Melbourne Mural in UNION LANE CBD for Mural Monday

 

Many many eyes

Sony A7RV

FE 50mm f1.2 GM

Linking Mural Monday

Nan Zhuang Old Street Railway for Sunday Best

 

The place has Japanese buildings left behind since the occupation in the 50s. 

It is also good to catch up with Joel today. Good friends are like old wine. The older the better.

Sony A7RV

FE 20-70mm f4 G

Linking Sunday Best

Grasshopper for Saturday Critter

 

Right on the dying lawn of football field in Hawthorn East

Pentax 200mm f2.8

Linking Saturday Critter

Just got back to Melbourne. Then I will be heading out to NZ again in a few days. 

HeHuan Mountain for Skywatch Friday

 

Love the clouds

Mount Hehuan is a 3,416-metre-high mountain in Central Taiwan. The peak lies on the border of Nantou and Hualien counties and is located within Taroko National Park. Hehuanshan is a popular destination in central Taiwan.

Sony A7RV

FE 14mm f1.8 GM

linking Skywatch Friday

Suao Port for Water H2O Thrusday

 

Suao port is where Dad used to take me to do his fishing. You can see the oily water surface in the dock

Sony A7RV

FE 70-200mm f4 

This is linking H2O Thursday

Mazu Shrine Birthday celebration for Sign2

 

Mazu is the patron deity of fishermen, and her birthday on the 23rd day of the third lunar month (it falls in April or May) is celebrated each year with frenetic explosions of colorful activity.

The sign says 1065th Birthday celebration. 

It is situated at an entrance of a night market

Sony A7RV

FE 20-70mm f4 G

Linking Sign2

Bagua Buddha Statue for Treasure Tuesday

 

I was lucky to see no crowd in the spot. The rain actually stopped for the moment. That was a moment I realised I was meant to take the shot.

Sony A7RV

FE 20-70mm f4 G

Linking Treasure Tuesday

Hosier Lane Melbourne for Mural Monday

 

He is quite popular as an emu artist lately.

Sony A7RV

FE 50mm f1.2 GM

I am so looking forward to coming home to Melbourne later this week. I am missing out mushroom season and autumn leaves turning there. 

Linking Mural Monday

Long Teng Broken Bridge for Sunday Best

 

There is an interesting story about the town of Longteng that is revealing of the superstitious beliefs that local people once held. When the first settlers started to cultivate land in the area, they believed that Liyu Lake, located nearby, was inhabited by a carp spirit which brought hardship to the people. In order to overcome this evil spirit they planted yuteng (a poisonous plant) in the Longteng Mountain area. At the same time they gave the mountain in the east the name Guandao Mountain (lit. Guan Sword Mountain) hoping that the Sword Mountain would cut the Yuteng Rattan. In this way, they hoped to poison the evil carp spirit. The ploy must have been effective, for people no longer believe that the evil carp spirit harms the people of Longteng. In the morning of April 24, 1935 a strong earthquake hit central Taiwan. lts epicenter was near Mt. Guandao, and many buildings in the Sanyi district were destroyed. A reminder of this earthquake remains in the ruins of the arched bridge over Long River. It can be seen from the railway line between Sanyi and Houli.

The ruins of Longteng Bridge join Chengxing (Shengxing) Station as one of the top-two visitor attractions on the Jiushan tour route. This historic span is notable attraction both for its simple beauty and as a memorial to the two major earthquakes that severed the bridge twice at the fifth northernmost pier, including damages caused by the 921 Earthquake in September 21, 1999.

Sony A7RV

FE 20-70mm f4 G

Linking Sunday Best

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

Pyramid Hill for Skywatch Friday

 

On the way back from a nursing home visit.

Love the sunny sky

DJ Mini Pro4

Linking Skywatch Friday

Golden Waterfall Taiwan for Water H2O Thursday

 

This waterfall was adjacent to a highway. Not exactly hard to take a snap. 

Linking Water H2O Thursday

Pesgrave Place Sign/Art for Sign2

 

The article is more about people's representatives are mere puppets of power faceless people. The sticker message on the other hand is an impossible dream. 

Sony A7RV

FE 50mm f1.2 GM

Eating a lot of shaved ice here to alleviate the heat. No fun. 

Linking Sign2

Wufengqi Waterfall (五峰旗瀑布262, Yilan County, Jiaoxi Township) - first stage for Treasure Tuesday

 

I arrive this place in the rain. Really muddy to walk the trails. So I did not continue hiking to stage 2-4 of the waterfalls. I did this without a tripod. Steady hand for 1.7 seconds.

Sony A7RV

FE 20-70mm f4 G

Linking Treasure Tuesday

Hopetoun St, Footscray for Mural Monday

 

This is an iconic mural when Joel and I came here for a quick Pho!

Sony A7RV

FE 20-70mm f4 G

Linking Mural Monday

I will be going to Taichung from Tuesday to Friday. No Wi-Fi. Enjoy singing in the rain. 

Lanterns in Taiwan for Sunday Best

 

It is literally raining everyday here. Including the same forecast for the next fortnight. Apart from the same usual public service inefficiency, I would take walks and long trips snapping street scenes.

Sony A7RV

FE 20-70mm f4 G

Linking Sunday Best

Grasshopper macro for Saturday Critter

 

Looks like an old Japanese superman movie costume. 

Pentax 200mm f4 Macro

Linking Saturday Critter

Great Stupa of Universal Compassion Bendigo for Skywatch Friday

 

This is spherical panorama looking sleek in the magic hour

DJ Mini Pro4

Linking Sky watch Friday

I always envy TV Rom Com where the main cast family members are always decent human beings. The relatives I encounter always treat me like a bank account. 

Hua Lien Beach View for Water H2O Thursday

 

Hualien is the meeting point of the Central Cross-Island Highway, Suao-Hualien Highway, and highways leading south to Taitung.

Hualien County is home to several world-class scenic attractions. In 1590, Portuguese sailors passed by the eastern coast of Taiwan and were so moved by the grandeur of what they saw that they named this land "Formosa," the beautiful island. Since that time, the majestic views of Hualien have come to represent Taiwan.

Formerly known as Qilai, Hualien's current name derives from the phrase "huilan" (eddying water), a reference to the swirling currents of the Hualien River where it meets the sea.

Hualien is Taiwan's biggest county, with an area of about 4,628 square kilometers and a population of 350,000. The county borders the Pacific Ocean to the east and is hemmed in by the Central Range to the west. With its towering peaks, azure skies, vast seas, scenic valleys, cultural diversity, and friendly kindhearted people, Hualien has become one of Taiwan's first-choice travel destinations for local and international visitors alike.

There are some 200 after quakes after the initial one 1 month ago. I am not planning to go anywhere near the location now.

Sony A7RV

FE 14mm f1.8 GM

Linking Water H2O Thursday

Going to another province for 2 days. No access to Wifi. 

Pesgrave Place Sign for Sign 2

 

A little wild. 

The rainy monsoon season is too much for me here. Trying to sort out Mum's family affairs is not exactly easy either. 

At various government departments today, most public servants I met tried to encourage me to move money back into the country etc. I don't even have any income here and barely spend time at all. why would I want to do that? 

Sony A7RV

FE 35mm f1.4 GM

Linking Sign 2 and FACE OFF

Petrified Forest in Cape Bridewater near Portland for Treasure Tuesday

 

This area is called the petrified forest from an early theory that advancing sand engulfed an ancient forest of coastal trees that once covered the sea cliff, petrifying them for all time.

Actually the formation is a collection of hollow tubes of limestone called “solution pipes”, eroded by millions of years of rainfall. The process starts when water gathers in a shallow pan of sand and seeps downwards dissolving the limestone. The mineral saturated water then cements the sand, forming hard, trunk-shaped pipes. Most pipes around Cape Bridgewater are only three metres high, although some are as much as twenty metres.

The Petrified Forest is easily accessible from the car park at the end of Blowholes Road, Cape Bridgewater.

I have been to this area 4 times in total. This is the most recent snap. 

Sony A7RV

FE 20-70mm f4 G

Linking Treasure Tuesday

Sifu street art on Queen St for Mural Monday

 

This looks so cool

I am on plane now. I may log on intermittently whenever time permits 

Sony A7RV

FE 35mm f1.4 GM

Linking Mural Monday

Stingray Bay, Warrnambool for Sunday Best

 

This was taken on an overcast day. No good sunset to use but the water reflection creates a lovely pattern.

Sony A7RV

FE 14mm f1.8 GM

Linking Sunday Best

Rosella in Mount Dandenong for Saturday Critter

 

They are the song birds

Olympus 150mm f2

Linking Saturday Critter

Mount Alexander Sunset for Sky Watch Friday

 

The granite outcrop of Mount Alexander rises 350 metres above the nearby township of Harcourt. Enjoy bushwalking, picnics, lookouts with stunning views and a chance to see some of Australia's iconic wildlife.

Within the 1,400ha of Mount Alexander Regional Park there are a number of magnificent lookouts including Lang's Lookout, Dog Rocks and Shepherd's Flat that offer spectacular views over the surrounding landscape. The 4km long West Ridge Walking Track provides a link between these lookouts, while Joseph Young Drive provides vehicle access to Dog's Rocks and Lang's Lookout, as well as the Leanganook Picnic Area.

While exploring the Park, visitors can regularly see Eastern Grey Kangaroos and Black Wallabies, along with numerous native bird species. Keen eyed and patient visitors might also be able to spot Koalas among the Manna Gum trees (identified by distinctive smooth bark with ribbons of handing bark), and the endangered Brush-tailed Phascogale, Echidnas and Sugar Gliders.

Sony A7RV

FE 70-200mm f4 G

Linking Sky Watch Friday

Bridgewater Bay, Mornington Peninsula for Water H2O Thursday

 

It was an overcast day at Bridgewater Bay, Mornington Peninsula.

A different take on the flow effect.

Sony A7RV

FE 20-70mm f4 G

Linking Water H2O Thursday

One planet Save Planet for Sign2

 

I spotted it at Hosier Lane the other day. I was playing with DOF.

Sony A7RV

FE 50mm f1.2 GM

Linking Sign2

Mungo National Park Desert for Treasure Tuesday

 

This area is now protected that no one is allowed to visit unless a permission is sought from the elder. of course, it means monetary tribute of some sort.

Mungo National Park is a protected national park that is located in south-western New South Wales, in eastern Australia. The 110,967-hectare national park is situated approximately 875 kilometres west of Sydney in the Balranald Shire.

Linking Treasure Tuesday

Warburton Lane, Melbourne Mural for Mural Monday

 

I haven't left for overseas trip yet. One week to go. 

This mural has been updated since last year. It was great to find it eventually.

Sony A7RV

FE 50mm f1.2 GM

Linking Mural Monday and FACE OFF

Loch Ard Gorge, Great Ocean Road Victoria Australia for Sunday Best

 

Except from local website:

"Loch Ard Gorge is the site of the most famous shipwreck on the aptly named Shipwreck Coast. The Loch Ard ran aground crashing into Mutton Bird Island in 1878. The only two survivors Tom Pearce and Eva Carmichael managed to drag themselves to the safety of the beach inside Loch Ard Gorge. For a moment, these two tragic teenagers were the talk of the English-speaking world, which very much hoped they would marry (they did not). Walk along this sandy beach, dramatically closed in by towering sandstone cliffs. Explore several other short walks in this area including the cemetery where Tom and Eva’s less fortunate shipmates are buried."

I have stopped droning for a few months now. I will be droning in NZ next month. 

DJ Mini Pro4

Linking Sunday Best

Butterfly for Saturday Critter

 

The camouflage is working well

Pentax K20D

A 200mm f4 Macro

Linking Saturday Critter

Metcalfe Abandoned Bus for Sky Watch Friday

 

Metcalfe Abandoned bus is sitting there for a long time 

Sony A7RV

FE 16-35mm f2.8 GM

Linking Sky Watch Friday

Lake Weeroona Bendigo for Water H2O Thursday

 

I have been busy in the past fortnight. I will be very busy until next Sunday going overseas. Trying to clean up my referrals before leaving the country.

Sony A7RV

FE 14mm f1.8 GM

Linking Water H2O Thursday

The cool shopfront from Taipei Central District for Sign2

 

This shop only opens at night. It is designed for people who takes acids I guess. Effects are more pronounced for drug users.

Sony A7RV

FE 14mm f1.8 GM

Linking Sign2

Balnarring Beach in Mornington Peninsula for Treasure Tuesday

 

It is not monsoon, but it always rains heavily in April and May around here. This shot was rather interesting from 2 weeks ago. The water flow motion is fun.

Joel and I are just busy playing PlayStation instead. 

Sony A7RV

70-200mm f4 G

Linking Treasure Tuesday

Adnate mural Gills Alley for Mural Monday

 

Gills Alley in Melbourne is a place I stroll through. So good that I discover his mural here. 

Sony A7RV

FE 35mm f1.4 GM

Mural Monday

Dockland Melbourne for Sunday Best

 

Despite a failed project in dockland development Melbourne, the location is good for night time urban photography 

Sony A7RV

Laowa 9mm f5.6

Linking Sunday Best

Crested Peacock Pheasant for Saturday Critter

 

I was in one of the old trips to Malayasia. This bird was in an enclosure of a village I visited. I was using a point and shoot camera at the time. Now it is memory.

The Malayan peacock-pheasant (Polyplectron malacense) also known as crested peacock-pheasant or Malaysian peacock-pheasant, is a medium-sized pheasant of the galliform family Phasianidae. The closely related Bornean peacock-pheasant (P. schleiermacheri) was formerly included here as a subspecies, but as understood today, P. malacense is monotypic.

Their plumage is generally pale brown with small black spots and bands all over, creating the "salt-and-pepper" effect found in most peacock-pheasants. It has iridescent blue-green eyespots with a buff border on its upper wings, back, and on the 22 rectrices, a white throat running down to the centre of the breast, and a loose, pointed and upturned dark blue-green crest on its forehead. A bare facial skin surrounds the eyes with their bluish-white iris; usually pink, it becomes bright orange-red during courtship. The bill and legs are blackish.

Female plumage is duller than in males, with a vestigial crest and eyespots only on remiges and rectrices. On the wing coverts and back, they have dark dots instead, which are pointed towards the feather tip.

Young birds resemble females but have even less-developed eyespots and usually lack them entirely except on the rectrices. The downy hatchlings are pale chestnut-brown above and buff below.

Linking Saturday Critter

Tamshui Taiwan Dock for Skywatch Friday

 

The water was actually clean in contrast to my childhood memory. 

Tamsui Old Street is divided into the inner and outer side. The outer street is the golden anchor walkway of Tamsui river coast, while the inner side is a traditional old street lined with bustling shops. There are faithfully traditional pastry shops, groceries and stores selling trendy outfits and toys. The popular foods in the area include A Gei, fish ball, fried fish crackers, traditionally baked cake, Granny’s iron eggs, etc. are all must try goodies. In the evening, the beautiful scenery of the sun setting below the ocean horizon can be seen along the golden anchor walkway.

Sony A7RV

FE 14mm f1.8 GM

Linking Skywatch Friday

Nippon Autumn in Hida Takayama Japan for Water H2O Thursday

 

This was taken many years ago. It was approaching the end of Autumn.

Pentax K20D 

FA 80-200mm f2.8 

Linking Water H2O Thursday

Zebra like Bands for Sign2

 

This is a sign near an entrance of a carpark. A style similar to minimalism approach. Lots of puke and piss at the bottom of the wall. Smells really bad.

Little Flinders Lane, Melbourne CBD

Sony A7RV

FE 35mm f1.4 GM

Linking Sign2

I spotted a YouTube video on Alice Spring in Australia. The place has done to the dogs. Really sad. I used to work there in the local hospital.

Balnarring Beach Jetty in Mornington Peninsula for Treasure Tuesday

 

Joel and I came back here on Easter Saturday. Again, I did not get the look I want but it gave me another opportunity to try it again.

Sony A7RV

FE 70-200mm f4 G

Linking Treasure Tuesday

Queen St Mural in Naarm Melbourne for Mural Monday

 

Looks like Japanese Manga Comics on the wall

Sony A7RV

FE 20-70mm f4 G

Linking Mural Monday and FACE OFF

The streets for mural arts in Melbourne CBD are often located in the following list 

HOSIER LANE & RUTLEDGE LANE

BEANEY LANE

HIGSON LANE

AC/DC LANE & DUCKBOARD PLACE

STRACHAN LANE

MEYERS PLACE

COROMANDEL PLACE

PRESGRAVE PLACE

CARSON PLACE

UNION LANE

TATTERSALLS LANE

CALEDONIAN LANE

DREWERY LANE

GUILDFORD LANE

223 FRANKLIN STREET

HOTEL MIAMI

BLENDER LANE & 436 QUEEN STREET

Story Bridge in Brisbane Australia for Sunday Best

 Brisvegas is alive.

The Story Bridge is a heritage listed steel cantilever bridge spanning the Brisbane River that carries vehicular, bicycle and pedestrian traffic between the northern and the southern suburbs of Brisbane, Australia. It is the longest cantilever bridge in Australia.

The road across the bridge is named Bradfield Highway. The bridge connects Fortitude Valley to Kangaroo Point. The Story Bridge opened in 1940 and was tolled until 1947. It is named after prominent public servant John Douglas Story.

Given the early settlement of Kangaroo Point, there is a long history of residents wanting a bridge between the Brisbane CBD and Kangaroo Point. Even while the first Victoria Bridge was being constructed between North Brisbane and South Brisbane in 1865, several hundred people were petitioning for a second bridge to be built from the Customs House to Kangaroo Point. In 1888, a meeting was held in the Brisbane Town Hall to demand a bridge connecting either George Street, Albert Street or Edward Street via the City Botanic Gardens with any loss of the land from the gardens to be potentially compensated by removing Government House.

Sony A7RV

Laowa 9mm f5.6

Linking Sunday Best

The photography tips for beginners in photography:

1. If you wanna freeze the action, don’t increase your shutter speed. Just ask the players to freeze and not move.

2. You can clean your camera with soap

3. Some part of your finger should appear in the camera. Gives a nice blur and focus

4. You don't need a lens to take good photos

5. Lens cap ON, iso to MAX

6. Time for a deep clean? Be sure to exfoliate your sensor

Joel's Pet Turtle for Saturday Critter

 

Joel has a lot of pets including snakes, eagles, sea aquarium etc. 

Panasonic G9

Leica 12-60mm f2.8-4

Linking Saturday Critter

I was disappointed watching Irish Wish hearing the heavy Carolina accent from the chap 

so called Irish author 

Bay of Island, Great Ocean Road Sunset for Sky Watch Friday

 

An area that I would like to visit again.

DJ Mini Pro4

Linking Skywatch Friday

Happy Easter to everyone!

I am doing my mural round in Melbourne today. 

Stingray Bay, Warrnambool for Water H2O Thursday

 

The tide suddenly came in. The area was rather flat that the sea level instantly raised. 

I caught a bit of turquoise water before retreating.

Sony A7RV

FE 14mm f1.8 GM

Linking Water H2O Thursday

Pesgrave Place sign/art for Sign2

 

Quite creepy but engaging. 

Sony A7RV

FE 50mm f1.2 GM

Linking Sign 2

Being Honest and truthful is usually the best way to navigate in our relationships with others - my conclusion after watching 4 seasons of "sex education" 

Mycelium season for Treasure Tuesday

 

Weather is changing. It is becoming cold in Melbourne.

These mushies are starting to come out.

Sony A7RV

Sigma 105mm f2.8 Macro

Linking Treasure Tuesday

Kulinbulok Lane Mural for Mural Monday

 

Another mural with fantasy look

Sony A7RV

FE 20-70mm f4

Linking Mural Monday and FACE OFF

Tasmania election ends up in a minority government. It would be great to get rid off liberals there. I am always a fan for Juice Media on YouTube. 

Juice Media

Have a good laugh