Showing posts with label Kilcunda. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kilcunda. Show all posts

Tuesday, August 26, 2025

Powlett River of Kilcunda, Gippsland for Treasure Tuesday

 



There was a time when I did not care for long-exposure photography. I preferred instead the water in its “natural” state, unsoftened, its surface rippling and restless, rather than rendered into a silken blur. Yet I must concede that the long-exposed image has its own particular merit, offering a dreamlike interpretation of movement and time.

The Powlett River, near Kilcunda on Victoria’s south coast, is no grand stream but rather a modest watercourse, carving a narrow channel through the sand before it yields itself to the Bass Strait. I am fond of it precisely for this reason: it is unassuming, like a quiet canal pressed into the earth. The river originates in the foothills near Wonthaggi and meanders through farmland and wetlands before finding its way to the ocean. Its estuary, fringed by dunes and saltmarsh, provides habitat for birdlife such as herons, egrets, and the shy Latham’s snipe, while native grasses and coastal scrub bind the shifting sands against the sea winds.

Though small in scale, the Powlett has played a quiet but enduring role in the natural and human history of the district. The Bunurong people knew its waters and fished its estuary long before European settlement. In the nineteenth century, the river valley served as fertile ground for agriculture and grazing. Today, it is valued both as a place of ecological significance and as a site of tranquil beauty—its modest waters flowing steadily toward the restless ocean, unchanged in essence by the passing of time.


Sony A7III

Canon 35mm f1.4 L


Linking Treasure Tuesday








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.


Friday, January 17, 2025

Kilcunda panorama for Sky Watch Friday

 


Kilcunda Beach offers a serene and breathtaking escape for nature enthusiasts and beach lovers alike. Known for its stunning vistas, rugged coastline, and diverse marine life, this idyllic destination is a must-visit for those seeking tranquility and natural beauty.

Kilcunda Beach, located approximately 115 kilometers southeast of Melbourne, boasts expansive sandy shores that invite visitors to relax and unwind. The gentle waves lapping against the shore create a soothing soundtrack, perfect for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of city life. The beach's unique combination of rocky outcrops and sandy stretches provides a picturesque backdrop for photographers and artists.

One of the highlights of Kilcunda Beach is the Kilcunda Rail Trail, a scenic walking and cycling path that offers panoramic views of the coastline. The trail, which follows the route of an old railway line, provides an opportunity to explore the area's rich history while enjoying the natural beauty that surrounds it. The iconic Kilcunda Trestle Bridge, a historic landmark along the trail, is a popular spot for taking in the stunning vistas and capturing memorable photographs.

Kilcunda Beach is also renowned for its rich marine life, making it a popular destination for fishing and snorkeling. The rock pools along the shoreline are teeming with diverse marine species, offering a fascinating glimpse into the underwater world. For those who enjoy fishing, the beach's clear waters provide an excellent opportunity to catch a variety of fish, including salmon, snapper, and trevally.


Linking Skywatch Friday






Thursday, October 17, 2024

Kilcunda Sunset with a pink glow for Water H2O Thursday

 


The colour I prefer


Sony A7RV

Sigma 14-24mm f2.8


Linking Water H2O Thursday




Tuesday, September 17, 2024

Kilcunda Trestle Bridge reflection for Treasure Tuesday

 


The reflection and the tone are what I am after

Sony A7RV

FE 14-24mm f2.8 


Linking Treasure Tuesday


Thursday, August 15, 2024

Kilcunda Sunset for Water H2O Thursday

 


I think I will revisit this place on the weekend.

Sony A7RV

Sigma 14-24mm f2.8 

Linking Water H2O Thursday




Thursday, August 1, 2024

Kilcunda Coast for Water H2O Thursday

 


I self-diagnose my right thigh as grade 1 quads strain. I can hear the muscle pop in various parts of thigh. I knew the muscle is under too much stress. Not good news that I could not take on too much adventures in the coming weekend.

Joel was standing there in the distance trying to get his golden shot before I came along taking his spot. 

Sony A7RV

Sigma 14-24mm f2.8 

Linking Water H2O Thursday


Sunday, July 14, 2024

Trestle Bridge in reflection at Kilcunda for Sunday Best

 


The creek is getting dried. It is almost stagnant. 

Sony A7RV

Sigma 14-24mm f2.8 

Linking Sunday Best


Joel called being too sick to be with me outing to NaiDoc Week in city. I ended up staying at home trying out all the croissant varieties bought around East Melbourne. 



Friday, July 12, 2024

Kilcunda Trestle Bridge Pano for Skywatch Friday

 


Pretty moody last weekend. I am surprised that I even got colours. 


DJ Mini Pro4

Linking Skywatch Friday

I discovered playing horror movies helped me to do vertical trainer lately. More efficient. 



Thursday, July 11, 2024

The seascape at Kilcunda Gippsland for Water H2O Thursday

 


Joel identified the spot, and I quickly took over after he finished the shot. 

Sony A7RV

Sigma 14-24mm f2.8 

Linking Water H2O Thursday

just got off the phone with Joel. We might scout another spot near this place on the weekend. 



Friday, March 15, 2024

Kilcunda Sky Mirror for Sky Watch Friday

 


It was a lucky moment.


Sony A7RV

FE 16-35mm f2.8 GM


Linking Sky Watch Friday

Joel and I are heading to the coast again this weekend. The forecast on Saturday is sunny again. We preferred partly cloudy. 



Friday, July 28, 2023

Kilcunda Trestle Bridge for Skywatch Friday

 


Quite a special scenery from Kilcunda, Gippsland. 


Sony A7RIV

Laowa 9mm f5.6


Linking Skywatch Friday



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