Tall Trees

The following are shots from my recent trip to the "Sugar Pine Walk" just out of Tumbarumba in Laurel Hill. These pines have been let go wild and give an idea how grand nature can get if we give it enough time to reach its potential. While not exactly redwoods, an experience nonetheless.

Light shows, rain and Wasps

Good rain at last after a long hot dry spell and temperatures over 40 degrees Celsius.

This picture as this latest storm approached .

The rain also afforded a little nest building for this formidable looking wasp. 

With its head down and tilting its body in a "head stand" position it rolled large balls of mud.

Flying off , it returned at minute long intervals all afternoon to repeat the process.

A very cagey and private creature, I have not yet been able to locate the nest.

As it returns to the same position continuously to collect mud I will attempt a video of this soon.

Xmas eve storms 2012

Its been a great year for photography and the huge storms that lashed NSW Australia on Xmas eve were no exception. Here is an animation of the build up and light show that has been compiled from the sequential shots taken that day.

Have a great New Year and see you for more in 2013. 

Macro Explosion

A burst of hot days has seen an explosion of insect life.

Having moved to a new area I am presented with many new creatures to photograph.

Here is a small collection of some of my most recent macro shots.

With the new macro configuration giving good DOF and colour rendition/ sharpness the fun is just beginning

We still haven't had a good lightning storm here, though with all the warm weather it is only a matter of time.

Those storm chases amongst you keep an eye out.

Sixth Birthday

Today is the sixth anniversary of my blog and I'm on the move and unable to post much. It is the first time I have mobile blogged though. Here are a few shots of my new stomping ground that promises a new range of nature to capture from massive storms to the smallest of creatures. I hope you have enjoyed the last six years. There's much more to come.

Pollinators

With Spring well under way everything is in bloom and its harvest time for those great pollinators the bees.

Here are a few shots dedicated to those who help feed us with more than just honey and keep colour in our lives.

Into Spring

Things are warming up, though Winter hasn't totally given up its grasp with the occasional return to quite cold weather. The thunder storms have begun rolling in though, a sure sign that change is in the air.

There is quite a bit of pollen in that air too. Below a shot of a peach orchard in flower with rolling hills on a misty morning.

Apples are also in blooming, though the storms of late have taken a toll .

Those storms should afford some great shots soon hopefully.

First signs of Spring

Although Spring is still a few days away nature has already made her mind up with a number of great days full of the potential that can be felt as Winter ends. Just ask those who suffer hay fever.

To acknowledge the coming of Spring here are a few blossom shots.

With the coming of Spring is the arrival of some of this areas best thunder storms.

I will be out chasing this year with some new territory to shoot.

Here's another shot with Spring colours backdropped with ominous thunder clouds.

Last of the Autumn Colours

With winter well established I stopped at a spot along Blowering Dam to grab these following shots.
Most leaves have already fallen, with this striking display of yellow being Autumn's last hurrah.

Transit of Venus 06.06.12

Over the last few years there have been quite a few interesting conjunctions alignments and such,

though the transit of Venus today was quite a bonus to see in ones lifetime. 

Not due again for quite a while, it was great that the clouds parted long enough to get

a few shots of an event so tied to Australian History.

Captain Cook was sent south, partly, to witness such an event so as to gain vital triangulations

that, when compared with those taken across the globe, would help calculate the distance of Venus

from the sun and, therefore, help in  calculations for the orbits of other planets, the Earth included.

So, here's my shot of the event.

With a partial eclipse due soon, the sky is keeping me busy as the creatures of the Earth slumber in Winter's grip, and with a new macro outfit constructed you can expect some real close-ups this Spring of a more terrestrial nature.

Winter is almost here

With winter fast approaching trees are losing their leaves and, with a move to a more highland environment, I am able to enjoy the seasons that such an inland elevation affords.

Below are a couple of pictures that illustrate the colour on display.

Insects are few, though this little Leaf Spider must have thought there were a few around and gave me a chance to test out my new macro lens a little early.

Im looking forward to some majestic landscapes as the snow season starts soon.