About Town Photos

Townsville, North Queensland

2009-06-30T15:43:00.007+10:00

I recently spent a wonderful week in Townsville, visiting friends and enjoying the fantastic winter weather there.

Nearly every day the sunrise and sunset is a marvellous sight and experience. This is 'first light' over Rowes Bay, Townsville.
Later the same morning, 'sun-up' at the same vantage point.
One hour drive north of Townsville is the town of Lucinda, probably best known for the sugar wharf, shown here, that stretches to infinity. The island in the far background is Pelorus Island.

Night Shoot on Main Street

2009-05-26T20:59:00.005+10:00

I've been out with the photography group again, this time for an evening shoot on Main Street in our small city of Hervey Bay. We were lucky that the sky was dark with threatening clouds to add to the general atmosphere. We eventually did have to scamper away quickly when the clouds dropped their load of rain. Fortunately there was a cafe close by where we could enjoy a coffee and talk about the great shots we captured. These 6 shots were captured in 15 minutes between 5:50 pm and 6:05 pm.

Crafts, Herbs and Gardens

2009-03-19T15:59:00.007+10:00

Hello folks, I have returned after a long absence. I apologise for not communicating sooner but life is, well hectic, as you know.
I was out with the Camera Group again, this time we visited a Craft, Herbs and Gardens farm. It really is very 'rustic', basically nature takes it's course here. But a fantastic venue for photography. Well, I think it is!
I wont write too much, I'll just let the photos speak for themselves.
This is the entry to the farm, at the front gate. This photo was supposed to be at the top of the page but somehow finished up here. Ah well.
There was a herb garden but I actually didn't take any photographs there!

Orchid House - Hervey Bay Botanical Gardens

2008-12-16T11:05:00.005+10:00

These orchid varieties were showing their beautiful blooms on the day I visited The Hervey Bay Botanical Gardens Orchid House. I am not a botanist or even a basic gardener for that matter, therefore I do not know the names of these beauties. But they certainly are impressive.
I'll let the blooms speak for themselves, scroll down and enjoy!

Fraser Island

2008-12-07T17:38:00.016+10:00

Fraser Island is world renowned as the largest all sand island on the planet. We are fortunate to have it virtually on our doorstep, it's only a 45 min ferry trip to get there from the harbour at Hervey Bay. This is Lake Wabby with a sand dune encroaching from the east coast of the island.
A group of young international tourists board riding the dune into Lake Wabby.
Walking the dune from Lake Wabby to the coast.
Phew, almost there!
Typical of the dry land forest on Fraser Island.
There are many pristine, crystal clear streams on Fraser Island. It rains somewhere on the Island every day of the year.
A forest walk and another clear stream.
This is part of a rain forest walk. One of many.
The rain forest is full of fallen trees like this one, covered in moss.
A rain squall over the Sandy Straits. The straits separates Fraser Island from the mainland.
One of the crystal clear blue water lakes on Fraser Island. This one is Lake McKenzie. The beach is extremely fine, white silica sand. The sand is great for cleaning jewellery and revitalising your skin. So they tell me.
Another of the blue lakes, this one is Lake Birrabeen, with the same fine white silica sand.
The eastern surf beach facing the southern Pacific Ocean. Wandering along the beach is Australia's native wild dog, the Dingo.
The ocean in this vicinity can be very harsh. This is the wreck of the Maheno, blown onto the coast July 1935. There is not much of it left now.
A close-up view of the hulk.
And an internal view. Nothing much remaining here.
Eli Creek. Great for relaxing tired legs.
Eli Creek meets the surf beach. Tourist coaches abound.
Small aircraft land on this stretch of beach as well. Almost the entire length of the eastern coastline is drivable by 4wd vehicles, some 130 km or approx. 80 miles. The entire island is navigable by 4wd only via sand tracks.
Fraser Island was inhabited, pre white settlement, by the Butchulla Tribe of the Australian Aborigine. Evidence of their habitation is visible in many places. Here is a scar in the bark of this gum tree where many years ago bark was removed to create a crude canoe.
These trees are termed "scar trees". Bark has been removed to indicate the land boundaries of particular family units.
This is one of the dining rooms at Kingfisher Resort for visitors who are staying on Fraser Island.
This is the reception and sitting room at Kingfisher Resort.
This is the entry to Kingfisher Resort.
This is The Sand Bar Restaurant for day visitors to Fraser Island.
The pool area at The Sand Bar Restaurant.
The arrival/departure pier for the ferry that travels to the boat harbour at Hervey Bay.

Arkara Lagoons

2008-11-23T06:43:00.009+10:00

This is a rather large posting, I know, but there is so much to show. I guess I could have split it up into smaller posts. I think I'll do that next time. This extensive array of natural lagoons, with the aid of human assistance, as quantities of sand were extracted from the lagoons for filters at the local waste water treatment plant, extends over several acres, in the range of 6-10 acres I would guess.
Late one afternoon, recently, I walked around the circumference of the lagoon system and took photographs of points of interest. There is prolific bird life around the lagoons but that was not my point of interest this day.
In these early photographs you will notice that the lagoons are wide and open, but this will change as I walk further around.
There is a "Friends of the Arkara Lagoons" group that voluntarily maintains and enhances the flora of the lagoons. This in turn enhances all the bird life in the area.
We are starting to arrive at the thicker forested part now and the sun-light will diminish.
Each area of the lagoons is very different, some open areas are habitat for water lillies.
There is abundant life in the water too. Fishing is banned. I'd wager that there are many fresh water crayfish lurking in these lagoons.
There are probably pythons in the trees, but I have never seen any.
A small patch of sun-light filtering through the tree canopies.
Around every bend there is another view.
All beautiful in there own way.
The flow of water is probably not frequent here.
Room only for one tree here.
It looks like you could walk on this water, but I wouldn't try it!
Quiet and still but the water is still very clear.
Soon be back into daylight again.
Black Swans reside here in the lagoons, the grey coloured juvenile, from last season's hatchlings, is still with the parent birds.
Both parent swans with two additional juveniles. With a duck in the background.
Back to the open area again, almost back to the beginning.
People live around the lagoons but I was able to take all these photographs plus many more and there is no view of any homes.
We have completed the circuit now. I am so fortunate to live in this area, from this vantage point to my home is less than one mile. That is why I wanted to share it all with you.

Derelict Farm House - Queensland

2008-11-10T16:20:00.004+10:00

Old, neglected and derelict farm houses tend not to remain standing for very long nowadays. I hope to capture as many as I am able with my camera before they are "no more". This sad old house is without any windows and not many doors. I wonder how long it will be before it is demolished?
This is the same house, very same photograph actually, in sepia. I tend to favour viewing these old houses in sepia tone. It seems to me, to reflect the era that it was built. What do you think? I'd be thrilled to receive your comments.

Afternoon Storm Clouds - Dundowran Beach

2008-11-06T10:07:00.003+10:00

Summer is our 'wet season' and storm clouds in the afternoon are a common sight at Dundowran Beach. This photograph is directed towards Toogoom, roughly N-W from here.

Pelican at Burrum Heads

2008-11-06T09:51:00.003+10:00

The Burrum River at Burrum Heads is a great fishing area and of course Pelicans are aware of this fact, as well as human anglers. Why bother to fish for your self when some human will catch food for you? Just out of shot there are anglers cleaning their catch, this Pelican is standing nearby for the scraps (you can see the scraps in mid air, top left of this photograph).

New Family at Dundowran

2008-10-27T21:22:00.009+10:00

Dundowran is where I live and this family of Noisy Minors made it their home as well. I followed their progress from the adults building the nest, to the laying of three eggs, and the constant sitting on the nest until incubation. All this transpired just outside our dining room window. One at a time the chicks would get up on the edge of the nest and flex their wings, preparing for the day when they would take flight.
The adult birds were extremely busy collecting all manner of insects to feed their young the entire day. I felt privileged to witness the industry of the adults and the growth of the young.
I was thinking to myself that the adult birds were super parents with the frequency of the visits to the nest. Then I discovered that there were more than two adults feeding the chicks. Apparently, the adolescent birds from the previous hatching were assisting the parent birds.
More feeding and the adult birds ensured all the chicks received an equal share of food.
Hey guys, it's getting a little cramped for space in this house. The nest was beginning to fall apart as well from all the activity of the chicks. I was fortunate that I took these photos on that day as all the chicks flew out the very next day. This was the first of three families that the adults had that season. All this activity happened over Spring and Summer of 2007.

Sunset at Point Vernon

2008-10-27T15:41:00.006+10:00

It had been a glorious day here at Hervey Bay, I thought I would venture to Point Vernon and view the sunset. There were people relaxing in the tranquillity of the atmosphere. Some were just sitting and looking about.
Others were a little more physical and trying a to catch fish. These little boys were with their parents (out of sight in this picture) and had just run an errand to the tackle box for Dad.
This was the sunset that I waited for. There are no clouds to pattern the sky but there were small bush fires close by and there was smoke haze that created the 'all over' effect of this shot.

A Quick Tour of Sunday Island

2008-10-26T20:06:00.012+10:00

Sunday Island was, in the past, operated as a freehold cattle farm, it is now owned by a co-operative of members interested in maintaining the island as a breeding space for Fallow and Hog Deer. Access to the island is only possible by invitation from a member of the co-operative. Go to http://about-town-photos.com and see photos of the deer species in my Gallery there. Much of the island is sown to pasture but most of it is natural bush country.
More of the old farm infrstructure. Sheds, fencing, gates are scattered throughtout the island.
Laneways like this one link cleared areas through the natural bush sections.
Humans are not the only ones to utilise the laneways. Here are deer tracks leading from a pasture area to a secluded bush area where they hide themselves out of harms way.
There is, what you might call 'rustic' accommodation for authorised visitors. It does have water views though. The sunrise photos in the previous post where taken from out front of this cabin.
This is the detached bathroom behind the visitors cabin. Rudimentary, yes, but clean and functional.

Dawn with Stormy Clouds - Sunday Island

2008-10-26T19:02:00.009+10:00

This happened to be a very cold winter morning on Sunday Island. This island is situated south east of the state of Victoria, Australia. I was able to capture a series of photographs as the sun rose.
Photograph two in the series, my fingers were starting to turn blue by this stage.
Still cannot see the sun, still behind the clouds, but it is definitely there!
Later in the morning, dark clouds have moved on but light rain is now falling and this magnificent rainbow appeared.

A Morning Walk - Hervey Bay

2008-10-26T12:18:00.011+10:00

This was a wonderful morning for an early walk along the beach with my camera, and where is there a better place to do this than the beautiful Hervey Bay.
The Jacaranda comes into season in our Spring, in the wonderful State of Queensland, Australia. These trees are somewhat different to most, in that they are bare over winter then bloom with abundant mauve flowers that fall to the ground and produce a mauve carpet. The flowers are then gradually replaced by the foliage. The 'show' is at the beginning of the season and then the trees become somewhat plain over Summer.
Moha Moha is a recent piece of sculpture that has been placed on the Hervey Bay foreshore at Torquay Beach. The sea creature is reported to have a round body about 8 feet in diameter, a long fish tail, a long tortoise like neck and head and be about 30 feet in length.

Urangan Pier - Hervey Bay

2008-10-21T21:00:00.006+10:00

After five weeks on the Sunshine Coast I have returned 'home' to Hervey Bay on the Fraser Coast. Hervey Bay is probably most noted for being the gateway to Fraser Island, the boarding point for various craft to cruise out and view the Humpback Whales that migrate past here each year and this pier.
The pier is very popular with anglers. Who needs a boat when you can reach this far out into the water!
One final view of our remarkable pier, one of the favourite areas for the residents of Hervey Bay and our visitors.

Maroochy River Area

2008-10-15T11:03:00.007+10:00

This is the Maroochy River at the city of Maroochydore. The river exits to the sea through the area where there is a gap in the coastal tree line. The river is a fabulous area for water activities such as swimming, boating or fishing. The surf beach is very popular with board and body surfers. I must take a photograph of the surf beach and include it in another post.
The climate of this area is classed as 'sub tropical' and we are heading towards the wet season. Each afternoon the clouds begin to build up and often produce overnight rain

South East Queensland Hinterland Drive

2008-10-14T14:26:00.016+10:00

The South East Queensland Hinterland begins something like 20 - 30 Kms from the coast. The hinterland is, on average, liable to experience greater rainfall and cooler temperatures than that experienced on the coastal fringe. There is a geological formation known as 'The Glass House Mountains' located in the hinterland behind the 'Sunshine Coast'. These mountains are actually volcano lava plugs remaining after the surrounding volcano cone has eroded away. The two peaks in the first photograph are part of the formation.
With photograph two, I could not resist capturing the rustic charm of this derelict farm shed. There is an abundance of farm buildings in a similar state of total disrepair in the area. A decent wind would remove this building from the property.
This small cottage is representative of many of the dwellings nestled along the 'hinterland loop' after you leave the town zones. Of course there are many larger and more modern homes as well but they don't make interesting photographs.

Obviously this cattle loading ramp is not used very often, there is an abundance of vegetation taking hold along the full length of the ramp. Unfortunately the afternoon sun was in the wrong aspect for the perfect image. Maybe I'll have to return for a morning shoot.
I could not pass these three horses, peacefully grazing in this lush pasture under a stand of tall trees. This stand of trees was the only one of this type in the area, obviously planted by a past resident many years ago.

Coolum R/C Aero Club

2008-10-14T13:09:00.006+10:00

The Coolum R/C Aero Club conducted an open day for interested population to witness what the members do with their time and hard earned cash. I didn't arrive very early and was extremely lucky to gain entry as the number of visitors was overwhelming. The first image here is a true scale model of an early US Army spotter plane. The model has a wing span of about 3 metres and a five cylinder radial engine. The second image here is a true scale model of a more recent US Army plane. This plane is deployed in Iraq and used as an anti tank weapon and also to neutralise vehicle and land based bombs. This model also has a wing span of about 3 metres and is propelled with two jet engines as is the original. The model engines function identically to the full size version except for the lubrication, the full size engine is oil injected and the model has the oil added to the fuel. The third image of this jet model demonstrates the size of the model against the two people beside it. The plane is being readied for flight, this involves the use of a computer to carry out the start-up procedure.

Bribie Island

2008-10-10T19:51:00.005+10:00

Less than 1 hour south of Buderim is Bribie Island. The greater part of Bribie is National Park and not developed. There is a surf beach to the east at Woorim, there are many holiday apartments here. On the west and adjacent to the access bridge to the main land is Bongaree. This photograph is the foreshore at Bongaree.

Buderim Park

2008-10-10T16:39:00.007+10:00

I, along with my wife Judy, have been fortunate to be house/dog sitting for some friends in Buderim, Queensland. Although we have visited the city previously, on this occasion we are staying for a period of five weeks. This has allowed us to discover the many areas that we overlooked the first time around. Very close to the centre of Buderim is, Buderim Park. A delightful stroll through 'rain-forest' vegetation brings you to this wonderful waterfall at the base of a steep gully.