Not for a while crocodile.
On the way into Nhulumbuy town, we drive over a creek where crocs are often spotted sunbaking on the beach and even crossing the road. That's according to locals and the official Facebook Gove Noticeboard. (One morning on the Noticeboard they also warned of a buffalo running around the same road. Not quite the morning traffic report we're used to back home!).
All of us Jawun secondees are on the look out for crocs. We really want to see one. Not too close mind you. From about 30 metres would do just fine, thanks.
So every morning when we cross the creek we look out of our 4x4 windows hopeful of spotting two beady eyes and a big jagged tail.
But still, nothing. Zilch. Nada.
This morning I was quite happy I didn't see one though. I went for a soft sand stroll along Gadalathami Beach, aka Town Beach, on my lonesome. It was just me along the whole beach except for a couple of local Indigenous Australians, Yolngu, camping under the trees.
It was beautiful, hot, a little windy, so quiet. Bliss. But I can't say it was wholly relaxing because I had to be on Extreme Croc Watch the whole time, looking behind me in case one just happened to creep out of the ocean behind me.
But still nothing.
So in the absence of any croc excitement as yet, the beach walks have been more about the little things. The things you might not normally notice because you're allowed to swim in the water and sunbathe close to shore without a care in the world. But not here.
So here are a few of the little things I've taken a closer look at so far.
And hopefully over the next four weeks I'll spot a croc ‐ but not too close ‐ and be able to share some much more gnarly photos with you.
As for now, these are the only crocs I've seen on the beach...