Perched in the creek

I found two young women up to their armpits in the creek today. 

This would not be an unusual event in summer,

but it was raining and cold today.

They were from the Department of Sustainability and Environment 

and they are involved in a survey of Murray Perch.

Now that is dedication to your science.

Meet Murray, the perch....

Click on the picture for information about the Murray perch.

I hadn't thought of us being part of the Murray Darling catchment...

but our creek runs into the Goulburn River which runs into the Murray.

 The nets are long conical affairs, held in place at each end, 

at a 45 degree angle from the bank. 

 On the downstream/open end of the nets is a long net wing.  

The perch, who like to dine in the dark, 

come to the wing and swim along looking for a way past, 

only to end up in the net.  

The top end of the net is to the left bottom corner of the photo below.  

You can sort of see the open end in the water and that stake out in the middle is holding the wing.

There is another one on the other side and more further upstream.

I was worried about the platypus.  

However, there is a float in the bank end of the net holding it out of the water.  

If the platypus swims in, 

he will be held out of the water so he can breathe 

and will be released in the morning.

I am interested to see what they catch.

But the catch is

 that they are coming back at 7:30 in the morning.

Mmmm! Too early for this old trout 

to be on the rise!