Red Browed Finches in Mount Baw Baw for Saturday Critter

 

This was taken a long time ago. I did not know this was meant to be rare and protected species. Red Browed Finches do look so lovely. I used to hike in Mount Baw Baw quite a bit.

Red-browed Finches (Neochmia temporalis) are small, vibrant birds commonly found in Victoria, Australia. Easily recognizable by their striking red eyebrow stripe, red bill, and chestnut flanks, these finches thrive in a variety of habitats including open woodlands, shrublands, gardens, and parks. They are often seen in small, social flocks feeding on grass seeds and occasionally insects. Red-browed Finches prefer areas with dense undergrowth or shrubs where they can seek shelter and nest, typically building their nests close to the ground. Their cheerful chirping and lively behavior make them a charming and familiar sight in many parts of Victoria.

Linking Saturday Critter

Piangil Night Sky with light painting for Skywatch Friday

 

Piangil lies approximately half an hour’s drive beyond Swan Hill in Victoria, situated near the threshold of the Australian outback. A modest rural locality surrounded by flat open farmland and distant horizon lines, it offers a profound stillness, especially under the vast dome of the night sky. This particular photograph was taken several years ago, during a period when I was deeply passionate about the art of light painting. At that time, I did not hesitate to rise in the small hours of the night, load the car with equipment, and make the journey into such remote reaches for the sake of a single frame of long-exposure magic.

How times have changed. These days, I find myself lacking the same energy or will to embark on such nocturnal expeditions. Age, it seems, makes its presence known not with fanfare but with small surrenders.

The lens I used then—a Laowa 12mm f/2.8, prized for its rectilinear precision and remarkable field of view—was sold a year later at a price that exceeded its original retail value. I remain mystified by the ways of eBay buyers; why one would pay more for a secondhand item than simply purchase it new from a reputable dealer escapes my understanding. Yet such are the strange economies of online marketplaces.

Sony A7RV

Laowa 12mm f2.8 

Linking Skywatch Friday

Bay of Islands in Blairgowrie Mornington Peninsula for Water H2O Thursday

 

There exist three distinct locations bearing the name Bay of Islands within the state of Victoria, Australia. I have had the pleasure of visiting each of them. Of these, the one situated closest to Melbourne holds a particular charm for me. Nestled along the Mornington Peninsula, this coastal enclave offers a striking interplay of sea cliffs, hidden inlets, and crystalline waters—ideal for moments of quiet reflection or aerial exploration.

When my companion Joel and I are not preoccupied with the pursuit of sunset landscapes, we often retreat to this locale to fly our drone and capture sweeping views of the coastline. The rugged contours and tranquil hues lend themselves beautifully to this form of observation.

The second Bay of Islands lies within the famed Great Ocean Road region, west of Peterborough. This is perhaps the most well-known of the three, celebrated for its dramatic limestone stacks rising from the Southern Ocean—remnants of a landscape carved by centuries of wind and wave.

The third, more remote and lesser known, is found near the shores of Corner Inlet in Gippsland. Here, coastal serenity and the subtle presence of birdlife create a setting marked by calm rather than spectacle. Each Bay of Islands bears its own character, yet all share the same elemental spirit—where land meets sea in timeless conversation.

Linking Water H2O Thursday

Martin Place Signs for Sign2

 

In the vicinity of Martin Place, Sydney, I have observed numerous signs newly installed in alignment with this week's theme.

I am feeling somewhat unwell at present and have endeavoured to perform additional sit-ups in order to strengthen my abdominal muscles. Muscles release good hormones.

Sony A7RV

FE 20-70mm f4 G

Linking Sign2

Angel Place, Sydney for Treasure Tuesday

 

I paid a visit to Angel Place, a discreet and evocative laneway nestled near Martin Place in the heart of Sydney. My chief desire was to behold the suspended birdcages that grace the alleyway—a haunting and poetic installation known as Forgotten Songs. Conceived by artist Michael Thomas Hill and first installed in 2009 as part of the City of Sydney’s Laneways revitalisation program, this artwork commemorates the songs of fifty bird species once heard in the city before urbanisation drove them away. The empty cages, hanging above the narrow lane, evoke both memory and absence, as recordings of birdsong filter gently through the space, varying between day and night to reflect the natural calls of diurnal and nocturnal species. The experience was as moving as it was visually arresting—a poignant tribute to lost nature amidst the city's towering architecture.

Sony A7RV

FE 20-70mm f4 G

Linking Treasure Tuesday

Martin Place Sydney mural for Mural Monday

 

As I made my way through Martin Place in search of Angel Place, my attention was drawn to a mural along the way. It bore the appearance of a promotional display—more a commercial advertisement than a work of public art, I believe—though its colours and composition momentarily held my gaze.

Sony A7RV

FE 20-70mm f4 G

Linking Mural Monday

Mushroom in Lake Sanitarium Lake Mount Macedon for Sunday Best

 

A rather common species of woodland mushroom thrives amidst the shaded undergrowth of Lake Sanitarium, a locale long favoured by naturalists and artists alike. This secluded lake, steeped in quiet history, once served as a convalescent retreat in the early 20th century, earning its evocative name from the health-seekers who once found solace in its restorative air and waters. Today, it plays host to an altogether different form of contemplation: an annual photographic expedition undertaken by Joel and myself, dedicated to the fine art of macro imagery.

Armed with the Sony A7R V and the Sigma 105mm f/2.8 macro lens, we seek out the minute marvels of the forest floor—fungi, insects, textures—all rendered with a distinct tonal quality that has long distinguished the Sigma from its rivals. Although Sony is poised to release a new G Master macro lens, whose technical excellence is already anticipated by the photographic community, we are inclined to retain the Sigma. Its singular character in colour rendition—so vivid, yet subtle—offers a palette that cannot be so easily replicated, a lens not merely of function but of personality.

Linking Sunday Best

Star fish at Mount Martha Melbourne for Saturday Critter

 

While walking along the coast near Mount Martha, I came upon this starfish resting just beneath the water’s surface. Though it is a known marine pest along our shores, I could not help but appreciate the quiet moment when it appeared beside my feet as I was photographing the sea.

The image depicts a sea star—also known as a starfish—positioned upon a bed of green algae and submerged vegetation. Notably, it possesses more than the customary five arms, suggesting it may belong to a multi-armed species such as the Solaster, commonly referred to as the sun star.

These creatures are marine echinoderms, distinguished by their radial symmetry and numerous tube feet, which they employ to navigate the ocean floor. This specimen was observed in a shallow, tranquil coastal pool, where the clarity of the water revealed the richness of the marine flora beneath.

Sony A7RV

FE 70-200mm f4 G

Linking Saturday Critter

Pinnacles Milkyway Cape Woolamai for Skywatch Friday

 

I have not engaged in much astrophotography over the past two years. The notion of spending an entire night outdoors—particularly at such an exposed and windswept location as the Pinnacles at Cape Woolamai—has ceased to hold the charm it once did. What was once a beloved pastime now feels more akin to an obligation. The glow visible on the horizon is the light pollution emanating from the distant city of Melbourne, which has, regrettably, diminished the appeal of this location for many photographers.

Captured using a Sony A7R V paired with the FE 14mm f/1.8 GM lens.

Linking Skywatch Friday

Flinders Blowhole Mornington Peninsula for Water H2O Thursday

 

This photograph was taken during our previous excursion to Flinders Blowhole on the Mornington Peninsula, a destination chosen for its proximity to our residence in Melbourne. At the time, Joel and I favoured locations that required only a short drive. Presently, Joel finds himself occupied with visits from his in-laws, who travel frequently from Sydney—ostensibly, he believes, to spend time with their grandchildren. As for myself, I am presently taking a respite from coastal outings, having developed a growing interest in exploring the urban landscape instead.

Sony A7RV

FE 20-70mm f4 G

Linking Water H2O Thursday

De Grave Place Melbourne Signs for Sign2

 

The signage around this quarter marks some of my favourite locales—there is something distinctly Melburnian about their character, at least as captured through the lens. Nowhere is this more evident than in Degraves Place, nestled in the very heart of Melbourne’s central business district.

Degraves Place, and its adjoining laneway Degraves Street, take their name from the Degraves family, early settlers and entrepreneurs in colonial Victoria. William and Charles Degraves arrived from Hobart in the 1850s and quickly established themselves as prominent figures in Melbourne’s flour milling industry. Their enterprise, the Degraves Mill, once stood near the banks of the Yarra, a symbol of industrious ambition in the young colony.

Today, Degraves Place is emblematic of Melbourne’s famed laneway culture—an elegant mingling of past and present. Beneath its heritage façades and weathered brickwork lie cafés, galleries, and small boutiques, alive with the hum of conversation and the aroma of espresso. The signs that adorn these narrow passages are not mere markers—they are storytellers of a city that thrives on character, contrast, and continuity.

Sony A7RV

FE 14mm f1.8 GM

Linking Sign2

Vue De Monde Melbourne for Treasure Tuesday

 

Roast Eel 

Smoked cocktail

Picked Oyster

Caviar on pumpkin mesh

Merren 3 eats

Pineapple sorbet with floral crisps

Cured Kangaroo meat 

We are getting older 

Souffle 

Joel’s birthday was celebrated just last week, an occasion for which I had secured a reservation no less than three months in advance. The booking, as expected, was gone within minutes of the reservation page opening—testament to the enduring allure of this esteemed establishment, which has held its place among Melbourne’s finest dining destinations for over a quarter of a century. Indeed, having now dined at virtually every hatted restaurant in the city, it feels as though we are truly savouring the richness of life’s finer pleasures.

For this special evening, we were seated at Vue de Monde, a culinary landmark atop the Rialto. The evening unfolded with an elegant succession of courses—each a thoughtful homage to native Australian ingredients and refined technique. There was the delicate smoked eel with white chocolate and caviar, a bold yet balanced expression of contrasts. The Western Australian marron arrived perfectly poached, nestled in a vivid green sauce of Geraldton wax and finger lime. A course of Flinders Island lamb followed, prepared with such precision that it seemed to melt upon the tongue. Even the bread service—a warm, crusty sourdough with house-cultured butter—was elevated to a ceremonial delight.

The degustation concluded with an exquisite arrangement of petit fours: wattleseed macarons, eucalyptus marshmallows, and a hand-churned ice cream, theatrically frozen in liquid nitrogen at the table. Each dish was presented with care, matched by service that was both attentive and effortlessly refined.

To commemorate the occasion visually, I brought along my new Sony 16mm f1.8 lens. Its compact form and brilliant aperture made it an ideal companion for capturing the quiet drama of the dining scene—the glint of glassware, the sheen on porcelain, the gentle fall of candlelight on plated artistry.

Sony A7RV

FE 16mm f1.8 GM

Linking Treasure Tuesday

Spencer St Mural by Adnate for Mural Monday

 

Adnate, a well-known Australian street artist celebrated for his large-scale portraiture.

Adnate, whose real name is Matt Last, hails from Melbourne and has gained international recognition for his powerful and emotive murals that often portray Indigenous Australians, elders, and youth with dignity and strength. His work typically blends realism with street art techniques, using spray paint to capture striking expressions and profound cultural narratives.

In this image, Adnate's signature style is clear—deeply human faces with intense, expressive eyes, rendered with photorealistic detail against a more abstract or symbolic background. The mural’s subjects—likely community members or individuals of personal or cultural significance—are depicted with great reverence, a hallmark of Adnate's work.

You can find his other murals in cities around the world, but many of his most iconic pieces are right in Melbourne, on the walls of buildings just like this one, often contributing to broader dialogues about identity, history, and resilience.

Sony A7RV

Sigma 14-24mm f2.8

Linking Mural Monday

Lin Mansion in BanQiao Taipei Taiwan for Sunday Best

 

During my visit to Lin Family Mansion and Garden in Taichung last year, this year’s journey led me to its counterpart in Banqiao, Taipei. Unlike the Taichung site, the Banqiao mansion has never suffered destruction; its original architecture, remarkably well preserved, continues to bear witness to the elegance of a bygone era. Although part of the estate was undergoing renovation during my visit, there remained much to admire and explore.

The Lin Family Mansion in Banqiao, also known as the Lin Ben Yuan Family Mansion and Garden, is one of the finest surviving examples of traditional Chinese garden architecture in Taiwan. Constructed in the mid-19th century during the Qing Dynasty by the prosperous Lin family—one of Taiwan’s wealthiest and most influential clans—the estate served both as a private residence and a symbol of social and cultural prestige.

The mansion encompasses a series of exquisitely designed courtyards, pavilions, and halls arranged around tranquil ponds and delicately landscaped gardens. Its architectural style reflects the aesthetic values of southern Fujian and Jiangnan regions, marked by curved roofs, intricate woodwork, and balanced spatial harmony.

Despite ongoing restoration, the place retains its serene grandeur. I found myself particularly drawn to the refined symmetry and oriental grace that define its structures—a timeless testament to heritage, resilience, and the enduring beauty of classical design.

Sony A7RV

FE 20-70mm f4 G

Linking Sunday Best

Ducks and Swan at Garden of Chinese Friendship in Sydney for Saturday Critter

 

The serene Garden of Friendship in Sydney, with its tranquil ponds and winding stone pathways, is graced as always by the presence of elegant swans and cheerful ducks. The swans glide effortlessly across the still water; their long necks curved like calligraphy strokes against the reflections of willows and ornate pavilions. Meanwhile, the ducks paddle playfully in small groups, occasionally waddling ashore to forage between the rocks and bonsai-like shrubs. Their familiar presence brings a sense of continuity to the garden, a living thread through the carefully composed harmony of this urban oasis inspired by classical Chinese landscapes.

Linking Saturday Critter

Pinnacles, Cape Woolamai, Victoria for Skywatch Friday

 

What I truly seek is a sky adorned with fish-scale clouds. The Pinnacles, indeed, stand as one of Melbourne’s most remarkable destinations for photography.

At Cape Woolamai’s Pinnacles on Phillip Island, the boulder rocks are covered with vibrant green moss, creating a striking contrast against the pink granite formations. These ancient rocks, formed approximately 360 million years ago from slowly cooled molten magma, have been sculpted over time by relentless ocean waves and winds. The moss thrives in the moist, salty air, adding a lush texture to the rugged landscape. This natural tapestry enhances the visual appeal of the area, making it a popular spot for photographers and nature enthusiasts alike. The combination of geological history and thriving plant life exemplifies the dynamic beauty of this coastal environment

Sony A7RV

FE 16-35mm f2.8 GM

Linking Sky Watch Friday

Portsea back beach, Mornington Peninsula for Water H2O Thursday

 

Joel will be engaged with his in-laws over the coming fortnight, so we resolved to visit the back beach at Portsea before the demands of daily life took hold once more. The excursion was imbued with a creamy noir quality, lending the moment a sense of quiet drama and reflection. It also afforded me the opportunity to test my new neutral density filter paired with the 35mm f/1.4 lens.

Sony A7RV

FE 35mm f1.4 GM

Linking Water H2O Thursday

Darling Harbour Night Signs for Sign2

 

Whilst on an evening stroll, delighting in the shimmering night lights of Sydney, I happened upon a number of curious signs as well. The gentle hum of the harbour was accompanied by the warm glow of shopfronts—those modest night establishments nestled along Darling Harbour, still open and inviting well into the late hours. Their illuminated windows offered a quiet charm, a testament to the city’s enduring vitality after dusk, where commerce and leisure intertwine beneath the soft reflections of water and light.

Sony A7RV

FE 20-70mm f4 G

Linking Signs 2

Darling Harbour Light up for Treasure Tuesday

 

The illumination of Darling Harbour was, all things considered, a pleasing spectacle—particularly given that admission to the event was entirely free. Yet, I must confess a certain sense of mild disappointment; the installations, though engaging, lacked the singular charm and grandeur that marked the exhibitions of previous years. Historically, Darling Harbour has long served as a site of public gathering and civic celebration. Once a bustling industrial port, it has since been transformed into a vibrant cultural and recreational precinct, emblematic of Sydney’s evolution from mercantile centre to cosmopolitan metropolis. In this light, the harbour’s festive displays continue a social tradition of communal enjoyment, even if this year’s offerings did not quite ascend to the heights of past splendour.

Sony A7RV

FE 20-70mm f4 G

Linking Treasure Tuesday