Sulphur-crested Cockatoos claiming their nests - 5 October 2019

It’s nesting season. Activity is frantic. Much excitement amongst the crazy cockatoo pairs as they prepare to add to their families. All pictures and video captured with the Sony RX10iv on 5 October 2019. Enjoy!

The Sulphur-crested Cockatoos are seeking out and claiming their nesting hollows in Shepherds Bush. Much excitement as they prepare for the next generation!

Video was captured at 1920x1080 at 100p (i.e. 100 frames per second) captured at a shutter speed of 1/200 (i.e. twice the frame rate). First edits are at normal speed. Second half is slowed to 25% (i.e. 25 frames per second. Processed / made with iMovie. I love the sound they make slowed down. If you have sensitive hearing, turn down the volume!

Long exposure photography in Melbourne : A quick look at the Benro FIF19CIB0 Carbon Fibre Transfunctional iFoto Series 1 Tripod Kit

A successful tripod hunt in the city lead to a tripod test in Docklands. One could hardly find a more ideal location to become better acquainted with a new toy. Here brand new creatively conceived structures sprout from each salt water sided quay like mushrooms on steroids, providing countless photo-friendly views and even some reflections. Today was more cloudy than sunny with a little wind to drive the clouds across the sky. Just the kind of weather for long exposures. What’s the most important item of photography gear in your bag?

The Melbourne Star, Docklands [330s F5.6 ISO200 ND64 + ND1000)

So, the Benro FIF19CIB0 Carbon Fiber Transfunctional iFoto Series 1 Tripod Kit .. seriously how do they arrive at these names … is a compact travel / backpacking tripod. Kit because one leg is removable and can function as a monopod. Kit because the centre column is reversible so you can get the camera very near the ground if you need to. I needed a tripod that could fit IN, rather than ON, my bag. This one qualifies as it folds all the way back on itself to 35cm. But extends to some 146cm .. call it 1.5m tall. It weighs 1.4kg but is claimed the pre-installed head can support an 8kg load. I am quite sure it would support more though it’s always advisable to play by the rules. The tripod comes in the obligatory box that includes a nicely thought out canvas bag with a usable handle/sling. Unfortunately the sling isn’t removable from the bag which means you can’t quickly interlock it to/around your backpack without using extra fasteners. Still it’s always a nice touch to have a nice strong bag to carry equipment in. Also included in the bag is a hex/allen key for maintaining some of the joints on the body.

Sky rushing over the Bolte Bridge, Docklands [176s F5.6 ISO200 ND64 + ND1000]

Ok, starting with the FEET: It comes clad with nice sturdy rubber feet and, in the box, three sharp stainless steel spikes for icy conditions. Each foot screws in to the base of each leg in a very secure way. They seem unlikely to tear off like those of some inferior tripods.

Modern buildings look so stylish : Docklands [281s F5.6 ISO200 ND64 + ND1000]

The BODY/LEGS: Ok, so, the good news is I really like it. The appearance, build quality, feel, fit, use in the hands, is excellent. No sharp edges, nothing to bite me. Yes I’ve been bitten badly by one tripod… plenty of blood… these things you only discover in the field when a perfect moment must be captured quickly and you’re rushing. Once bitten… so careful ever after with “that other” tripod. It is easy to open, close, fold, whatever. Each five-section leg is equipped with four twist-locks. All, together, can be conveniently loosened with one smooth twist of the wrist. That’s probably the key advantage of the twist-locking system. Of course you can’t see if they’re locked but they’re easy enough to lock… I didn’t find any legs unexpectedly shrinking. At the end of the day after several hours of use there were no fuzzy photographs so the conclusion is: it works. ( For the record I used the Olympus EM1-ii and the 12-100mm lens with a Nisi filter kit on it … so we’re not testing the mass limit of the tripod ).

A neat angle selection mechanism allows each leg to be locked at 23, 55 or 80 degrees. The system isn’t unique to Benro, but on this tripod seems perfectly implemented as the locks feel just right and are easy to set. All set up the tripod stands super firm. I felt very confident to walk away and not return to find it blown off its feet. No complaints with the legs after a few hours use.

The centre column is easily enough removed by unscrewing the sturdy hanger mechanism at its base. The centre column comprises two tubes which enables one to almost double it (the column) length. This is particularly useful when it is attached to the single leg as it enables the monopod to reach 1.5m height. That is probably tall enough for most, although not all, photographers. One trivial complaint is that the twist-lock mechanism controlling the extension of the centre column operates in the opposite direction from all the other twist locks on the tripod. I found that counter-intuitive and slightly confusing. But it’s not really an issue once you get used to it. One would (imo) only use it when using the monopod as raising the centre column in tripod mode is normally not a good idea except if there’s really no other way to get the height.

Wait, that’s not a tripod shot : But I simply had to take this portrait of a beautiful Docklands resident

The HEAD: I used to think I could just get a nice body and worry about the head later. WRONG. You pay so much more if you do that. Now days we have choices. So many choices. There is no reason to buy a tripod without a decent head. Unless you already have a favourite you intend to transplant. This tripod comes equiped with a BENRO IB0 Ball head. It’s a reasonably neat, solid head weighing about 320g, and equipped with three knobs. The largest, maybe disturbingly labelled, a “Ball lock”; the next a “Friction control” and the last, a “Pan lock”. They do as their labels suggest. I like that one can independently control the friction from the locking/unlocking. It worked very well enabling me to find a position where I felt the right amount of friction making it easy enough to quickly level the camera before locking the ball. Importantly, their was no noticeable change in alignment on actually tightening the ball lock. Shifting alignment on tightening can be a real ball breaker (excuse the pun) with some ball heads. Finally it’s worth noting the head attaches to the body with a very solid 9mm bolt. The head is easily enough removed by twisting off the body but it won’t fall off in a hurry as several full twists are required. I see no double locking mechanism to prevent the head from being unscrewed but no need for one either. Ok, moving on.

From wharf to Harbour Town [155s F5.6 ISO200 ND64 + ND1000 Two Images, Focus Stacked]

The top PLATE: A compact PU30 Arca Swiss type plate sits atop the head. The plate includes a small spirit level. It’s works well enough, although users of larger cameras may find it too small to properly lock on to the base. That’s not a show stopper because it’s Arca Swiss compatible and many will substitute with L brackets anyway. The release lever includes a double locking mechanism. Unscrew it to loosen but the camera can’t fall off as there are locks left/right; one must pull the lever away from tripod (toward yourself) and then rotate it further to enable equipment to be removed. Seems almost idiot proof. And I could too easily be the idiot who would loosen the plate screw instead of the ball head… so including this protection can be a camera / lens saver.

In conclusion: In a one-day-test situation it’s all good. Nothing negative to be said for it other than it would have been even better if the carry bag could have had a removable carry strap. Overall it’s quite reasonable value for money at AUD329 from digidirect.com.au in Elizabeth Street, Melbourne, considering that one is able to call it a “Two for the price of one” including the monopod.

I will update this blog from time to time as this tripod weathers with me. And of course the tripod is the most important item in your bag for long exposures.

But wait, there’s more!

Black Swan : They know they have us wrapped around their gorgeousness… they do.

Image from the Benro website

It's Autumn, but it feels like Winter

Yes, it does. Colder than last year for sure. But we do have a way of forgetting how extreme our less pleasant experiences are. Which is, generally, a good thing. Unless you enjoy freezing your skin off. But I digress.

Autumn is, surely, the most beautiful time of year for the eyes. It's hard to take an ordinary photograph. Just walk down the street and look at the trees. The leaves are amazing. Our brains filter out the ugly cars, wheelie-bins and other stuff humans leave on the sidewalks and we just think: "Wow!". It's the task of the photographer to find locations and make images without such distractions. Because once it's on the screen or wall, once we've forgotten about Autumn and all its charm, as the Winter chill sets in, we see those other ordinary things. But again I digress.

Ok, so last weekend I drove one hour North East to the Maroondah Reservoir Park. Such a unique setting. Here they built a huge Reservoir but, instead of closing it off to visitors, made it an attraction planting and maintaining beautiful gardens with Exotic and Native trees. There are forest trails, walks which can be quite steep; but also the must do Rose Staircase to enable visitors to reach the height of the Reservoir wall and explore. Rose gardens are maintained either side of the stairs. At the right time(s) of year it really wouldn't get much better. And it's free to visit and enjoy. On the North West side of the parking area is a substantial picnic area on the level below the Reservoir complete with barbecue facilities. Plenty of grass for kids to play soccer and Cockatoos to hang out. There were plenty of the latter, much to the pleasure of some visitors photographing the birds.

I didn't photograph the birds, play soccer or test the barbecue facilities... this time. I was too busy walking and photographing the remains of Autumn leaves. Probably one or two weeks two late, but better so than never. Here they are. Please comment / like if you can, if you enjoy!

Autumn leaves are everywhere. In the background the Reservoir Wall is visible, holding back up to 22,179 Mega Litres of Water. Now that's water!

Looking down from the top of the wall. In the previous photograph I stood near the top left of this one. Of course you can't see me :-)

While up on the level of the wall the sun fell sweetly on some interesting skinny (maybe dead) trees far away. At the same time it was very cloudy and misty everywhere else.

Some great Architecture even in the functional structures at this Reservoir. Even though we had heaps of rain a couple of days before it's obvious we could use more!

Standing on the huge wall. The view East. Heavy clouds threatening rain. I like this sort of day more than summer sunshine for photography. No editing is needed to make it moody!

Looking down on an old Pump-station surrounded, covered, by leaves. ( who knows ... i'm guessing ).

A view down on the huge wall. Plenty of water below, and an occasional drop from above.

Ascending the Rose Staircase. Unfortunately the rose blossoms are already gone but Autumn colours can be seen. Even by me.

Descending the steps while others ascend. Lovely autumn colours. I hope you enjoyed!

Pathways strewn with the beautiful leaves. Fall Autumn. Till next time.

Like catching up with old friends : The Scarlets are back!

I have the worst cold. But it was a beautiful day outside and I wondered if the Scarlets might be back. I've been photographing the same pair (in some woodlands only about 3km from my house) since 2015. So I had to go and see. Could they be back?

We don't know where they go during Spring / Summer. Some say they go to "the hills". I'd last seen them in July or August. When you can't find them you realise you've developed quite an attachment to the tiny insect eating birds. And I always hope to see them next year.

I usually find them by listening for the reassuring but subtle 'tick ticking' between them. I've never heard them call loudly. Often you'll only spot one when it drops from a tree onto an unsuspecting prey before quickly returning to the safety of a tree. Fortunately for photographers they prefer low branches. They're also far from shy. More than willing to work an area while I click away. Smart enough and self assured to assess risk, I reckon. 

Well the great news is I found both of them safe and sound in exactly the area they've called home for Winter for (at least) four, maybe more, years. Here's a collection of the gorgeous pair taken over the last few years, beginning with one of each from this evening.

Mrs Scarlet: 7 April 2018: Oh, it's you again!

Mr Scarlet: 7 April 2018 : Surveying the world below

Mrs S : 2 July 2016 : At her most beautiful

Mr S : 25 April 2017 : In the mist!

Mrs S : 25 April 2016 : On the fence at sunset. Robins like fences so much. 

Mr S : 27 April 2015 : So proud of his catch!

Mr S : 6 June 2015 : Almost adorable!

Bike ride, Melbourne

One of these days I'll hook a camera on the bicycle and try to youtube the ride to the city. It's pretty, interesting, scenic. Half the fun in going into the city with a camera is getting there on a bicycle. The ride takes me roughly 1.5hours vs half an hour in the car. Felt like a good opportunity to unwind and burn some chocolate energy. Especially on a perfectly still blue-sky 22 degree day in Autumn.

I try to get something different each time I take the camera out. I still see perfect moments and forget (or am not ready) to click the shutter. If you neglect this 'art' you definitely slow down. Even if you're not artistic and I don't think I really am but I try. And it's good to walk and breath the air either way.

I usually take two cameras. One, an inconspicuous compact fixed 35mm focal length which usually takes most of the shots. The other a compact with a zoom lens just in case. Only used the zoom lens to compress the buttons on the concrete block (see lower down). Anyhow, here are some of my favs from today. Enjoy!

Such a good looking Tram, they should expect to have their pictures taken!

Spectacular new artwork on the old Nylex Silos.

This guy has incredibly strong fingers, hand, arm. He could do one-handed push up to his finger tips and then rotate his body. The word "Incredible" comes to mind.

They seem to like it (the pic they took)

Melbourne is now littered with huge concrete blocks intended to deter crazy people in vehicles running down pedestrians. Most blocks have been decorated by the creatively inspired. Some more inspired than others. This must be one of the more intricate ones, adorned with colourful buttons!

Everyone in Melbourne should have an umbrella cause you never know when... 

The Princes Bridge Hotel. Generally less photographed than it should be. Because we all focus on Flinders Street Station (just opposite - and in the background here). I still haven't a perfect shot at this place. Will keep trying.

So now I can repair my bike if it breaks down. In theory. Suspect all I'd be able to do is pump a tyre. But it's better than nothing and it's free!

Iphone pano from underneath the highway. No edits. Not perfect. But you get the idea. They are huge!

Supafish. Floating restaurant and recent addition to Southbank. It appears to be very popular, both with diners and photographers taken by the clever fish-like-skeletal structure. As you can see the leaves have begun to fall. It's Autumn!

Photographing POWERFUL OWLS (and other birds)

It can be difficult to be motivated to pick up a camera and go out looking for pics. Street, no, don't feel creative. Landscape, no, what landscape. Seascape, no, too far in the car. Birds, no won't find anything. Whatever, excuses come easily. Sometimes it feels like it isn't warm enough to step out. How can it already be Autumn?!

But at least it's Good Friday so I could grab a much needed sleep in. Then I hauled the big lens into Dandenong Valley Wetlands. Hoping to find a Raptor hunting. Walked 3km slowly but after an hour I had seen nothing except two Magpies and a handful of Fairy-wrens. Returned home and lazed around some more feeling... no motivation.

Gave it a break for few hours... then thought maybe I could find the Powerful Owls. There are supposed to be at least one family of three at the moment. This explore was worth it. First a delightful Silvereye singing its heart out. Delighted because it had found such delicious berries. I wondered where the others were. Maybe that was why it kept calling. There had been others near by but a family had wandered through a minute earlier and they had all moved away. I think this one I photographed had become separated, left behind. I'm sure it caught up.

Then I found two of the three Owls. Turns out the one Owl has a taste for feathers. Red Wattlebird, I think. Previously I've seen them with left-over Ringtail Possum. But not a bird!

Oh, well, I guess Owls have to live too; and there are always plenty of Red Wattlebirds around; and very few Powerful Owls. It is an absolute blessing to be able to spot and photograph these magnificent huge Owls. They are classified as endangered in Victoria. If you read this far I hope you enjoy!

It tastes so good!

Hey everyone, the berries are delicious!

Hey where are you guys?

Powerful Owl, holding on to left-over Red Wattlebird!

Taking a look at my lens. Look at those huge talons!

Gorgeous eyes that see in the dark!

The Sky, Ricketts Point Marine Sanctuary

When I left work it was obvious something was going on above. I kept looking up as I made the one hour drive home. I grabbed a very quick bite to eat. Then the camera and went down to Ricketts. Ricketts seemed like an ideal choice given the lack of time (it's only 35 minutes from home) and because there are often pools of standing water. Pools can reflect the sky. As it turned out there was far less pooled water than on previous visits. That limited choices. But I'm happy anyway with the composition and thrilled with how the sky came alive a few minutes after sunset. I don't know how many of these we'll get in a lifetime. But this would be one of the better ones for me. What a blessing to be out on a beach / marine sanctuary on a perfect 22 degree evening. And not alone. At least six gorgeous Pelicans and three beautiful Black Swans were out enjoying the show. I wished I could fly to and fro like the Swans. 

Six Pelicans in heaven ( shot with the iPhone - no edits )

A wider view ( handheld iPhone pano - no edits )

A three minute exposure at sunset ( with an ND64 filter and a graduated ND8 filter )

Lunar Eclipse 31 January - 1 February

I bet many people were late for work today. I struggled to wake up after dreaming half the night of flying in a spaceship to the moon which proves that the full moon can make one mad. Especially when it's blood red. And it was. Better than I've ever seen. On a clear sky night. I should have gone to a special location to shoot this 'once in a 35 years' experience. But the need to be at work today won out. So many pics were captured from my backyard. And I quit around 12:45.

Total Eclipse, 12:33 AM (Melbourne)

Over half way, 11:33PM 31Jan2018

Just getting started, 10:44PM 31 Jan 2018

Great Ocean Road 21-22 January

"The Great Ocean Road is an Australian National Heritage listed 243 kilometres stretch of road along the south-eastern coast of Australia between the Victorian cities of Torquay and Allansford." (Wikipedia).

Two days are not enough to scratch the surface of an adventure along this aptly-named road. But we did what we could stopping first to admire the spectacular views and lighthouse at Aireys Inlet and to enjoy a coffee before stop-go-stop-go-tripping our way along the gorgeous coastal route to Apollo Bay. Apart from many road-side pauses we also took a rest break at Lorne and to admire that wonderful Pier.

One shouldn't under-estimate the hours needed to do justice to this trip. We had to skip through Apollo Bay before heading inland. We paused for breath-taking views at Castle-Cove Lookout where Sue (my Cousin) and I competed for best pano-shot of the road sweeping down to the lovely green valley we'd just ascended from. I think Sue won.

Then from the lookout at Castle Cove to Lavers Hill and then seemed to be even more road-work restrictions than before between LH and our first key photo priority, The Gibson Steps and those two marvellous old offshore limestone stacks.

(We were side-tracked for 30 minutes by my obsession with birds to shoot a flock of gorgeous Royal Spoonbills chilling out on a lovely calm lake at Princetown. Princetown has a neat cafe and that proved an ideal time for our second coffee) and an experiment with iPhone time-lapsing that had passing motorists bemused as I'd stuck the iPhone on a tripod in the (very quiet) road beside the cafe.

Then to the Gibson Steps. They are brilliantly built into the cliff face. Amazing. Must do. After walking the beach and cheating incoming waves beneath the Gibson Steps we skipped the "12" Apostles, checked in our bags at "The Great Western" in Port Campbell, before returning later to the "12" for the sunset that wasn't. Even though the Apostles are worth a visit in any weather we (and a few dozen other Sunday evening observers) probably felt slightly cheated by the stubborn clouds that wouldn't let through the sun.

I returned at Dawn to find what looked, at first, the same overcast conditions. The sun first rose into the clouds. But then, suddenly, a gap was found, and so streamed through the glorious rays I'd hoped to capture. So many pics were then taken by me and a handful of other early wakers that our camera batteries and memory cards surely suffered. Extremely bright sunlight in one part of an image where much of the rest lies in shadows is challenging. Add to that the constant movement of the waves and... well you inevitably keep shooting hoping to get one with just the right wave-timing and, wow, the sun-rays kept falling in slightly different areas, lighting up clouds of sea-spray above the distant cliffs. What a morning. I'm still working through images, but I've shared at least one here.

After breakfast we checked out making our way to Loch Ard Gorge. Wave conditions there were so ferocious one would well appreciate why only two young adults (Tom and Eva) survived that tragic ship wreck. Leave yourself at least 4 to 5 hours to see all of Loch Ard Gorge; we rushed through in about 1.5 and then returned to Port Campbell for a much needed mid-morning coffee before proceeding to the lookout above PC; then to "The Arch"; then to "London Bridge" and lastly, "The Grotto". All of these are unmissable. As would be The Bay of Islands and Bay of Martyrs (just beyond the scenic sleepy Peterborough). But we had to miss BOI and BOM due to time constraints. We cheated and returned to Melbourne in 3.5hours (instead of 5.5 hours) by taking the inland route home. Ok i've written far too much (as much as a diary for myself), so time for some pics in no particular order. More may be added in due course. Some may end up in the "Gallery" also.

Dawn at the Twelve Apostles (looking East toward the Gibson Steps)

Aireys Inlet Lighthouse and a misty moody Sky

Early Monday Morning, Twelve Apostles ( those that still stand )

On the beach, at Loch Ard Gorge

An argument at the dinner table!

A swim at Lorne Pier (not one of us !)

Misty Ocean looking East from Castle Cove lookout

Royal Spoonbills (4) Ibis (3) and many others at Princetown

A walk in the mist, Gibson Steps

Misty almost raining at Gog and Magog? Love this place in any weather!

Sunday evening, almost dark (7 minutes before the sunset that wasn't) .. still love the atmosphere!

Ocean chewing at The Arch

The Pounding! (at The Arch)

An Eastern Blue Tongue Lizard (parking area at The Arch) (thanks Sue!)

Images from London Bridge and The Grotto may be added later. It's getting late for now.

Thanks so much to Susan, Haydn, Debbie for choosing to trip down this awesome section of Australian coast with me. I hope we can do it again one day. I'll be back!