Hua Lien Beach View for Water H2O Thursday

 

Hualien is the meeting point of the Central Cross-Island Highway, Suao-Hualien Highway, and highways leading south to Taitung.

Hualien County is home to several world-class scenic attractions. In 1590, Portuguese sailors passed by the eastern coast of Taiwan and were so moved by the grandeur of what they saw that they named this land "Formosa," the beautiful island. Since that time, the majestic views of Hualien have come to represent Taiwan.

Formerly known as Qilai, Hualien's current name derives from the phrase "huilan" (eddying water), a reference to the swirling currents of the Hualien River where it meets the sea.

Hualien is Taiwan's biggest county, with an area of about 4,628 square kilometers and a population of 350,000. The county borders the Pacific Ocean to the east and is hemmed in by the Central Range to the west. With its towering peaks, azure skies, vast seas, scenic valleys, cultural diversity, and friendly kindhearted people, Hualien has become one of Taiwan's first-choice travel destinations for local and international visitors alike.

There are some 200 after quakes after the initial one 1 month ago. I am not planning to go anywhere near the location now.

Sony A7RV

FE 14mm f1.8 GM

Linking Water H2O Thursday

Going to another province for 2 days. No access to Wifi. 

Petrified Forest in Cape Bridewater near Portland for Treasure Tuesday

 

This area is called the petrified forest from an early theory that advancing sand engulfed an ancient forest of coastal trees that once covered the sea cliff, petrifying them for all time.

Actually the formation is a collection of hollow tubes of limestone called “solution pipes”, eroded by millions of years of rainfall. The process starts when water gathers in a shallow pan of sand and seeps downwards dissolving the limestone. The mineral saturated water then cements the sand, forming hard, trunk-shaped pipes. Most pipes around Cape Bridgewater are only three metres high, although some are as much as twenty metres.

The Petrified Forest is easily accessible from the car park at the end of Blowholes Road, Cape Bridgewater.

I have been to this area 4 times in total. This is the most recent snap. 

Sony A7RV

FE 20-70mm f4 G

Linking Treasure Tuesday

Joel's Pet Turtle for Saturday Critter

 

Joel has a lot of pets including snakes, eagles, sea aquarium etc. 

Panasonic G9

Leica 12-60mm f2.8-4

Linking Saturday Critter

I was disappointed watching Irish Wish hearing the heavy Carolina accent from the chap 

so called Irish author 

Stingray Bay, Warrnambool for Water H2O Thursday

 

The tide suddenly came in. The area was rather flat that the sea level instantly raised. 

I caught a bit of turquoise water before retreating.

Sony A7RV

FE 14mm f1.8 GM

Linking Water H2O Thursday

Portsea sea cave reflection for Sunday Best

 

It has been a while since I visited this location. I gonna visit the place again this weekend. After 1 week of locum work, I am so over making ends meet. 

Sony A7RV

Laowa 9mm f5.6

Linking Sunday Best

Portsea Back Beach in Mornington Peninsula for Sunday Best

 

The sea shelf exposed in the low tide often gave a photography interest for long exposure pleasure.

Sony A7RV

FE 20-70mm f4 G

Linking Sunday Best and FACE OFF

Yesterday I had a yum cha lunch with Leonid who visited Australia from US this year. We caught up and chatted for hours. He was trying to get me to work in US while I was trying to lure him back to Australia. 

Stingray Bay Warrnambool for Sunday Best

 

Since I arrive this coastal town, the rain has been non stop. For the weekend, I was expecting a terrible storm until a cloud break close to sunset hours. So I quickly fly my drone to get a view off Stingray Bay. The wind nearly took my drone away into the sea...

At least, I got a shot here and there before the storm took over. So sad.

DJ Mini Pro4

Linking Sunday Best

Portsea Mornington Peninsula for Water H2O Thursday

 

I always have an obsession to photograph mini falls from exposed reefs and sea shelves. 

Sony A7RV

FE 70-200mm f2.8 GM

Linking Water H2O Thursday

Forest Cave Coast for Skywatch Friday

 

Joel and I were supposed to find the entrance to forest cave. We believed the tide was not low enough that the entrance was immersed in the sea still. So we took a snap at the sea.

Sony A7RV

FE 20-70mm f4

Linking Skywatch Friday

The sea and a sunset for Skywatch Friday

 

Coastal weather at Blairgowrie Melbourne

Sony A7RV

FE 70-200mm f2.8 GM

Linking Skywatch Friday

Mangrove trees in the sea at Cleveland, Brisbane

 

This was taken from a while back in my Brisbane trip. Joel and I accidentally found this mangrove bunch near the coast. 

I was worried the sea breeze would move the tree branches too much causing motion blur during the long exposure. 

Sony A7RV

FE 14mm f1.8 GM

Linking Randomosity

Bridgewater Bay for Treasure Tuesday

Miscalculation on my part. The low tide on Saturday was actually not so low 1 metre high. So Joel blamed me for it for the turbulent sea hitting at us. 

For me, sea is my treasure. The gentle hiking and the smell of ocean just cleanse my worries away.

By sunset, it was pouring rain on us. We ended up discovering another fish and chips shop run by Greek grandfather. The snapper and souvlaki were so yummy and delish! 

Sony A7RV

FE 70-200mm f2.8 GM

Linking Treasure Tuesday

Rabbit Rock Mornington Peninsula for Sunday Best

 

Long exposure shot from a different angle on the large rock. I really like the silky waterflow. 

Joel and I gonna venture into Bridgewater Bay again. This time mainly on a sea shelf during semi-low tide by sunset. 

Sony A7RV

FE 20-70mm f4 

Linking Sunday Best

Montfort Beach for Sky watch Friday

 

The sea is turbulent. The sky is actually less angry than what happens beneath it. 

Sony A7RV

FE 20-70mm f4 

Linking Skywatch Friday

Rabbit Rock Silhouette for Treasure Tuesday

 

I stood on this rock taking this shot. Then I was soaked wet by the sea waves. In a few minutes, where I stood was under the sea. It was wild.

This image is what I am after. 

Sony A7RV

FE 20-70mm f4

Linking Treasure Tuesday

Montfort Beach, Blairgowrie, Mornington Peninsula for Sunday Best

 

Today though little chance of rain but the sky was completely overcast. Joel rang me saying he was too bored needing to do something. So we came to this same location from 2 weeks ago. This time, it is high tide. It was good for long exposure. The cloud break allows us to see some colours too. 

One Aussie chap was brave enough to enter this water which was pretty much freezing. The torrents were so severe that we thought we could lose him into the sea as well. 

Sony A7RV

FE 20-70mm f4

Linking Sunday Best

Sea view from Burleigh Heads in Gold Coast

 

There are so many lookouts along the Gold Coast. Burleigh Heads is the best location in my view. 

Chilly Bendigo at the moment. I am learning to live in this early winter. 

Sony A7RV

FE 20-70mm f4

Linking Good and random fun

Kilcunda afternoon sky for Skywatch Friday

 

Kilcunda is becoming more popular for photographers. It is an ideal location to get full milkyway belt above that particular dune. 

However, this place caused me a lot of incidents - camera drowned in that very river, tripod getting taken into the sea, hand and leg lacerations etc. I am told that all haunted places either have a lot of moisture or underground water source. 

Sony A7III

Canon 14mm f2.8 

Linking Sky watch Friday

Sorrento Coast Sunset

 

A while back, I was exploring sea caves along Mornington Peninsula. I kind of like this shot.

Sony A7RIV

Laowa 9mm f5.6

Linking Sky Watch Friday

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