Foggy Morn

The first true fog of the season arrived today and didn't lift until about 10 a.m. I headed for the nearest scenic location, the wharf at Como, however it was looking pretty lacklustre as the wharf was still cordoned off for repairs and all the available angles looked pretty boring. I thought I may be able to get some decent shots on the bridge and spent a fair bit of time playing around with reflections in the puddles on the bridge and the spiders' webs attached to the wire fences alongside the railway track.

It was actually intriguing to see the variety of web structures - it was like a tiny spider village. Some homes were perfectly maintained, some damaged, some embellished by water droplets, some inhabited, some abandoned, some securely anchored, some clinging precariously to a single anchor point, some secluded and some clustered close together in groups. Although I was unsuccessful in locating a striking web heavily laden with glistening liquid orbs, it was an enjoyable way to spend a few hours, great to be out in the fog and I was able to capture a few acceptable shots.

Yena Sunrise At High Tide

One of my favourite times to shoot is just after the sun has risen and the new day's light casts a golden glow over everything in its path. I've not published most of my images from this time period because SOOC they look over saturated and I just can't bring myself to tone the colour down.  I went to Yena with Carolyn and we carefully made our way to our own vantage points close to the crashing waves. It was a beautiful mild morning and exhilarating to be down close to the water without having to scale any cliffs or risk life and limb. Just as well we had to waves to shoot because the sunrise was definitely lacklustre. Many of the craters in the rock shelf comprised of exposed Hawkesbury sandstone were filled with water which created some great opportunities for reflections.

 It was worth another trip back for me later on in the morning after we'd had breakfast at Kurnell. I spent some time on the cliffs at Solander to make up for the other day when the wind was blowing so hard that I was unable to stand upright or hold the camera steady.

Pottering Around Potter's

I've always found it confusing distinguishing between some of the coast locations accessible from Kurnell at one end and Cronulla at the other end. I set out on yet another sunrise hunt, however the sad tradition of unrealised expectations was to continue. All was fine when I left home but the minute I opened the car door at Potter Point the cold winds made their presence felt and it became blatantly obvious that there would be limited colour or cloud in the sky.  Hood up and buttons fastened, I was determined not to leave empty handed so I occupied myself by taking shots of many of the rock formations which resembled strange coastal figures.

 I was lucky enough to score some fairly good shots of crows which appeared in a large group and seemed most interested in what I was doing. It brought back memories of Hitchcock's " Birds". It caused me to ensure I kept well away from the cliff's edge in case their circling was in anticipation of pecking on my remains once I'd fallen to my demise.

The following video created by a photo buddy explains how to reach the Point and showcases some of the attractions. Read " Cronulla to the far left" as " Cronulla to the far right" :-)

The following map seems quite detailed and removed the confusion.

The A.N.Z.A.C Tradition

I'm somewhat ashamed to admit this was my first attendance at the A.N.Z.A.C Day dawn service and march. Previously I had always been a participant from the warmth of my loungeroom. I was both surprised and chuffed that the turnout was of mammoth proportions. It takes quite a bit of commitment to rouse oneself at 3 a.m in order to make the long trip to the city, particularly those of advanced years and those with young children.

The mood was respectful and nothing occurred to mar the solemnity of the occasion. After the Dawn Service I made my way down to Circular Quay, then returned to the Cenotaph for the commencement of the march at 9 a.m. Quite by accident I positioned myself in a decent spot ( photographically speaking) on the Cenotaph side of George Street which meant that I escaped having to look into the sun as the march progressed.

Diggers who are no longer with us were represented by descendants of all ages marching in their stead.

 

What really impressed me was the spirit which emanated from the old Diggers, some veterans of a number of wars or peace keeping missions. The tenacity which enabled them to partake in such a long and demanding march was sustained I am sure, not only by their sons and daughters who physically supported them but by the spirit of lost comrades. Their courage and selflessness is as evident today as it was when they placed their lives on the line many many years ago.

 "They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them." 

 For our today, they gave their tomorrows

Surfs Up - In A Big Way !

During a stay with my cousin who lives down the South Coast we visited Huskisson Beach where the swell was enormous.

View South Coast Holiday in a larger map

Luckily the sun was behind clouds which reduced the glare of facing towards the light and we were able to find a great vantage point where we could position ourselves to the side of the surfers and obtain a better shot. Even so we were quite a distance away from the action and it was quite a challenge to maintain focus. The surfers were having a great deal of difficulty even getting into the water and I spent ages waiting for that moment to capture the moment. Luckily I was able to grab one shot just before we decided to leave in order to escape the escalating winds.

Autumn Days in the Blue Mountains

I decided to risk the predicted inclement weather and visit a number of Blue Mountain locations. My main aim was to avoid the tourists and large crowds, so I planned on arriving at Katoomba for the rising of the sun. Although the sunrise was less than spectacular, there were only a handful of people until about 8.30 a.m and better still, the parking meters are not functional until 9.00 a.m.

Mt. Wilson

By the time I reached Mt. Wilson it was raining intermittently, so while the light was better, it is always somewhat challenging to shoot while holding a camera in one hand and an umbrella in the other. One stroke of luck - there are a number of private gardens at Mt. Wilson, renowned for its Autumn colours. One of them, Breenhold Gardens, is extensive and as luck would have it,  due to the poor weather, there was no admission charge. On a return trip I will ensure that I take a map in order to spend more time here and plan my route.

I'm still working on images taken on this trip. Im afraid they've been pushed way to the end of the priority pile.

At Rest In La Perouse

Another serendipitous discovery from a visit to La Perouse was Pioneer Memorial Park  created in 1776 by Botany Cemetery Trust from gravestones transferred from Sand Hills cemetery Devonshire St. Sydney to old Bunnerong cemetery in 1901.

My First Sunset

I've decided I prefer sunsets to sunrises - the light is still magnificent as it changes from gold to deep blue, and with the absence of the sun there's no need to worry about blow outs. I was driving on my way home from visiting my cousin and noticed the most amazing cloud formations so I raced down to Shelly Beach and spent a few hours just drinking it in. The image below is SOOC except for the crop and signature.

Oak Park

Oak Park is the southernmost of Cronulla's rock pools and known for its distinctive dressing-pavilion.

Linked to Cronulla by The Esplanade which is a popular walking track, it has a rocky shoreline and ocean baths. Many scuba divers use the end of this rock pool to enter the ocean for one of the best shore dive locations in Sydney. There is a grassed area and some seating but the ocean baths are not patrolled by lifeguards.

It's a reasonable location for sunrises as a step to the right makes the most of any cloud action highlighted by the rising sun and a few steps to the left takes you to Shelly Beach where you can grab some great reflections in the pool.

View Oak Park in a larger map
 

Lesson learnt: Buy a lightweight torch for establishing focus when it's pitch black and you have to clamber over rocks.Big is definitely not best with respect to torches. Head light here I come !

At this rate I'll need my own Sherpa to lug my gear ! Minimal time to play with long exposures.

My initial visit was with two Focus buddies Carolyn and Megan in an endeavour to capture one of those elusive sunrises ( for me anyway). The minute we stepped out of the car what had been star filled, skies turned to cloud cover and the wind whipped up. It looked like it was going to pour down but with time the sun did break through momentarily, however all the clouds with colour were around the corner and by the time we reached the optimum spot they would have dispersed :-(

 

We did finally get a touch of colour near the pool but by that time it was lucky the clouds had increased or otherwise the sun would have ended up being a blown out blob - must try my ND Filters ! 

 I love the golden light which bathes everything as the sun just frees itself from the horizon

One of my favourites from the morning looking back towards Shelly Beach

As the sun rose higher in the sky it provided an opportunity to silhouette the surfers against the sparkling water

Some of the wave action was amazing as the wind increased

I always find it difficult to choose an effective crop for surfing images

My subsequent visit was with a new Focus buddy, Chris and I came better prepared this time although watching Chris made me realise what a boon ND filters are for controlling solar blow outs.It was intriguing to see what a difference the light made on the day. Same location, completely different shots.

A pretty lame attempt at long exposure but I quite like the desaturated effect.

Chris's camera inadvertently became the star of the show.

 

 The swimmers and surfers were backlit by the rays of the rising sun.

It was interesting to see the change in colour in the sky, within the space of a few minutes

The ghost of a surfer waiting to launch into the swell

The golden light of a new dawn. A dad gives surfing lessons to his small daughter

Wattamolla Sunrise

Sunrise at Wattamolla (or that was the idea) !

Wattamolla is a sheltered cove with a sandy bar at the inlet behind which lies a lagoon fed by the waters of Wattamolla Creek and Coote Creek. This lagoon  then enters the sea via an ankle-deep (so they say) stream at one end. Coote Creek finds its way down another valley, then as a beautiful waterfall, it rushes over a sandstone rock face into the lagoon below ( sourced from Wikipedia )

Although the sky was very cloudy the rain appeared to be holding off so David Mills and I decided to give it a go. Walked down the path to the lagoon where we took some shots of  the lone palm tree and waterfall, then on to the beach where we had to negotiate the narrow channel to reach the sand. David assured me the tide was going out so apart from initially sinking almost up to my knees in something akin to quicksand I was able to take some shots looking out towards the horizon. Missed a great shot of some guys jumping off the rocks at the top of the waterfall. Must go back with my wide angle.
Reminder to self : Don't ask David again for his opinion about tides ! On the way back the channel was deeper and wider :-)