Night Shoot on Main Street

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.

Orchid House - Hervey Bay Botanical Gardens

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!

Arkara Lagoons

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

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.

A Morning Walk - Hervey Bay

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

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.