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Saturday, September 13, 2025

Regent Honeyeater spotted at Crusoe Reserve, Bendigo for Saturday Critter

This bird is the Regent Honeyeater (Anthochaera phrygia), a critically endangered species native to south-eastern Australia. Distinguished by its striking black-and-yellow plumage, the distinctive warty skin about the eyes, and a strong, curved bill adapted for feeding on nectar, the Regent Honeyeater is one of the nation’s most imperilled birds. Its numbers have diminished drastically in recent decades, largely as a consequence of habitat loss and the fragmentation of the eucalypt woodlands upon which it depends.

During the period of pandemic restrictions, I took to visiting the Crusoe Reservoir daily as a means of physical exercise and quiet reflection. Situated near Kangaroo Flat on the outskirts of Bendigo, Victoria, the reservoir was constructed in the 1860s to supply water for gold mining and township use. Today, it forms part of the Greater Bendigo National Park and serves as a place of both recreation and environmental significance. Encircled by walking trails and woodlands rich in birdlife, it provides a refuge for native flora and fauna, as well as a glimpse into the region’s goldfields heritage. My regular walks there afforded me not only the benefits of fresh air and exercise, but also the chance to observe the delicate balance of nature in a landscape that has long borne the marks of human history.

Pentax K10D

FA 300mm f2.8

Linking Saturday Critter

Sunday, August 31, 2025

Maldon Milkyway sky for Sunday Best

Maldon, situated not far from Bendigo, which I often regard as my second home, is a town of vintage charm and historic resonance. By night, the township lies beneath a deep and pervasive darkness, its obscurity relieved only by the faint glow of a few tungsten lamps in the town centre. These lights, though serviceable to the passer-by, are oft resented by photographers, for the colour cast of tungsten is notoriously harsh and unflattering to the delicate sensitivity of the modern camera sensor.

In my own practice of nocturnal photography, I have adopted a particular method of image refinement. For it is a truth, seldom appreciated outside the circles of those who employ a star tracker, that the core of the Milky Way is ablaze with natural hues—crimson, gold, and azure—wrought by the very physics of interstellar gas and dust. Without such aid, these colours often appear subdued, but with patience and careful editing they may yet be revealed in their original splendour.

The town of Maldon itself bears a history no less luminous than the heavens above it. Proclaimed in 1853 amidst the tumult of the Victorian gold rush, Maldon swiftly prospered as miners from near and far sought their fortunes in its quartz reefs. By the mid-nineteenth century, the town was adorned with banks, churches, and fine public houses, their stout masonry and wrought-iron embellishments testifying to both wealth and permanence. Unlike many goldfield settlements that withered when their veins were exhausted, Maldon endured, and in later years became renowned as Australia’s first “notable town” formally classified by the National Trust in 1966, a recognition of its remarkably preserved streetscape of Victorian architecture.

Thus, Maldon is at once a relic of human endeavour and ambition, and a stage upon which the eternal drama of the cosmos may be observed. Its dimly lit lanes, untroubled by the clamour of modern neon, afford the night sky a rare purity—an inheritance both from its miners of old, and from the silence of the stars that wheel above.

Sony A7RV

FE 16-35mm f2.8 GM

Linking Sunday Best

Thursday, August 21, 2025

Turpin Waterfall, Bendigo for Water H20 Thursday

Turpin Falls, not far from Bendigo, remains etched in my memory as one of those rare discoveries that seem almost too wondrous to share. I visited the falls some four years ago, and though I cannot recall quite how I came upon the exact vantage point that day, I remember well the sense of awe as the basalt cliffs opened before me and the water poured in a silver sheet into the deep pool below. The cliffs themselves tell of a distant volcanic age, their dark basalt columns rising like the walls of some vast natural cathedral, while the surrounding country speaks of long habitation by the Dja Dja Wurrung people, for whom this landscape has always held meaning. For over a century, the falls have drawn summer visitors, who would climb down to the base for swimming and relief from the heat, their laughter echoing against the stone. Yet such visits belong now to memory, for the track to the base has been permanently closed, both to preserve the fragile environment and to ensure safety upon those treacherous rocks. In a sense, this loss lends a heightened value to my recollection: a private moment of communion with the wild spirit of the place, both a traveller’s fleeting encounter and a glimpse into the deep natural and cultural heritage of Turpin Falls.

Sony A7RV

FE 70-200mm f2.8 GM

Check oout Water H2O Thursday

Wednesday, August 20, 2025

Martin Place Signs in Sydney for Sign2

Martin Place in Sydney is a most agreeable promenade, a thoroughfare distinguished alike by its elegance and its historical resonance. Established in the latter part of the nineteenth century, Martin Place was originally conceived as a civic square adjoining the General Post Office, and over time it has become both the ceremonial heart and the financial centre of Sydney. Lined with imposing sandstone edifices in the classical style, it has witnessed countless public gatherings, from patriotic assemblies during the Great War to the sombre commemorations of Anzac Day and the more recent memorials of national grief. Today, amidst its bustling offices, cafés, and the ever-present signs that guide the pedestrian, it remains a place where history and modernity intermingle.

Over the past weekend, I found myself obliged to return to Bendigo, for there were pressing matters awaiting my attention. Several referrals required immediate consideration, and so I undertook the journey back to that regional city in order to attend personally to the urgent cases, ensuring that no delay should impede the care of those entrusted to me.

Sony A7RV

FE 20-70mm f4 G

Linking Sign2

Monday, June 2, 2025

Nullawil Silo Art, Victoria Australia for Mural Monday

The Nullawil Silo Art, located in the small rural town of Nullawil in Victoria, is part of the renowned Australian Silo Art Trail. Completed in July 2019 by street artist Smug (Sam Bates), the mural features a striking and realistic depiction of a farmer and his working kelpie dog. The artwork celebrates the strong bond between rural Australians and their working dogs, symbolizing themes of resilience, community, and country life.

Painted on a disused grain silo, the mural has become a cultural and tourist landmark, drawing visitors to the otherwise quiet town. It reflects both artistic excellence and the spirit of regional Australia, contributing to the growing movement of turning industrial structures into large-scale public art. The Nullawil silo is praised for its incredible detail, lifelike quality, and emotional warmth.

Sony A7RV

FE 20-70mm f4 G

Linking Mural Monday

Upon returning home to Bendigo, I discovered that a fuse in the motherboard had likely blown. The house, being quite old, has required increasingly frequent maintenance, and the costs have begun to accumulate significantly over the years. It seems that last month’s wages will once again be consumed by repairs. Small wonder, then, that so many around us have resigned themselves to merely “lying flat,” doing only the bare minimum to keep the machine of life running.

Tuesday, February 25, 2025

Abandoned Old Gillies Pie Factory in Bendigo, Victoria, Australia for Treasure Tuesday

The Old Gillies Pie Factory in Bendigo, Victoria, stands as a testament to the city's rich industrial and culinary heritage. Established in the mid-20th century, this factory was once the heart of a thriving pie-making enterprise that left an indelible mark on the local community.

Origins and Growth

The Gillies Pies brand was founded by three brothers—Les, Alan, and Norm Gillies—who relocated from Charlton to Bendigo following the 1940s drought. They began their venture with a modest bakery on Mitchell Street, gradually expanding their operations to meet the growing demand for their delectable pies. In 1958, the brothers acquired the Black Swan Hotel building, transforming it into a mass production facility. This site would later become known as the Old Gillies Pie Factory.

Community Impact

The factory wasn't just a production site; it became a local institution. The "pie window" at Gillies Corner, their second shop, often saw queues of eager customers winding down the street, drawn by the irresistible aroma of freshly baked pies. At its peak, Gillies Pies employed around 200 people, with retail outlets spreading across Victoria and distribution reaching as far as Melbourne.

Decline and Closure

Despite its success, the company faced challenges in the latter part of the 20th century. Operations eventually ceased, and the factory fell into disrepair, becoming a canvas for graffiti and a spot for urban explorers. In 2016, the last link to the iconic brand was severed when the remaining factory operations in Bendigo were shut down, marking the end of an era.

Preservation Efforts

In recent years, there have been efforts to preserve the legacy of the Old Gillies Pie Factory. Local history enthusiasts have lobbied for the site's restoration, aiming to maintain its "naturally decrepit" state as a nod to its historical significance. These endeavors highlight the community's desire to honour and remember the factory's role in Bendigo's history.

Sony A7RV

Laowa 9mm f5.6

Linking Treasure Tuesday

Monday, February 3, 2025

More Murals from Melbourne CBD for Mural Monday

The upcoming three days will be exceedingly busy for me, as I have to travel extensively for work across regional Victoria. I thoroughly enjoyed my self-imposed break during the Lunar New Year. Joel has informed me that Sony is set to release the Sony A7RVI, which features a new sensor capable of encoding 100MB for photos. The cost will undoubtedly be significant, so we should start saving.

Furthermore, my house in Bendigo requires substantial work, estimated to cost up to 20,000 AUD. Additionally, my mother's house will necessitate the installation of a new solar battery, which is projected to add approximately 45,000 AUD to the expenses. This situation is becoming increasingly burdensome.

Sony A7RV

FE 35mm f1.4 GM

Linking Mural Monday

Sunday, January 26, 2025

Dredge and Dragline for Sunday Best

I reside in the vicinity of Maldon, a mere half-hour's journey from Bendigo. The dredge and dragline in Maldon stand as relics of the golden age of mining. Over the years, I have captured this locale through my lens on numerous occasions. Occasionally, I am seized by a longing to document rustic machinery. Joel, however, has never shown an interest in these pursuits, thus I often embark on these solitary explorations. Perhaps, my many years of practicing geriatrics in this region have endeared it to me.

Linking Sunday Best