Danudins 2009 – 365 Challenge!

#240-365 Print Media

2009-12-31T06:05:00.003+10:00

This is it! The final post for 2009, I was feeling so good about it being a Done Deed, that the last thing I expected was to walk into the Post Office just before Christmas to see this plastered all over the place, well actually near the bottom of a like pile attached to a clip board but hey, someone is out to make me out to be like James Cagney at the end of "White Heat" standing on top of a gasoline storage tank, pistol in hand screaming "Look Ma I'm on Top of the World!" and we all know that that didn't end too good for him!
So this blog site has done it's job, so you can start looking at my VPW 2010 site and see a few excerpts from my recent Sydney, trip that also hint at a Convict past! HAPPY BLOODY NEW YEAR, as we convict stock say down under.

#219-365 Out West

2009-12-30T05:59:00.002+10:00

The penultimate Post for 2009, as you can see by the date, it was a while back, and Cessnock is fairly Easterly geographically, unless you are viewing it from The U.S. of A or Europe and thebn we could definitely claim South West for sure! Was hoping for a better one than this, which failed to materialize but I like this, as it show, a definite Western Theme, a great map of Bew South Wales and was shot in a MacDonalds store where Sally and I had stopped for breakfast on our way to Sydney for our first trip this year.

#2-7-365 On my Table

2009-12-29T05:36:00.002+10:00

I took this theme from the point of view of the baby Wedgetail Eagle, eagerly awaiting to devour the rabbit that it has been demanding since its last meal. This is a museum posed shot that I thought worked for showing the size of these raptors, which you can get by comparing it to the guy bent down inspecting the jars of centipedes and scorpions in the background. These really are majestic birds that look so wonderful soaring on high over Australia's Outback!

#252-365 Reading Material

2009-12-28T06:49:00.003+10:00

This photo was taken in the aisles of the Redcliffe Library, where I am a member in sometimes good standing, other times I just make good excuses when I am late returning the late books. I took this shot and a few others after I had askedone of the staff (A very junior one it seems) as when I had snapped this, The senior Bureaucrat came rushing up accompanied by an obvious security guy, who said "What You Think You're Doin?" so I answered Photography - two aisles to the left! The guard smirked but turned away quickly, and as the Head Honcho said you need permission to do that, the young Lady I had spoken to earlier, rushed up and said "I gave him permission and told him he was not permitted to photograph our patrons!" I showed the her and the guard the four shots I had in the camera - not a soul in sight! So off she went sated, but the guard lingered, I asked if he was still checking on me because of my close set beady eyes, and he said naw I was interested in that camera.
So I took him two aisles down and grabbed a DSLR book I had been looking at earlier, and suggested that he get it out and take it home, he grabbed it and said "no film?" I answered in the affirmative and he said but you used the flash how come the shots are so dark, I gave him the stock distance answer then said it was all explained in the book. He then asked well how do you get them so that people can see what you saw? I dragged him across to the magazine rack and showed him the plethora (I was in a Library) of Photoshop magazines available and said now that is another big topic. He asked if I would show him the end product and when I did he was impressed and said you got rid of all the gloom, even way down the end of the aisle where it was so dark!, Last I heard he bought a Canon (don't know the details) and has become as crazy as the rest of us! I see him occasionally off duty in the Magazine area reading all of the photoshop magazines (for free).

#171-365 Letters

2009-12-27T07:16:00.002+10:00

Hey you guys wanted letters, well you got it, and numbers as a bonus, but you don't understand the anguish and agony I had to go through to get this, Sally dragged me kicking and screaming into a Giant Haberdashery shop called Spotlight, which believe it or not has closed down and moved to even bigger premises down the road. Who'da thunk haberdash would need so much room to grow in, I thought that it was found in small little shops manned by little old ladies smelling of Lavender. Well it wasn't a total lose as I got this photo, although I have no idea what Sally spent $Aus73.35 on?

#267-365 Sandy

2009-12-26T06:43:00.002+10:00

Nearly finished, and only 364 days til Christmas, I'm getting ready to settle down and watch the Boxing day Test cricket match against Pakistan, which is being played at the MCG Melbourne Cricket Ground, I know that my advice to you to watch the start of the Sydney to Hobart Yacht race, will assist you in alleviating your massive hang overs, as you soak up all that vitamin D via the CRT or LCD or whatever. Be nearly as good for you, as standing on that little spit of sandy shore that you can see in the foreground, which is just down the road at Woody Point.

Merry Aussie Christmas

2009-12-25T10:16:00.003+10:00

You know what I wish for you all, but I thought that this time of the year you would enjoy hearing from the management team, so here is Sally's Christmas Message.

"To all of you 365 Challengers, I would like to wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy, Healthy and Safe New Year, and many thanks for keeping Ron, out of my hair during the preceeding Year!"

I'm Backkkk, "That explains why she stopped walking around singing - I gotta wash that man right outta my hair" Hmmm

P.S. We know it is Christmas eve there but Santa came here hours ago, sp try and catch a view tomorrow of the start of the Sydney to Hobart Yacht race, which starts at 0200pm GMT. See some real christmas weather.

#285-365 Silver and Gold

2009-12-25T04:51:00.003+10:00

\This is a shot chosen by Sally which depicts the theme to a tee, and considering the comment by Cheerful Chesney to my last post something you could all use right now, I just peeked out the window here, as I thought I heard bells ringing and although there is no Darwin Harbour views in Redcliffe, the Sun had the same characteristic colour to it. Looks like it is going to be stinking hot today.

The Christmas Beetle" (A poem to help tou through the sbow)

When Christmas comes the Christmas Heat'll,
Bring once more the Christmas Beetle!
The first inflammatory Breeze'll,
Set him buzzing like a diesel!
See him soar, see him settle,
Folding up his wings of metal!
See some Sparrow, swift and lowlt,
Strike him swiftly, rnd him whollly!

Life in Australia. Merry Christmas All.

#178-365 Lost and Found

2009-12-24T07:05:00.002+10:00

Another No1 shot taken a long time ago, as I was just getting rolling in this challenge, mind you it had me wondering for a while if I should use it for security due to the innovative removal of an integral part of the device, instead of just one wheel! It was still there a week later, so Lost and Found it was, at least a wonderfully beautiful place to get lost just to the side of Scarborough Beach just up the peninsula.

#132-365 Growing

2009-12-23T06:29:00.002+10:00

If you are able to see the jpeg name for this you will see that it has a -1 in the name, reason I thought -2 would be so much better, well I have taken quite a number of shots that cover this theme and a few of them good, but none better so we will just stick with old No 1. I did take one of my pot belly, but that wasn't interesting, you couldn't even see my feet (Wonder if they are still there).

#113-365 Frozen Treats

2009-12-22T06:50:00.002+10:00

With the weather being so warm, I find these frozen fruit sticks to be a god send, and due to her diabeties Sally shuns them, I on the other hand choose to shun my diabetes and just love them.

#312-365 Sweets

2009-12-21T06:45:00.002+10:00

We call them Lollies, you may call them Candy, but these tiny rip offs of Mars Bars are delicious under any name, but for me it is important that they see themselves just as I do and scream out their name boldly.

#283-365 Solitary

2009-12-20T05:33:00.002+10:00

There is some aspects of the manner in which a Cormorant lives it's life, that hold a mittor up ti my existance, and maybe to yours. Here he is getting on with his job, searching out fish, so competent in his effortless travers of the waterways, so sure of his prowess that he never seems to go hungry, but oh so often alone. Never thought about it then - was too busy, just living. Wasn't expecting to find Sally, but did - Lucky eh!
Wonder if he is just fishing or off looking for his Sally, to share his life.

#077-365 Discounts

2009-12-19T05:58:00.002+10:00

It was about midday when during ny last trip to Sydney, when coming off my walk across the Sydney Harbour Bridge and saw this "Typical 1930-60s" Aussie Pub (The Glenmore Hotel) nestled in the Rocks area directly below the Bridge and thought wow great views from the roof. (The pub is just to the left of the two dark pine trees)
I took this shot to illustrate that view somewhat, but when I got down to street level there was a sign outside the pub saying, "$10.00 Steaks - Mondays Only" and guess what? - it was my lucky day. When I had placed my order with "Carol" the "Barmaid" an effervescent young Canadian from Alberta, who really loved her job, as it gave her a chance to "Shoot the Breeze" with everyone!
As she turned to commiserate with a British backpacker, who was drowning his sorrows at his partner, having spent $250.00 just to walk the arch of the Bridge (already reported), Carol said "why don't you take a seat in the Beer Garden on the roof - it isn't crowded today and it is so much cooler:!
So up I go, (Two other patrons) and at a guess, some of the best million dollar views across Circular Quay, The Opera House and off to Mrs Macquaries Chair and the Bridge looming large behind, Carol brought up the steak, nearly covered the plate and smothered in mushrooms, still whole, steeped in the richest darkest and most delicious butter sauce you can imagine. Following a short chat I got stuck into a really sumptuous repast, that at just $10.00 constituted not only a "DISCOUNT" but an absolute bargain! Not often I get to say "Thank Heavens it's Monday" but in all honesty the people of Sydney are crazy, why wasn't the crowd at that Pub shoulder to shoulder, ah well their lose it made my discount perfect anyway!

#299-365 Sport

2009-12-18T06:01:00.002+10:00

Around here Water Sports are pretty big, and this shot showing individuals in power craft scooting past yachts having a race, would I think be an elixir, to those of you not enjoying the prospect of a cold White Christmas.

#075-365 Dessert

2009-12-17T06:54:00.002+10:00

We went to Sally's son's place for an early Christmas gathering, as they are headed to Sydney next week. You may find it hard to believe but there was too much food and we all won't have to cook for a week, Love leftovers.
In any event Bridget brought out my dessert, minus the Cointreau' (Imagine running out of Wild Turkey) but she grave me a wonderful surprise with it, this wonderful carved Komodo Dragon from Indonesia (Bought at the Hari Krishna shop) the paper padding on the feet is to protect the slender carved claws. I think I have identified the wood as being Palm Tree wood (The Hari Krishnas were very insistent that it was from a renewable wood source) so that fits it was as light as but felt compact at the same time, smell didn't help due to the stain used.
This was my big treat of the year as I tend to tease Bridget (a Little) and wasn't looking for a gift that is so nice and which feels so great to touch, that carving is so tactile, I will need to be careful though as Palm wood is very fibrous and will tend to fray out if I stroke it too much, so as they say on the Island of Komodo, Terima Kasih Banyak Bridget akan suatu Hadiah yang sedemikian cocok dan Bagus sekali.

#065-265 Cookery

2009-12-16T06:23:00.002+10:00

Was almost tempted to go back to the Greek festival for this one, but then remembered the Kakadu trip and the fishing regulations, pinned up on the wall of the Bark Hut roadhouse. Rather than show two photos though I transposed the sign side of the road sign, so if you are travelling that road, you will have to stop when you see the Bark Hut Sign to go and read the regulations sign, - Boy I save you a lot of work.

I case any of you are into Fishing, then Darwin - The Northern Territory is the place for you, they got Barramundi "the best fighting fish in the world". I used to say that with the same credibility that Texicans have when referring to the size of their state, you may have heard of Texas, a small place nearly as big as one of our cattle stations (Ranches) The Victoria River Downs Station. Anyway one day I ran into a visiting American Marine out here on exchange, who I invited fishing, He demurred saying that being a champion Bass fisherman back in his home state of North Carolina, it wouldn't interest him - but he cane along. So to teach him a lesson I took him to the Cooroborree Billabong just off the Mary River near Kakadu and out onto the floodplain. An hour and a half after setting off he had landed his first Barramundi twelve and a half pounds. His only statement was "I hate you - cause Bass don't hunt for me no more" he kept on raving about the thing fighting like the devil, he was worried when I slit it's bottom lip ran a rope through the slit then trailed it behind the boat. But when he caught a 17 pounder, I told hime the boat rule was one fish per-day! He was all for letting the big one go as the other would have been half dead from dragging behind the boat for about four hours, so i told him to slip the rope, took the fish about a minute to realize that it was no longer restrained, then like a flash of silver lightning it was gone, we went back to the Barracks where one of our friendly cooks prepared for him what he referred to as the best fish meal he had ever tasted.
To my knowledge he still spends all his vacation time out in the Northern Territory hunting Barra.

Oh yeah I nearly forgot - The Theme! (Before Boomer cries foul again) The fishing regulations show what the legal daily limits are in the abundant fishing spots adjacent to the Bark Hut are, and you can cook those yourself, or if you are lazy like me they will rustle you up a delicious Outback meal right there! (And you can have a cold beer with it if you really insist) I knew I could get back to the topic!

#309-365 Summer Fun

2009-12-15T06:04:00.001+10:00

Well for this guy, you would never get me up in one of them things, since my weight loss I might never come down.

#313-365 Swim

2009-12-14T06:03:00.002+10:00

Much like their flying method, I think these guys epitomize No Nonsense swimming best, so serene above water but you just know they are peddling like the clappers underwater. Still I wonder why we never see Young Pelicans, are they born old aged just like politicians?

Another Astronomical photo marvel

2009-12-13T21:58:00.001+10:00

If you think you can take good photos, match this HERE if you don't get a photo of Neptune and Triton, go looking for it on this site, it is amazing.
Ron

#078-365 Distorted

2009-12-13T09:13:00.002+10:00

I know a lot of you were expecting a Mug Shot of me under this banner but Sally and I agree that this poor twisted tree is far more interesting, it is located on Bribie Island about 45 minutes drive North East of here! What I love most about old dead trees is the way that the fauna finds so many uses for them, nothing wasted in Nature.

#314-365 Swirls

2009-12-12T06:22:00.002+10:00

Took this shot down at Humpybong Park, primarily to show you what the Herons, Cormorants and turtles and eels live on in this little wonderland. These little guys were all around two inches long so I guess they are "Middle Schooling" but I noticed the flash and dart their bodies made as the swirled through the water, and although I have only caught the silver in a few, I think this photo shows all the different shades and hues, that the fishes movement produces, quite well.

Final Darwin Shots

2009-12-11T10:00:00.004+10:00

The final shots from my little visit to Darwin, the top two shots a taken from our fourth floor room, although a moderate Pseudo HDR this is very close to what it looks like in daylight, (Hot and Steamy) the second shot is just before Dawn as is the fourth shot although it is from ground level and a different morning. The third shot is looking bacj at the Vibe - Madina Grand Hotel fro the breakwater visible in the first two shots.

The fifth and sixth shots show Stokes Hill Wharf, No 5 Shows a pearl Lugger from Days gone by (or my idea of what they looked like (Now converted for tours) the sixth is the Vessel Paspaley 4 which is owned by the Paspalry Family (Very Big in the Pearling industry worldwide). I just loved the way the sun appeared pearl like itself as it came up in the rigging of the Lugger. The helm is a tourist attraction actually located amidst a string of wonderful seafood restaurants actually on the wharf. The last photo was taken from the plane window on the way back to Brisbane, the angle was horrendous and this is the best I can get it, but we were flying at 35,000 feet, so you figure out just how big that open cut mine is, my guesstamate is Ginormous!

2009-12-11T08:44:00.002+10:00

Just a few more interesting sights of Darwin, the first is the apartment block near our Hotel reflecting the golden dawn so well, the second is the historic remains of the old Darwin Town Hall, adjacent to the Parliament House depicted earlier, the third is a lovely stairway winding up the cliffs from the Open Air theatre from a few days back, through a small patch of rain forest, also within a stones throw of the parliament, the last shot was right next door to the old Town Hall and shows a white pigeon with distinctive black wing edges, there were three of these cavorting around, the others were camera shy but this one was a star in the making.

#271-365 Second Hand

2009-12-11T05:58:00.003+10:00

Sorry Tammy your too late for this one - The Palisades Hotel at the Rocks in Sydney with what I can only imagine is spectacular views of the Harbour Bridge and Harbour in front and the new Darling Harbour Precinct behind, would have made a wonderful project for restoration, but I got there too late to give you a heads up on it as the renovators are in there banging away already. Hope they don't modernise it too much and for sure they have to keep the name right up on top, not neing cleaned for about 80 years has given the sign real character - My suggestion, don't clean it just cover it in a protective coat of modern make then light it properly, it will be a real feature.

I have included the refurbishment notice issued by the Sydney City Council that the couple pictured (Americans I think!) and I read with such interest.

#205-365 Obsession

2009-12-10T05:31:00.002+10:00

I can think of nothing more obsessive than this Little Australian WireHaired Terrier, chasing this ball, I stood there trying to reason with him at the Noosa Dog Park I love, telling him all about how big the Bull Sharks in the river were and how dangerous they were and all he could say is "Shut Up - willya and through the bloody ball - already" Pretty Hyper Terriers!

#318-365 Tent

2009-12-09T06:09:00.002+10:00

As I was getting ready for this challenge, last year, I wemt past a site near the Brisbane River that was housing Cirque du soleil, and they had the most enchanting Tent but I wanted to stick to the rules as you know I am such a stickler for such things, so rather than use a 2008 photo I waited until the first opportunity in 2009 and rushed back to the site, which by then had reverted to a dusty block of ground (and that is all)! I took this shot at the Farm Funtastic event I attended and reported on for a few days some time back,d it filled the bill but I put off posting hoping for something better. Then I heard news that the Spiegeltent was to be in Brisbane for our festival so off I rushed to get a shot of that only to find it gone the morning of the day I arrived. So I have had two days this year when The Circus Left Town without me so I guess Tammy is wrong, just goes to prove I am Not a Clown or they would have waited.

#264-365 Rolling

2009-12-08T03:42:00.003+10:00

Another indication of the adaptability with which life is faced in remote Darwin is the manner in which the face day-to-day problems. I don't know how I have come to love two places that don't have surf, the last picture is of a Redcliffe beach and what represents a shore break down here, must be all of two point five inches (if it's and inch). Well the surf situation in Darwin is even more drastic so what do you do - Fly to Bali (well a lot do actually as it is at least twice as close as any Australian Mainland City - only about 700 miles) but not every one can do that so they have built a wave pool down near the Motel in which we stayed. The pool not (in use) was seen in the reflection of the Convention Centre yesterday, but I thought that you might like to see it in action, HERE TIS".

Darwin Entertainment

2009-12-07T18:09:00.002+10:00

The range of venues for entertainment runs the Gamut from the Supreme as depicted by the Darwin Convention to the sensible and super comfortable, Star Outdoor theatre, Dry Season only of course.

#236-365 Playground

2009-12-07T08:55:00.003+10:00

Two choices - the first is up in Noosa and the second is right here in Redcliffe, guess the main criteria is obvious too, plenty of open air, water and grassed areas, what more could one ask for unless it is a sense of FUN!

Some random shots of Darwin - Interesting I hope!

2009-12-06T17:19:00.004+10:00

Here are a few of the sights that make Darwin special for me, the first is a plaque commemorating the raid on Darwin that was so reminiscent of the attack on Pearl Harbour that I mentioned before, and makes Feb 19 special for me! The second shows the quirkyness I love about Darwin, It is the official Clock in the main Gallery of the Northern Territory Parliament, when I asked the security people if there was any significance in there being no numbers on the dial, the first two answers were, "We of the Never Never don't need numbers to tell the time" and "I think it is set to Dreamtime (The Aboriginal Creation time)" then the lady security guard looked at me in a puzzled way and said "In five years here - No one has asked us that" feeling that I had just been tagged as a "Person of Interest" I got outta there Lickity Split!
The last photo copntains a lizard which is a resident of the garden of Parliament House, and I just know he isn't a politician he is just so hard to see.

(Okay a small hint, he is centre of the photo head near a green leaf)

#337-365 Travels

2009-12-06T09:14:00.002+10:00

Every time I see these vessels I stop and think of the travels that I could partake in should they be mine, for sure they would not be moored all the time as they appear to be. what I could do with those toys - Ah well then there is reality.
This gets me back on deadline for the challenge so more Northern Territory to come later.

#071-365 Curly

2009-12-06T06:30:00.001+10:00

I have no idea what Mother Nature was thinking when she divined this succulent to take on this form and shape, but I was sure taken with it as I passed.

#092-365 Famous Authors

2009-12-05T07:05:00.002+10:00

I can't think of another Town/City named after an Author, so I think it particularly fitting that the town of Palmerston had it's name changed to Darwin following the publication of his famous book, to commemorate the time he spent there , even to the extent of naming an adjacent bay as Beagle Bay to commemorate the vessel on which he sailed. The diversity that he uncovered in The Origins of the Species, is further reflected in the city itself, it was cosmopolitan even before places like Melbourne and Sydney found it Trendy to call themselves that. The Aborigine influence on the place is growing daily (as is only fitting), from settlements origins it has attracted many Asian people to come and live here, as it is our gateway to Asia, but in fact now people from all over the world now call Darwin home.
Charles Darwin was, during his life, labelled as different, and that is definitely the word for this City, My collage tries to show this diversity with such points of Darwin's connection to the US Pearl Harbour when a few months after that fateful attack, Japanese bombers carried out a series of raids that created such a shock that the Australian Mainland had been attacked, we survived that and even the more devastating assault by Cyclone Tracy that hit on Christmas Eve 1974. The city is bigger and stronger than ever. Darwin is however a place that doesn't take itself too seriously, where else could you find the Territory Parliament housed in a precinct called State Square when I have heard many notable local entities declare that they oppose statehood vehemently as the would change the name from Northern Territory, to Northern Australia and who wants that! If you look closely at the centre bottom of the collage you will see N.T. Parliament House sporting a Giant Moustach, to celebrate Mo-Vember a month set aside to bring awareness to men's health problems, now that is certainly not taking yourself too seriously, I think Charles would be proud!

#353-365 Water

2009-12-05T05:48:00.002+10:00

Took this shot earlier in the year, (Hoping to get a better one later) but will stick with this as I love the subject matter. The rowing club located on the grounds of a local sports oval precinct, had taken a group of "First Timers" out for Kayak Training at the end of a Local Canal Housing Estate. This shot shows the Leader (Aided by two helpers (safety)) just about to give them free rein for a mad dash to a nearby bridge and back. My thoughts at the time were "with all the negative opinions of kids today, it was great to see them involved in such a healthy, fun activity">

Sights on leaving Kakadu for Darwin

2009-12-04T07:57:00.003+10:00

Now that we have to leave Kakadu I thought I would show some other things of interest in that area. The first photo shows a scrub fire that had been set in the park by the Park Rangers who use fire as a tradutional method of land management, which keeps down dangerous build up of fuel that would allow fires to run out of control and at the same time encourages regrowth so that the fauna can flourish. The next three shots were all taken at a refreshment stop called the Bark Hut and shows a Water Buffalo calf resplendent in pink (Natural colour) and his mother studiously ignoring him while still keeping an eye to his welfare, and in the background an Emu stuts around in the same enclosure. The second last shot is of a quite impressive Magnetic Termite mound, this was taken from the bus and isn't the largest, around it was only about 14" tall, there would be some big ones out in the bush but the bus wouldn't go there. They are known as magnetic Termites, not due to any ferrous content of the termite but because they build the mounds in a North - South alignment to lessen the effect that the Midday Sun has on the colony, Not Dumb our Termites. The last shot is of the Mary river flood plain and shows how it is edged by numerous rocky outcrops, such as the ones on the South Alligator River Flood plains where all those wonderful rock paintings are located.

#098-365 Coin Operated

2009-12-04T05:54:00.002+10:00

I know someone else used these first but I thought that I would show you that when it came to money grubbing (Sorry Revenue raising) Sydney City Council has few peers. These were taken at the North and South Sides of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, no not on the Bridge, Under it. if the Bridge traffic doesn't flow they can't collect their exorbitant tolls. Well in any event they don't want you to have any excuse for paying to park so you may pay with Coins, Notes, Credit Cards or your Mobile Phone. Strangely enough though, although it was around midday on the day I took these there were no cars parked in either bays and both The Rocks Area and Milson's Point (North Sydney) are extremely trendy neighbourhoods where I would expect BMWs, SAABs or Toyota Prius' at the least to be thronging!

Last of the croc shots

2009-12-03T06:29:00.003+10:00

These shots show a large male crocodile close to our boat (Paying us no never mind) his attention is cemtered on the smaller female close to the shore. Her attention though is centered on the Duck Dinner she still strutting near the waters edge When we left she had lashed at him a few times, so I guess she was just saying - "After I Eat!" Guess male female relationships are the same no matter what the species.

#317-365 Temperature

2009-12-03T06:15:00.002+10:00

This is a shot of the North Sydney Olympic swimming pool, just near Luna Park on Sydney Harbour, and the day I took this it was warm and pleasant not stinking hot like yesterday, but I think with views like this to enjoy, both through the glass, portico walls and the open roof space, it would not matter what the temperature was, it would be a nice place to spend your time. The strange perspective came about as I was trying not to photograph the children in swimming, but I came away with a winner in my eyes.

Another view of Kakadu Crocs

2009-12-02T17:33:00.002+10:00

These three shots show a small drama that took place, while we were out on the South Alligator River. This is a smallish Croc, maybe 8' long who found a fish suffering oxygen depravation, and though he would have a snack. Well crocs don't chew, so when the find something slightly too large to swallow whole, they take it in their Jaws, flick their head and snap it in two gulpable portions. When this fellow carried this method out there were two little white birds about the size of a sandpiper who wanted their share too, the second shot shows the first one dive bombing the croc to try and distract it from the piece of fish near the shore to the left. Of course a croc has to eat too so he was as quick as lightning and was onto the second piece before he had swallowed the first. That didn't discourage the other bird who came down pecking to show his displeasure. Loved these shots, and for your eddification when a large German Tourist nearly fell from the boat trying to get a shot, the tour guide chastized him by reminding us that for larger prey such as the tourist, the croc is forced to do a death roll, in order to twist off a swallow sized bite, and if there wasn't many crocs around the prey may stay there decomposing for weeks. The German guy stayed seated for the rest of the trip! Don't worry he would not have decomposed, we saw hundreds of crocs on that trip, but the birds aren't scared of them.

More Crocs (Sorry if Duplicates)

2009-12-02T08:24:00.003+10:00

I apologize if I have posted these before, I intended to but can't find where I did, I loved that I got this shot before our tour guide told everyone else about him and also was wrapped at capturing him do his disappearing act when everyone was made aware that he was there, anyway twice posted is better than never - In My Book!

#204-365 Nursery Rhymes

2009-12-02T07:05:00.004+10:00

Thanks Julie for the opportunity of telling you of my favourite Nursery Rhyme; "The Man in the Moon Stayed up too Late": from the book Farmer Giles of Ham, by J.R.R. Tolkien. Don't run away - Read It - Out Loud is Best - then Read it to your grandchildren!

The Man in the Moon Stayed up too Late!

There was an old Inn, a merry old Inn, beneath an old grey hill;
Where they brew a beer so brown, that the Man in the Moon himself came down,
One night, to drink his fill.

The ostler has a tipsy cat, that plays a five string fiddle;
And up and down he saws his bow, now squeaking high, now purring low,
now sawing in the middle.

The Landlord keeps a little dog, that is mighty fond of jokes;
When there's good cheer among the guests, he cocks an ear at all the jests,
and laughs until he chokes.

They also keep a horned cow, as proud as any Queen;
But music turns her head like ale, and makes her wave her tufted tail,
and dance upon the green.

And O! the rows of silver dishes, and the store of silver spoons!;
For Sunday there's a Special Pair, and these they polish up with care,
on Saturday afternoons.

The Man in the Moon was drinking deep, and the cat began to wail;
a dish and a spoon on the table danced, the cow in the garden madly pranced,
and the little dog chased his tail.

The Man in the Moon took another mug, and then rolled beneath his chair;
and there he dozed and dreamed of ale, while in the sky the stars were pale,
and Dawn was in the air.

Then the Ostler said to his tipsy cat, 'the white horses of the moon;
They neigh and champ their silver bits, but their master's been and drowned his wits,
and the Sun'll be rising soon.

So the cat on the Fiddle played Hey-Diddle-Diddle, a jig that would wake the dead;
He squeaked and sawed and quickened the tune, while the Landlord shook the Man in the Moon,
It's after 3 he said.

They rolled the Man slowly up the hill, and bundled him into the Moon;
while his horses galloped up in rear, and the cow came capering like a deer,
and a dish ran up with a spoon.

Now quicker the fiddle went Deedle-Dum-Diddle, the og began to roar;
The cow and the horses stood on their head, the guests all bundled from their beds,
and danced upon the floor.

With a ping and a pong the fiddle strings broke! The cow jumped over the Moon!
and the little dog laughed to see such fun, and the Saturday Dish went of at a run,
with the silver Sunday spoon.

The round Moon rolled behind the hill, as the Sun raised up her head;
She hardly believed her fiery eyes, as though it was day -to her surprise,
they all went back to bed!

This was a labour of love in that I could not cut and paste the poem, blogger could not handle it and it even froze out Firefox , but here it is at last. I ended up with a PSD file in PSE having 30 layers to get this ?photo? composed all from shots that I have taken myself throughout the year, you may recognize Tibrogagen as the Hill, and I apologize for not having a team of white horses shown, I just never saw any. Also I played and played with the spoons and the dishes but couldn't get them to look good, so they must have run back into the Inn. Don't you think it was clever of my cat Snow to learn to play a five string fiddle just to be in the shot? I love the poem and hope you do too, and doing this was a big headache but oh so much fun!

The Main reason people come to Kakadu

2009-12-01T11:16:00.003+10:00

I must admit to being blown away by the number and variety of the bird-life I witnessed at Kakadu, but will readily admit that one of the biggest draw-cards for the park are depicted above.
I don't know if you can see that just below my signature, is the scalp of a fellow tourist, I point that out to show you that even though we were not much more than 15' from that 10' crocodile in the shallows near the log, he his very difficult to see, if you were not paying attention, it would easily be a case of him seeing you, when you were not even aware of his existance.
In the second shot he had come to about 5' of the boat, and I snapped a shot that showed he was still hard to see, even while drawing closer. I wasn't able to get the shot where he slide under water about a foot from the boat, because all the other tourists were rushing to that side of the boat, when the tour guide pointed him out. _ This is not a complaint by me, cause as they were rushing forward, your brave photographer was back peddling to the other side of the boat, pushing Sally in that direction too! - Theory, He would be so full after eating all of them, he wouldn't be interested in skinny me and Sally. Mumma didn't raise no Idiots!

Warning !! Clara has said she saw these things in Florida - She hasn't, THESE ARE ESTUARINE CROCODILES or SALTWATER CROCODILES. They grow twice to three times as large as any Alligator and are about a thousand times more dangerous. The fact that the river is called the South Alligator River was the result of the surveyor who named it thought they were the same, He was an idiot they are not. The only alligators in Australia are in zoos, and lucky for Americans the only real crocodiles are located in your zoos.

The Last of the Bird specific Kakadu Shots

2009-12-01T06:28:00.002+10:00

These are Jacana - or Jesus Birds - So called for their apparent ability to walk on water, they seem to be every where, and don't even seem to be scared of Crocodiles as I saw some run right over the backs of some - I'm too old to have got those shots of course. The shot I did get and am very proud of is the second one, showing one stepping off the lily pad and straight onto the water grass just below the surface, I just love the spread of those toes, show just how the magician does it.

#308-365 Summer

2009-12-01T06:20:00.002+10:00

Sally reminded me that today is 1st December 2009 - The start of Summer. So I have been holding this one back from my last little Jaunt up to Noosa. A little subdued Pseudo HDR to help you people make it through until the snow plows can get through to you, and the water runs in the pipes again. Just in case you thought I was getting soft, I hope you all enjoy OUR SUMMER!

The Penultimate Kakadu Bird shots promise!!!

2009-11-30T14:27:00.003+10:00

The first photo shows the nest built by the White Breasted Fish Eagle, which resembles very closely that built by the Red Fish Eagle in the Darwin area that I feel looks just like the American Bald Eagle. The second shot shows two of the multitude of Yellow Whistling Ducks that were so numerous when we were there, only being out numbered by the Magpie Geese by a factor of 10, give or take. In the third shot I am sorry but I did not catch the name of this Ibis but do recall the guide saying that it was Endemic to the Northern Territory floodplain region. The large bird centre screen is a Jabiru stork about the biggest bird on the floodplain and it is given a wide berth by all as it is a most voracious eater consumming just about anything it can grab, I do believe though that like many other native species it is sorely threaten by the poisonous Cane Toads which have recently entered Kakadu.

Yet more Kakadu Birds

2009-11-30T07:07:00.003+10:00

The top two photos show some White Breasted Fish Eagles on the wing and the lower two show the Whistling Kites on the wing (and perched). The guide went out of her way to show us that the silhouette of both birds differ in so far as the Eagle has a straight wing line and the Kite has a bent or broken wing line. Being raptors though they are the top of the food chain so their numbers (even in Kakadu) are not all that great, and the kites in particular will generally only congragate in large numbers when there is a fire giving them a chance to pick up slow or fleeing rodents and the like. In any event they look just SOOOO good on the wing - I wanna do that!

#243-365 Public Art

2009-11-30T06:45:00.002+10:00

Okay here is one straight out of Left Field, This sculpture (Is that the right word) sits in the middle of a round-a-bout in The Rocks area of Sydney. You can see the old stonework behind the piece, and behind me as I shot this is the renovated Wharf area that is now so trendy. What I need from you lot, before you get too far into the Egg Nog Swilling Season (and become Silly), is an explanation of what the hell the artist intended. I have never claimed to understand art, nor have any type of talent in this direction, so please tell me if this is ART or just a derelict car that someone has secured by placing a Bloody Big Rock on it.

Almost the last Bird shots from Kakadu

2009-11-29T16:39:00.004+10:00

These two are from left to right , one of the ubiquitous Whistling Kites that used to be so prevelant in Darwin, but seem to becoming rare as the place urbanizes. Here you can see him on the ground feeding on a largish fish that has been overcome by the oxygen depleted waters brought about by the low water levels. This is part of the wild bounty cause when the rains come there will be far too much water between the fish for a kite to eat well. The second shot is of a common Egret to the best of my knowledge, I particularly liked the log on which he was perched, waiting to pounce on his dinner.

)31-365 Box Office / Wickets

2009-11-29T07:07:00.002+10:00

Here is the one Julie has been dreading, a Dinky Di, Ridgididje Wickets shot, I tried to get a photo of the wicket being demolished by a quick bowler but that wasn't on offer and in a way that is good because this shot shows so much more. The fielder poised for a catch is non other than the Australian Captain Ricky Ponting, a most prolific batsman with maybe two to five years left of test cricket. The batsman seen sweeping the ball onto the leg-side is the other side of the coin. Adrian Barath is playing his maiden test for the West Indies, and although being dismissed for only 15 in his first innings went on in the second innings to post the only Century of the match, he in fact got out just after the shot shown here for a score of 104, and regardless of anything else he has a century on debut and that is to be cherished in a cricket career.
The (Normally - Five day match) was over in only three but that doesn't take away from the spirit in which the game was played, the West Indies from the mid 70s until the 1990s was simply the best cricketing nation in the world, and their fast bowlers terrorized batsmen the world over, well things have changed (as must happen) but take it from me the same spirit runs in the new players here today, the comparison with the matches played in England recently, where the England team pulled all the tricks out of the hat to prevent a result in two of the Ashes matches, bodes so much better for the West Indies future as a cricketing nation. From the Era of Geoffrey Boycott, who in my opinion was the best (potential) batsman the game has produced, but who seemingly through team policy stonewalled (defending his wicket at all cost) instead of batting his way out of trouble, the whole ethos of England has become what ever you do don't lose!
This attitude does not exist for either Australia or the West Indies and in the main for most other cricketing nations, who would all rather go down swinging than just hanging on for a draw. Nothing could epitomize this more than the fact that the only "TIED" test match (until 1986) occurred in Brisbane at this time of year in 1960 and involved the same combatants being bowled out twice for the same aggregate score with only one ball left to bowl but all 40 batsmen dismissed. The second "TIED" test involved Australia and India who have gone on to become the powerhouse of World cricket today. The West Indies will get back to a strong position in the cricketing world, have no doubt, all other countries still understand that you can't play the game in a way that "Just Isn't Cricket - Don't You Know". Maybe England will grow up and learn to play to win again, but it is doubtful! In any event I can't wait till November next Year when the Old Enemy (England) are back on our soil so that we can wrest the Ashes from them.
Just to reinforce the comradeship that occurs in the game Brendan Nash (Playing for the West Indies) was brought up and played cricket right here in Brisbane and is quite good friends (off the field) with a few of our players. Moreover, last Thursday the great West Indies Batsman (Now Retired) Brian Lara was awarded an honorary (AM) Member of the Order of Australia, by the Australian Government because of "service to Australia-Caribbean relations by promoting goodwill, friendship and sportsmanship through the sport of cricket". Now That IS Cricket!

Brolgas - Native Dancing Cranes

2009-11-28T12:02:00.002+10:00

The large Gray Crane like birds you can see here mingling along the shore with all the other water fowl ar called "Brolgas" or Native Dancing Cranes, which is derived from their elaborate courtship dance rituals, which alas are not seen at this time of year, as they nest in the long grass and when the wet comes the land they are currently walking on will be underneath anything up to 20 feet of water, so they wait until there is some hint of the floodwater subsiding and then commence their courtship and subsequent breeding. Strangely the crocodile faces the same sort of problem, in so far as they start their courtship as the rains are about here then have to find just the right place to site the nest so that the hatchlings don't drown. If you want me to get some shots of the Brolgas dancing near the commencement of the dry, you better pass the hat around to get together enough money for my AirFare the Airboat to get around in the swamp conditions oh and the 5 star Accommodation that I am sure I could get used to, - Give Early Give Often (Apologies to Senator Gerry Mander)

Some more Kakadu Birds

2009-11-28T07:10:00.003+10:00

The first bird is a common cormorant and looks pretty similar to one I photographer in Humpybong Creek down here in Redcliffe, just a whole heap less rotund. It was the first bird I snapped at Yellow Waters, drying himself on some watergrass beds, if you enlarge you will see the water under the grass. He was right near where we boarded the Tour Boat and was still there when we came back over 90 minutes later. The second bird although of the same family is not a cormorant, I am assured that he is in fact a Darter and is more closely related to the Asian Snake Bird, than the Cormorant, in any event both great fishermen who work dangerous waters as I will show in coming posts.

#355-365 Weights and Measures

2009-11-28T06:56:00.002+10:00

Okay this one is a little lame, it was at the Doctors office and I wanted to prove I was a man of substance, just not that much substance, so I took measures to ensure that the light would obscure the figure from prying eyes. The second scale is cause the title is Weights and you all know how I always stay in strict obeyance with the International Committee's guidelines. Another theme conquered.

More Kakadu Bird types

2009-11-27T12:31:00.003+10:00

Two disimilar Birds of the Kakadu area, the first is a Cattle Egret, you see them at the feet of all types of grazing animals, ready to clean up any worm or insect stirred up by those plodding hooves, got to be honest though, I forgot that this was the name given us by the Tour Gide (for which I apologize) but it was a lucky thing cause when I looked it up I found out that the orange colour on the head and neck indicates a breeding bird. The non-breeding birds are all white and the juveniles have a dark gray beak, Lucky aren't I! The second shot shows a pair of White Breasted Fish Eagles who seemed content to occupy the branches of that tree for the full hour and a half we spent out on the South Alligator River, I lingered on them for a while but could not catch this pair on the wing, hopefully some of the other shots included some of their kin!

#060-365 Communications

2009-11-27T05:45:00.003+10:00

The first photo was taken, just up the road from our place and when first taken I thought that it illustrated Air Pollution quite well, these sort of towers are springing up everywhere, we even have schools banding together to Stop them being erected near the scholls. Then on the Bus trip to Kakadu I snapped this array which somewhat Dwarfs its city cousin, but then the land it has to cover is so much MORE. So my thoughts morphed into communications and how important it has become. When cellphones first became popular, I was ANTI to the Nth degree, too bloody intrusive, then had to have one for work and one night had to dial 000 (Not 911) to report a fire, now just on the emergency point of view I wouldn't be without one - Total Backflip, a Man's prerogative they tell me!
This took me in another direction, all these backflips must be classed as exercise right? We have all heard of Shamen using fire to communicate over vast distances, The Maya, Inuit, Egyptians even old Merlin was reputed as an Exponent of the art. Well the Stuart Highway, Northern Territory's One Line of Communications was named after John McDouall Stuart who was the first white to travel successfully from the South of this vast land to the North and return. The Highway stays pretty close to the route he took too. I have read but can't confirm that when in the rough locality of the Centre of Australia, he met an Aborigine Elder who greeted him with a Masonic Handshake, and in the course of many days conversation regaled him with a knowledge of the outside world that Stuart found astounding, but nothing as startling as a throw away query by the old gentleman as they were departing, which asked what had happened to their Red Brothers to the North. Further questioning ellicited that the two groups used to communicate regularly in the fires, the old guy even knew about Bison and Elk although it is impossible for him to have seen them, he just queried why they had stopped communicating, Stuart couldn't tell him and just left on his travels. My thought is that as this happened around the late 1840s it most likely coincides with the American West being overrun with settlers and they most likely told the Native Americans that it was impossible to talk long distance in the fire, so they couldn't any longer! Simple as that, Bloody Telcos even back then they were ripping people off. Wouldn't it be good if we could get that skill back - Put em out of business over night1
So next time I have a fire going I will have a go at contacting Tammy and Karen and Julie and the like, shouldn't be hard I will just peek around the Cauldron and all that Hubble Bubble toil and Trouble stuff!

Kakadu Magpie Geese take to the Air

2009-11-26T10:45:00.004+10:00

Just in case you though the geese by the river were statues or some such I thought that you may appreciate seeing a few on the wing, these shots were taken North of the Yellow Waters Billabong site whereas the two previous were South of that Locale, and about 10 minutes apart, on both occasions the birds were startled by something close to them on the ground, so although I saw nothing I am assuming that there was a Dingo hunting in the area and he missed with his first attempt, let them settle then had another go.

#069-365 Crossroads

2009-11-26T06:48:00.002+10:00

Well neither of these are really cross "Roads" the first one is Streets and the second is tracks, I took the first about 2 miles from where I live and the second about 2,000 miles from here. I love the bright colour that the typical Australian day provides and was drawn by the contrast in my flight to Darwin that not only was there fairly good cloud cover all the way but also that there was hazy low level coverage for the entire trip both ways. The surprising thing about the second shot is the amount of green evident from 35,000 feet whereas the surrounding area was brown and so desert like in appearance.

Bird Numbers Prior to The WET are Enormous

2009-11-25T12:11:00.002+10:00

These two photos show a small percentage of the birds I witness thronging both banks of the South Alligator River in Kakadu, I have said in a past posting that I guesstimated the number of Magpie Geese at well over 400,000 but I think that is a conservative guess. The first photo shows the Western shore and as you can see the rows go back a long way, the second shot shows the row upon row behind the Rangers Boat on the Eastern Shore. The rangers were out placing weevils (or such) on the the Salvinia fern (a home aquarium plant) which got into the wetlands and threatens the entire eco-system, it seems to be working as the last time I was here, the Yellow Waters Billabong and a lot of the South Alligator River were virtually blocked by the weed, and that was during the Wet Season and the river level was about 15 foot higher than I have displayed here and the river would have spread all the way to the trees you can see behind the Rangers and The Geese, and those behind the geese on the Western shore too! _ It's not called the WET for nothing!

2009-11-25T06:23:00.002+10:00

Back to the Northern Territory, when we stopped for a drink and the guide told us about the Bush apples I posted yesterday, there was a whole flock of Cockateels hanging around the store and Motel site, here are a few taking advantage of the tree tops to catch what little breeze there was, but the main action was the constant bickering to get the opportunity to drink from the condensation overflow pipe of the store's air conditioning unit, this guts seemed to win most of the battles so I guess he was Top Cock(Y)teel that day!

#063-365 Concrete and Cement

2009-11-25T06:05:00.002+10:00

This shot was taken from the Walkway on the Sydney Harbour Bridge and as I took the shot I assuned that it was Office space, and I am sure that a building with such great views of the Bridge and Sydney Harbour would need office space to make it affordable, I swear that most of the windows I could see from the Bridge were kitted out just like living rooms and bedrooms etc, but if I could come out onto the terrace just as these two have and soak in that view, I don't think I could live anywhere better.

Some sights of the Bus Trip

2009-11-24T11:29:00.004+10:00

The couple pictured here were our companions on the bus trip and like us were somewhat taken aback by the short walk to the Rock Art Gallery, I was totally drawn to the way her hat was allowed to just drag on the path. When I informed them that I had taken the shot no effort was made to retrieve the hat until they were seated in the shade, and the gentleman on seeing the shot in the viewfinder said "That's not us, we're much hotter and tired than THAT!" I also thought it was a good idea to give you a glimpse of what ripe bush apples look like incase one day you find yourself in Kakadu and are either starving or constipated!

Cultural Mores

2009-11-24T06:51:00.002+10:00

This started off as a snap of the old Vic Hotel in Smith Street Darwin, which when I first got to Darwin a couple of years after Cyclone Tracy (which completely flattened Darwin) The Vic was a "Blood Bath" 7 Days a week! Here it was transformed into a "Boutique Bar" and all I could say was "Who'da Thunk It, Mrs Plunkett?" So I just raised the camera and click! This challenge has honed my perception though and I sensed something not quite right.
Notice the Lady Lower left corner, the one with her face averted. She had been walking up the Mall and only saw me at the last moment, It is their belief that if I take a photo of her showing her visage and go back down South and she should die, her spirit would find no rest until the photo was destroyed. It is related to the same belief that dictates that once a person dies they no longer use the deceased's name or view photos of them.
Concerned I approached her and asked if she wanted the photo deleted, or would photoshop her out of the shot if she wanted, she said no - no harm done as she had seen me in time, nothing more was said but I got a feeling that she was thankful that I had made the offer. I personally am thankful cause her being in the photo doing the right thing is far more meaningful than my memory of drunken bodies toppling over the balcony you see centre shot.

Six Seasons of Kakadu

2009-11-24T06:41:00.003+10:00

This stone is located outside the Warradjan Cultural Centre, in which photography is forbidden as it contravenes a lot of Cultural mores. This rock is open for all and is so interesting in that it shows and describes each of the weather stages that occur up in this area but also goes on to show how the names themselves depict the movement of the group and how they follow a logical progression from one food source to the next. I tried hard to get the wording in but it is a bit hard to see, so log on to kakadu.com.au and there is a well drawn replica available there for you to get more info from.

Nourlangie Rock Formation

2009-11-23T16:15:00.002+10:00

This is the rock formation where the two images I have posted from the Anbangbang Gallery are located, this whole region is steeped in lore that only the Bininj people could come close to explaining in any meaningful way, there are other paintings further up the rock walk and a look out on the top. Heat and fatigue made it more prudent for me to slowly amble back to the bus with Sally, so no shots, sorry. Bear in mind that this is the end of the dry season, the build-upfor the monsoon has just started, the weather is draining.

Another Rock Art Figure

2009-11-23T07:41:00.003+10:00

This figure was described as "Namarrgon - Lightning Man" by our guide, and is one of the main characters of the Dreamtime. We were a bit early in the season so I wasn't able to show you the lightning displays that had held myself and a score of other drain dead "Soldiers" enthralled for hours most nights of the wet season in the "Top End" as Darwin and surrounding areas are called.
Lightning is BIG up here, we used to sit on Emery Point on the Eastern shore of Darwin Harbour, looking West over 2 miles of water and about 18 miles of the Cox Peninsula towards the 400+ miles of Beagle Gulf, which I have been informed has a sea bottom of Iron Ore which attracts the best Lightning I have ever seen. I have seen Sheet Lightning wider than my hand span with my am held at full length from my face, if that was on the near coast of Beagle Gulf (20 miles away) parallex error would make the strikes actual width around 30 feet wide, if it is out in the middle of BG then the sheets must be miles wide and that is awe inspiring just to contemplate. Obviously I wasn't informed too much about the significance of "Lightning Man" but suffice it to say the Elders who drew him had seen the same lightning strikes I have just described and for them to envision such a creation character, there must be very deep rooted significance for the Bininj! Try googling kakadu.com.au if you want to look for mor info on the Aborigine Bininj (People). HERE is a link that the tourist commision has put out that shows a small part of the diversity of the Aboriginal Peoples!

#012-365 Antique

2009-11-23T06:04:00.002+10:00

This is an antique by any description that matters and although it doesn't pertain directly to Aboriginal Culture it does come from Vietnam and has origins in China (another Ancient Culture). This is thereby suitable to fulfill my posting reqirements for the challenge as I can tie it in with this weeks little series, in so far as Anthropologists seem to be of the opinion that the ancestors of the Aborigines originated in China and came here via a land-bridge that would have included land that is now called Vietnam among many others leading to the Malaysian Peninsular and down through the Indonesian Archipelago. These suppositions of the origins doesn't gel with me as the Dreamtime legend indicates that the Aborigines originated HERE!
Considering that the last Ice Age ended 10-12,000 years ago, and the average duration of an Ice Age is around 40-80,000 years, they need to come up with another explanation as there is carbon dating of material from Mungo in the Victoria, South Australia border area, that had direct descendants of todays inhabitants of that and surrounding areas living there by the shore of (a long gone) Lake Mungo, over 40,000 years ago. Well that is enough for now, more affiliated posts today!

#126-365 Graffiti or Mural

2009-11-22T17:20:00.002+10:00

This is the first of a series of photos depicting a small part of the cultural element of our trip to the Northern Territory, I will later show some more animals and landscapes as they are beautiful, but for now bear with me as I try to tempt you to come and visit and try to be one with the oldest known culture still alive! The above Rock art is attested as being at least 5,000 years old, I have been privileged to see some that was reputed as being 20,000 years old and I have heard reports of some rock Art that has given indications of being 30-40,000 years old but I would never get the chance to eben know where that is. That Is Dreamtime, and the culture persists. So what I have labelled as Graffiti - Mural is oh so much more, the figure depicted above tell about five tales of morals and how to live, I can't do the tales justice so won't try, but the Bibinj who inhabit this land (Kakadu) have all got their rules for living from this and many more such drawings from the past. I hope I have become a good enough phoyohrapher to do this series of shots justice and can tempt one or two of you to come out to the Oldest Land on Earth and learn of your past!

#291-365 Snack

2009-11-22T07:06:00.002+10:00

This was taken just near the snack shop of the Queensland Museum in Brisbane, which I feel just goes to prove that people are just plain mean. They have so many snacks in there that they have to sell them just to get rid of them and poor old Rex there hasn't had a bite to eat in ages, now does that seem right to you?

Another Bottler Pair

2009-11-21T13:45:00.002+10:00

This Photo show two beautiful Sweethearts (Yes Sally is my main one) but the other one with her is a Sweetheart too. Sweetheart was a Large male Crocodile that had declared a certain stretch of the Finnis River His personal Territory, attacking quite a number of fishermen in small dinghies. So the decision was made to capture him and relocate him to a less populated area (there are about three people to the square mile out there) Alas in the attempt he was tranquilized which disabled a crocodiles natural defences against drowning. Although he was only underwater about 5 minutes and healthy crocs can last an hour or more easily submerged, by the time the cage he was in was raised, he was dead! So I introduced my sweetheart to the Territories version and took this bottler photo to give you an idea of the size. For the uninitiated - Bottler - means "Bonzer Beaut" or ripper tune, or anything else peope say when they see anything that they think is pretty good or terrific, like Sally is!

Two Bottler Aussie Birds

2009-11-21T06:15:00.002+10:00

I always thought of Kingfishers being a largish bird, as is our Kookaburra (slightly smaller than a crow) but these two beauties are what I consider a match for the Hummingbirds that Lijola and others keep posting and making me jealous. If you google the Azure Kingfisher (Left) and the Little Kingfisher (Right) they are listed as being 17 centimetres and 12 centimetres respectively, but take my word these guys must have been juveniles as they were much smaller than that. If the tour guide had not pointed them out and brought the boat close, I would not have seen either of them, they were minute but oh so colourful! Heaps more to come - Keep tuned!

#193-365 Musically Inclined

2009-11-21T06:01:00.002+10:00

Couldn't decide which of these meritted being shown most so you get two for the price of one! The first shot is of a pair of talented Buskers along the Brisbane South Bank Parklands who incorporated a lot of indigenous instruments and sounds into their act. The second group are a group of highly energetic and musically talented Marearchi and Jambezi Mussos who were letting it all hang out and thrilling the crowd in the Brisbane Queen Street Mall, both groups really lived their music.

Kakadu Photos As is expected

2009-11-20T18:12:00.003+10:00

The main reason people go to Kakadu National Park is for the Crocodiles. Here are two shots of the first one I saw, and I snapped it before the guide announced his presence, as soon as the announcement was made and everyone's attention was on him, he disappeared as I have shown in the second shot. I will show more Crocs with time but can't wait to show you a few of the stunning birds that abounded in the area while we were there. It is the build up before the Monsoon so water levels are low and the birds congregate in vast numbers. We only cruised the Yellow Waters Billabong and a couple of miles both up and down stream, and my guesstamation of the number of Magpie Geese that we saw would have been in excess of 400,000. (some shots in the next few days to show what I mean. The cultyral aspects are of extreme importance too, for a bit of an insight goto kakadu.com.au as this is an institution run by the indigenous Australians in an effort to retain their culture, and provide provide a finacial basis for doing so when the mining leases close own and royalties cease. I might add that the current royalties are being turned over to the upkeep and improvements to the park, and should see a sustainable future for the locals.

#247-365 Puzzle

2009-11-20T13:24:00.002+10:00

Here is a shot from my recent trip to Darwin that fitted a wanted theme, as I was walking past I heard an Asian guy ask his companion what is that for? As it puzzled him I thought it might give rise to questions with you lot too. I took the second shot around 18 minutes later as I was leaving Stokes Hill Wharf (Darwin's Main Wharf) and you can see the difference in the water level already. There are regular (twice daily) Ranging from .2 of a metre to around 8 metres, so the multiple levels is just one ot the methods used to enable people to embark and disembark no matter what the level. My first day in Darwin back in 1976, no one warned me and I had to trot quite quickly to keep ahead of the incoming tide on one of the local beaches.

My first posts from recent Darwin Trip

2009-11-20T07:16:00.002+10:00

If you like sunrises, here is one for you. It was taken from the rear parklands adjacent to our hotel, the Vibe Hotel Darwin (More shots to follow). The first photo was taken from ground level, looking out over the parklands, man made lagoon and Darwin Harbour. The second two minutes later from the vantage point of the fifth floor landing leading into Darwin CBD, (accessed by lift - I'm not that fit!)

#202-365 Notes

2009-11-15T05:55:00.002+10:00

I thought that I would come back to Brisbane from Sydney for this second post of the day as we are departing for Darwin later this morning (Ah no rest for the wicked they say) this is the concert hall of the Brisbane Town Hall in King George Square, named after King George V (Not the one you Yanks had such a disagreement with). This was a quite difficult shot, with the given lighting (I had just finished snapping skateboarders out in the square - Breaking the law, alas I didn't capture their faces) I find that sort of adjustment in settings to be a challenge, to get right, and am more than pleased with this snap of the magnificent Pipe Organ holding Center stage. See you all when I get back from The Top End!

#146-365 Heirloom

2009-11-15T05:38:00.003+10:00

No there is no stretch at all here, and it is located just down the road from the last post, it is the anchor of the HMS Sirius a member ship of the First Fleet which transported convicts out to Botany Bay. Sirius stayed on in Port Jackson (Sydney Harbour) as a supply ship, doing an emergency resupply run to the Cape of Good Hope when the colony was faced with starvation. She was wrecked off Norfolk Island whence this anchor was subsequently recovered and placed in monument close to Circular Quay! A True Heirloom of My Nation!

#297-365 Spelling Errors

2009-11-14T18:11:00.002+10:00

Possibly my longest stretch of a theme yet! Found this one very tough to fill as the common gimmick used bt Advertisers of misspelling things to draw the attention seemed passe. So I took this shot, did a slight HDR effect on it then remembered that it is the New South Wales Department of Education Building down in Bridge Street (named for the bridge over the Tank Stream which supplied early Sydney Town with fresh water - Not the Harbour Bridge which wasn't built until the 1930's) near Circular Quay in Sydney, and as you can see it is a very old building by Australian standards being continuously occupied in that role since 1881. Well my hypothesis is that this single building is responsible for at least 95% of the misspelling that had occured in the state since its inception. Top That - You Guys.

#090-365 Fads

2009-11-14T05:13:00.002+10:00

Here is a fad I just don;t understand, but it gives you a good idea of the size of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, The insert in the lower left show some "climbers" being escorted up the arch of the Bridge adjacent to the South Eastern Pylon, I commented that the wind must have been blowing at around 20 MPH at road level, their guide informed me that it was only 18 MPH, so I asked what speed om top? He jumped on his walky talky and laughed 43 MPH, I told them that they could have it, but noticed at least 15 such groups crawling all over the structure, like ants attached by toggle ropes. I just shook my head until I was enjoying a onderful $10 steak in a nearby drinking establishment, when a visitor from Britain came in complaining that his girlfriend had spent $A250.00 to climb the Bridge, and to me that seems as steep as the arch itself, but I guess it is just what the market will bear.

Doubling Up on 262 Road Street

2009-11-13T09:12:00.002+10:00

As I was wamdering around "The Rocks" in Sydney I came across this quaint split level Laneway, it is so typical of that area that not only did I have to take the Photo but I had to Double up om my original Posting for the challenge.

#167-365 Laundry

2009-11-13T07:54:00.002+10:00

I have to be honest this theme had me worried from the start, but I guess Good things happen to the most unlikely of people. While on a ferry in Sydney, I noticed the house pictured above and was amazed by the number of Statues that adorned the yard, The statues was why I took the shot, but in processing it I noticed something new near the top left of photo. It is a Hills Hoist Rotary clothsline, being used for what it was designed for, i have enlarged that section and repeated it over a bush in the lower right quadrant of the photo, overlapping the frame, you can even see the legs under the clothing. Yet another case of preparation and planning meaning NOTHING - Luck will out. I still wonder why they need all those statues though.

2009-11-12T20:15:00.002+10:00

I met a Starlet (I suspect she will be enormous in years to come) on a Ferry Ride from Circular Quay up the Parramatta River to Rydalmere. I think I was her first Papparazzi and she handled it magnificently, The first shot was her regular photographer snapping her on a runway (Gangway) She then blew kisses to her adoring public (Mum, Aunts, Grandpa and Granma, so I asked if I could get a shot of that as we were just pulling into Kissing Point Jetty. The lady holding her translated and I got a kiss thrown to me followed by a wave and a "Thank You" in almost a whisper. My first brush with stardom!

A couple more Properties with a view!

2009-11-12T15:58:00.003+10:00

I think that either of these properties would not last long on the listings of any Real Estate Agent! The one on the left is at the back of the Rocks and would be so central it would be superb. The one on the right was taken out on the Sydney South Head Watson's Bay area, although this shows a view out over Middle Head, directly across the road (where I am standing) is the cliff face with a beautiful view of North Head. From the properties rear windows there is a magnificent view up Port Jackson (Sydney Harbour) I would love to live there.

#099-365 Film

2009-11-12T15:49:00.002+10:00

Posting a couple as we are off to Darwin Northern Territory this weekend. Snapped this at the Rocks in Sydney as an impulse shot, when I saw it out of the corner of my eye, no thought of composition, just saw it and took it. As I did, the thought what movie (Film) does that remind me of, took me until I was back in Brisbane to remember "Barefoot in the Parl"! I even think the shot makes a statement on the film too!

#145-365 Hearts Desire

2009-11-12T06:06:00.002+10:00

This may be just a bit of whimsy on my behalf, but I am a white guy in a land where racial tensions are supposed to be strained. I have displayed my respect for the culture and life led by Australian Aborigines (as well as most other nations on Earth), but was pleasantly pleased to see the two flags depicted flying boldly side by side here, atop a building in Kirribilli, one of the most affluent suburbs in Sydney. To see the two flags flown like that (and both enjoying the same breeze) as I started my walk across the Harbour Bridge, really put me in fine fettle as I saw it as a positive sign for future relations. I won;t go on about this as I feel that it is just another case of the noisy wheel getting the grease. There are good and bad on both sides, maybe with time the majority on both sides will just ignore the trouble makers and just Get On as All us Aussies should.

Rocks Real Estate (For Tammy) Others may comment too!

2009-11-11T07:44:00.003+10:00

This seems to be what you asked about Tammy, and even though they are Heritage Listed, and you can't alter the exterior and in fact Have To maintain it to original condition, and you can only have a 99 year lease. I think the views shown in the bottom two shots, would indicate that there would be little trouble moving these listings. And don't worry more to come from the trip.

#116-365 Futuristic

2009-11-11T06:30:00.002+10:00

Maybe not in reality as it is most likely a communications tower in Brisbane, it is however a good representation of how I imagined the future when I was just a kid and getting hooked on Science Fiction writing, some of Asimov's early stuff and that of Robert Heinlein and Ray Bradbury, had me thinking that these sky spires would be dotted all over the place so that we could ascend them and board the next departing Intergalactic Cruiser for parts unimaginable - and I still want that, what a future!

As Promised Sydney Low Spots

2009-11-10T17:20:00.002+10:00

This depicts The Rocks in Sydney, which dating back to the 1880's until about the 1930's was considered to be the most dangerous place in Sydney, as being the former site of Convict barracks and the like, as it fell into disrepair, was ajudged only suitable habitat for the lower strata of society, and gave rise to "Razor Gangs" who carried (and used) straight shaving Razors as weapons, due to the punishment dished out to anyone found in possession of a Gun/Pistol. Their reign of terror was brought to an end in the 1930's due to the diligent work of the New South Wales Police Force and I was lucky enough to meet one of their number, the equally notorious Detective Sergeant "Wrong Way" Rogan. He reputedly went amongst the gangs armed only with his truncheon (Nightstick) and Bare Fists, the Press had a field day with his expoits but He (and many others) Got The Job Done!

I love the gentle border provided by the foliage of the above photo, as it encapsulate the Rock Wall in the lower left constructed of Local Sandstone actually carved by the early convicts as part of their penal servitude, and the old brick works of buildings that witnessed all the old "Bad Days" over the last 150 +- years, all juxtapositiond as a foreground for the unmistakable sails of the Sydney Opera House, which in fact is more indicative of the area today. It would have been unthinkable for people to live there even as recently as 1950/60 but now days people just could not afford to live there, it is really hot property. I will show more of this side of Sydney in the next few days. I hope that you enjoy this little sidetrip from the challenge.

#350-365 Wall

2009-11-06T07:56:00.003+10:00

This is the same Bouganvillia Vine as that depicted in Vine just further along the sweeping wall that graces the South Bank Parklands in Brisbane and don't worry it is my last posting untill I get back, from a little trip, enjoy the peace and quiet.

#349-365 Vine

2009-11-06T07:48:00.002+10:00

I think that this is a second posting of this shot but it is a great shot of the Bouganvillia vine and needs to be shown again. Sorry for the multiple postings but I am away for a few days (Lucky You) and won't be posting, I will try to get online however and try and comment.

#273-365 Seeds

2009-11-06T07:30:00.002+10:00

This is another case of Council doing what it likes, then trying to explain their actions. In this case the trees were ripped out without any notice or concern. The trees had originally been planted as a memorial to Australian servicemen who fell at Anzac Cove in Gallipoli, and I believe were sourced from trees found at Gallipoli. Ripped em down didn't give a damn, then rushed off to where they had been dumped and in theory gathered some seeds from them and planted this paltry "Grove" Which I hope has some meaning for those who lost pople at that conflict. To me however it is just another symbol of how government has no regard for the people who pay their wages. Now Brisbane is going to install another 5,000 parking meters and they are trying to tell us it isn't revenue raising. I wish that they would take some of the manure they are sprouting and put it under the trees - maybe the trees can swallow it - I don't!

#203-365 Numbers

2009-11-06T07:22:00.002+10:00

This is a culvert near where I live, and walking past there one day I caught sight of dozens of swallows darting in and out of this space, then they would fly the length of the small canal in front of the culvert, skimming over the surface of the water, then back into the darkness.
These things are fast and try as I may I could not capture a group in one shot to show their number, so I have blended birds from five separate shots to manufacture this shot. please bear in mind that it was hand held, I am quite pleased with the result.

#101-365 Flags and Banners

2009-11-05T09:08:00.002+10:00

I can think of no better depiction of this theme than the flags and/or banners arrayed from Stem to stern of the HMAS Diamantina seen here in permanent dry dock in front of the Goodwill Footbridge across the Brisbane River Leading from South Bank Parklands across to the City Proper.

#301-365 Stairs

2009-11-04T05:38:00.002+10:00

Revisiting my trip up Wild Horse Mountain, from several months back, took this shot just prior to making my way back down, after my hands had steadied enough to take a decent photo. Maybe not the best of Stair shots but it still brings to mind my thoughts (not for publication) when I got to the crest of that Hill, (which almost done me in) and saw that I still had to climb some stairs! - Thank Heavens for handrails is all I can say!

Melbourne Cup Update

2009-11-03T14:19:00.001+10:00

I predicted Crime Scene this morning but it could only manage second, but paid as much for the place as the winner did for the win! I'm a Happy Chappy!

Now for something important!

2009-11-03T08:37:00.002+10:00

Today is the 149th Running of "The Race that Stops a Nation"! The Melbourne Cup. The photo above was taken at the Redcliffe Paceway, where I went to investigate what they had planned for today and I am taking this shot back to see how they like it. The significance of the title "Bell Lap" for those not in the know is that the last lap is signified by the ringing of a bell as the trotters pass the finish post for the penultimate time in that race. The horse shown in front here, running with all four hooves off the ground, eventually went on to win in a close fought finish, but I felt this was a better shot and doubled in meaning as it was taken one day before the Cup!

The Melbourne Cup is a thoroughbred race over 2 miles and my belief is that if a horse is in it the horse is capable of winning, my personal choice is one called Crime Scene, but I always back outsiders and thereby rarely win. One or two interesting facts - Next Year marks the Sesquicentenary of this race - 150 runnings, and a British and an American Author are both out here to write a book about it, the Yank has to get through that one of our Training Heros is Bart Cummings, (Who at 84 years of age has the favourite (Last Years Winner) and two other runners in this year) but who is not related to Bart Simpson (AT ALL).
Another think I find interesting is that only 4,000 people watched the running of the first Melbourne Cup but this year they estimate a worldwide audience of 700 Million will watch it "Live" quiet a jump. This came close to being my historic post but I am an Army man needless to say!.
Enjoy, I hope you back the winner!

#125-365 Government

2009-11-03T08:25:00.002+10:00

This is in fact the New South Wales Government House in Sydney. As I am never enamoured with either Politics or Politicians, I chose this shot to depict Government, as it has a Fairy Kingdom look to it. In my opinion, no-one lives more in a fairy tale than politians, (All of Them)!

#118-365 Garden

2009-11-02T08:11:00.002+10:00

This is another visit to the Redcliffe Botanic Garden, which I find such a peaceful place to meander through although, it has become noisy and smelly where the Flying Foxes/Fruit Bats have set up their colony, and the fights for tree top real Estate between them and the resident Sacred Ibises, is the true meaning of the word Cacophonous, regardless I find myself needing a walk through there at least every month, and have done so for years.

#262-365 Road or Street

2009-11-01T06:53:00.002+10:00

Okay technically this is a Lane, (So lets Call this a "Deaggeration or is that Disaggeration" I mean I have been accused of committing "Ex" so often, call it recompense. The story behind this is maybe a little more interesting than the photo. I was in Fortitude Valley (China Town) just on the outskirts of Brisbane (About Midday - I'm not brave enough for Night Visits there!) There was a guy walking down the lane straight towards me, he was dressed all in black, mostly leather was about 6'8" tall and Big with it - His aura was one of Danger and it was paplable. He saw me take the shot and veered in my direction, as he approached he asked "What are you doing?" I said "Sorry mate you looked like a Giant James Dean coming down the lane and I couldn't resist taking the shot!" He contemplated my answer for an unnerving few moments then said "I don't like having my photo taken!" so I asked "would you like me to delete it?" the reply was "Yes" flat and menacing, so I turned the camera toward him showed him the shot - No change in his expression so I deleted it, then showed him the two snaps either side. One corner of his mouth raised slightly and he said "Good Choice" then left.
Don't get me wrong the chap was polite and well spoken, but I could see the above photo as being headed the place where Ron shuffled off this Mortal Coil. I would like all of you to look at the Lane - Try and picture him coming down it towards you, then tell me your actions would have differed to mine in any way. I regret not having his photo, but I AM ALIVE to tell you about it.

#316-365 Teeth

2009-10-31T05:42:00.002+10:00

I have always been fascinated by these activities, and talk about convenient, I was busy studying the inside of my eyelids the other day when an horrendous noise awoke me, Sweet Sally had closed all the windows and doors and seemed concerned, as it really was a racket. Mot me grabbed my "Have Nikon - Will Travel" and walked the thirty odd feet across the road and started clicking, Ended up with a fairly good collage of their activities, and Just How them big Teeth Work- "But Not Too Close Sir - We Don't Want Any Accidents"

#235-365 Places of Worship

2009-10-30T06:28:00.003+10:00

This is the new(ish) Roman Catholic Church at Rothwell and although I am happy with the job I did of removing the high Chainlink fence that had covered the lower section of the shot, I was not happy with any changes that I tried to make to the sky. I have done that successfully in the past but not this time so what you see is what you get. Sorry