these banks are marbled in local hues of ochre and oxide. Observe the small white patches pushing through the wet shore. A single touch will reveal the creamy, delicious consistency of this milky clay. Digging down, as you feel irresistibly drawn to do, you will come to know that the flesh of this shore is all cream and ochre and redness and soft pink with patches of contrasting rutile.
Looking back at our excursions to Rocky Point:
Paul Andrew, September 2019
Tricia Dobson, 2016, 2017, 2018
Sharon Jewell, Rocky Point, 2016 - 2018
