Oversize!

We were not long out of Moree when we spotted another sign beside the road.  This one was too crumpled to salvage (in spite of Nick's best efforts), so we put it back where we'd found it.  

Although we had planned to be away for just over three weeks, we didn't want to book our accommodation too far in advance - so only had bookings for our first two nights.  Nyngan was our planned stop for our second night - and the route from Moree across to Nyngan was new to both of us, so we enjoyed driving through different countryside.  

Our lunch stop was Carinda, where there was information about the Macquarie Marshes.  At that stage I didn't realise we would be driving along the marshes, which was a real highlight of the afternoon.  Lots of wetland beside the road and various waterbirds lifting off as we came closer.  Just magic.

I didn't have phone reception much of the day or I would have searched for Burrima Boardwalk when we saw the turn-off.  Visiting there is on our "next time" list.

We spotted an eagle on the ground a little further along.  Usually they fly away long before we get close but he/she was still in the same place when we back-tracked.  As special as it was to this wonderful bird up close, we were concerned about possible injury, so discussed what we could do.  

Nick had reception further along the road, so called Burrima and also WIRES.  A WIRES carer drove out from Warren (two hours away) to try to find the eagle.  She reached the spot around the same time was we arrived in Nyngan.  We'd sent photos of the tar pattern on the road and she searched extensively without success.  After speaking with her supervisor we all learned that sometimes these birds are just too heavy to fly after a big meal.  Yep, oversized?!

While we were glad the eagle seemed to have recovered, we felt a bit disappointed that the carer had made such a long trip without success - but she sent sunset photos and assured us that she'd enjoyed the drive.  Smiles all round!