In Search of an Early Waratah

I was in the upper Mountains this morning and I made a point of taking my camera and monopod because I knew that I had a small job to do up there after my other work was finished.

It was glorious bright sunshine, blue sky and spring blossoms in all the gardens.  The famed rhododendrums of Blackheath were quite spectacular and I was driving along wondering if indeed the whole Spring thing had arrived too early.  Many of the flowers were falling and being replaced by new leaves.  

But it wasn't the European gardens of the upper mountains that I was looking for.  I needed to know if the waratahs were out.  Not the domestic ones planted in gardens, but the bush waratahs.  The ones that appear out of the blue as tall, strange looking creations.  Big, solid, bold.  Different to so many of the other natives around.  I'm always taken aback when I see them.  The leaves look so cumbersome and they are an unusual green compared to the other plants.  The flower is usually so tall that short photographers like me need a bit of luck to get to eye level.  But they are spectacular and not to be missed.

I've always found quite a number along the path to Evans Lookout from Govett's Leap in Blackheath.  I think they are often the easiest to find, especially if you don't have much time.  

I hadn't been down that part of town since the big storm a few months back but today there was no mistaking what had happened.  The National Parks' workers have done a lot of clearing of the fallen trees and there are piles of chopped wood right along the walk.  I have a sense that perhaps a few of the waratah plants are missing.  Maybe the storm?  Maybe the fallen trees?  Maybe it's just not their year? 

I did find three plants.  Two were in bud but not yet full flower and the third was showing the early green bud only.

So why today?  And why waratahs?  My local photography group has organised a fantastic workshop and weekend of photography this coming weekend.  We are so privileged to have a number of professionals and serious photographers joining us to share their work.  Mostly they are sharing their knowledge and amazing photos with us for the sheer love of photography.  It will be a great weekend.  

Darran Leal http://www.worldadventures.com.au is flying in from the Sunshine Coast and to be our main presenter.  For some reason, I have this little nagging thought in the back of my mind that just maybe he might like to see a waratah in bloom???  

However, it wasn't just the waratah that was beautiful today.  Even though it was early afternoon, and not quite late enough for perfect light, the upper mountains were stunning.  I love the abstracty sort of look that appears in images when there is a bit of light, a bit of wind and raw native bush.

Enjoy the selection!

This waratah (above) is not quite out yet.  Another few days.  

Challenged to try to reach this waratah bud (above).

I love the form of this leaf (above).  They are always so photogenic and when you get some sun around the background becomes a painting.

Banksia hiding (above)

After the wattle.  (above)  I've included this one because I was quite attracted to the little red tendrils appearing after the best of the wattle has gone.  Another look altogether.

I'm not sure what this plant is.  I will find out.  There were a lot of them and they were quite beautiful.

These peas are everywhere.  Different varieties throughout the mountains.  Our own bush is full of yellow - these and wattle.  

The white gums behind the waratah are quite stunning.  Simple and strong.

And again here, behind the waratah.

A little extra contrast and the eucalypt leaves pop out.  Background could have been hand painted.

The banksias were very fresh and new today.

Inspiration, Opportunity, Great Company, New Knowledge

Just returned form a few days camping in the Wollemi National Park at Dunne's Swamp.  Our photography group organised a guided weekend with Len Metcalf and had an amazing few days in a truly beautiful part of the world.


I'm trying to process a few images to upload and will do a full post in a few days time but here today I'm offering a handful of mono images.


On the drive home I detoured into Blackheath and found a second hand copy of Ansell Adams Trees.  Couldn't believe my eyes!  So, with this lovely book in mind, I was inspired to start with mono and trees.  Here are just a few.

Along the Cudgegong River @ Rhylestone on Thursday (above).  Glorious light in the late afternoon on this stand of trees.

This stately old white gum was lit by the setting sun.  Again, along the Cudgegong River, Rhylestone.

Dunne's Swamp and surrounds are full of the most beautiful white gums.  No matter where you look, the sheer number, the curves, the light, the interplay are stunning.

Len Metcalf has been a wonderful and very generous teacher and mentor for me over the past couple of years and I love his subtle composition and framing.  This image (above) was seen and captured with Len's images in the back of my mind.  I love it!  I'm hoping that it prints well.

Huge boulders amongst the pagodas, trees and logs and everywhere brilliant wattle.

This year the wattle is spectacular.  I can't remember seeing it this beautiful for a number of years.  The blossoms (above) play beautifully with the white trunks and forest floor.

These beauties (above) remind me a bit of the men drinking in the Rhylestone pub.  Strong, solid, earthy.

Looking across the dam in the late afternoon sun.  This sapling stands tall.

The critics will comment that the overhanging branches detract from the image and they may well do so.  However, the sight of these young trees growing above and among the boulders and rocky outcrops were beautiful.  "Pruning" this image will clean it up, but this is what I remember so i include it.  

Instead of working ....

Should really be doing a bit of sorting and organising for a garage sale tomorrow - I have been working away on it for weeks but it is happening along with 7 or 8 projects that I have on the go.  Most important is the sorting of some old images that I really want to print or publish. The Turkey book is one of them, but another is to do with the glorious colours of the seasons here in the Blue Mountains.  Not everyone gets to live in a World Heritage Area and I think I often take it for granted.


So today, in recognition of the season that is just starting, Autumn, a few of my favourites from the last few years here in the mountains.


I'll add a few more each time I need a bit of "me" time.



Enjoy!!!

The best start to my day...

I've just returned from a few hours with some of my photographer buddies walking around Wentworth Falls near the start/end of Darwin's walk.

Early morning mist over the valley, through the trees, birds buzzing overhead and hardly a soul in sight as we wandered around with cameras and tripods.  The light drizzle and the clouds overhead made for perfect conditions.

I've always been a bit negative about carrying a tripod on a bushwalk but if you really want lovely photos, particularly when the light is not so bright, you need one.   So today I was good.  I took my tripod and more than that ... I actually used it.  I've just been through the images as they downloaded and everywhere I came across a new photographic opportunity, it's easy to see that the first couple of shots were hand held and frankly, I've had to ditch the lot.  It's only when I've then put the backpack down, unfolded the tripod, found the best angle ...... that my images are any good.  One would think that after all this time I might learn?? but it's always the same - a few hand held grab shots before I am convinced that the tripod is there for a reason!!

If you haven't been out in the bush recently, it's really worth making the effort.  There is good water in the waterfalls in mountains at the moment, the cool of autumn has arrived (away from the middle of the day) and the colours in the streets as you drive around reminds you that it's the best time of year to be out and about.

A few of my images from today.  As I am shooting this week I've been trying to do the set task from Lens School, so there are very few of my blurry numbers - in fact I don't think I had any.  Our challenge has been to develop our own set of rules that we live by in photography and work our way through breaking each one to see if it does anything for our vision and technique.  So, for me, I was working on macro, BUT on a tripod AND in focus.  I also had a few chances to play with my new ND 0.8 at the waterfalls and I just couldn't resist a bit of abstract beauty among the grasses.


Enjoy!

This fern frond (above) was just emerging.  It was glorious, and hidden away with drops from the last rain still present.  I am a bit torn between wanting the full frond in focus and wanting a more muted background.  However, I love it's beauty!

Another angle of the same frond.  This time, with F2.8.

Lots of mushrooms  but when you get down in the grass to see what you can do, it's magic to just capture them as they would be seen by the insects at ground level.  I never tire of the beauty shot from ground level.  So, here (above) is the mushroom glimpsed through the grasses.  The colours seen at this angle are like the old story books.

Was fascinated at what these little people looked like when seen thru a lens.  Really love the out of focus bits as well as the action from the creatures on the LHS.