Fungus Mount Macedon for Treasure Tuesday

 

This was taken at the beginning of the month which was rather late for mushroom hunting. 

Overnight was zero-degree celcius. No fun. The lack of sunlight and the cold feeling in isolation does make me a little melancholic. 

On YouTube, I saw this phenomenon called "Blue Dot Effect" published in psychiatric journal, which was rather interesting. Basically, we all choose to have our own problems when there is nothing really major. Food for thought. 

Sony A7RV

Sigma 105mm f2.8 Macro

Linking Treasure Tuesday

Christchurch mural in New Zealand for Mural Monday

 

That looks like our future

Sony A7RV

FE 20-70mm f4 G

Linking Mural Monday

Long Teng Broken Bridge Taiwan for Sunday Best

 

The remnant of the bridge from Japanese occupation period is now wrapped around by nature.

Sony A7RV

FE 20-70mm f4 G

Linking Sunday Best

Last night, Joel and I went to Pearses Bay again. A last-minute decision as it was a high tide. Weather was crap. So we ended up in a Greek Fish n Chips shop getting souvlaki in the end. This is the kind of life I like. No need to impress anyone just by being myself. 

White Whiskered Laughingthrush in Taiwan for Saturday Critter

 

I only learnt the name of this bird until a former mate in Perth Australia told me about it.

Extraordinarily plumaged songbird with white facial markings that lend it an almost comical whiskered appearance. Brown overall, with accents of yellow, buff, purple, plum, blue, and orange throughout the plumage. Inhabits montane forest edge with dense shrubbery or grassy cover, but often emerges out onto roadsides and paths to forage, often crossing the road close to vehicles. Moves in noisy flocks or in pairs, giving soft contact calls and harsh rattling and whistling calls when alarmed. Song, a melodic tinkling, is simple but pleasant.

Sony A7RV

Sigma 105mm macro 

Linking Saturday Critter

Sunrise at Sandridge Point Melbourne for Skywatch Friday

 

I just cant continue waking up at 3 am driving to Melbourne for a sunrise anymore

Sony A7RV

FE 70-200mm f2.8 GM

Linking Skywatch Friday

Pearses Bay Melbourne for Water H2O Thursday

 

The way the water motion goes is kind of fascinating to me.

Sony A7RV

FE 70-200mm f4 G

Linking Water H2O Thursday

De Graves St Sign for Sign2

 

Their pricing have not changed despite the inflation over the past 4 years. I am very surprised.

Sony A7RV

FE 35mm f1.4 GM

Linking Treasure Tuesday

Lake Light in the stormy weather for Treasure Tuesday

 

The hue caught my eye while passing through an unnamed lake.

Sony A7RV

FE 70-200mm f4 G

Linking Treasure Tuesday

Cute duckling on Hosier Lane for Mural Monday

 

This one stands out as I do my regular walk in CBD for contents on the other blog of mine. 

Sony A7RV

FE 35mm f1.4 GM

Linking Mural Monday

Listening to Joel talking about his kids' troubles is a reminder that we all have a story to tell. 

Castle Hill New Zealand for Sunday Best

 

I like the composition somehow. I enjoy the walk there

Sony A7RV

FE 20-70mm f4 G

Linking Sunday Best

I spent the whole day hiking out around Ballarat area with Joel. Damn, the waterfall was completely dried out including the river nearby. That was a huge disappointment. In the end, we had some nice chicken Parma in a dusty general pub at a nearby country town. I swear the owner looks like a character from a horror haunting movie killing off tourists.  

Then Joel's electric car ran out of juice. We had to go to a town with limited fast charge. I believe Joel turned up the heating too strong for the cold weather here. 

Lady bug in bokeh for Saturday Critter

 

Too shallow DOF. Should have done the stacking. 

Linking Saturday Critter

Lake Tekapo New Zealand for Skywatch Friday

 

It was still cloudy and windy. Lucky the cloud break allows some colours to enter into the frame. 

Sony A7RV

FE 70-200mm f4 G

Linking Skywatch Friday

Mount Sunday Edoras for Water H2O Thursday

 

I really missed New Zealand 

Linking Water H2O Thursday

Mum's mobile company just got sold to another one called Yana Amaysim. The name sounds like a scammer to me. She asked me to help her to verify the direct debit was still in place. I could not find the company on line until I break it up. The person on the phone sounds like a scammer too. 

Nanmen old street Mazu Shrine carvings for Sign2

 

The signs are written in old language. 

On the left 

Glory in many universes and dimensions; power and blessings fill every home

On the right

Prosper in ranks and files; fortune shines on the living world

Sony A7RV

FE 20-70mm f4 G

Linking Sign2

Mount Macedon Fungi for Treasure Tuesday

 

A bit late to the mushroom hunt with Joel this year. Though we did not find parasol, these brown ones will do.

Sony A7RV

Sigma 105mm f2.8 Macro

Linking Treasure Tuesday

Buddhism Guardians in Christchurch for Mural Monday

 

I found this next to a French Restaurant ironically. 

Sony A7RV

FE 20-70mm f4 G

Linking Mural Monday

Castle Hill, New Zealand for Sunday Best

 

On the hill where Kingdom of Nania is filmed. A nice series of layers

Sony A7RV

FE 20-70mm f4 G

Linking Sunday Best

Alpine Parrot Kea in New Zealand for Saturday Critter

 

Kea was once treated as pests in NZ. In 1970, they went into extinction as the country wanted to protect their sheep grazing industry. Now, Kea is a protected species. They behave like seagulls trying to get my food all the time.

Sony A7RV

FE 70-200mm f4 G

Linking Saturday Critter

Mount Sunday, New Zealand for Skywatch Friday

 The film location for Edora in Lord of Ring

Weather is very fickle here. Zero phone reception there too. 

Sony A7RV

FE 70-200mm f4 G

Linking Skywatch Friday

Success hacks

* Find the pain you enjoy

* Focus on what you can control, ignore the ones you can't 

* Turn off the autopilot 

* Adopt 10 x Max 

* Focus on fewer things for a longer period of time 

Devil's Bowl Waterfall at Arthur Pass in New Zealand for Water H2O Thursday

 

This was taken using a telephoto lens from a distance. Very strong UV there so the colour adjustment is rather tricky. 

Sony A7RV

FE 70-200mm f4 G

Linking Water H2O Thursday

It has been rather difficult to get back to work immediately after the trip. My body is sore everywhere as well. Thanks for the work out in NZ. 

Five Lanes Eatery Complex, Christchurch for Sign2

 

I was wandering into the complex realising there is so much cheap eats to have.

The signs are quite cool all around. The vibe is great for me.

Sony A7RV

FE 20-70mm f4 G

Linking Sign2 and FACE OFF

Devil's Bowl Waterfall, New Zealand for Treasure Tuesday

 

The walking trail leading up to this waterfall is very steep and challenging. I almost gave up 2/3 into the journey.

Sony A7RV

FE 20-70mm f4 G

Linking Treasure Tuesday

Oxford Terrace, Christchurch Mural for Mural Monday

 

Just outside a modern Chinese restaurant 

Sony A7RV

FE 20-70mm f4 G

Linking Mural Monday

Lake Pearson reflection New Zealand for Sunday Best

 

I had no sleep for the past 35 hours. I have to recuperate before commenting again 

Sony A7RV

FE 20-70mm f4 G

Linking Sunday Best

Galah for Saturday Critter

 

I haven't done much photography on birds lately. 

Galah is very loud. They always wake me up every morning. 

I would be on the flight back to Melbourne now. (I have to wake up at 2 am in the morning to catch the flight). 

Linking Saturday Critter

Lake Pukaki New Zealand for Skywatch Friday

 

This was taken from 2 days ago trying to get some shots when the fickle weather decided to cloud break

Sony A7RV

FE 70-200mm f4 G

Linking Skywatch Friday

I am heading to Mount Arthur today. Cloudy forecast. At least not raining anymore. But who knows? 

Lake of Clear Water in New Zealand for Water H2O Thursday

 

Lake of Clear Water is really a lovely place to visit. Storm briefly stopped when I stopped by. Finally, some mercy on me!

Sony A7RV

FE 70-200mm f4 G

Linking Water H2O Thursday

I sourced myself a back pain after an accidental fall on the slope of snow. It is hurting really bad. 

New Zealand Town Fairlie for Sign 2

 

This town is on the way to Aoraki the highest mountain in New Zealand. The only place I can eat some hot pies and warm latte that tastes like cough medicine. 

Thanks to the pouring rain in Christchurch. I stay at hotel processing my shots all day. Even the city river is flooding the banks. Did I bring so much needed rain to NZ?

Sony A7RV

FE 70-200mm f4 G

Linking Sign2

Mount Cook, Aoraki, New Zealand for Treasure Tuesday

 

Bad luck the weather is raining and snowing in Christchurch. Apparently, the town is suffering drought for the preceding few months. 

I did not end up participating Hooker Valley Trail or Tasman Glacier walk. Pity. Will do it next time.

Sony A7RV

FE 70-200mm f4 G

Linking Treasure Tuesday

Christchurch Mural for Mural Monday

 

I arrived Christchurch on Saturday. I had to grab something to eat before I rest for the next day to Mount Cook.

It looks rather funky

Sony A7RV

FE 20-70mm f4

Linking Mural Monday

Mirror Show exhibition in Port Melbourne for Sunday Best

 

Joel and I ventured into this mirror show exhibition. Quite fun snapping away.

Sony A7RV

FE 14mm f1.8 GM

Linking Sunday Best

Butterfly for Saturday Critter

 

Old photo in my old house in Hawthorn

Linking Saturday Critter

Leaving this morning to Christchurch. 

Da Xi Taiwan for Skywatch Friday

 

The place is renown for Tofu. 

Linking Skywatch Friday

Pulpit Rock Cape Schanck for Water H2O Thursday

 

I have been here many times when Joel and I wondered where to go. Not visiting coast lately as I am busy travelling abroad.

Sony A7RV

FE 20-70mm f4 G

Linking Water H2O Thursday

Toucheng Old Street Facade for Sign2

 

This is an abandoned old street left from Japanese occupation era. 

The words on both sides of the entrance say

Exploding crackers get rid of old wax

Cherry Blossoms in the cold bring the spring 

Sony A7RV

FE 20-70mm f4 G

This is linking Sign2

Metal Art Museum in Port Melbourne for Treasure Tuesday

 

This metal art museum is a wonderful exhibition. It features up to 300 metal robots. Some of them are from my childhood Manga memories. Joel and I spent a long time trying to do bokeh shots in there. This place is really reserved for nerds.

Sony A7RV

FE 35mm f1.4 GM

Linking Treasure Tuesday

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