As the Train of Lights Show draws to a close (finishes 9th July) for another year, I went with some friends to view the train at various points on Fielder Bank, Gembrook and Cockatoo. Here are some of the shots I got that night.
Puffing Billy Train of Lights
I had the wonderful opportunity, recently, of shooting the Train of Lights Show with Puffing Billy while travelling on the train. Such a great adventure. This is the second year they have run it which is during the winter school holidays here in Victoria, Australia. It’s well and truly dark by 6pm and the show…
Autumn in my garden
Our first Autumn here in our home in Selby back in 2010 was a wonderful surprise. We just had no idea what it would be like. Our front fence is a mustard yellow and it blends beautifully with the Autumn colours. I was told, early in our time here, by a neighbour, that our home…
Autumn in the Hills
Recently I visited the Dandenong Ranges Botanic Gardens. We really are spoiled for choice here with so much to visit and see. As the weather gets colder and wetter it’s often just tempting to stay inside our nice warm homes. But it really is worth the effort to get out and about, especially if it’s…
Nature Photography – good for the mind, body and soul
Many who are out there every day with their cameras already know this, but probably others don’t. That photography, particularly nature photography, is good for the mind, the body and the soul. It connects you with nature, takes you away from whatever may be troubling you and allows you to just take in your surroundings…
A sharp eye and curious mind
I often get told I must have sharp eyesight. I tell people I’m always on the lookout for a change of shape, change of colour, movement and sound, when out and about. It helps if you revisit the same areas often as you get to know the trees, fallen logs, bushes and so on. You…
Products I have available
I have a number of items available – I still have several Bird Calendars available, now at a reduced rate of $10 each plus postage. I also have the Words on Birds books 1 and 2, Birdsland Bird Posters, covering 50 species and a new book, Katara’s Wish, a story about a little girl visiting…
Blue-banded Bee hides from me
I watched this Blue-banded Bee in the garden. She flew in between two Salvia flowers, then pulled them together to hide. From me, most likely. Was amazing to watch. I had to shift my position to get the last shot so I could peek into the two flowers from a different angle….
Commended in Australian Photographer of the Year 2022
Late last year I was advised I’d been shortlisted for the Australian Photographer of the Year. Today I received a certificate for being Commended in the Animal & Nature Category for my portfolio of 4 photos: Mother and Joey Special Times. I took these photos at Lysterfield Lake last year when showing a photographer friend…
The Brolgas are dancing
No, we don’t have Brolgas in the Dandenong Ranges but this was so special, I wanted to share it with you all. I regularly go visit the Western Treatment Plant at Point Wilson, going once a month. It’s a good 200km round trip from where I live to there and back and I usually stay…
Weekend Birder Interview
I’m a featured guest this week on Weekend Birder! I was interviewed late last year and the podcast has now gone live as of this morning. You’ll see it at https://www.weekendbirder.com/ with my photo and previous guests who have been interviewed too. It is an honour to be invited to do this amongst many other…
Finding new chicks
I was surprised to see two Noisy Miner nests today, at Birdsland, that had young chicks in them. I had thought they’d probably stopped breeding by now but it seems not. Although, I have read and heard that not all birds breed only at springtime, some do breed for longer periods or all year round….