Well look who flew in.....!

I've been meaning to take a few close ups of the lantern house atop the lighthouse at Hillary's Boat Harbour for a while now and luckily I had my zoom lens handy when we were there a few days ago.  The lantern house is the original refurbished and recycled unit from the Bedout Island lighthouse which was demolished and replaced in 1980, Bedout Island is on the outer edge of reefs 30 miles N/E of Port Hedland and is subject to extreme tidal ranges. The two men weren't the only ones enjoying the view, an Osprey, oh la! look at those talons, flew in and landed right in my viewpoint, merci beaucoup monsieur raptor :) It just occurred to me that I've never taken a shot of the lighthouse in action at night, must rectify that soon! Happy Wednesday, take care and stay safe.....

Fly-by camera snatch.....!

As is often the way here in Perth the weather was all over the place on Saturday when we went to Fremantle Port to see the tall ships. On the way it rained so hard we were worried that with only one umbrella between three (what happened to always being prepared) how it was going to be possible to even see the ships never mind take photos..and then as if by divine intervention :) the clouds parted and the sun shone just long enough to have a gander and take some shots. The sculpture above 'not as cheap as chips - a gull steals a tourist's camera' is one of a set of eight by Judith Forrest called Venus and Friends and shows once again how dramatically contrasting the sky can be depending on which direction you're looking. That's the Fremantle Port Authority building centre, I was almost tempted to use this shot for the 'lamppost' theme for August but I guess it's a wee bit of a stretch..the search goes on :)) Hope your week has started well, take care....

Three Dutch tall ships and a British square rigger.....

I apologise first up for the photo heavy post, the tall ships are just so pretty it's hard to stop clicking and harder still when it comes to picking :) We had a real treat this weekend three Dutch tall ships and a British square rigger (excellent informative link) sailed into Fremantle Harbour. My only regret is that I arrived too late to see them sailing in past the red and green lighthouses, what a shot that would have been! Europa and Oosterschelde were moored in dock, Tecla must have been off sailing and the British ship the Lord Nelson went straight into dry docks but will return in a few weeks, if you check out the link above you'll see what a majestic sight the ships are in full sail. The mythological tale of Zeus and Europa clarifies the rather saucy figure head of the Europa two pics down :) the handsome sailor aboard the Oosterschelde was very informative as to life aboard ship!. If you're the adventurous sort you can sail the high seas on the Europa as part of the crew..what do you think :)) I hope your weekend has been a little less hectic than mine.. and now we start all over again, happy Monday, take care.....

Nice legs.....!

Sitting in Theobroma Chocolate Lounge where 'the consumption of chocolate is an experience'! Looking out onto a chilly St. George's Terrace sipping hot chocolate served in mugs each with their own flamed warmer to keep the chocolate hot until the last drop..nice! Personally I think a chocolate 'experience' should be an everyday occurrence, whether it be a mouthful or in times of stress a little more :) I hope you enjoy a little indulgence this weekend, I have a feeling after this post I will! Happy weekend, take care and stay safe. To see more weekend reflections around the world Click here .....

On the way to lunch.....!

I was in Leederville yesterday to meet mon amie Marie for a birthday lunch (hers), so many quirky/trendy cafes and restaurants in Leederville, but most importantly home to Francois my favourite café français, almond croissants to die for :) ..but I digress, along the way to the rendezvous corner it was a pleasure to meet Tamara, Demi and Joe enthusiastically raising money for Special Olympics Australia. Worried I may be keeping Marie waiting I said..'I'll be back', I think they may have heard that story once too often :) and were so pleased when I actually did go back, how could I resist those fabulous smiles. The first ever Special Olympics Asia Pacific Games will be held in the city of Newcastle NSW in December this year, all made possible with the help of dedicated volunteers in many areas, the raising of funds high on the list..well done team TDJ, hopefully more people than I will actually come back to donate! On the wind down to the weekend, happy Friday, take care and stay safe.....p.s. not the best shots, sorry guys..midday sun and all that :)

 

Crashing waves & a bit of preening.....!

The first thing that caught my eye as I walked down to the boat slips at Ocean Reef Marina & Sea Sports Club late yesterday afternoon were the huge thunderous waves smashing over the sea wall. Finding myself a pleasing point of view I sat and waited for the imminent crash and explosion that I thought might make an appealing image. I waited and ....., well just as I was on the point of giving up in frustration.. whoooosh! at last! Hopefully it was worth the wait :)) While I sat patiently (?) I passed the time taking shots of the preening Darter drying it's wings, they certainly aren't camera shy, it's like they're silently miming 'look at me, look at me'. By the time I packed up to leave the sun was heading well on it's way out for the day! How long have you waited for a 'certain' image and did you feel it was worth it?  Happy Thursday, take care.....

The house that James built.....!

After an appointment with my eye 'saviour' at the  Lions Eye Institute last week we had a drive around Dalkeith, one of Perth's most exclusive suburbs. Spotted sitting atop a hill with what must be a spectacular view across the Swan River is Gallop House built by James Gallop in 1872/77 in the Victorian/Georgian style. Oh la! running up and down those steps a few times a day would be all you'd need to stay in shape oui :) As there was a 'private residence' sign I took these shots from the road, but on Googling for info I discovered that now, as well as being a private residence it's also a museum and open to the public.. I will return and take some shots of the above mentioned spectacular view pour vous .. et pour moi :) Happy middle of the working week, take care and stay safe.....

Peaks of a different persuasion.....

Both shining beacons in the Perth CBD although for very different reasons.. one ecclesiastical the other commercial. Up until the late 1800's the Perth skyline was dominated by church steeples, but even now surrounded by skyscrapers like Brookfield Place and Central Park I still think the Wesley Church's Victorian/Gothic 35 metre high spire with weathercock atop, albeit a 143 year old weathercock in need of a little TLC :) still manages to hold it's own against it's lofty neighbors no matter how splendid they are n'est pas? Hope your week has started well, take care and stay safe.....

Light projections ll et fini.....!

We picked the perfect crisp, clear winter's evening to drive into the city to see the light projections on the heritage buildings of Brookfield Place on St. George's Terrace.  First stop a cup of hot chocolate  in Theobroma Chocolate Lounge in the Old Perth Technical School (above) which is also home to Montblanc (a bit of a fuss about a pen methinks :)) It was super to see Perthites and visitors out and about in the city wrapped up in coats and scarves, we don't get the opportunity to 'rug up' all that often so we have make the most of it! I had hoped to take a shot of the complete row of buildings but left my wide angle lens behind, at least I had my SD card and battery in the camera, I went out a few days ago without either and missed such a great shot of a little Willie Wagtail that landed right on my table and hopped about for ages teasing me..beh!! Hope you're having a fab weekend, take care.....

Light projections l.....

Most people who know me know that St. George's Terrace is my favourite part of the city, the mix of skyscrapers, heritage buildings and eclectic sculptures is photographic nirvana :) As part of the Perth Winter Festival and thanks to Sydney company The Electric Canvas the heritage buildings along the terrace come alive every night until 28th July with ever changing light projections. Above, the sedate facade of Newspaper House changes from a 'tree eating monster'..to psychedelically yarn bombed, it was chilly last night but the last shot was the only sign of ice in the city :) Show you more tomorrow. It's been horribly hectic around here the last few days, hope to catch up today, happy weekend, take care.....

Kings Park aspects.....

Who could resist the reflection of rolling green lawns in Kings Park, the blue of the Swan River and the hills in the background..throw in a couple of big old trees and mix it up with the jeweled colours of the unique collection of Australian and Western Australian contemporary art and craft in the curved glass windows of Aspects of Kings Park.. zap it with a smidgen of boost :) and it makes not too shabby an image n'est pas? Hope you're all set for a fab weekend, I'm really looking forward to mine, fun things to snap in the city tonight, take care..... Click here to see more Weekend Reflections..

Naughty Neddies.....!

Above, glimpses of the city from the jetty that leads out to jojo's cafe in the suburb of Nedlands. I took these shots on Tuesday this week just minutes before one of the worst storms we've had this winter.. a 73 year old French sailor was lucky to survive, he was washed up on the beach after his sail was ripped apart by strong winds, I couldn't help wondering what I'd be doing when I'm 73, but am 'absolument certain' there will be no yacht or water involved :) Jojo's is the site where many Perthites in the early 1900's enjoyed the waters of  the Nedlands Baths, nicknamed 'naughty neddies' for the 'undocumented activities' in the segregated baths..saucy lot back then haha! Can you see the original stone steps leading down into the water, try as I might I couldn't find any pictures of the original baths which is a shame, there must be some! Happy last day of the week, take care.....

Unfurled brellas.....!

When the red umbrellas of Bella Fonte remain unfurled you know it's got to be cold, too cold for Perthites to dine al fresco that's for sure. With a high yesterday of 15C it feels like winter has arrived at last! The shallow, child friendly beach below is so popular in the school holidays and even up until last week was busy with budding sandcastle builders, but after the storms on Tuesday the usually pristine beach was strewn with seaweed and only the robust braved the elements. Luckily there is so much more  than swimming to keep the kids happy and the marina was chockers (full :)). To think some people were against the marina being built, not me of course, who wouldn't want this world class venue five minutes from home! Hope your week is moving along well, take care.....

Pink marble & the 'whomping willow'.....

Do any enthusiastic Harry Potter fans out there see the resemblance to the Whomping Willow from the Potter movies? To be honest not being a dedicated fan it had to be pointed out to me :) It's actually one of the marvelous old Peppermint trees in Kings Park but the twisted tree trunk does look a wee bit 'Potterish' oui! Peeking through the foliage is the George Leake Memorial Fountain, being an avid fan of the Victorian era this pretty pink marble fountain is my very favourite of the many memorials in Kings Park, it's a little treasure don't you think? I took these shots early on Monday morning, yesterday the skies were black..so much rain and a bit of hail also..unfortunate timing with the rail closures, but it's desperately needed so...umbrellas up :) Have a good Wednesday, take care.....

Good morning Perth.....!

There are so many technical errors in this shot I should be embarrassed to put it up :) It was just after sun up and the sky was so fabulous that I went against all the rules and shot straight into the sun, although I did wait until it was hiding behind the Brookfield Place Tower. Perth is experiencing it's first rail closures for the sinking of the city railway lines as the major part of the City Link Project rejoining Northbridge with the CBD. Trains coming in from all areas ceased at the last stop before the city station where Transperth buses were lined up waiting to continue the last part of the journey. It all seemed to go pretty smoothly, the Freeway on the other hand was crazy! Hope your week has started well, looks like the much need rain has come at last with a week of showers ahead, nice! Take care and stay safe.....

Sails on the horizon.....

It wasn't quite so sunny yesterday and there was a bit of rain out to sea, it didn't stop Perthites from running, walking or cycling along the coast road..didn't stop the keen sailors either. Walking I do, I've even been known to run on the odd occasion :) but sailing..umm! No. There's too much going on beneath those beautiful swirling blue waters to feel comfortable n'est pas! The tanker out there on the horizon will be waiting in Gage Roads until it's cleared to enter Fremantle Harbour. I took these shots with Aimee's 40-150mm lens, it's a good range as the 12-50mm can sometimes be a bit short and the 75-300mm too restricting close up..Well that's the weekend over for moi, if it's still Sunday for you, enjoy..if not happy Monday take care.....