Super Swell

Large swells were forecast today so I was thrilled that I had the day off work. Unfortunately I have a lot to learn about interpreting weather reports. I know about tides, winds, swells, directions and all the lingo but for the life of me can't put them together in a meaningful way. I was thinking I should drive to Bombo, but made the decision to go to the Focus shoot at Maroubra pool having seen some pretty impressive images from there in the past. The waves were large and ferocious even at low tide but I've since discovered that the winds which developed were unfavourable and dwarfing what would have been truly gigantic waves. 

Waves are exhilarating to watch, and the bigger they are, the greater the degree of exhilaration. A pre requisite for my enjoyment is observing the action from a dry safe position. Waves are notoriously unpredictable and it is foolish indeed to tempt fate, particularly to turn your back on the ocean. Some of the Focus guys were standing a little too close for my comfort and paid the price of wet feet.

The rockpool was overflowing, and the waves were creating some amazing waterfalls cascading down the many rock formations. 

 I was amazed that so many of the locals who should be familiar with the unpredictable nature of water seemed to be quite happy to push the boundaries and stand far too close to the water's edge. Many rock fishermen are drowned at our beaches for being foolhardy enough to taunt Mother Nature with their perceived invincibility.  I was appalled to observe one dog owner calmly taking Smartphone pics whilst standing midst some cascading falls. Thankfully the dogs were not harmed.

One of my more 'weather literate' buddies was able to explain to me a change in wind direction was why I was disappointed with the wave show at Yena, which I also visited on my way home. It was still invigorating to be out there watching the surf.

Pelican Therapy

Whenever I feel deluged by life occurrences, hitting the road and observing pelicans is a rejuvenating  therapy.  

With an imminent return to work hovering like a revengeful drone, I decided to explore two locations I'd seen posted on Facebook by fellow amateur photographers. Travelling from Sydney to the old coal loader at Catherine Hill Bay and then on towards Caves Beach, I was able to schedule a visit to both the pelican feeding and the much photographed lifesavers' hut at the Entrance, so the day was filled to the brim with photo opportunities.

image: Catherine Bay Coal Loader

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Playing Around In Blast Furnace Park

I've travelled to Lithgow Blast Furnace on a few occasions but have yet to be rewarded with a decent sky. Mark Nolan and his trusty buddy Jake accompanied me this time and it was quite exciting to see the fog appear as we approached our destination. 

Unfortunately many of my shots are less than impressive as I rushed them and elected to shoot without my wide angle lens. 

I was convinced the fog would dissolve before I had a chance to capture any images at all. The greatest disappointment of the day was a failed attempt to shoot what I thought was a magnificent narrative video of the location. Another trip is definitely on the cards now !

Much of the site was still in shadow and frost covered most of the grass and leaves. I'm disappointed that I didn't do justice to the tiny little icicles decorating the edges of every leaf giving them the appearance of jewel encrusted wedding finery.

 

Wandering around Lithgow provided us with a variety of compositions but the light conditions quickly deteriorated so we decided to explore the greater area on the quest for more abandoned buildings. The ruins of an old burnt down house occupied us for a while 

 and then we moved on towards Hassan's Walls. Hassans Walls was so named because it reminded Governor Macquarie of the Rock Walls of Hassan in India. 

The cave there is the highest lookout in the Blue Mountains. I had seen some magnificent shots taken from this location and was enthusiastic, however the enthusiasm soon turned to frustration due to the lighting conditions. 

The Blue Mountains' valleys cause terrible irregular shadows at inopportune times and although the scenery was spectacular, particularly from a little natural stone cave, it didn't translate well to the digital medium.

Whilst I appreciate the noble intentions of the people who construct these fences so prevalent at lookouts, they certainly do nothing to promote the taking of halfway decent shots. There are just as many areas unfenced yet still easily accessible it somewhat negates the purpose of barricades of any sort.

We travelled towards Blackheath through Hartley Vale and rusted old farm machinery appeared to be the order of the day on many properties.

We had planned on having lunch at the Comet Inn at Hartley Vale, but unfortunately, although very well recommended, it is now a guesthouse B & B and was closed to travellers.

We chose to stop in for some quick refreshments at one of the old pubs at Mount Victoria and warmed ourselves standing by the open fire, a pre requisite for any self respecting pub in the Blue Mountains.

 

Many lookouts exist at Blackheath but one I hadn't previously visited was Pulpit Rock.  The walk to the lookout was described as easy grade and 400 metres. I'm sure this was highly inaccurate and I decided to draw the line at over 200 steps. From this vantage point the additional 50 or so steep steps which led to the final section were visible.

We decided to have dinner at the Blue Mountain Hotel at Lawson on the return trip to Sydney, lured by Mark's memory of their reputed top class chicken schnitzel .

Most of the heritage buildings in the Blue Mountains area feature the most amazing stained glass windows and deep burnished wood interiors which reek nostalgically of childhood days and more leisurely times.

Paulownia Sunrise

Returning to the Paulownia Plantation at Richmond had been on my agenda for some time. As luck would have it, the Focus Group arranged a sunrise shoot. Hoping to perhaps score a foggy morning 30 of us eagerly arrived to encounter a temp of 0 degrees but alas, no fog. We all became so engrossed in what we were doing that I failed to even be aware of the sun colouring the sky until it had completely risen. Slowly shards of golden light filtered amongst the rows of tall majestic trees, arms reaching for the anticipated warmth. 

It is generally my habit to anthropomorphise my surroundings, and today the guardians of the forest made themselves visible. 

Copious photo opportunities were evident but time as always was the intruder and the opportunity to photograph so many small details which caught my eye was sabotaged:  dew glistening on the abandoned spiders webs;  frost encrusted dandelions at all stages of growth;  spiky seed pods; fallen crinkled leaves lying inert as testimony to the fact that Autumn had not long ago passed; Paulownia seedlings struggling to compete with their taller brothers and sisters and of course those thousands of gnarled eyes on each and every trunk.

One of the advantages of this location is its sheer size. Endless compositions are evident and it becomes so difficult to select the best method of showcasing the Plantation's dimensions, beauty and intricacies.

Hopefully another opportunity will present itself and I will be able to return again to the plantation.