Farewell to Sydney

It was with mixed feelings that I attended my last Sydney shoot accompanied by a dear kindred spirit. Ruth and I always have such fun together and I was keen to show her a foggy lagoon in the Richmond Lowlands. In spite of this plan being thwarted it was a wonderful way to say farewell photographically speaking to some of my favourite haunts, laughing our way through the day and simply being thankful for the solace provided by the unbeatable combination of easy friendship and Mother Nature.

Travelling along the freeway we were treated to an unexpected magnificent sunrise. We were lucky enough to find somewhere to pull over and take a phone shot.

 Perhaps this was Mother Nature's apology in advance for her failure to provide me with the foggy morning I'd so desired.

The Richmond lowlands are renowned for their wonderful foggy dawns and Yarramundi Lagoon provides a great opportunity to walk on a strip on land right in the middle of the Nepean River with many comps possible. The reality was nothing like the expectation. Flood waters appeared to have washed away the old jetty (photographed on a previous trip)
 and access to the landmass was blocked by swirling waters. In spite of the absence of fog, the lagoon yielded some wonderful reflection shots, so our quest was not completely fruitless.

The Secret Life Of Trees

Initially I was going to post this image in the Paulownia post but decided I'd prefer to showcase it because trees are one of my favourite subjects. I frequently see faces in the trunks of trees and I regard them as guardians of the Earth. One of the aspects I love most about trees is their anthropomorphic natures. When I was a schoolgirl the school choir sang a song at the yearly concert, based on a poem titled "Trees" written by American author Joyce Kilmer.  Although quite simplistically stated, I think it is one of the most beautiful poems due to the sentiments it contains and although I disliked singing, the words of that song frequently pass across my mind when I observe trees as I'm out and about. This one really does seem to be raising its arm towards the Heavens.

I think that I shall never see, a poem lovely as a tree.

A tree whose hungry mouth is pressed .... against the Earth's sweet flowing breast.

A tree which looks at God all day, and lifts her leafy arms to pray.

A tree that may in summer wear, a nest of robins in her hair.
Upon whose bosom snow has lain...... who intimately lives with rain.
Poems are made by fools like me, but only God can make a tree.

 Many of the single blossoms once freed from their groups were strewn on the forest floor and to me, they resemble a cross between a hibiscus and an iris. It is fascinating to see the trees at all stages of growth.
A fallen tree  resembled a fallen warrior amongst the ranks.  The markings on the bark of the Paulownia trees look like eyes, which provides a somewhat sinister atmosphere for some, however I think it emphasises the fact that trees are living organisms, possessing an almost spiritual demeanour, ever watchful guardians of the earth.

Only a few of the trees had been harvested on this occasion. Paulownia timber is used for a variety of purposes.

The leaves are large and resemble elephant ear palms.
 
 Wandering through the plantation wafts of perfume drifted in the early morning air accompanied by the buzzing of bees. Apparently Paulownia blossoms can also be used to produce honey.

Some of the fallen trees seem like they're reclining nonchalantly on the forest floor.
 
 Others provide shade which protects the burgeoning life reaching from  the undergrowth, dandelions, poppies and a myriad of other delicate plants

 The trunks of trees are scarred, gnarled and etched with a variety of indentations

 Others given witness to new life.

Paulownia In Bloom

Several trips to the Paulownia Plantation at Richmond have done nothing to dampen my enthusiasm for this location. Returned with the Focus crew to observe the trees adorned with their Spring finery. The blossoms were far larger than I'd imagined and although cloud cover prevented any rays from shining through the trees and creating the type of atmosphere I'd imagined, the experience was no less enjoyable.

Nature never fails to deliver. My gift on this occasion was the discovery of an unfamiliar type of dandelion and a felled tree which provided a different perspective on these magnificent trees. I was also able to spend some quiet time alone wandering amongst the trees as everyone else went to breakfast and I encountered a man who had come to harvest some turf and kindly allowed me access. 

For anyone who doubts the power of post processing I offer the following before and after examples of one of my countless shots from the day.  Irrespective of tastes, the profound difference is undeniable. 

SOOC

Post Processing

Post Processing Plus Oil Paint Filter using Topaz Impression

  A contrasting view of a different avenue, created using "Impressions",  the new Topaz software plugin for Photoshop.

Paulownia Sunrise

Returning to the Paulownia Plantation at Richmond had been on my agenda for some time. As luck would have it, the Focus Group arranged a sunrise shoot. Hoping to perhaps score a foggy morning 30 of us eagerly arrived to encounter a temp of 0 degrees but alas, no fog. We all became so engrossed in what we were doing that I failed to even be aware of the sun colouring the sky until it had completely risen. Slowly shards of golden light filtered amongst the rows of tall majestic trees, arms reaching for the anticipated warmth. 

It is generally my habit to anthropomorphise my surroundings, and today the guardians of the forest made themselves visible. 

Copious photo opportunities were evident but time as always was the intruder and the opportunity to photograph so many small details which caught my eye was sabotaged:  dew glistening on the abandoned spiders webs;  frost encrusted dandelions at all stages of growth;  spiky seed pods; fallen crinkled leaves lying inert as testimony to the fact that Autumn had not long ago passed; Paulownia seedlings struggling to compete with their taller brothers and sisters and of course those thousands of gnarled eyes on each and every trunk.

One of the advantages of this location is its sheer size. Endless compositions are evident and it becomes so difficult to select the best method of showcasing the Plantation's dimensions, beauty and intricacies.

Hopefully another opportunity will present itself and I will be able to return again to the plantation.