Sweet Wayfaring

This summer 5 of 10

noreply@blogger.com (Joan Elizabeth) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 20:00:00 +0000

Near Perthville

The modern face of haymaking.

Mark from Clarence Valley Today has contributed a new Royal Hotel that I've added to the Royal collection. Check it out and don't forget to visit Mark's blog which is a great daily read.

This summer 4 of 10

noreply@blogger.com (Joan Elizabeth) — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 20:00:00 +0000

In Rockley

I couldn't miss the opportunity to get some corrugated iron into the series. Summer flowers in a pretty town.

This summer 3 of 10

noreply@blogger.com (Joan Elizabeth) — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 20:00:00 +0000

Lake Oberon

The dams and lakes are rising higher but the big ones are not yet full to the brim. The council's website says it's currently 63% capacity so still a way to go.

This summer 2 of 10

noreply@blogger.com (Joan Elizabeth) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 20:00:00 +0000

Near Oberon

Some people have found enough sunshine to make hay.

This summer 1 of 10

noreply@blogger.com (Joan Elizabeth) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 20:00:00 +0000

On the road to Jenolan Caves

Its been raining lots - look at how green that grass is for the height of summer! I find it hard to get inspired to go wayfaring in soggy weather so in recent weeks we have just done a few short drives west of the mountains in places I have already photographed often.

So this is a mixed bag of 10 shots found this summer.

Australia Day

noreply@blogger.com (Joan Elizabeth) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 20:44:00 +0000

The Australian bush may not be postcard perfect but I love it ... happy Australia Day.

Adieu

noreply@blogger.com (Joan Elizabeth) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 20:00:00 +0000

The tranquil lake fills with boats over the summer. I enjoyed it more in the peaceful season, though we bid it farewell with reluctance.

Back at the camp

noreply@blogger.com (Joan Elizabeth) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 20:00:00 +0000

Towards the end of the week back at the camp the little houses were beginning to fill up with old folk with grandchildren it tow. The paths started to come alive with pedal powered vehicles. The windows lit up with Christmas glitter. The season was starting just as we were bidding this lovely spot good bye.

Afternoon tea

noreply@blogger.com (Joan Elizabeth) — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 20:00:00 +0000

I stopped myself mid gobble for this shot because I especially liked the pretty seasonal touch of the hydrangea flowers. Taken at the South Coast Cheese shop in Central Tilba, were the cheese is still locally made.

Spotted gum forest

noreply@blogger.com (Joan Elizabeth) — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 20:00:00 +0000

One of the things I really love about the south coast are the spotted gum forests with the straight spotted timber trunks in lovely contrast to the Burrawangs (cycads) growing in the understory.

The spots on the gums are made by the way the bark falls of in irregular flakes.

Inlet

noreply@blogger.com (Joan Elizabeth) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 20:00:00 +0000

Ah to have a home on a high hill overlooking the sea .. if you enjoy the smell of salt, and the breezy restlessness ... not what I would want always but it sure is great for a visit.

"Sit in reverie and watch the changing color of the waves
that break upon the idle seashore of the mind."

-Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

I've also gotta say I'm pretty impressed with the images from the iPhone.

Cast of Crabs

noreply@blogger.com (Joan Elizabeth) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 20:00:00 +0000

We are heading back along the boardwalk. There is great crowd of little crabs marching back and forth across the sand. Perhaps a common sight for those that live by the sea but for me magical and thrilling.
Now I was really regretting not having a decent camera. I looked up the collective noun for crabs ... it's a cast ... wierd huh.

Meeting place

noreply@blogger.com (Joan Elizabeth) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 20:00:00 +0000

Where the lake meets the sea.

Estuary ~ Gwen Harwood

"Wind crosshatches shallow water.
Paddocks rest in the sea's arm.
Swamphens race through spiky grass.
A wire fence leans, a crazy stave
with sticks for barlines, wind for song.
Over use, interweaving light
with air and substance, ride the gulls.

Words in our undemanding speech
hover and blend with things observed.
Syllables flow in the tide's pulse.
My earliest memory turns in air:
Eclipse. Cocks crow, as if at sunset;
Grandmother, holding a smoked glass,
says to me, 'Look. Remember this.'

Over the goldbrown sand my children
run in the wind. The sky's immense
with spring's new radiance. Far from here,
lying close to the final darkness,
a great-grandmother lives and suffers,
still praising life: another morning
on earth, cockcrow and changing light.

Over the skeleton of thought
mind builds a skin of human texture.
The eye's [art of another eye
that guides it through the maze of light.
A line becomes a firm horizon.
All's as it was in the beginning.
Obscuring symbols melt away.

'Remember this.' I will remember
this quiet in which the questioning mind
allows reality to enter
its gateway as a friend, unchallenged,
to rest as a friend may, without speaking;
light falling like a benediction
on moments that renew the world.

Flora

noreply@blogger.com (Joan Elizabeth) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 20:00:00 +0000

We walk through the seaside woodland to the sea. As always I was watchful for the flora on the way.

JM recently showed a sand dune covered with the pigface (portulaca) flowers it was a very impressive sight. Actually I just took another look and it isn't a dune and I don't think it is pigface but is nonetheless impressive.

The estuary

noreply@blogger.com (Joan Elizabeth) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 20:00:00 +0000

Wikipedia says "Estuaries form a transition zone between river environments and ocean environments and are subject to both marine influences, such as tides, waves, and the influx of saline water; and riverine influences, such as flows of fresh water and sediment. The inflow of both seawater and freshwater provide high levels of nutrients in both the water column and sediment, making estuaries among the most productive natural habitats in the world."

Hello iPhone

noreply@blogger.com (Joan Elizabeth) — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 20:00:00 +0000

I went cold turkey for a day but when we went down to the estuary where the lake meets the sea I had to take photographs. I've not used the iPhone camera before but its gunna have to do.

Come, let's follow the boardwalk to the sea.

Sea lines

noreply@blogger.com (Joan Elizabeth) — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 20:00:00 +0000

I could not go to the seaside without adding to my sealine series.

The camera battery has run out. I've been snapping away blissfully knowing there as a second battery in my camera case but it's gone! I must have dropped it somewhere in my travels. What am I going to do now ... I am feeling twitchy from withdrawal.

Rocks

noreply@blogger.com (Joan Elizabeth) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 20:00:00 +0000

We've reached the rocks. I still have a childish delight in those twirly shells.

Kite Surfer

noreply@blogger.com (Joan Elizabeth) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 20:00:00 +0000

Gosh this looks hard.

Beach stuff

noreply@blogger.com (Joan Elizabeth) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 20:00:00 +0000

I like the way the beach creates it own ever varying works of art.

Camel Rock Beach

noreply@blogger.com (Joan Elizabeth) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 20:00:00 +0000

Yep I can see the camel. Can you?

There was a time when I didn't know how to photograph the beach because it is not my natural setting but I love it now. Come let's go for a walk towards those rocks.

Window to the sea

noreply@blogger.com (Joan Elizabeth) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 20:00:00 +0000

I love the way the paths to these lonely beaches open a window to the sea and how there is usually in the frame mesmerised surfers watching the waves.

Pink Ladies

noreply@blogger.com (Joan Elizabeth) — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 20:00:00 +0000

The smooth lake looks perfect for gliding on with gentle dipping of oars. I'm into the groove of relaxation now ... the cares of the city and work a past imagining.

But the restless sea is also close by ... we'll go see the action tomorrow.

Water birds

noreply@blogger.com (Joan Elizabeth) — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 20:00:00 +0000

The morning silence was disturbed by the squealing gull toddler. Here are some of the water birds. No pelicans because horror of horror I left my camera's battery charger at home! How will I survive when the battery runs out???

Blue Hour 6 of 6

noreply@blogger.com (Joan Elizabeth) — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 20:00:00 +0000

8:50 pm

The Lake -- To --

IN spring of youth it was my lot
To haunt of the wide earth a spot
The which I could not love the less --
So lovely was the loneliness
Of a wild lake, with black rock bound,
And the tall pines that tower'd around.
But when the Night had thrown her pall
Upon that spot, as upon all,
And the mystic wind went by
Murmuring in melody --
Then -- ah then I would awake
To the terror of the lone lake.
Yet that terror was not fright,
But a tremulous delight --
A feeling not the jewelled mine
Could teach or bribe me to define --
Nor Love -- although the Love were thine.
Death was in that poisonous wave,
And in its gulf a fitting grave
For him who thence could solace bring
To his lone imagining --
Whose solitary soul could make
An Eden of that dim lake.

~ Edgar Allan Poe

Sorry I didn't quite make the hour I was shooting hand held and the photos at 9 pm had camera shake.