photos and other things…
Secret River is in my mind.
I can go there any time.
Everything Mother Albirtha says is true.
The sky is gold and the river is blue.
Secret River, I love you
Rawlings, Marjorie Kinnan, The Secret River, Scribners, 1955, p. 56
Shot on the Olympus four thirds E500, edited in CS5 and Gimp.
Another shot from the Olympus E500 showing off its colour palette.
Scaled and profile bordered in Gimp.
Before a busy day in the garden, I managed to get a walk in early morning today. One of the great things about out new home is that its about 5 minutes away from a great coastal bush walk.
I brought out the old Olympus E500 four thirds DSLR. Although getting a little long in the tooth, it has pleasing colours, and still handels well compared to my newer units.
Looking out across the water to the next peninsula I captured the calm, golden morning.
Pallets, aside from their intended use, can have a number of useful uses. I’ve used them most for gardening projects – constructing garden boxes and the like. One only has to do a quick google to get a wide range of ideas for other uses.
Thats about all for today…been a busy one. I hope to get out for a stroll tomorrow.
Golden Web – shot on the Sony Nex about a year ago with the Industar 61 Lens. I recall it being a beautiful golden morning (albeit cold).
In Gallipoli, 25th April 1915 2,721 Kiwi and 8,709 Australian soldiers died in an attempt with allied forces to capture the Gallipoli Peninsula. Both sides suffered heavy losses, and the attempt failed. Such losses for relatively young countries however stirred the public, and began the long standing ANZAC relationship between our nations. On rolled WWII and the ANZAC spirit continued. The day marked losses by those in both wars, and subsequently in modern days, all those who have sacrificed sometimes the ultimate in service.
I rate ANZAC day as one of New Zealands most important, and might write more about this tomorrow. for now however, I’d like to leave you with the song ‘Poppies & Pohutukawa’
Lest We Forget
We Will Remember Them
A quick wander around yet another new suburban area in Albany on Aucklands North Shore brought me to an urban stormwater treatment pond. Stormwater, around the world, in ever increasing concrete jungles is a huge polluter to rivers, streams and beaches. Travelling around different areas of Auckland (and I am sure elsewhere), we have seen an increase in these treatment ponds around built up suburban areas. Designed to remove sediments and contaminants, as well as offering flood protection, the resulting outpour of water is much fresher and healthier for local wildlife. Perhaps not from the perspective in todays shot, they can also add a nice green/lake visual environment around the suburban area (whilst still being off limits to people of course).
Shot on the Ricoh GRD IV, switching back to bleach bipass setting. Slightly cropped in Gimp.
I was pleased to see a small guava tree when we purchased our house. Its a berry I dont see around much, and I have memories of guava jam/jelly around at relatives when I was young.
Searching around the net, I found this tasty sounding recipe from G&H:
Preheat oven to 400°F. Combine flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt; reserve. Cream butter, sugar and vanilla until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, 1 at a time. On low speed, beat in half the flour mixture and then the guava nectar. Add remaining flour mixture; mix just until blended. Fold in kiwifruit. Divide batter among paper-lined muffin cups filling almost to the top.
Bake 18-20 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool muffins on wire rack.
Image shot on the GRD IV and edited in Gimp.
Taking a quick walk after work, onto an upper track from a walk I did almost year ago, I set the Ricoh to high contrast B&W – determined to get a few shots I liked using this setting. Its been very overcast these last few days, with bad weather around the country, & the night is beginning to draw in earlier as we approach winter.
Heading back to the car, exiting a particularly dark patch of the track, I caught todays image. Using Gimp I slightly upped the contrast a little more to reduce the grey, and resized for the net.
Its been a busy few weeks with moving out of the flat and into our first home. Sadly, its been pretty hard to find much time recently to really get out there and take some images. We have moved into an area surrounded by great bush walks, so all going well…sooner rather than later… I will get some more time to get out there.
Todays image, shot down the road, was from a quick stroll in between sorting out things at home. The heavy rain and thunderstorms seem to have missed Auckland, but have hit south, with flooding and storm damage.
Shot on the Sony Nex and edited in Gimp.
MikeHawkey.com 