WONDER AND ENJOYMENT
Lake Elizabeth, Victoria, Australia
Tuesday 31 July 2018
Tree ferns are amazing things. They have such broad leaves that can be several metres long and fan out in a completed circle. When the leaves die, they fall limp and red down the trunk of the tree before completely disconnecting. Standing underneath one of this lovely trees provides filtered green light when the sun is shining. I hope today's image demonstrates my wonder and enjoyment of seeing tree ferns in their natural environment. (2490)
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GRASS COVERED PLAINS
Derwent Bridge, Tasmania, Australia
Monday 30 July 2018
On the drive westward across Tasmania, there were a number of places where the trees stop and there are thousands of hectares of grass-covered plains. In the background of most of these spots are the mountains that this area of Tasmania is known for. This image was taken near the highway, and not looking towards the mountain ranges, just towards the trees that surrounded the grass areas. (2489)
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HARD TO IMAGINE
Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia
Sunday 29 July 2018
It's hard to imagine that back in the 1930's this road was carved out of the rocky cliffs by men, using only picks and shovels, and possibly a few sticks of explosives. This iconic drive is part of the Great Ocean Road, along a large section of the south-eastern coastline of Australia. The drive is very picturesque, but a little tedious, with many sharp and dangerous corners, above steep drops down to the ocean below. It is certainly well worth the effort if you find yourself in this area of the world. (2488)
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APPEARING TO GLOW
Addiscot Beach, Victoria, Australia
Saturday 28 July 2018
I've mentioned many times how I love the morning sunrise for photography, and because it suits my early morning life. There is another reason, and that is the amazing colours that are produced by the sun, as it rises up to and past the horizon. The cliffs in today's image are colourful enough, but add the warmth of the sunrise and they appear to glow. It makes a photographer happy to be alive! (2487)
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A GLIMPSE
Picnic Bay, Victoria, Australia
Friday 27 July 2018
If you have ever visited Wilsons Promontory, you will know that the beaches there are amazing, and there are many. One of these is Picnic Bay, with lovely white sandy beaches, blue water, and on the day I visited, blue skies. This little track is the path to the beach, as it winds its way through the scrub and trees. I feel like this photo is like a tease, just giving you a glimpse of what is ahead! (2486)
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STREAM OF LIGHT
Nelson Falls, Tasmania, Australia
Thursday 26 July 2018
One of the things I really like about many of the National Parks is the boardwalks that have been constructed through some of the more sensitive areas. It makes for a much easier, and less muddy walk, but it also allows the public to see areas that once would have been off limits because of the special nature of the native species that exist there. This boardwalk is on the walk into the Nelson Falls as it winds its way around the trees, and I was particularly taken by the stream of light that found its way into the dense wilderness. (2485)
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NO LONGER ABANDONED
Docklands, Victoria, Australia
Wednesday 25 July 2018
From the 1880s, the former swamp west of Melbourne became heavily used as a dock, with an extensive network of wharfs, heavy rail infrastructure and light industry. However, following the containerisation of shipping traffic it fell into disuse and by the 1990s was virtually abandoned.Docklands Stadium was built in 1996 as a centrepiece to kick-start developer interest in Docklands as a viable renewal area. Urban renewal began in earnest in 2000. The brief for the master plan was for wide open water promenades and road boulevards with contributions of landscaping and public art commissions to be made by each developer and construction was to adhere to strict milestones.' [Wikipedia] (2484)
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NOT ALWAYS THE CASE
Torquay, Victoria, Australia
Tuesday 24 July 2018
Today's image is a bit simplistic, but one that shows the warmth of the early morning light over the beach at Torquay. It also shows the diversity of the native plants along the cliff that overlooks the ocean and the sunrise on the horizon. The sea was relatively calm at the time of my visit, something that is not always the case. (2483)
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UNIQUE CHARACTERS
Geelong, Victoria, Australia
Monday 23 July 2018
'Following the Bollard Trail, you will meet some of the unique characters who played a part in Geelong's history, from the original Indigenous inhabitants to more contemporary characters. This walk features 48 sites with an estimated walking time of 2 hours one way.Over 100 bollards are installed right around the Waterfront from Limeburner’s Point to Rippleside Park. Artist Jan Mitchell was commissioned by the City of Greater Geelong in 1995 to transform reclaimed timber pier pylons into these remarkable works of art.' [geelongaustralia.com.au] (2482)
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WARM & INVITING
Bancoora Beach, Victoria, Australia
Sunday 22 July 2018
The weather here, in south-east Australia, is cold and bleak, but it is to be expected during the middle of winter. So I'm posting an image I captured a few months back when the weather was kinder to an early morning photographer. The Bancoora Beach was all but abandoned when I arrived, but a number of surfers came along as the sun rose. I did manage a few shots without the pesky intruders being present, and with the warm inviting sun lighting the wet and patterned sand on the beach. (2481)
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A LITTLE COLOUR
Rocky Point, Victoria, Australia
Saturday 21 July 2018
I hope today's image gives you a sense of why this section of the Great Ocean Road is called Rocky Point. I love the way the white sand flows smoothly around the rough rocky outcrops. I also love the way the sun photobombed my shot, just to add a little colour to the scene. At high tide this area is underwater, so I was very fortunate to have visited it at the right time. (2480)
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HARSH
The Crags, Victoria, Australia
Friday 20 July 2018
You might be forgiven for thinking that this is an image of a desert landscape, a harsh environment where only the sturdiest of living things could survive. In fact, the opposite is true with just a two-minute walk away from the beach and the countryside becomes lush and amazingly fertile. This spot is called The Crags, just outside of Port Fairy. The area around Port Fairy has some of the best dairy and potato growing land to be found, so I was amazed and delighted to discover The Crags. (2479)
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A MAGIC TIME
Wye River, Victoria, Australia
Thursday 19 July 2018
I particularly love this image of the Wye River beach. It was taken before sunrise, but with the lovely deep colours of the impending day ahead. The receding tide has left a puddle of water on the beach, and the wet sand is reflecting the sky perfectly. What a magic time of day to be visiting this beautiful spot on the Great Ocean Road! (2478)
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ANCIENT FERNS
Liffey Falls, Tasmania, Australia
Wednesday 18 July 2018
One of the things that struck me when I was walking to the Liffey Falls, was just how tall the tree ferns were. Given that tree ferns grow very slowly, these ones must have been ancient. Walking along the path I felt like a little kid, both because of the enormous size of the ferns, but also the building excitement, and feeling impatient to see the falls at the end of my journey. (2477)
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NOT A SOLE TO BE SEEN
Aireys Inlet, Victoria, Australia
Tuesday 17 July 2018
A very early morning image of the Aireys Inlet beach, with a hint of pink in the sky, soft turquoise & white waves, and not a sole to be seen. I love this time of the day, although getting out of bed is very difficult during the winter months. I can't wait until it warms up again. (2476)
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THE MAGIC & CHARM
Portarlington, Victoria, Australia
Monday 16 July 2018
'Portarlington Bayside Miniature Railway, is Geelong’s only 7.25 and 5 inch Miniature Railway and Australia’s only railway located on a foreshore. The railway is located on eight hectares of open picturesque native parklands, directly adjacent to the beautiful beach’s of Portarlington overlooking Port Phillip Bay. The Facility offers a vintage Railway Station and Signal Box with an undercover platform. The magic and charm of the miniature railway has brought enjoyment and fun to a generation of families over many years since the first operated public running day in January 1999.' [miniaturerailway.com.au] (2475)
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LOVELY REFLECTIONS
Drysdale, Victoria, Australia
Sunday 15 July 2018
With friends today, we travelled through Drysdale, on the Bellarine Peninsula. A quick stop at Lake Lorne and I was able to capture some lovely reflections of the trees that are growing in the water. I'm assuming that the water is at a higher level than normal, causing the trees to have wet feet. It was the wrong time of day to photograph this type of scene, but the clouds certainly added to the image. (2474)
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VASTNESS
Donaghys Hill, Tasmania, Australia
Saturday 14 July 2018
Travelling from the east coast to the west, I passed through the amazing wilderness area of Tasmania. Every now and then, there would be a clearing where the mountains came into view and I could see the vastness of the national park. One such clearing was at Donaghys Hill, so I stopped the car and walked to the edge of the parking area and captured this image of the beautiful Tasmania landscape. (2473)
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NO ONE AROUND
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Friday 13 July 2018
This is just one of the beautiful fountains in and around Melbourne. It overlooks St Kilda Road and you can see one of the iconic trams in the background. This would normally be a very busy thoroughfare but it was early in the morning when I visited, so no one was around, thank goodness. (2472)
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A SERIOUS PHOTOGRAPHER
Addiscot Beach, Victoria, Australia
Thursday 12 July 2018
The blue hour was just finishing and the colour of the rising sun began to appear. I stood watching the spectacular, with my tripod steadied and my camera pointed at these large rocks, the only point of interest at this location. In my apparent enthusiasm for capturing a good image, I forgot the one thing that could ruin the experience, the ocean! It decided to take a swipe at me, with a larger than anticipated wave washing over my boats and half way up my legs. There is a point where a serious photographer thinks to them self, will I hang on as my camera is halfway through the shot, or should I flee out of harm's way. I went for the serious option. (2471)
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A STANDOUT
Boat Harbour Beach, Tasmania, Australia
Wednesday 11 July 2018
I found that the rocks on the beaches in Tasmania were very different to those I experience along the Great Ocean Road. The red stains on many of the beaches are an example of this difference, and certainly, make a boring image much more interesting. This image at Boat Harbour Beach is just such an example, with the red strip on the rocks a standout part of the photography. (2470)
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NOT POSTCARD WORTHY
Red Rocks Beach, Victoria, Australia
Tuesday 10 July 2018
I battled the elements at Red Rocks Beach. I walked along the track that went above the rocks only to find that there wasn't a way to safely get down to the beach. I carefully climbed over dozens of huge rocks and safely avoided breaking any limbs or camera gear, so as to find a place to take a decent photo, but the sea was incredibly rough. The sky was also overcast and threatening rain, so I pushed on quickly, taking this and a number of other images of a slightly coloured sky, and of course the aptly named red rocks. After the disappointment of not finding a postcard-worthy picture, I had to walk a huge distance back to the car. Not my most successful photographic adventure. (2469)
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EVER CHANGING
Nelson Falls, Tasmania, Australia
Monday 9 July 2018
The Nelson Falls are almost hidden from view as I walked back along the river from the viewing area. I find it amazing at how much the National Park changes each time I visit, with large trees that have fallen, new trees beginning to grow, moss and fungi flourishing while debris from large winter flows has been strewn along the river bank. Nature is ever changing. (2468)
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REMNANTS
Grassy Creek, Victoria, Australia
Sunday 8 July 2018
The rocks along our Great Ocean Road still amaze me. These ones at Grassy Creek, near Eastern View, are the remnants of ancient lava flows, with intricate patterns trapping water from the receding tide. On the morning I visited, there was cloud low on the horizon, and also along the coastal hills, yet the sun was incredibly bright. Not a bad morning to be alive! (2467)
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A DIFFERENT SCENE
Aireys Inlet, Victoria, Australia
Saturday 7 July 2018
I was walking back to my car, after shooting an amazing sunrise at Aireys Inlet when I looked around and spotted a different scene. It was completely different from when I walked to the beach earlier in the near dark. I do love sunbursts like this, and while I don't usually like lots of footprints in the sand, on this occasion they caught the sun nicely, for some foreground interest. (2466)
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WONDERFUL ARCHITECTURE
Docklands, Victoria, Australia
Friday 6 July 2018
Docklands, on the fringe of Melbourne's CBD still amazes me, with its wonderful architecture and the quirky street art. Not to mention the lovely water that reflects the surrounding buildings, and old reminders of the past with bollards and the mooring points where cargo boats once offloaded their goods. A walk through this precinct of the city is well worth your time. (2465)
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INTRICATE PATTERNS
Wye River, Victoria, Australia
Thursday 5 July 2018
The Wye River has made some amazing patterns in the sand as it crosses the beach on its journey to the sea. I find it amazing that these intricate patterns can be found in nature, with no human intervention required. The sun nicely picked out the highs and lows of the artwork and provided a wonderful image for me to share. (2464)
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PERFECTLY MIRRORED
Wynyard, Tasmania, Australia
Wednesday 4 July 2018
Driving out of Wynyard, after having a lovely breakfast, I passed over the Inglis River and looked to my right at this scene. A quick detour, as you do when you are a photographer and I stopped for some photographic therapy. The water on the river was incredibly calm and the reflections of the clouds and trees were perfectly mirrored. This was a wonderful place to visit, and a great way to start the rest of the day. (2463)
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THE PHOENIX
Melbourne, Victoria`, Australia
Tuesday 3 July 2018
'On a plinth in a pond stands “The Phoenix” by Baroness Yrsa Von Leistner. Baroness Yrsa Von Leistner is a German sculptor and painter, her sculptures are scattered around the world from Salzburg, to Goa, to Melbourne. Yrsa Von Leistner’s sculptures are influenced by Rodin’s modernism; the simplified form, the rough and materiality of her figures all indicate his influence. ' [melbourneartcritic.com] (2462)
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THE GOLDEN SEASON
Linton, Victoria, Australia
Monday 2 July 2018
Only two months ago, when the weather was still pleasant and the sun was golden, autumn leaves were falling to the ground. This is my favourite time of the year, with the days a little shorter and not requiring the photographer to leave his bed too early in the morning. The colour of the trees is also a selling point as today's photograph demonstrates. They say that you shouldn't wish your life away, but I can't wait until next autumn, to once again enjoy the colour and comfort that the season provides. (2461)
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SHAFT OF LIGHT
Nelson Falls, Tasmania, Australia
Sunday 1 July 2018
Just below the Nelson Falls, on Tasmania's west coast, the river continues on its way through the national park. The almost red water creates beautiful patterns in parts of the stream as it encounters rocks and fallen trees, but still manages to continue the journey towards the ocean. I love the soft light created by the canopy overhead, with the occasional shaft of light to illuminate the image. (2460)
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