Saturday, May 17, 2014

Where's my ukelele?



It's a known fact that I tend to be a bit of a hermit in the evenings, although when I do make the effort to go out I absolutely 100% enjoy it, I really should do it more often :) Take last night.. I was asked to go to the marina five minutes from where I live.. was tempted to decline but very glad I didn't because not only did I get some fab reflections but....


..the joint was rockin' :) Seriously who knew that every Friday evening between 5 - 7pm you can come along with your ukelele and jam with the 'Northern Ukeleles' (Nukes), they play music from Buddy Holly to the Beatles and everything in between.. the cafes and restaurants around were packed with diners 'digging the beat'! There's something quite charming about a 'woman of a certain age' in a red beret playing a ukelele n'est pas!


The ukelele player below (centre of the shot) preferred to play along with the group but not actually be amidst the group.. I get that :) How many of you play the ukelele? I've heard it's quite easy, it looks a lot of fun. I hope you have a swinging weekend, take care and stay safe...



45 comments:

  1. That's a beautiful marina. And it looks exceedingly busy in the evenings. Excellent shots, Grace!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Love the evening shots, Grace! I tend to be quite lazy in the evening too so understand your hesitation. Playing the ukelele seems to be the new thing here too - I know a few people taking lessons.

    ReplyDelete
  3. There's a fabulous mood in your pictures, which tells us you spent a great evening!
    I don't know to play any instruments, which is a great regret for me..
    Have a nice week-end , dear Gracie !

    ReplyDelete
  4. What a wonderful place and what terrific evening captures indeed, Grace!! I wish I could have been there with you!! Such fun!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. The two top shots are just amazing, Grace!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Cairns hosts the Ukelele festival each year. They have made two world record attempts so far at the largest ukelele ensemble. All good fun and yes I am thinking of learning myself. There are some cute ukes out there. Some that even plug into these cute little amps.

    I love how your camera got you out and about.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Wow! These shots are great and it does look like a lot of fun! Good you went out and enjoyed. No musical instruments here.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Great evening photos! Arianna

    ReplyDelete
  9. Excellent reflections. How wonderful to have such fun on your doorstep.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I don't venture out much after dark myself Grace but I'm sure glad you did. The images are really, really gorgeous! The colours........the funky beat of music..........food.............ah food.............
    Enjoy your weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  11. I know a guy who plays the ukelele, it sounds really good and he really tears it up. You got some good reflections there, you must be recovered from the big tumble by now to get out and about.

    ReplyDelete
  12. very nice place, excellent pics.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Wonderful photos! Looks like we have something in common, Grace. I too am a hermit at night...but really enjoy those rare times I do venture out....

    ReplyDelete
  14. How wonderful, and what gorgeous pics - I love the ukelele, so light-hearted and such fun! Joy x

    ReplyDelete
  15. Very beautiful place. I think it would be a fun place. Daughter Jen would love it and maybe even encourge her to get better with her Uke.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Bright and colourful night shots charged with ukulele action Grace. Thanks for your comments on my night shots. I always admired star bursts and it took a few attempts before I got it. I think its a result of light creeping through the camera lens during long shutter speed and high aperture. Try setting your camera on your tripod. Crank up the aperture to a high f number. The max on my camera is f22. This creates a small hole i.e. the shutter mechanics are largely closed. Then try different shutter speeds until you let the required amount of light through the lens. Depending on the surrounding light 5 secs may work but you might need to crank it up to 30 secs if it's darker. I use a remote shutter release to avoid any camera shake. If I don't have it with me I use the timer so I'm not touching the camera when the lens clicks. I often don't see the star bursts until I upload the photo to my computer. You probably know all this but I was so pleased with the star bursts I though I'd share how I managed to creat them with my camera. PS my wide angle gives me more rays than my normal lens. I guess that's because there may be more pieces in the mechanics that close to create the small hole to let the light through. As you can see I don't know all terminology. Hope you can understand me. Keep the lens cap off J.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Grace, these photos are simply awesome! I especially like the second one. I'd hang that one on my wall if I were you. I don't play the ukulele though but, it sure is fun to listen.

    ReplyDelete
  18. What fabulous reflections! I'm glad you decided to go out, also. I would love to have heard the Uke group. I played it when a kid and know that you've got to be really good to make a ukulele sound good!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Great shots. Looks like a nice place to hang out.

    ReplyDelete
  20. I've heard a lot about these guys in the last few weeks, are you going to join them? Enjoy the W/E weather wise looks fantastic!

    ReplyDelete
  21. 2nd shot is my favorite!!
    When I looking at these pictures, want to listen to the music!!! Yeah!!!!!
    Thanks to post.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Smashing photos! And I am exactly the same about going abroad in the evening. (Glad when I do)
    Though I used to LIVE at night driving taxi, public health work, cleaning, "no good"

    Say it Hawaiian: OOO-Kooo-Lay-Lay!


    ALOHA from Honolulu
    ComfortSpiral

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ukulele I mean, that's a Hawaiian word. Uku are lice or fleas, Lele is to leap: sounded like a jumping flea to them!

      Delete
  23. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Wow, Grace, those shots are fantastic! Beautiful! Where exactly is that, I´d like to go in Feb!
    Hehe, we really have a Ukulele in our "sub-kitchen". It fell off the wall and waits for us to hang it on again, good reminder!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Wow you live close to this spot. How lucky. It is beautiful and so are your photos. I don't play a ukulele but our local U3A has a enthusiastic group of oldies who have learnt quickly. Go and join in.

    ReplyDelete
  26. What fun and what wonderful colors !

    ReplyDelete
  27. seems to be a very popular place.. must be really nice !
    buon week end Grace, ciao

    ReplyDelete
  28. Que tendrá el mar, que a todo el mundo atrae?

    Saludos.

    ReplyDelete
  29. What a colorful fun looking gathering. I am not much of a night owl either. As for playing a uke...not me but my hubby does. he actually got a new one recently.

    ReplyDelete
  30. Wonderful and so colorful reflections! Great shots!

    ReplyDelete
  31. Looks like a awesome place. Who knew ukuleles were in vogue?! I tend to be the same way -- don't really want to go out in the evening, but when I do I always have fun.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Hillarys Marina looks wonderful in the evening! Great photos Grace. It must be fun to sit and enjoy the music while relaxing.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Looks like there is a lot of 'action' at the marina... besides the Nukes.

    ReplyDelete
  34. There is always a nice place to go there a in your town.

    ReplyDelete
  35. Nothing sounds happier than a ukulele. And to have that beautiful background to go with it. Heavenly!

    ReplyDelete
  36. Why didn't you say? I'd have joined you, I love myself a bit of ukulele! Fab shots Grace!

    (I'm just like you. A recluse in the evenings who never ever regrets being dragged out!)

    ReplyDelete
  37. Great shots, Grace, what a lovely place!

    ReplyDelete
  38. Grace, this grouping of photos is among the best you have posted. Go back and look at some of your early work and then at these, and you will be proud of the strides you are making as a photographer.

    ReplyDelete
  39. I REALLY glad you went out that night! The photos are stellar. Especially the first two. Wow!

    ReplyDelete