Bridgewater Bay Long Exposure for Water H2O Thursday

 

Bridgewater Bay, located in Blairgowrie on the Mornington Peninsula near Melbourne, is a stunning coastal attraction known for its rugged beauty, striking rock formations, and picturesque ocean views. This secluded bay is a favorite among nature lovers, hikers, and photographers, offering a unique blend of natural splendor and adventure.

Natural Beauty and Geography

Bridgewater Bay is characterized by its dramatic limestone cliffs, rocky outcrops, and sandy coves. Unlike the more sheltered beaches on the bay side of the Mornington Peninsula, Bridgewater Bay faces the open ocean, resulting in powerful waves and a constantly changing landscape. The area is shaped by natural erosion, creating fascinating rock pools, sea caves, and arch formations that draw visitors seeking both exploration and relaxation.

Bridgewater Bay is part of the protected ecosystems within the Mornington Peninsula National Park. The region is home to unique flora and fauna, including coastal heathlands and bird species such as the Pacific gull. Conservation efforts ensure that the natural beauty of the bay is preserved while allowing visitors to appreciate its ecological importance.

Sony A7RV

FE 14mm f1.8 GM

Linking Water H2O Thursday

Back Beach at Mornington Peninsula, Melbourne, Australia

 

Back beach is about 72km long along Mornington Peninsula. It is about 150km out of Melbourne but still getting classified as a Melbourne suburb. Some said Melbourne is similar to Los Angeles in US. It has a wide span really.

Love long exposure. Here we go, another "unnatural" photo. 

Sony A7RIV

FE 16-35mm f2.8 GM

Photos of Mornington Peninsula

Mount Martha sunset Mornington Peninsula for Water H2O Thursday

 

Joel and I did not manage to walk far into Balcombe walking trail. He was so preoccupied with this scene. He set up his equipment like he was setting up a nuclear lab. It only took less than 1 minute to get this frame handheld.

Mount Martha is a quaint beach town wedged between Safety Beach and Mornington on the Mornington Peninsula. This is a popular walk with locals and it's easy to see why - this track follows the Bay Trail and encompasses four leash free beaches as well as providing beautiful bay views.

Hawker Beach, Birdrock Beach and Dava Beach are three different leash free beaches available along this walk and all boast golden sand and clear water. Your dog will love jumping through the waves or digging in the sand and owners will love the shelter of the surrounding cliffs – creating your own sanctuary. Make sure you are aware of the steep beach access along this walk 

The leash free beaches are expansive, with Dava Beach being a continuation of Birdrock Beach (the only way to enter Dava Beach is to first enter Birdrock Beach). Fossil Beach gives you something different altogether, being predominately made up of rocks it gets its name from the abundance of fossils that geologist A.R.C Selwyn discovered amongst the limestone cliffs there in 1854. These fossils displayed evidence of sea life from 10-15 million years ago.

Sony A7RV

FE 70-200mm f4 G

Linking Water H2O Thursday

Dramatic sunset at Back Beach Mornington Peninsula

 

Sea Cave at Back Beach Mornington Peninsula

Close to sunset

Sony A7RV + 14mm f1.8 GM

Linking Skywatch Friday

Pulpit Rock, Cape Schanck, Mornington Peninsula, Melbourne

 

Pulpit rock is a basalt type formed by cooling lava. This is a popular location for angling fishing and photographers. Few get hurled out into the sea every year according to the statistics. During high tide, one would be standing at the sea floor scuba diving. 

Coming here is always a challenge. Photographers are like a pack of wolves here. We gonna get our spots like a prized possession. I often browse for stock market news on my phone, squatting on these uneven rock surfaces. 

Did I mention that there were more tourists than the fish in the ocean here?

Sony A7RIV

FE 14mm f1.8 GM

Cape Schanck Mornington Peninsula

Pirate's Bay, Mornington Peninsula, Australia

 

This is the coast that is still classified within Melbourne district. And, no, there are no pirates here. In fact, pirates will die coming here. This cave is usually under the sea in high tide. These rocks can cut my shoes so easily like razor blades.

Sony A7RIV

Laowa 9mm f5.6

Mornington Peninsula Posts

No 16 Back Beach Mornington Peninsula, Melbourne

 

Love the spot behind Dragon Head No 16 Rye beach in Mornington Peninsula 

Sony A7RIV 

FE 14mm f1.8 GM

Beach posts

The intense blue is particularly nice in Winter 

Not good for my wet feet

p.s. The spam filter on blogspot is a nightmare. I cannot even comment on other blogs anymore. I even struggle to get inside this blogspot. This reminds why I left Blogspot 5 years ago. PTSD!

Flinders Blowhole, Mornington Peninsula, Melbourne for Water H2O Thursday

 

For over fifteen years, Joel and I have been endeavouring to pinpoint the exact location of Flinders Blowhole. My initial discovery of this location was through a local photography club, in an era preceding the advent of the digital age. Our reliance on traditional maps often led us astray in the region, resulting in many fruitless excursions devoid of any photographic success.

Last weekend, we embarked on an exploration of a seldom-visited segment of the Mornington Peninsula. Utilising the marvel that is Google Maps, we managed to navigate our way into this region.

However, it was only upon our arrival that we realised we had ventured to an incorrect section of Flinders Blowhole. There exist two other similar tracks leading to different parts of the same shoreline.

Owing to my demanding travel schedule and work commitments in remote Victoria, I have been unable to process all the photographs. Nevertheless, I shall endeavour to share a few with you in due course.

Sony A7RV

FE 20-70mm f4 G

Linking Water H2O Thursday

Joel suggested to me that there will be two new Sony lenses coming out. 500-800mm zoom and 16mm f1.8. I want them badly too. 

Back Beach Mornington Peninsula

 

Back beach Mornington Peninsula

That is the sunset I want to see

Pity the entire Easter will be quite stormy. I gonna find something else to do.

Sony A7RV

FE 14mm f1.8 GM

Linking Sky Watch

Sea Cave at Mornington Peninsula, Australia

 

Three years later, I realise I had something good going in blogspot. Though I had started my ventures in zenfolio and instagram, blogspot platform has its own advantages. I think I cannot put all eggs in one basket as all my previous successful blogs on here either get bot attacked or domain hijacked. So this is just a space that I post whatever I want from my amateur career in photography 

This sea cave is among the thousands on back beach of Mornington Peninsula. 

Sony A7RIV 

FE 14mm f1.8 GM

Bay of Islands, Mornington Peninsula, Melbourne

 

Well, that big rock was meant to be my focus of the day for an ultra long exposure. I misread the tides that it was actually a high tide instead of a low one. So I walked to the deck for a timely sunset. The couple was already there trying to suck on each other's tongue. 

So a snap 

Panasonic G9

Leica 12-60mm f2.8-4

Mornington Peninsula

Bridgewater Bay, Mornington Peninsula for Water H2O Thursday

 

It was an overcast day at Bridgewater Bay, Mornington Peninsula.

A different take on the flow effect.

Sony A7RV

FE 20-70mm f4 G

Linking Water H2O Thursday

Flinders Blowhole, Mornington Peninsula for Water H2O Thursday

 

Here are additional photographs captured at Flinders Blowhole, Mornington Peninsula, where I experimented with varying exposure times to capture the sea's motion. The previous week, the weather was rather unsatisfactory, prompting us to venture into more urban settings. Regrettably, we discovered that most abandoned sites had already been transformed into uninviting concrete structures that nobody desires to inhabit.

Joel is planning to attend yet another concert this Friday. His affinity for death metal has been unwavering, despite his persistent attempts over the years to convert my musical preferences to align with his own. Alas, he has not succeeded, as I remain partial to pop and country music, which does not sit well with him. Consequently, our journeys to various photographic locations often descend into silent disputes, with discussions revolving around politics or science.

Sony A7RV

FE 20-70mm f4 G

Linking Water H2O Thursday

Pulpit Rock, Cape Schanck, Mornington Peninsula for Water H2O Thursday

 

I kind of dragged Joel along to this location again. We often encountered overcast sky with zero colours.  The waves hitting on the rocks vibrate the whole ground steadily. This was often why I got crappy shots here doing long exposure. This time, the tide was unusually low that there was not much vibrations on the ground level.  

Joel went onto the other side of this coast which was said to be popular with photographers. His view was photo bombed constantly and I could hear him swear from a distance. Haha

Sony A7RV

FE 20-70mm f4

Linking Water H2O Thursday

I bumped into this old song today. I loved the tunes so much.

No 16 Beach, Rye in Mornington Peninsula for Water H2O Thursday

 

We missed the lowest tide on the day. I believed the forecast prediction was an error. So we did not get to see Dragon's Head which was already immersed in the ocean. Then I tried to salvage the effort into getting a fine art shot if I could. This will do!

Sony A7RV

FE 20-70mm f4

Linking Water H2O Thursday

Mornington Peninsula Back Beach for Skywatch Friday

 

Last few days strolling along the beach was nice. The temperature actually came down too. more bearable. This is so good that I do not need to stress over anything in the holiday mood.

Sony A7RV

FE 16-35mm f2.8 GM

Linking Skywatch Friday

Sierra Nevada Rocks, Mornington Peninsula, Australia

 

Weather is getting quite cold. -2 degree Celsius almost every night. Walking in the ankle deep sea water on the beach rocks is really designed for iron man or iron woman.

Normally one would come up a poem for this image. I just like to ponder on a view like this. No words.

Sony A7RIV

FE 70-200mm f2.8 GM

Sunset Posts

Pearce Bay in Mornington Peninsula for Treasure Tuesday

 

Joel and I discovered this bay in a very low tide on the weekend. Playing with water flow exposure.

Sony A7RV

FE 70-200mm f4 Macro

Linking Treasure Tuesday

I stumbled across this new song by Jessica Mauboy. It sounds really pleasing. She is really under-rated here in Australia. 

No 16 Beach, Rye, Dragon Head, Mornington Peninsula

 

The iconic place in a sunny weather

Sony A7RIV 

FE 14mm f1.8 GM

Pulpit Rock, Mornington Peninsula in low tide for Treasure Tuesday

 

Pulpit Rock is typically characterised by a foreground of turbulent waves in the initial photograph. However, I captured an image where no water was present at all.

Joel was trying to get out of my way for a hot. But too late. 

Sony A7RV

FE 20-70mm f4 G

Linking Treasure Tuesday