Beauchamps waterfall in Beech Forest Great Ocean Road for Water H2O Thursday

 

I remain on call for another week, my days confined to a unit, tethered to a telephone, awaiting summons from hospital staff. Life in such circumstances is uneventful, and my movements are dictated by the ring of a bell rather than my own volition. Within these narrow confines, my one liberty is to share images of water when the opportunity presents itself.

In my university years, I was captivated by the art of photographing waterfalls, seeking them out with a fervour I no longer possess. One such cascade was Beauchamp Falls, among the three principal waterfalls in the Beech Forest region, situated north of Apollo Bay along the famed Great Ocean Road. The walk to the falls is a return trek of approximately two hours—moderate in exertion yet rich in reward. The path descends through cool temperate rainforest, where towering mountain ash (Eucalyptus regnans), tree ferns, and myrtle beech cast deep shade upon the forest floor. Birdsong echoes faintly through the canopy, and in summer the air hums with the persistent presence of mosquitoes, undeterred by human intrusion.

The falls themselves descend in a singular veil of white water, dropping approximately 20 metres into a clear pool encircled by moss-covered rocks and lush undergrowth. They are named in honour of William Beauchamp, an early settler in the district, and stand as a quiet testament to the enduring beauty of the Otways. Fed by the East Barham River, their flow remains steady even in drier months, owing to the high rainfall and dense forest cover of the catchment. Visiting Beauchamp Falls is less an act of travel than a passage into a living remnant of Victoria’s ancient Gondwanan forests—timeless, green, and untamed.

Pentax K10D

FE 30mm f1.8 limited 

Linking Water H2O Thursday

Eastern Long Snake Necked Turtle for Saturday Critter

 

This photograph, too, hails from a bygone era—captured over thirty years ago at Healesville Sanctuary, by the edge of a tranquil pond. It is difficult to fathom that such richness of colour and remarkable clarity could be achieved with a digital SLR of such vintage. The image stands as a quiet testament to the enduring capabilities of early digital photography, as well as to the attentive eye behind the lens.

The true subject of the photograph is a native freshwater turtle, most likely the Eastern Long-necked Turtle (Chelodina longicollis), a species commonly found in the wetlands, rivers, and billabongs of southeastern Australia, including the sanctuary grounds at Healesville. With its distinctive serpentine neck—often as long as its shell—this turtle has long fascinated naturalists and casual observers alike. When threatened, it emits a pungent musk from its glands, earning it the colloquial name "stinker."

In this image, the turtle appears either basking or gliding just beneath the surface, its smooth carapace catching the light, revealing details lost to the hurried eye. These turtles are an essential part of the aquatic ecosystem, feeding on insects, small fish, and carrion, and contributing to the balance of the watery habitats they call home.

To think that this moment—quiet, ordinary, and now distant—was captured so vividly with the technology of the time is both humbling and wondrous. It reminds us of the enduring value of patient observation and the rich natural heritage preserved within sanctuaries such as Healesville.

Pentax K10D 

Pentax 300mm f2.8 

Linking Saturday Critter

Hopetoun Waterfall Beech Forest for Water H2O Thursday

 

Hopetoun Falls, located within the verdant Beech Forest region of Victoria, Australia, is a remarkable natural landmark renowned for its single-span cascade, which makes it an exceptional subject for long-exposure photography. I first visited this magnificent waterfall over ten years ago, and since then, it has remained one of my most cherished photographic locations. The falls descend gracefully through a steep gorge, surrounded by lush temperate rainforest dominated by ancient myrtle beech trees (Nothofagus cunninghamii), which contribute to the forest’s rich biodiversity and striking beauty.

The approach to Hopetoun Falls requires a gentle 30-minute walk along a well-maintained trail, winding through dense ferns and towering tree trunks that evoke the area’s long geological and ecological history. Over the past two decades, I have documented the falls extensively, noting significant changes in the environment, such as the increased accumulation of large fallen logs at the base of the cascade—remnants of the forest’s natural cycles of growth and decay. My earliest photographs, taken before these changes became pronounced, reveal a clearer, more unobstructed view of the water’s powerful descent.

The Beech Forest itself holds great natural heritage significance, forming part of the Great Otway National Park, an area that preserves ancient ecosystems that have persisted for millions of years. This forest and waterfall not only offer stunning scenery but also represent a vital refuge for numerous native species, making Hopetoun Falls a site of both scenic and ecological importance. Despite its popularity and the increasing number of visitors, which sometimes detracts from the tranquil atmosphere, Hopetoun Falls remains a timeless and inspiring symbol of Australia’s unique natural heritage.

Pentax K10D

DA 14mm f2.8

Linking Water H2O Thursday