Southern Coast Meetup

A first outing with the Not Only Black And White Meetup Group titled " Southern Exposure - day trip with pools". The aim was to visit the coastal pools between Coalcliff and Port Kembla.  I'm not an admirer of built pools, always preferring the natural rock variety. However the Meetup was an opportunity to connect with like minded people and I preceived it as a challenge to be able to capture a creative image so it was a great learning opportunity.  As the meeting time was 9 a.m I decided to have an earlier start and dropped in at Bald Hill where I spent some time photographing the paragliders.  

The group's first stop was Coalcliff.

 The time was later than optimum, the light was brighter than optimum and the pool was full of club sprinters so it was difficult to capture a satisfactory shot. 

The pebbled shore and rock formations provided other opportunities to experiment with compositions and light shards shimmered on the surface of the ocean and shore, always elusive to capture digitally.

 

Wombarra is always a rewarding location as there are large boulders, rock shelves, and the wave flow can be exciting on a large swell day. Tide was mid height and some interesting reflections were created in the many small rock pools on the shelves.  

The tall order for the group remained unfulfilled as there was much of interest to occupy us at each location and of course there was the distraction of a delicious lunch at the "The Black Duck Restaurant",  hosted within the Scarborough/Wombarra Bowling Club. Certainly an inauspicious looking location but we were impressed by the flavour and size of each item on the menu and the service was efficient and friendly.

Next stop was Austinmer where the pool looked like a bomb site as they are doing some sort of renovations to the swimming pools, so observing families amusing themselves in the natural rock pools was the name of the game.

Due to a small misadventure three of us detoured to Gloucester Boulevarde where we discovered a great little natural rock pool. Unfortunately we were called away to meet up with the rest of the group at Flinders St. to observe the smoke streaming out of the enormous funnels at the Steel Works so that exciting little location will have to wait for another day.

Mount Wilson Sleeps

Never say never. Yet another trip to Mount Wilson in an attempt to drain every last drop of beauty from the Autumn season. First of all Carolyn put my rainbow umbrella to good use.

Colour At Mt. Wilson

A fourth visit to Mt. Wilson this year and each time there is something of beauty to impress. The colour has left the main avenues but there are still intense colours to be found along the side streets and in all the gardens. The red and white mushroom (Amanita muscaria) which grow almost exclusively beneath pine trees are still dotted through the pine needles along the roadsides and in the private gardens. 

We discovered a new location in Breenhold Gardens which is perhaps the most impressive of any location I've seen in all the years I've visited. Two contrasting stone pathways meander from the wisteria arbour down towards the lower level. Named the Acer and Laburnum steps they are created of slate stones and festooned with a myriad of tiny maple shaped leaves. The sunlight radiates through the rich golden and orange branches creating a shimmering dappled light which illuminates the carpeted steps and ornate bench. 

 The Laburnum Steps

The Acer Steps 

The Autumn colours lend themselves beautifully to Impressionist interpretations

Fitzroy Falls Delivers

Sydney has been hit by heavy rains again but we didnt let it ruin our plans for a photo excursion. Travelling via Audley Weir where the foliage had been pretty much flattened we decided to head to Mittagong on the hunt for colour once again. First we had a brief stopover at Wattamolla where the Falls were flowing but unfortunately it was high tide so access to the shore was blocked spoiling the classic composition. 

The colour at Mittagong and then Sutton Forest was scattered throughout the region and we were lucky enough to sight a peaceful leaf strewn driveway after taking a slight detour. 

Driving on the less travelled feeder roads always produces some unexpected treasures. 

On the trip towards home we stopped by Fitzroy Falls. The previous time I visited this location, the view of the falls had been obscured by foliage, but this appears to have been removed. The rangers have done a wonderful job of maintaining this area and it is invigorating to be surrounded by our beautiful native trees and plants. The initial view from the first viewing platform was unfortunately hindered by the information plaque. 

Access to the next viewing platform was down a series of steps but provided an uninterrupted view of the entire Falls. We only had time to grab a reconn shot of the Falls before the rain drove us back towards the car.