De Grave Place Melbourne Signs for Sign2

 

The signage around this quarter marks some of my favourite locales—there is something distinctly Melburnian about their character, at least as captured through the lens. Nowhere is this more evident than in Degraves Place, nestled in the very heart of Melbourne’s central business district.

Degraves Place, and its adjoining laneway Degraves Street, take their name from the Degraves family, early settlers and entrepreneurs in colonial Victoria. William and Charles Degraves arrived from Hobart in the 1850s and quickly established themselves as prominent figures in Melbourne’s flour milling industry. Their enterprise, the Degraves Mill, once stood near the banks of the Yarra, a symbol of industrious ambition in the young colony.

Today, Degraves Place is emblematic of Melbourne’s famed laneway culture—an elegant mingling of past and present. Beneath its heritage façades and weathered brickwork lie cafés, galleries, and small boutiques, alive with the hum of conversation and the aroma of espresso. The signs that adorn these narrow passages are not mere markers—they are storytellers of a city that thrives on character, contrast, and continuity.

Sony A7RV

FE 14mm f1.8 GM

Linking Sign2

Vue De Monde Melbourne for Treasure Tuesday

 

Roast Eel 

Smoked cocktail

Picked Oyster

Caviar on pumpkin mesh

Merren 3 eats

Pineapple sorbet with floral crisps

Cured Kangaroo meat 

We are getting older 

Souffle 

Joel’s birthday was celebrated just last week, an occasion for which I had secured a reservation no less than three months in advance. The booking, as expected, was gone within minutes of the reservation page opening—testament to the enduring allure of this esteemed establishment, which has held its place among Melbourne’s finest dining destinations for over a quarter of a century. Indeed, having now dined at virtually every hatted restaurant in the city, it feels as though we are truly savouring the richness of life’s finer pleasures.

For this special evening, we were seated at Vue de Monde, a culinary landmark atop the Rialto. The evening unfolded with an elegant succession of courses—each a thoughtful homage to native Australian ingredients and refined technique. There was the delicate smoked eel with white chocolate and caviar, a bold yet balanced expression of contrasts. The Western Australian marron arrived perfectly poached, nestled in a vivid green sauce of Geraldton wax and finger lime. A course of Flinders Island lamb followed, prepared with such precision that it seemed to melt upon the tongue. Even the bread service—a warm, crusty sourdough with house-cultured butter—was elevated to a ceremonial delight.

The degustation concluded with an exquisite arrangement of petit fours: wattleseed macarons, eucalyptus marshmallows, and a hand-churned ice cream, theatrically frozen in liquid nitrogen at the table. Each dish was presented with care, matched by service that was both attentive and effortlessly refined.

To commemorate the occasion visually, I brought along my new Sony 16mm f1.8 lens. Its compact form and brilliant aperture made it an ideal companion for capturing the quiet drama of the dining scene—the glint of glassware, the sheen on porcelain, the gentle fall of candlelight on plated artistry.

Sony A7RV

FE 16mm f1.8 GM

Linking Treasure Tuesday

Spencer St Mural by Adnate for Mural Monday

 

Adnate, a well-known Australian street artist celebrated for his large-scale portraiture.

Adnate, whose real name is Matt Last, hails from Melbourne and has gained international recognition for his powerful and emotive murals that often portray Indigenous Australians, elders, and youth with dignity and strength. His work typically blends realism with street art techniques, using spray paint to capture striking expressions and profound cultural narratives.

In this image, Adnate's signature style is clear—deeply human faces with intense, expressive eyes, rendered with photorealistic detail against a more abstract or symbolic background. The mural’s subjects—likely community members or individuals of personal or cultural significance—are depicted with great reverence, a hallmark of Adnate's work.

You can find his other murals in cities around the world, but many of his most iconic pieces are right in Melbourne, on the walls of buildings just like this one, often contributing to broader dialogues about identity, history, and resilience.

Sony A7RV

Sigma 14-24mm f2.8

Linking Mural Monday

Lin Mansion in BanQiao Taipei Taiwan for Sunday Best

 

During my visit to Lin Family Mansion and Garden in Taichung last year, this year’s journey led me to its counterpart in Banqiao, Taipei. Unlike the Taichung site, the Banqiao mansion has never suffered destruction; its original architecture, remarkably well preserved, continues to bear witness to the elegance of a bygone era. Although part of the estate was undergoing renovation during my visit, there remained much to admire and explore.

The Lin Family Mansion in Banqiao, also known as the Lin Ben Yuan Family Mansion and Garden, is one of the finest surviving examples of traditional Chinese garden architecture in Taiwan. Constructed in the mid-19th century during the Qing Dynasty by the prosperous Lin family—one of Taiwan’s wealthiest and most influential clans—the estate served both as a private residence and a symbol of social and cultural prestige.

The mansion encompasses a series of exquisitely designed courtyards, pavilions, and halls arranged around tranquil ponds and delicately landscaped gardens. Its architectural style reflects the aesthetic values of southern Fujian and Jiangnan regions, marked by curved roofs, intricate woodwork, and balanced spatial harmony.

Despite ongoing restoration, the place retains its serene grandeur. I found myself particularly drawn to the refined symmetry and oriental grace that define its structures—a timeless testament to heritage, resilience, and the enduring beauty of classical design.

Sony A7RV

FE 20-70mm f4 G

Linking Sunday Best

Ducks and Swan at Garden of Chinese Friendship in Sydney for Saturday Critter

 

The serene Garden of Friendship in Sydney, with its tranquil ponds and winding stone pathways, is graced as always by the presence of elegant swans and cheerful ducks. The swans glide effortlessly across the still water; their long necks curved like calligraphy strokes against the reflections of willows and ornate pavilions. Meanwhile, the ducks paddle playfully in small groups, occasionally waddling ashore to forage between the rocks and bonsai-like shrubs. Their familiar presence brings a sense of continuity to the garden, a living thread through the carefully composed harmony of this urban oasis inspired by classical Chinese landscapes.

Linking Saturday Critter

Pinnacles, Cape Woolamai, Victoria for Skywatch Friday

 

What I truly seek is a sky adorned with fish-scale clouds. The Pinnacles, indeed, stand as one of Melbourne’s most remarkable destinations for photography.

At Cape Woolamai’s Pinnacles on Phillip Island, the boulder rocks are covered with vibrant green moss, creating a striking contrast against the pink granite formations. These ancient rocks, formed approximately 360 million years ago from slowly cooled molten magma, have been sculpted over time by relentless ocean waves and winds. The moss thrives in the moist, salty air, adding a lush texture to the rugged landscape. This natural tapestry enhances the visual appeal of the area, making it a popular spot for photographers and nature enthusiasts alike. The combination of geological history and thriving plant life exemplifies the dynamic beauty of this coastal environment

Sony A7RV

FE 16-35mm f2.8 GM

Linking Sky Watch Friday

Portsea back beach, Mornington Peninsula for Water H2O Thursday

 

Joel will be engaged with his in-laws over the coming fortnight, so we resolved to visit the back beach at Portsea before the demands of daily life took hold once more. The excursion was imbued with a creamy noir quality, lending the moment a sense of quiet drama and reflection. It also afforded me the opportunity to test my new neutral density filter paired with the 35mm f/1.4 lens.

Sony A7RV

FE 35mm f1.4 GM

Linking Water H2O Thursday

Darling Harbour Night Signs for Sign2

 

Whilst on an evening stroll, delighting in the shimmering night lights of Sydney, I happened upon a number of curious signs as well. The gentle hum of the harbour was accompanied by the warm glow of shopfronts—those modest night establishments nestled along Darling Harbour, still open and inviting well into the late hours. Their illuminated windows offered a quiet charm, a testament to the city’s enduring vitality after dusk, where commerce and leisure intertwine beneath the soft reflections of water and light.

Sony A7RV

FE 20-70mm f4 G

Linking Signs 2

Darling Harbour Light up for Treasure Tuesday

 

The illumination of Darling Harbour was, all things considered, a pleasing spectacle—particularly given that admission to the event was entirely free. Yet, I must confess a certain sense of mild disappointment; the installations, though engaging, lacked the singular charm and grandeur that marked the exhibitions of previous years. Historically, Darling Harbour has long served as a site of public gathering and civic celebration. Once a bustling industrial port, it has since been transformed into a vibrant cultural and recreational precinct, emblematic of Sydney’s evolution from mercantile centre to cosmopolitan metropolis. In this light, the harbour’s festive displays continue a social tradition of communal enjoyment, even if this year’s offerings did not quite ascend to the heights of past splendour.

Sony A7RV

FE 20-70mm f4 G

Linking Treasure Tuesday

Taiwan blue magpie (Urocissa caerulea) mural for Miural Monday

 

At the base platform before the majestic Wulai Waterfall in Taipei, Taiwan, lies a magnificent mural sprawling across the ground—an artistic tribute both vast and intricate. Capturing its entirety proved a formidable challenge for me, given my modest stature. Yet what truly arrests the eye is the splendid depiction of Taiwan’s national bird, the Formosan Blue Magpie (Urocissa caerulea), rendered in vivid and graceful detail.

Known locally as the "long-tailed mountain lady" (長尾山娘), the Taiwan Blue Magpie is an endemic species celebrated for its striking cobalt plumage, elongated tail, and gregarious nature. These birds, often seen in social groups, inhabit the broadleaf forests of Taiwan’s mid-elevation mountains, where their intelligent behavior and bold presence have become symbols of vitality and resilience. In both indigenous lore and modern Taiwanese identity, the magpie holds an esteemed place, embodying a connection between the island’s natural beauty and cultural heritage.

The mural, in its grand design, captures not merely the form but the very spirit of this emblematic bird, echoing the lush canopies and mist-laden cliffs that surround Wulai. It is a tableau where nature, art, and national pride converge—a challenge to photograph, perhaps, but an indelible memory to behold. 

Sony A7RV

FE 20-70mm f4 G

Linking Mural Monday

More Circular Quay at Sydney for Sunday Best

 

Since my return from Sydney, the chill of winter has set in, accompanied by mounting demands at work. In the midst of these burdens, I have found solace in revisiting old photographs from the journey—each image a portal that revives the vivid impressions of my time there. Among them, scenes of Circular Quay stir particular nostalgia. Once the site of Sydney’s first European landing in 1788, this historic harbour has transformed over the centuries from a modest cove into a vibrant nexus of culture and commerce. To linger upon these images is to retrace, in spirit, the footsteps of the past while recalling the quiet splendour of the harbour’s sweeping vistas.

Sony A7RV

FE 20-70mm f4 G

Linking Sunday Best

I recently observed that a fellow photographer and blogger has at last returned to the Instagram scene. He appears to have gained weight and has parted ways with his long-term companion. It seems he has endured a considerable period of personal turmoil, a sentiment reflected not only in his demeanour but also in the manner in which he now edits his photographs. There is a quiet sadness that permeates his work, suggesting deeper emotional undercurrents.

Spotted Wood Owl in western Japan for Saturday Critter

 

During one of my journeys through Western Japan, I had the pleasure of visiting a bird sanctuary where I beheld a most striking creature—the Spotted Wood Owl (Strix seloputo). Native to the tropical forests and wooded lowlands of Southeast Asia, this magnificent owl is seldom seen beyond its natural range, making its presence in the sanctuary all the more remarkable.

Distinguished by its richly barred plumage of warm chestnut and cream, the Spotted Wood Owl possesses a dark facial disc framed by concentric rings, lending it an expression both solemn and wise. Its eyes, deep and dark, seem ever on the verge of slumber, while its beak, tinged with a soft orange hue, stands out prominently against its subtly marked face. Unlike many of its kin, this species lacks the prominent ear tufts so often associated with owls, and instead bears a smooth, rounded crown.

To encounter such a noble bird in quiet repose, far from its native forests, was a singular experience—one that lingers in memory as a testament to the silent beauty and mystery of the natural world.

Fujifilm XPro2

Fujinon 16-55mm f2.8 

Linking Saturday Critter

Bridgewater Bay Blairgowrie for Skywatch Friday

 

Winter sunsets often display warmer and more vivid hues than those of summer. This is partly due to the sun being farther from the Earth during the winter months. I find particular enjoyment in photographing sunsets during this season, as Joel and I are then able to visit the local fish and chip shop afterwards, with the sun setting conveniently around five o'clock.

Sony A7RV

FE 20-70mm f4

Linking Skywatch Friday

London Bridge, Portsea, Mornington Peninsula for Water H2O Thursday

 

Joel and I once again found ourselves in this picturesque corner of Melbourne, drawn by the timeless beauty of the coast at Portsea. The tide had risen halfway, lapping gently at the shore, and we took the opportunity to capture another image of the sea cave before the encroaching waves swallowed the space entirely.

This site, known as London Bridge, holds a quiet majesty shaped by millennia of natural forces. Carved by the relentless action of wind and water, the arch once formed a striking natural bridge jutting into the Bass Strait. For decades, it stood as a proud sentinel of the Mornington Peninsula, a favourite among visitors and locals alike.

However, in 2005, the bridge partially collapsed—its central span giving way to the ocean’s persistent erosion. What remains now is a rugged, windswept fragment of its former grandeur, a solemn reminder of nature’s power to both create and undo. Today, as the sea reclaims the cave below, we are reminded not only of the fragility of these coastal formations but also of the fleeting moments we are fortunate enough to witness.

Sony A7RV

FE 35mm f1.4 GM

Linking Water H2O Thursday

Signs around Circular Quay for Sign2

 

There is a quiet singularity to solitary travel—a certain freedom that allows one to follow the whim of the moment, to drift where the feet may lead without constraint or consultation. I find myself spending less, yet gaining more in reflection and spontaneity. The first photograph captures a curious figure—a monkey with its eyes covered, glowing luminously in the darkness like a beacon. The second portrays a street scene imbued with a sense of ease, the leisurely manner of passers-by framed beneath the familiar signage of Hero Sushi. The final image was taken within a bustling Malaysian eatery, its tables crowded with young Australians, drawn perhaps by the warmth, the spice, and the communal spirit of the place.

Sony A7RV

FE 20-70mm f4 G

Linking Sign2

Convention Centre in Darling Harbour Sydney for Treasure Tuesday

 

The Convention Centre commands a view across the harbour towards Barangaroo, once a busy container terminal and now transformed into a modern waterfront precinct. Regrettably, the nearby shopping centre and adjoining food court were obscured by substantial construction works, detracting somewhat from the immediate surrounds. Fortuitously, the Australian National Maritime Museum—home to the historic submarine HMAS Onslow—lies in close proximity. Commissioned in 1969 and serving with distinction during the Cold War era, Onslow now rests in dignified retirement as a museum vessel. I took the opportunity to capture several photographs in the vicinity of the submarine and its maritime environs before attending the conference.

Sony A7RV

FE 20-70mm f4 G

Linking Treasure Tuesday