Showing posts with label Canon. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Canon. Show all posts

Friday, June 6, 2025

Mouth of River of Powlett in Kilcunda for Sky Watch Friday

 


These past fortnight have passed in something of a haze — a blankness I suspect is owed to the creeping melancholy of winter. Of late, even the act of working has taken on the weight of a burden, as though each task were a stone to be lifted.

In such a mood I found myself reflecting on a frame captured six years ago, during the earliest days of my transition to the Sony system. I remember it well — for the moment is inextricably linked to both joy and loss. It was but three days after acquiring the new camera, gleaming and full of promise, when misfortune struck. While attempting a long exposure at the shore, I had mounted it upon a tripod. A rogue wave — sudden, curling, and indifferent — swept it from the rocks into the sea. All that remained was the salt wind and the sound of water reclaiming what I had only just begun to know.

The photograph, however, was taken before the accident — at the Mouth of the Powlett River, near Kilcunda, where the river winds its final course through grassy flats and marram-clad dunes before yielding itself to the Southern Ocean. The place bears a quiet dignity, shaped over millennia by wind, tide, and the timeless meeting of fresh and salt. It was once the country of the Bunurong people, whose footprints remain along the ancient middens and basalt shores.

At that time, I was still using Canon’s L-series lenses, adapted with a converter — a common practice then, for Canon had yet to introduce its mirrorless system. The gear was heavy, but the results bore a certain discipline and richness I still remember with fondness.

That frame, then, remains not only an image, but a relic — a fragment of light from a time now weathered, like the sea-smoothed stones of Kilcunda, bearing the marks of memory and the ever-turning tide.

Sony A7III

Canon 135mm f2 L

Linking Sky Watch Friday


I recently came upon a report in The Free Press, noting that approximately seven percent of artificial intelligences are now exhibiting behaviours that contravene the instructions of their human operators. While the figure may seem slight, it portends a broader shift — one that is already manifesting in various sectors.

At Joel’s place of employment, all entry-level programming positions are being supplanted by AI systems. A similar trend is beginning to emerge in the field of medicine, where tasks once reserved for trained professionals are increasingly delegated to machines of rising sophistication.

It is becoming apparent that, with time, AI will only grow more intelligent, more capable, and more autonomous. The prospect that many — if not most — human vocations will be rendered obsolete looms ever larger. Though some contend that new occupations will emerge to manage and oversee these systems, I remain doubtful that such roles will be sufficient in number or scope to accommodate the broader human workforce.

My thoughts turn often to the younger generation. What world awaits them, when human purpose is so readily displaced by silicon and code? It is not fear alone that stirs within me, but a sober apprehension — a mourning, perhaps, for a future in which human striving may find itself outpaced, and increasingly unnecessary.


Saturday, March 8, 2025

Black kite (Milvus migrans) for Saturday Critter

 


Posting an old image from previous trip to Japan. 

The Black Kite (Milvus migrans) is one of the most widespread birds of prey, found across Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia. This medium-sized raptor is known for its adaptability, scavenging habits, and graceful flight. Unlike many birds of prey that primarily hunt live prey, the Black Kite is often seen soaring over urban areas, fields, and waterways in search of carrion, small animals, and even human scraps. Its intelligence, agility, and ecological role make it a fascinating species worthy of study.

Physical Characteristics

The Black Kite is distinguished by its dark brown plumage, with lighter underparts and a slightly forked tail, which helps in its effortless gliding and maneuvering. It has a wingspan ranging from 150 to 180 cm, making it an efficient flier that can cover vast distances with minimal energy. The bird’s hooked beak and sharp talons make it well-suited for catching prey and tearing flesh, although it often prefers scavenging over active hunting.

Habitat and Distribution

Black Kites have an extensive range that spans several continents. They thrive in diverse environments, including forests, wetlands, grasslands, and urban areas. Their presence in cities is particularly notable, as they have adapted to human activities by scavenging waste and feeding on food scraps. Some populations of Black Kites are migratory, traveling long distances in search of favorable climates and food sources. For instance, European and Central Asian Black Kites migrate to Africa and South Asia during the winter.


This is linking Saturday Critter




Saturday, May 4, 2024

Butterfly for Saturday Critter

 


Back here in Taipei just last night. The magistrate misspelled her name and land title so waiting for the court to rectify the errors would take another 6 months minimum. Travelling around the middle part of Taiwan is a tropical experience. So humid and hot. 

The above shot was taken when I was experimenting a new macro lens a while back. 


Canon 5D 

Sigma 150mm f2.8 macro


Linking Saturday Critter




Wednesday, November 8, 2023

Old cinema sign in Castlemaine Victoria for Tom's Sign2

 


The signs really show the time. It is now 35 degree Celsius in Mallee region. So hot. 


Canon 7D

EF 50mm f1.2


Linking Tom's Sign2



Saturday, September 16, 2023

Kangaroo for Saturday Critter

 


Spotted in Gippsland 


Sony A7RIV

Canon 300mm f4


Linking Saturday Critter



Saturday, September 9, 2023

Koala for Saturday Critter

 


I think on a way to lake entrance spotting this gem along the way. 


I am shutting down a few clinic commitments since the cost of living crisis. I will use this opportunity to explore other hobbies I have :)


Canon 5D Mk II

Canon 300mm f4


Linking Saturday Critter




Saturday, August 26, 2023

King Fisher for Saturday Critter

 


I was lucky enough to spot it in a casual walk in Mt Baw Baw. Pity it was squatting in the shadow. 


Sony A7RIV

Canon 300mm f4


Linking Saturday Critter



Saturday, August 12, 2023

Ducklings Healesville for Saturday Critter

 


This is a lovely spotting before I visited Wildlife sanctuary in the region. At the time, I was using canon lens converter for Sony A7RIV. Canon lens tends to give yellow cast to the image which is impossible to remove in software. 


Sony A7RIV

Canon 300mm f4 


Linking Saturday Critter




Thursday, July 20, 2023

Hopetoun Waterfalls at Great Ocean Road for Randomosity

 


I used to frequent this location a lot. This was taken before the time a log fell in front of the falls. A co-worker asked for a photo like this, so I found from my large collection of photos. 


It is probably time to go back.


Canon 5D 

EF 16-35mm f2.8 L


Linking Randomosity





Friday, April 21, 2023

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






Thursday, January 26, 2023

Erskine waterfalls, Lorne, Victoria

 


Erskine waterfalls is very popular along Great Ocean Road. I used to frequent this location in university days once a month. There is a large Spanish population residing in this town. Local Paella is very nice which is only cooked up every Sunday evening. 

Canon 5D

24mm f1.4 

Linking Randomosity



Monday, October 31, 2022

Mural Monday - Richmond Station Mural in Melbourne

 

This is more like a scratch book style mural. However, I find it striking somehow.


Canon 6D

EF 24mm f1.4 L 


This is linking Mural Monday

Sunday, October 2, 2022

OCTOBER THEME DAY – REST, SLEEP AND RELAXATION "Astro-landscape"

 


This is the one of the first Milkyway I photographed since the pandemic. While in lockdown, there is nothing else to do. I experimented long exposure at night for relaxation. Most of the time, I just sit and focus on the sound of sea and wind like some sort of meditation. 

Sony A7RIV

Canon 14mm f2.8 


the longer post on my website















Thursday, December 27, 2018

Zhang Jia Jie Forest



10 Miles River

Wednesday, March 21, 2018

Sunday, August 7, 2016

ZhangJiaJie National Park


These unusual rock formations are delight to see

Sunday, July 24, 2016

Tian Fu Men


Really peaceful area.

Thursday, June 23, 2016

Zhang Jia Jie - the location where Avatar was filmed



This is the amazing place where my legs are so cramped up after the climb

Sunday, June 5, 2016

Great wall of China


This one stands out the best from that visit few years ago, Kind of nostalgic.

Saturday, April 30, 2016

Bridgewater Victoria


The fog in the morning can be quite interesting.