Spider in the garden for Eileen's Saturday Critter

 

This week is raining nonstop. I ended up having with dining spree with my friends. Quite a bonding experience. 

Photographing in the backyard is very convenient lol. 

Pentax A200mm f4 macro

Linking Saturday's Critter

Last night, I had some fine food at a city Japanese restaurant. I did meet a friend but my whole focus was enjoying the dishes off Ala Carte menu. 

I will be heading out with Joel for his birthday dinner tomorrow night. 

Glass House Mountain for Skywatch Friday

 

This was taken from the trip up north to Queensland 2 months ago. Joel and I took a turn on the way to Noosa. This was an iconic spot for sunset and Milkyway photography. We did not stay for that. 

Sony A7RV

FE 20-70mm f4

Linking Skywatch Friday

Mungo National Park Stargazing for Random Fun Event

 

The challenging trip I took with Joel early the year. We both had nasty flu after venturing into this desert waiting it out through the night. The core of Milkyway was not even out that early in the year

Sony A7RIV

Laowa 12mm f2.8 

Linking Randomosity

Brisbane stroll sign for Tom's Sign2 Event

 

Cold and wet weather are keeping me indoor. The sign stands out in a way. The people are in some sort of juxtaposition

Sony A7RV

FE 20-70mm f4

Linking Sign2

Mount Dandenong Tea Room for Treasure Tuesday

 

This is a tearoom that mum and I came to try in a cold winter day. 

The place was ambient until the kids came rushing into the door. 

Sony A7RIV

FE 24mm f1.4 GM

Linking Treasure Tuesday

Taipei mural for Mural Monday

 

Melbourne is cold too. Despite me paying the bill, mum's frugal approach to simple life means no heating at all (I spent 20k AUD on the 26 sheets of solar panel and a battery too). She even developed chilblains in her feet. The generation. 

My trip to Cape Woolamai did not happen as the gale was up to 40 knots. The weekend weather was not fitting for me to go into the nature at all. Plus mum and brother were nagging me to stay home boy instead. So I ended up trying the best winning 2023 pie in Australia - I will show later on.

Sony A7RV

FE 14mm f1.8 GM

Linking Mural Monday

Nyah West for Sunday Best

 

I was in Nyah Westing visiting a regular nursing home. It was literally frosty everywhere I walked. The typical morning glory

Sony A7RV

FE 135mm f1.8 GM

Linking Sunday Best

Fly for Saturday Critter

 

The compound eyes are mesmerising.

Pentax K10D

A 200mm f4 macro

Linking Saturday Critter

Bays of Island, Mornington Peninsula for Sky Watch Friday

 

Reverie in the sky

Panasonic G9 

Leica 12-60mm f2.8-4

Linking Skywatch Friday

Mangrove trees in the sea at Cleveland, Brisbane

 

This was taken from a while back in my Brisbane trip. Joel and I accidentally found this mangrove bunch near the coast. 

I was worried the sea breeze would move the tree branches too much causing motion blur during the long exposure. 

Sony A7RV

FE 14mm f1.8 GM

Linking Randomosity

Fitzroy Street Signs for Tom's Sign2 Event

 

Last Friday, a stroll in Collingwood area with my new Sigma 17mm f4. It was a pleasant walk while I tried a few cafes along the way. Not good for my weight loss journey. 

Sony A7RV

Sigma 17mm f4

Linking Tom's Sign2

Bridgewater Bay for Treasure Tuesday

Miscalculation on my part. The low tide on Saturday was actually not so low 1 metre high. So Joel blamed me for it for the turbulent sea hitting at us. 

For me, sea is my treasure. The gentle hiking and the smell of ocean just cleanse my worries away.

By sunset, it was pouring rain on us. We ended up discovering another fish and chips shop run by Greek grandfather. The snapper and souvlaki were so yummy and delish! 

Sony A7RV

FE 70-200mm f2.8 GM

Linking Treasure Tuesday

Cecil Street, Fitzroy for Mural Monday

 

Apparently face portrait like this one sits in this street for about 5 years. I never knew about this. 

I received my new toy pancake lens Sigma 17mm f4. I had to take it for a test run in the nearby streets.

Sony A7RV

Sigma 17mm f4 

Linking Mural Monday 

Rabbit Rock Mornington Peninsula for Sunday Best

 

Long exposure shot from a different angle on the large rock. I really like the silky waterflow. 

Joel and I gonna venture into Bridgewater Bay again. This time mainly on a sea shelf during semi-low tide by sunset. 

Sony A7RV

FE 20-70mm f4 

Linking Sunday Best

Stick Insect for Saturday's Critter

 

I think it is stick insect of some sort. Or grasshopper. Not an entomologist here. 

Pentax K10D

A 200mm f4 macro

Linking Saturday Critter

Montfort Beach for Sky watch Friday

 

The sea is turbulent. The sky is actually less angry than what happens beneath it. 

Sony A7RV

FE 20-70mm f4 

Linking Skywatch Friday

Easey Street Tram restaurants

 

On Thursday last week, I took cameras to camera clinic for infra-red modification. Joel was meant to do this a few months ago. He procrastinates too much. So I do it for us instead.

Next to the shop, this iconic restaurant that comprised of 3 abandoned trams were standing right there before me. I happened to have my new toy sigma 24mm f3.5 pancake. So I was snapping away like my fingers having spasms. 

Sony A7RV

Sigma 24mm f3.5

Linking Randomosity

Castlemaine Bookroom Sign for Tom's Sign2 Event

 

Sign2 event made me realise I did not take enough photos of signposts or signage at all. 

This is called introspection I guess.

This is a classic country town where elites tend to retire at in northwest Victoria. People living in the town are quite alternative. 

Sony A7RV

Laowa 9mm f5.6

Linking Sign2

Rabbit Rock Silhouette for Treasure Tuesday

 

I stood on this rock taking this shot. Then I was soaked wet by the sea waves. In a few minutes, where I stood was under the sea. It was wild.

This image is what I am after. 

Sony A7RV

FE 20-70mm f4

Linking Treasure Tuesday

Taipei Mural in Ximengding for Mural Monday

 

It looks very odd. It feels Bolognese sauce gone wrong in human brains. 

Sony A7RV

FE 14mm f1.8 GM

Linking Mural Monday

Montfort Beach, Blairgowrie, Mornington Peninsula for Sunday Best

 

Today though little chance of rain but the sky was completely overcast. Joel rang me saying he was too bored needing to do something. So we came to this same location from 2 weeks ago. This time, it is high tide. It was good for long exposure. The cloud break allows us to see some colours too. 

One Aussie chap was brave enough to enter this water which was pretty much freezing. The torrents were so severe that we thought we could lose him into the sea as well. 

Sony A7RV

FE 20-70mm f4

Linking Sunday Best

Unknown insect for Saturday Critter

 

Spotted outside a temple while in Taiwan. 

Pentax K10D

A 200mm f4 macro

Linking Saturday Critter

Montfort Beach for Skywatch Friday

 

Melbourne has been wet for several consecutive weekends. 

The beach is cold and magical moments are hard to find. 

This weekend is likely to be less rainy. My pal and I gonna take another adventure. 

Sony A7RV

FE 16-35mm f2.8 GM

Linking Skywatch Friday

Fungi clusters in Mount Macedon

 

Looks kind of juicy there. Cold chilly wind in Mount Macedon. Melbourne has been quite wet lately. 

Sony A7RV

Sigma 105mm f2.8 Macro

Linking Randomosity

Long Shan Temple Lantern Sign for Sign2

 

Long Shan Temple sign is so cultural 

Sony A7RV

FE 14mm f1.8 GM

Linking to Tom's Sign2

Bendigo Stupa of Universal Compassion for Treasure Tuesday

 

This stupa is so close to my Bendigo home. It is free. It is always quite peaceful to walk in its gardens. The biggest emerald jade Buddha in southern hemisphere is located in this stupa (how many countries are there in southern hemisphere anyway?). 

Sony A7RIV

FE 24mm f1.4 GM

Linking Treasure Tuesday and My Corner of World

Taipei Hut for Mural Monday

 

This was a tool shed to store cleaning equipment. Quite a lot of walls painted by mural. It was a nice area to explore.

Sony A7RV

FE 14mm f1.8 GM

Linking Mural Monday

Parasol for Sunday Best

 

Jackpot getting a cluster of parasol fungi from the weekend before. 

Just came back home from a wedding reception. I suddenly realised I was older and lonely. Sigh... 

Sony A7RV

Sigma 105mm f2.8 Macro

Linking Sunday Best

Another butterfly for Saturday Critter

 

In my old garden in Hawthorn East

Pentax K10D 

A 200mm f4 macro

Linking Saturday Critter

Wimmera Silo Sunset for Sky Watch Friday

 

This is a rural sunset after I finish my rural commitment. 

Sony A7RV

FE 135mm f1.8 GM

Linking Skywatch Friday

Mycelium Interruptus Macro

We hit out to Mount Macedon on the weekend. Mushroom hunting 3rd time this year. We noticed many mushrooms were destroyed by others after photographing them. 

The relentless foraging finally got to this one on a dead log so far away from the normal walking paths in Sanitarium Lake. We got the shot this year.

Sony A7RV

Sigma 105mm f2.8 macro

Linking Random And Fun Blog Hop

Death and Taxes Cocktail Bar for Sign2

 

Death and Taxes has the best menu for cocktail list. There are over 70 types of recipes on the app that we go through the list.

The store is spotted by us in the daytime first. Then at night, the whole place comes alive. 

Sony A7RV

Laowa 9mm f5.6

Linking Sign2 and Corner of my world

Cleveland coast Brisbane for Treasure Tuesday

 

Joel and I saw the sign saying "gorgeous Red Coast" on the freeway. So we made a turn and explored this region. It turned out Red Coast was not red yet quite dull to visit. Too built up for our liking. 

Then besides the mangrove bush, this abandoned old dock was observed. Few minutes later, the whole ground was covered in water. 

Sony A7RV

FE 20-70mm f4

Linking Treasure Tuesday

Fitzroy Street Mural, Melbourne for Mural Monday

 

This was sitting next to a carpark. Feels cartoon like.

Sony A7RV

FE 24mm f1.4 GM

Linking Mural Monday 

Brisbane South Bank building for Sunday Best

 

It was the evening after some nice Wagu all you can eat. a stroll on the way back to hotel got me notice this light up. Ever since high school, I have not "wandered" late at night in a foregin city like this. 

Sony A7RV

Laowa 9mm f5.6

Linking Sunday Best

Butterfly for Saturday Critter

 

I was more keen on testing the bokeh

Pentax A 200mm f4 macro

Linking Saturday Critter

Blue Hour in Brisbane for Sky Watch Friday

 

The colour galore durign the blue hours in South Bank Brisbane 

Sony A7RV

FE 20-70mm f4

Linking Sky Watch Friday

Sea view from Burleigh Heads in Gold Coast

 

There are so many lookouts along the Gold Coast. Burleigh Heads is the best location in my view. 

Chilly Bendigo at the moment. I am learning to live in this early winter. 

Sony A7RV

FE 20-70mm f4

Linking Good and random fun

Street sign in Tamshui Taipei for Sign2

 

The sign says street corner. The carp symbolises wealth. 

This is an old street from 1900s

Sony A7RV

FE 14mm f1.8 GM

Linking Sign2

Car light trail off Sky Point at Gold Coast for Treasure Tuesday

 

There is light traffic as Joel and I could not get on top of this building until later in the night.

Sony A7RV

FE 20-70mm f4

linking Treasure Tuesday

Comic book premier on mural for Mural Monday

 

Quite comical to see a fusion of Japanese Manga and Taiwanese local style in the mural

Sony A7RV

FE 14mm f1.8 GM

Linking Mural Monday

Serenity Waterfall, Sunshine Coast for Sunday Best

 

Serenity falls is quite elegant on the way to Noosa. There are so many Vloggers around the area making it so hard to photograph this fall. 

I caught up with my buddy Joel for a trial of best state meat pie in Victoria. There is a whole scotch egg inside the pie. Quite impressed.

Sony A7RV

FE 20-70mm f4

Linking Sunday Best

Butterfly for Saturday Critter

 

Thanks for a little break yesterday and today. I am exercising a lot more continuing the success of weight loss. Health is so important as I discovered its importance since last year. 

Pentax A 200mm f4 macro

Linking Saturday Critter

Lamington National Park in Queensland

 

This was taken on the way to the waterfall 

Sony A7RV 

FE 20-70mm f4

Linking Skywatch Friday

Tangalooma Shipwreck

 

Finally having some time to work through the photos. 

These shipwrecks were deliberately placed at the shore to stop severe currents to the island.

Sony A7RV

FE 20-70mm f4

Linking Randomosity

Brisbane Sign at night for Sign2 Event

 Busy week after return from Brisbane. So hard getting back to reality. 

Sony A7RV

Laowa 9mm f5.6

Linking Sign2