Stereophotographer and Freelance Guide

2012 hello January...

2012-01-01T07:07:00.025+10:00

I find the changing of the year a nostalgic time and think back on events and experiences from the past...all good memories .

and it's the creating of more memories that will occupy my thoughts in the coming weeks.

So..will start the new year off with a mix of pics that depicts places visited showing some of the more beautiful places in Australia as seen through my camera lens...we are all indeed fortunate to live in such a wonderful place

Hazel Douglas at Scommazons, Miallo.

Master Alex Haginikita's big day out.

That re minds me of a photo I took a few years ago of a squad of SES people on a rescue exercise, dont get me wrong, I know they do an important job but...the look of these guys made me think that if I was lost in the rainforest and had this crew was searching for me I would crawl deeper into the forest...

and that takes me to an interest I have had for a while ..a fascination with pedal and sail powered rail bikes and trolleys.

and so my friends, you see...2012 has started out well

it's been a dry, hot and humid January. This time last year Queensland was experiencing flooding in the south east and cyclone Yasi in the far north. The summer storms returned last night...temperatures are down...the humidity bearable..the time for renewal has arrived.

leaf it be...

and in the meantime..just to keep things on track

poor man working for the rich man

precursor drive by shooting...it will never catch on

runs on methanol...

short people got nobody...short people got nobody....to looooooooove...

when the Mounties stopped catching their man and concentrated on women instead

love this pic

stop the car...someone has dropped a McDonalds wrapper

prototype

advanced model

engineer on drugs

early Hummer

every caravan park should have one of these

believe it or not...this is an ambulance

clear the line, clear the line

surveyor on Hashish?

the Prussians doing it in style...stern style

off to the Sugar Shack

just purchased a new battery powered pole pruner...reminded me of days of yore..

come on..sing along

the genius of Harry Nillson

okay...now hold on...

Sydney Sojourn..

the crispness of the morning air of the NSW highlands

the memories and scents of my childhood...pine,wattle,honeysuckle, dill

the sounds of birds like currawongs,fairy wrens,correlas,finches.magpies and parrots

the feeling of disapointment when the light is all wrong and the elation when it suddenly comes good

a random thought provoking message draw on a bridge plank to inspire someone..

the taste of blackberry straight from the bush..

a fleeing rabbit..

the ruins left behind by our forefathers who could never have imagined that one day in the distant future someone sees magic in the buildings they worked so hard in, we have a lot to be thankfull for

Mother

Matriarch of the Van Veluwen family in Australia.

A small family of four Dutch immigrants arriving in this country in 1956.

The family now numbers 35 and growing.

Had the pleasure of doing a portrait for her...I like this one because it portrays a life well lived with wisdom accumulated and tempered with a sense of humour.

Father now is in the care of wonderful nursing staff and is as comfortable as he can be. The respite has had a good impact on Mothers health and her ability to live a long fulfilling life.

A chance to spend a little time with my father.

The bus stop to no where.

Talking about fathers...

meanwhile....back at the workshop..still trying to get inspiration through someone's imagination..

The Classic shape sure looks great....

or perhaps a more sportier model would be better..

I like the next one as a basic design within the scope of my tools and resources...a few modifications like web seats and raised front pedal...and a coat of paint ofcourse

DECEMBER 2011

2011-12-01T08:37:00.014+10:00

my 60th December...just cant get enough of them...

two of my favourite activities...photography and gardening

last fire in Malanda

fragrant gardenia

cicada on stag

caladium

Brasilian Cherry, one of it's common names, absolutely delicious

my favourite plant Platecirium superbum

December smiles..

latest method of birth control

on a recent trip to Cape Tribulation with Fran

The next few photos were taken on Xmas Eve at Karins place

Xmas colour in the rainforest... legume species

Freshwater Postie

....and as the year draws to a close

just a little food for thought...as a last post for this year

NOVEMBER..nearly Xmas

2011-11-02T10:16:00.015+10:00

lets start this month off with some thought provoking shots and a few laughs..

Taken from Mt Edith in the Atherton Tablelands on a clear day. From here you can see Fitzroy Island, Yarrabah ranges, The Coral Sea. Mt Bartle Frere, Mt Bellenden Kerr, the Southern Tablelands and Mt Tyson at Tully to the extreme right. The Panorama is 180 degree shot.

now for some more fun...

at 11.11 am on the 11th of the 11th month 2011 decided to visit the old Rijker property in Cape Tribulation where my children spent the forming part of their lives. Now known as the Beach House it is severely neglected and just a faint ghost of it's former glory. After 30 years of neglect by it's owner the place looks sad.

this is what the main esplanade from whats left of the house to the beach looks like at the moment..

this is how I remember it 30 odd years ago..

mind you...coconuts are still being sold on the beach...I wonder if that price includes GST

Masons Shop...the original shop was conducted out of the front bedroom with Paul and his family living out the back. Mail, fresh bread and milk came once a week on Saturdays and it was when all the locals would gather at the shop. Fuel was hand pumped from 44 gallon drums and had a hefty mark up...about 30 cents a litre as I remember it. Most cars on this side of the river were unregistered and the occasional sober driver was encountered so one had to be careful. The main industry was trying to grow illegal herb...cant recall anyone making much money out of it except the Masons shop. There were no telephones and the nearest one was on the other side of the river 30 kilometres away. The ferry could carry 6 cars and would only run in daylight hours...if the tide was right. The area was cut off from the outside world for about 3 months every wet season...peaceful bliss. The flying doctor radio was the only communication with the outside world. Most people belonged to one of two category of folk ( except for the Masons who were landed gentry )...pig hunters or hippies and everyone was armed in those days...cant recall anyone ever being shot. The prawn trawlers used to shelter in the bay and the locals would go out and trade fresh fruit and vegetables for by catch and some prawns. The drug squad would regularly hold military style raids on the place and this passed for live entertainment for most of the locals.And you know what?..most people living there were happy and contented at least 80 per cent of the time. I believe our days spent there contributed to my two children being the well grounded people they are now. Days were spent gardening and fishing.

on the way home...we hardly saw Cassowaries in the old days..a credit to the care programmes in place today.

Took a drive towards the western side of Bartle Frere...noticed a cottage on the edge of the forest...something appealing about the view..

in the rainforest there was a bicycle that had obviously been there for a while...it was just lying there slowly returning to the elements...helping it along was a small basket fern grwoing happily on it's saddle

View from Copperlode Rd overlooking Cairns

When I first started using digital photography many of my contemporaries said that this would be the end of creative photography...

creative imagination knows no bounds...as the next 4 pictures demonstrates

The fungus fruiting bodies below look almost alien, Birds-nest Fungus

a few more funnies I stumbled across...hope you like

and a bit more of creative photography

Have a wedding to shoot in December and practising editing now.

while looking for some wedding shot backgrounds I came across the following images...had almost forgotten I had them...some of these I posted before a while ago...

and whatever you do...don smoke

OCTOBER

2011-10-04T11:44:00.014+10:00

Outside camp kitchen at Malanda Falls Caravan park campsite. The wood on the left are cords of iron Bark branch about 4 inches in diameter. Ideal for making coals and long burning. Two lengths will burn for about 3 hours.

To the left are short logs of Cypress pine burnt simply for fragrance and flaring when one wants light and atmosphere.

Obscure Rock art of unknown antiquity and meaning. Highly symbolic and located in a secret place. Hard to see but there is a stick figure of a man with his foot in the symbol of the tribe and bordered on either side with snakes. Below him is a picture of a dingo and above him another symbol depicting the tribe.

A serene Yarrabah Beach scene with Fitzroy Island in the background.

A collection of simple things within a few meters of my van...

Smile Stimulator's..

Ave Steve..

Railway Goods Shed ex Petford Station was moved to Petford Training Farm about 30 years ago and used as a barn. Looking a little neglected now.

Geoff and Norma Guest relaxing on their porch on a visit this last Friday.

Etty Beach near Innisfail. One of the prettiest Beaches in North Queensland and a favourite picnic and swim spot for local people.

One of Etty Beaches residents.

Buffalo are farmed on the Atherton Tablelands for their milk and meat.

I was aware that Deer had become feral on the Tablelands but am not sure whether these are feral or escapees from a local Deer Farm.

The Lewin's Honeyeater, Meliphaga lewinii, is a bird that inhabits the ranges along the east coast of Australia. It has a semicircular ear patch, pale yellow in colour.

The name of this bird commemorates the Australian artist John Lewin.

The Scarlet Honeyeater (Myzomela sanguinolenta), also known as Crimson Honeyeater, Scarlet Myzomela, Sanguineous Honeyeater or, colloquially, Bloodbird, is a small passerine bird of the Honeyeater family Meliphagidae native to the east coast of Australia, Indonesia and New Caledonia. The male is a striking bright red with black wings; the female is entirely brown.

Thursday 13th October

Jacaranda in full bloom on the way to the Lake.

Storms are forecast for this afternoon so will retrieve the four pots I have in lake Tinaroo. Trevor not feeling well so decided to go solo. At 8 am it's already 30 C but there is no wind so should be a smooth trip.

The pots come into view.

First spot had a number of small fish in it and not one Redclaw. Would have made good bait if I was going to continue fishing but I'm not so released them all.

Second pot had two very large Redclaws in it.

Third pot even better...three good sized Redclaw.

Only one in pot 4 but it was at least 25 c long and would make a good feed by itself. The largest caught so far.

The Lake was very smooth and the whole exercise took about an hour.

The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quiet, alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be

Anne Frank

September = Spring in the Tropics

2011-09-03T11:39:00.012+10:00

3D Photo of a Gorge in the Northern Territory

Brolgas, Bunya pine at twighlight

Coral Fern

I wish I didn't know now what I didn't know then. ~Bob Seger, "Against the Wind"

To all the Fathers out there

Brolgas at Sunset...Bromfield Swamp

Boat people landing at Lake Tinaroo

Had my daughter and my two grandchildren spend several days at Malanda Caravan Park...precious

SPRING 2011

Spring in the Tropics is native orchid flowering season

Thelychiton speciosus, previously known as Dendrobium speciosum

Native raspberries are in full fruit right now

Rubus probus

Haydn Redfern

Died doing what he enjoyed best..AVE Haydn...thank you for gracing my life

Mikayla and the Marshmallow

and not one curved line...

BRIDGE BUILDERS

What do you do with a drunken sailor

Early in the morning

Put him in a tinny before he drinks one

Put him in a tinny before he has one..

Early in the morning

Not a bad haul at all

Decent sized Red Claw crayfish

August has landed...

2011-08-10T20:35:00.009+10:00

The Mitchell Falls in the Kimberley...click on pic for larger version. One of the most spectacular waterfalls in Australia. Our journey was a sort of pilgrimage to the Mecca of this country with the night at the Falls being a Holy Grail.

In all our travels through the Top End the Aboriginal people were the most friendly people we encountered. Met lots of Grey Nomads that looked down their nose at us because we weren't towing a van or trailer...we didn't even have a roof rack. They were like Suburbia on Wheels.

Finally got the chance to work with an Aboriginal artist and turn her painting into a 3D graphic....the first ever done in Australia.

A Freswaterarian Contemplating at the Camp Fire.

Hard to see but that is Janice in the cleft of a narrow gorge.

Daly Waters Airport was an important overnighting spot on the Sydney to London run when aircraft had limited ranges.

This is the Lost City type geological formations outside of Borroloola.

The Business Flag and logo waving proudly at our Kimberley Camp.

Kapok was flowering right across the Top End of the country.

This is Paddy, one of the characters we encountered on the way.

Pentecost River crossing with the Cockburn Ranges in the background.

Victoria River in Western Australia.

Once again followed the Wagtail all the way from Home to Broome and back again...saw at least one everyday. Because they all have that same nervous movement you would think it was the same bird that followed you all along.

The things you find....

Gum flowers against a clear blue sky.

Janice Parsons my companion and partner who made the journey possible and a real pleasure.

PLACE..Bromfield Swamp Crater, Upper Barron Rd, Malanda.

Sauris Crane, Brolgas and Plovers congregating and dancing.

TIME... Dusk at Twilight

great Sunsets with hundreds of birds flying in formation returning to their swamps...a must see ( bring a jumper).

July....crikey it's nearly Xmas again

2011-07-02T11:45:00.014+10:00

Will start of July's posting with one of my all time favourite ads...tell me what you think

just a bit of manic graphic madness

Take a Walk on the Wild Side will create three fundamental but flexible aspects to the business. One will be guided interpretive walks conducted in National Parks and on private properties to mainly cater for the growing Self Drive markets. These walks will be scheduled, of one hours duration and will be value for money positive experiences.

The second phase of the business is photography, both 2D and 3D. Producing books, posters,digital image libraries, postcards that will be exposed at various markets . The market display will be innovative , customer friendly and incorporates a 3D portrait studio as well as a gallery of framed works. Will be running trials on other locally made products as well as soon as we can figure out what people actually buy at markets. The display will also include promotional material for our tours and other products.

The third phase will be creating a vehicle suitable for doing railway track tours on a yet to be determined de commissioned railway line in the area. The vehicles will be powered by peddle power and is suitable for all ages and physical capabilities even for those with less mobility or sight. The activity is healthy and would suit families or even school groups as the vehicles can be coupled together to form a train. It's healthy and fun.More information on this will be published shortly.

The completed Bluebird

5 Minute disassembly for transport

The drawing board

Building components.

Malanda Van Park Friday evening get together at the children's farm

Tony giving demonstrations on Fire Stick Twirling

Kerrie the Bush Poet

A Farm visitor

in order to attract more local visitors to the park a Communal Vegetable Garden and Children's Farm has been created at Malanda Falls Caravan Park.

MALANDA SHOW TIME

Kids enjoying the daily calf feeding at Malanda Falls Caravan Parks Children's Farm

Kerrie Dickson reciting poetry and telling Bush Yarns

Tony demonstrating Fire Stick twirling

Even the locals came in to enjoy Malanda Showtime

Shane Knuth, member of Parliament, presenting Oliver with the Champion Calf Feeding certificate.

meanwhile down the road at the Showgrounds...

entertainers were out in force...

After fighting our way through the huge crowds

the evening was topped off with a BBQ around the campfire at the new camp on Riverside Drive

on the 19th of July Janice and I departed Cairns for a journey to the Mitchell Falls in the Kimberley in Western Australia.

Lawn Hill Gorge

Who's a Bad Boy then?

How not to arrive in Borroloola

An inspired 3D Turtle

The Boy 2D

The Boy 3D

Elder 3D

http://kimberelyconnections.blogspot.com/

June....celebrate,life,love,friends and health.

2011-06-03T17:06:00.023+10:00

June...halfway through the year.

for Elaine...

on a bright summers day, in the middle of May...

Centenary year for the Malanda Hotel 1911-2011

the less I have to deal with other people the happier I am...I am constantly astounded that people act in completely illogical ways...then astounded by the fact that the whole world isn't logical anyway so why should that surprise me at all?

A gift to all in Cairns and beyond....

2011-05-03T09:05:00.023+10:00

the crazier the world gets the more I seek out the good things that are happening around me and if there is a lack of those I create a good thing...this month started out with a visit to Cairns from Shane Howard

for more information on Shane and his backing band go to his web site and check out a song called " Dont turn your back on us" off his latest album.

Goanna Dreaming

Once more Shane Howard excels with a prayer that enlightens and makes one more "aware" of where we really fit in the scheme of things.

My current camp in the Tablelands.

Have a new workshop and this shows how close I am camped to it.

Every man needs a shed...nice to have a place to create all manner of things.

"The Quadricycle"

my health went off the rails some time ago and I hope to get it back on track by excercising with the quadricycle. Will have to use train-ahhhh wheels for a while but that is of my own choo-choosing because I believe it will keep me on track.

a bicycle built for two...

Here are a few posters I am designing and printing. A3 in size and comes with a 3D photo placed towards the bottom. So not only can you look at it you can also see into it. Printed on 260 gsm Gloss Photo Paper and available now. Comes with it's own 3D Optical viewer. POA.

APRIL

2011-04-03T20:17:00.010+10:00

meet the new neighbour...

Hi Ho Hi Ho it's off to Weipa we go

Afternoon moon on the Atherton Tablelands. Am currently living in Malanda where I intend pursuing my passion to photograph North Queensland' s unique environments and features.

Adult and juvenile White Breasted Sea Eagles.

Mt Quinkan with gravel quarry visible on the right side.

Rainbow Fungus

North Queensland's history and buildings preserved for all to experience in Herberton Historic Village.

The way we were

Main st Herberton Historic Village

a place full of delightful nostalgic experiences

My new home...Malanda on the Atherton Tablelands

view from the place I am parked

Horse and cart

my slab

simple and comfortable

Easter...and the weather couldn't get much better. View from Hallorans hill looking east to Bartle Frere and Bellenden Kerr across the tablelands.

Easter Holiday crowds at Yungaburra's monthly markets.

Characters frequenting the markets.

Malanda railway support bridge in the Rainforest, North Johnstone river.

just when you thought it was safe...

workers hut in the western Tablelands

WW2 era crane used in private construction and now retired

Homestead near Toumilin railway as seen through Mulberry bush

Ravenshoe to Toumilin Toursit Stem train at Toumilin Station

Volunteers having a cuppa before returning to Ravenshoe.

another neighbour...King Parrot

White headed pigeon

MARCH

2011-03-08T16:24:00.006+10:00

Traditionally the wettest month of the year so it's just a good old fashioned Monsoon season just like the ones Far North Queensland used to have until about 15 years ago. Nowadays there is more infrastructure and population to be affected so it seems worse. Time to take time out...relax and recharge for the coming years challenges.

Spent some time in Sydney this month so I got that break away and to visit my Mum , who turns 80 on the 6th, meet up with family I hadn't seen for a while, spend some quality time with my daughter and granddaughter, experience the company of all my 4 siblings under one roof and to reinforce the fact that North Queensland is a great place to live.

The new graphic for the left hand rear panel of the car to balance out the right hand side and display more picturegraphic messages

and furthermore...here is one I will put on a T shirt

The first is a design for a Skate board done by my brother Daniel...primary carer for my Mum and Dad and one of the best professional riders this country has produced...representing Australia in the Masters section as one of Dad's Army and tutoring younger riders all over this country.

The second graphic is the coat of arms of Gelderland, the province in Holland where I was born and spent the first five years of my life.

The third emblem is the logo of the X240...a most underestimated 4x4 Chinese car released in Australia and my new choice of tour vehicle.

The fourth graphic is an Anaglyphic 3D picture which needs to be viewed with Red/Cyan glasses to bring out the outstanding 3D effect...another passion of mine is producing 3D photographs.

The fourth graphic are the Arabian words for...Religion Divides. It has nothing to do with Islam, just a general statement.

Yule Point is just south of the Port Douglas turn off affords spectacular views of Mangroves, beaches and Thornton Peak as a back drop. This photo was taken looking south. Stingrays come in with the tides to feed amongst the Mangroves here and if you look carefully you will notice their feeding depressions in the sand. Yule Point is also popular with Kite Surfers on a windy day.

Green Possum

The crocodile at the Mowbray River bridge has company.

FEBRUARY

2011-02-21T22:28:00.003+10:00

Take a Walk on the Wild Side, Mark 2, is making good progress and should be on the road by May this year to help herald in a completely different direction for our visitors to this area.

Click on the pic above to get a bigger view of our precious coastline.And if you click on the link below you will get a bigger view of an article that that describes one viewpoint of our precious tourism industry..a view that can be applied to Cairns as well.

http://www.tourismportdouglas.com.au/The-Viewpoint-Think-left-of-centre-for.5245.0.html

I first met John Paice when we were neighbours in the heady days prior to the Cape Tribulation Bloomfield Road Blockade. Even then he was a prolific artist with a unique style of his own. His paintings adorned the walls of many a Cairns and Hinterland establishments...one in particular was the giant wall mural in the Oceanic Hotel, or the " Big O " as it was called then. Stumbled across this painting of his in a Cafe in Herberton last Saturday.

2011 Begins...lets hope it's a good one

2011-01-09T16:33:00.012+10:00

Fred, Joy, Mikayla and Alex Haginikitas.

It's now January and 2011 is well on it's way. Xmas just seems to get better with each passing year. A time when it seems to be everyones birthday all on the one day. A day when we put everything aside and purposely take time out to be with family and friends. A time for banquets and sharing. A time to talk about the year that has been and share thoughts and aspirations for the coming New Year.

The three Amigos.

An abundance of food graced the tables for an all day Xmas feed.

A Cyclone called Tasha, declared on Xmas Eve and crossed the coast just below Cairns. A category 1 Cyclone so although there were a few wind gusts as well as heavy showers in the area it didn't dampen the Xmas spirit and there were only a few road closures below the City. Above is a satellite photo of Tasha early Xmas morning as it was approaching the coast.

Cape Kimberley and Snapper Island of the coast from Wonga Beach. The cloud formation to the right is the northern edges of Cyclone Tasha as it approaches the coast.

Uncle Daniel and niece Mikayla strolling back from a visit to the nearby Barron Falls. Tasha had made the falls spectacular and it did attract a lot of Xmas visitors.

There was copious amounts of flood water cascading out of the tableland catchments and as it went over the Barron Falls it created strong upwards wind drafts that create the spiraling mists. If you look beyond the mists you will notice that smaller waterfalls coming over the edges of rock ledges are actually being blown up again by the strong wind gusts. The photo below catches this phenomena a little better.

The smaller falls on the right come down in unbroken streams but as you can see the water coming over to the left is blown back upwards again.

Uncle Daniel giving a very attentive Mikayla a few points on photography.

On a recent visit to the original Beach House I stopped to take a picture of the lovely creek that runs through the estate and at this time of the year the Monsoon flushes it out. The water is crystal clear and the temperature would be about 18 C. So, very invigorating. In the late 1970"s when the whole family lived up here the community surrounding us and the neighbors across this creek would all pitch in and dam the creek at this point. We would pile up a groin of stacked rocks across the creek and cover it in plastic...by putting another layer of rocks across that and another layer of plastic we formed a fairly water tight wall. Above the dam we would place a long and strong scaffold plank which acted both as a bridge to the neighbors place and a dive and jump platform. The pool would be about 1.5 meters deep and although not large it was enjoyed by many people ,especially during the summer.

At the end of each wet season it would be re built and there was usually enough water coming down this creek to keep the pool cool each year. Looking at it nows I can easily conjure up pictures in my mind of the women folk washing clothes here while babies and children splashed in the pool.

I have had one of the best years ever in 2010. Met some very special people who have helped me through understanding and believing in me. You know who you are...cant thank you enough for having stood by me.

Silly as it may seem but one of my new prised possessions is a small Solar Powered Windmill which gives me great delight. It sort of symbolizes the need to think of alternative means to power mankind's aspirations. I faithfully put it out in the sun when I can and the propellers have done more then a million revolutions powered by the sun...each revolution I like to think of as a prayer for mankind to get his act together and transcend our old ways to make way for a more thoughtful future that is sustainable for all life we share the planet with.

Alex and Mikaylas visit to Ylang Ylang and the cool pool. Have enjoyed living here but it is time to move on.

My faithful Jimny is up for sale. Shall miss her as she has taken me and others on some very memorable journeys throughout this country.

Male Cairns Birdwing Butterfly.

Nature at it's most colorful...above is the bark shedding off a gum tree.

BONES

I dont like the smell of hospitals but must say that modern medicine / hospitals and the dedication of those who staff it is often overlooked. They do their utmost to heal Loved ones and for that I will always be thankful and grateful.

Another sojourn South.

Mambo would be proud. A painting my younger brother Daniel created who nowadays spends a lot of time looking after Mum and Dad. Thank you Bro.

Occasionally, you get the best view of Sydney from the air, and this trip was one of those more colourful days.

My father finds life very challenging nowadays. Although in the best care he could possibly be in, he doesn't smile much anymore. Except for when he gets to go for a drive in a car. He loved his cars and nowadays it still brings a smile to his face. Drove him around a bit on my visit just to see him happy and contented once more. He lived in the moment and wont have any memories of the day out.

Just mention the prospect of going for a drive and it triggers a few fond memories and desire.

Most of the time though he lives in a world of his own

Palm Beach

My grandparents on my mothers side.

My grandparents on my fathers side.

3 days to Xmas...December...family month

2010-12-03T07:55:00.018+10:00

to think that the above uses the same technology our government will pay billions of Dollars for so we can have faster internet and I purchased this landed at my door for $4 on Ebay....

and as the years go by I personally value Xmas time more and more...not because of any religious reasons on my part but primarily to enjoy the get together of family and friends. It is the one day a year when my personal family is under the one roof. When we can share a meal together at one table as it was when the children were children themselves. I find that very gratifying and look forward to that event more and more as years pass. It ofcourse is also a time to spend with the greater family...the inlaws and outlaws....our family has grown somewhat.

Summer..Summer.. Glorious Summer

and..as befitting a family month..my Xmas present came early in the experience of having my Grand daughter Mikayla spend 3 days with her grandfather...the first time and we got on really well. Wise beyond her six years we had a great bonding session and a lot of laughs. She really is quite a character.

Here she actually controlled the boat for a few minutes...steering us to the centre of the river away from the trees we were scanning for wildlife...

Took this shot of an older fisherman returning from a good mornings fishing. He launched the boat and retrieved it himself...with no help. He knows his boats, the tides and the ocean very well. Only took what he could eat and no more...a gentleman of the sea. Mind you, the Spanish mackerel was a decent size and will feed family and friends for a week. This is typical of what happens here in the Monsoon season.

The energy of our youth and the friendly compliance to a photo request never ceases to amaze me.This lad was a true athlete..Australian Mums and Dads have much to be proud of.

A great car from Great Wall

male Birdwing Butterfly

Taken from Quaids road looking south to Double Island...wish they would open up this road after repairing it...would be an ideal escape route into higher country during Tsunamis and Cyclones or Flooding.

Storm approaching Snapper island

Palm Cove

NOVEMBER..this post constantly being updated

2010-11-01T08:57:00.017+10:00

   Dear Oprah and friends. I heard you may be coming up this way next month.Really wished you had of given me more notice because I would have loved to have shown you around, however...I am fully booked out for this period and must inform you that regretfully I cant accommodate you. I am sure you will find other things to do as from the looks of things every other business involved in tourism treat you like the new Messiah and hope you will perform the miracles they need to pick up sagging business.
   The start of Troppo season in North Queensland, sometimes referred to as Mango Fever Season. Always an interesting time to observe people around you, especially those that don't know the implications and aren't aware of what happens to them.
   A few shots I worked on over the last week both 3D Posters and a few 3D Stereo shots. Do have a limited number of 3D Books and viewers left that would make affordable Xmas presents, for that hard to buy for person. Will send directly to the recipients if you want to do it that way.

The posters below are available as A3 size photographic posters on high quality 260 gsm paper. ready to frame in commonly available picture frames. The poster is basically a 2D background that has a number of 3D shots at the bottom. The poster comes complete with it's own 3d optical Viewer so you can interact with your new wall hanging. Comes in a mailable postage tube and can on send to anywhere in the world. The poster, tube and viewer is available for $40 AU plus postage to wherever. 10 percent of this money will go to help out Geoff and Norma Guest at Petford Station.

Some creatures are masters of disguise and the following photos of a spider in our rainforest is a great example of ultimate disguise. The Monsoon has come early and the Summer storms have started...all of life comes to a crescendo at this time...bringing home the fact that people who don't visit during our monsoon season miss out on so much.

The first photo below was taken using no flash on the camera. The spider blends in very well with it's background under a thin film of web. The second photo was taken with a flash...penetrating the web cover and outlining the spider.

the flash exposes the spider below... brilliant camouflage

although not a clear shot at all I thought I would publish it here anyway..sometimes driving when the wildlife comes out and shoot from the hip...this is an encounter with an Adult cassowary and two juvenile chicks I came across on a track the other day...much to the delight of all the passengers on board the bus that day.

Not too sure exactly what species of pepper vine this is but was found near Cape Tribulation. Different species of pepper seem to fruit at different times of the year. This particular species hasn't been seriously introduced to garden culture yet but is a plant with great potential as a new herb, or condiment. The peppers are ripe when bright red, easily gathered, put them on a hot rock in the sun for a few days and they will shrivel up and turn black into the more recognisable pepper corns one is used to seeing. Put them through a pepper mill and you will end up with a condiment pepper, half as hot as the black pepper we are used to but twice the flavour. Coincidently, this is the reason Europeans first sailed into this part of the Southern hemisphere...to search for herbs and spices. In those days certain herbs were worth more then their weight in gold...makes me think that the food in Europe must have been pretty bland in those days for them to come half way around the globe to gather these herbs and spices...apparently they were used to preserve foods for their harsh winters and not for flavouring at all.

Reflections on the bank of Cooper Creek.

having just dropped the visitors off at Cooper Creek Wilderness Cruise gives me the opportunity to check out the condition of the lunch camp and facilities, find where the wildlife is hiding and prepare and set up for lunch. If I do this quickly I will create some time for myself to indulge in a few minutes quiet reflection on the banks of Cooper Creek. I meditate about days gone by when I used to earn a living conducting expeditions through our tropical rainforests...and for a brief moment I feel at home again..

Welcome to Mossman, Queensland's Tidy Town of the year....1957.

A quintessential deliciously old fashioned North Queensland sugar milling town. Please speak slowly and end your sentences with Ay. No parking meters, no traffic lights, a town where pedestrians still have the right of way. A town where people still greet you in the street. A town where some small businesses still survive.

Every Saturday, markets are held under the Raintrees on the northern side of town.

Was on my way to a quest searching for Frangipani when I decided to stop at the markets to see if I could find anything there. Met the Coconut lady who sold me some Frangipani scented Coconut oil. Also nice to see all the multi cultural people and stalls selling their wares.

Especially nice to see the local Aboriginal people present their artwork here.

My new business card

Native Kapok is related to a tree called Kapok which is an exotic. They both yield a high quality cotton which was used to stuff life vests and saddles in earlier times. Nowadays still being harvested for non alergenic pillows and mattresses.

Kapok Bush Cochlospermum fraseri

Below are five photographs taken on a recent magic day trip to Mt Carbine area. Had forgotten how beautiful this area is at this time of the year.

A two lined dragon or " Tommy Roundhead" as some of the bushies call them. A common lizard in the savannahlands of Cape York Peninsular.

Mcleod river...clean and crystal clear...and invigorating.

A lot of the Kapok trees were in fruit and in this photo you will find a pair of Red winged parrots feeding on then seeds. Might have to click on it to see the detail. Not the best of photos but they were quite a distance away.

Moon rising over Kapok Dreaming.

Finally a composite 3d picture of Kapok seed in three stages of opening.

The last of the components for my macro 3D rig arrived this week so now have a fully functioning apparatus to take care of the smaller things I like to photograph in 3D. Camera is now multi adjustable and steady...using a turntable to move subject rather then trying a camera shift. Still in it's experimental stage but already getting good results.

Rebirth of Take a Walk on the Wild Side...created in 1979. The longest running nature appreciation tour in North Queensland.

After spending most of this year trying to carve a living out of our dying Tourism industry working for other companies as a freelance guide have decided to resurrect Take a Walk on the Wild Side as an upmarket alternative tour company to cater for the more discerning thinking travellers to this region. Still working on web content and the itineraries and should be quite complete by Xmas...you can see some progress clicking on the link in the top right hand column. Like a Phoenix rising from the ashes...

and then there is October

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All you ever needed to know about the month October. Also the Oktober Fest season and if you really want to celebrate the Fest and support a superb Australian Boutique Beer click on the pic below.

Once in a while a visit to cape Tribulation turns out perfect...a real " another shitty day in paradise". Tuesdays trip to Cape Trib for BTS Tours was one of those days. The weather was very humid but oh so clear...bright blue skies with fluffy white clouds, just like on the postcards. Very much like wet season weather...the Monsoon season is the best season to visit a Tropical Rainforest

The people on board were a mixed lot but all Australians from NSW..with a couple from Victoria. All the wildlife happened for them...once again the Tour Guide was more excited about the wildlife encounters than the people on the trip. The sky seemed full of Blue Ulysses butterflies taking advantage of the clear weather after two weeks of rain. The creeks were flushed and clean and clear. Swimming conditions in Coopers creek were ideal. The fish and turtles approaching the clients for handouts. Boyd's rainforest dragons were in abundance around the lunch camp. Crocodiles were spotted on the lower reaches of Coopers creek...the cold rainwater forcing them back out into the sun.

A father Cassowary and his two juvenile chicks visited us on the day...walking right through the camp and allowing everyone good photo opportunities. Unfortunately only had a small camera with me so could only get a few snap shots.. isn't that always the way?

My grandaughter Mikayla celebrated her sixth Birthday at Speewah Tavern ...a delightful event to have attended...lots of very well behaved starry eyed kids, a big swimming pool on a hot day, a colourful Jumping Castle...all the inlaws and outlaws under one roof once more..light hearted conversations..a solar powered car...snacks and refreshments...all in all a well organised party enjoyed by all who attended...well done and congratulations Mikayla on your sixth Birthday. xxx

An unusually wet September and October, hasn't happened for a while, delicious. Nice to see the forests and surrounding countryside so lush and green. All the creeks are running, the rivers are already flushed clean,our reservoirs and dams are full. A chance for nature to get a head start on the Monsoon season.

It may not look like much but this macro rig I built will allow me to take clear and high resolution 3D photos of the smaller things in life like very close up photos of flowers and insects. The camera is now multi adjustable on both the horizontal plane and its ability to move to the subject without having to zoom in. Have now worked out the maths and am happy with the results. Next stage will be to work on a black subject stand with a black background and introduce suitable adjustable lighting. The rotating platform will give me the two stereo angles I need.

September

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Below you will find a series of panoramic posters I am currently working on. The size will be approximately 100 cm x 30 cm. Intend to take 3 elements out of the main panorama and enlarge them into 3D photos on the right of the poster. An optical 3D viewer will be supplied with each print allowing one to look into the photo. There will be a subliminal conservation message hidden in the main picture. The captions will be written to catch the essence of the overall project rather than being just a description.

One of the most beautiful places I have ever visited and had the honour to try and capture in 3D shots is a place called William Rickets Sanctuary in the Dandenong Ranges , Victoria. William was a creative soul who lived way beyond his times and through art and philosophy tried to awaken the general public to the plight of Aboriginal people and the natural habitats of Australia.
I stumbled across a video on You Tube the other day that showed that Billy Connelly admired this man also...in fact it's the first video I have ever come across where Billy was not wisecracking and presented William Ricketts Sanctuary in a most honest and respectful way.Have firstly included some shots I did in 2 and 3D whilst there in 2008 and then if you wish you can see the documentary made of the place.

This photo above is an anaglyph picture and you will need Red/Cyan glasses to see the full 3D effect.

We have five species of native pepper vine growing in our rainforests.They haven't been seriously introduced to garden culture yet but it is a plant with great potential as a new condiment. Piper novae-hollandiae is in fruit at the moment, easily gathered and after drying can be put through your pepper mill to produce a condiment pepper half as hot as the one you are used to but with twice as much flavour.

All is as it should be...

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If it is mankind's place in the scheme of things to make himself extinct as a species and take a host of other species of life with him, pat yourself on the back, you are doing a good job.But even if that should come to be, you will never extinguish life on Earth. You will help change it but you will never extinguish it.
   What most people see as destruction of the natural world around them is actually just a process of change.Everything that is happening around you would never have come to be if it wasn't meant to be.All is as it should be. The Earth and all living things upon it are constantly in a flux of change.
   Our wise men will let us believe that about 65 million years ago a meteorite struck the Earth and shook it up somewhat.Within a fraction of a second 99.9 per cent of all life on Earth vaporised. But when all the chaos settled down, the smoke and gases cleared and the dust landed whatever there was left of life on Earth...perhaps a simple primordial soup that survived the changes...evolved and bred to form the wonderful living planet we have today.
   All of life on Earth is symbiotic. From the smallest gnat, bacterial particle on the forest floor to the largest whale or Elephant on this planet Earth, we all have the same life force flowing through our veins, we are all brothers and sisters in life helping to form a living planet.Take anyone of those life forms out of the equation and you actually send shock waves through the rest of life. It is complex, it is obscure and we are only just beginning to realize that this is so.
   Indeed...all of life carries this original primordial soup within it...it connects us to all that grows, crawls, swims and flies across the world we share. Its very elements blend to perpetuate life on this planet...the elixir of life.

  My 3D photography is developing and changing course from previous themes...have embraced the possibility of collaborating with others to create 3D images of Aboriginal Art..

Icons of Sydney

At last doing what I like best once more...sharing my passion for our Rainforest environment with Thinking Travelers.

August was a good month...my daughters birthday..below is a pic of her daughter...reminded me so much of Jungle Joy.

Mikayla Haginikitas

Jungle Joy

July....where did the year go?

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   One of the more flamboyant flowering trees one can see in bloom right throughout Queensland at the moment . Originally from tropical Africa and introduced by early European settlers to North Queensland as they noticed that the Australian bush and Rainforest has very little colour in it. Probably introduced to add a little colour and to overcome homesickness.

   Visited Geoff Guest at Petford Station the other day to re charge my spiritual batteries and catch up to Old Man, he is 86 now and still looking after young Aboriginal people that come his way. He is busy trying to get some money together to buy a new engine for his car. Norma, his wife is stuck in Cairns and has to have Dialysis three times a week so without their car she is stuck in town far away from her best friend and companion and her beloved bush...one of the few thing she really looked forward to. If anyone out there can help out with a few funds it would be greatly appreciated You can phone him direct if you wish to talk to him about it and perhaps find out how you can best help him and Norma. (07) 40 935365..
   For those who dont know Geoff take the time to read a little more about this amazing man and his wife Norma by clicking on the link to the right...simply click on the picture of him on horseback and there you will also find a documentary of this incredible couple.

   It was my grandsons Birthday on the 27th and spent some time with him celebrating at Hungry Jacks. One of the true delights of my life is watching my two grandchildren grow up. Dont spend as much time with them as I would like to...but trying hard to change that.

To all who visit here...I wish you Health and Happiness to you and yours...

June 2010 and beyond..

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making progress on a project that I have been working on for some time...and that is to use three dimensional cutouts as elements in a three dimensional picture...will allow me to create a book of Australian endemic Botanica showing a plant in all its glory framed and in the background with 3D photos of its leaf shape, flowers and fruits emerging out of the picture. Will allow for easy identification of the plant in all its seasons. Collecting the right images will be a challenge as is cutting each one out pixel by pixel. To give you an idea, the above work is a culmination of 60 hours of work...and it is only a practice draft. PEACE

Shoot the Wet

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and behold the splendour of the coming storms...rejoice in it's revitalizing qualities for both the Earth and Spirit...the power of nature challenging man to re think his place in it all as we witness the greening of Gondwana once more

the clouds part revealing the awesome power of the Barron River as it thunders over the Gorges carrying vital nutrients to the sea...

and as the clouds parted further a rich tapestry of mists veiling the valleys welcomed the sun's life giving rays to nourish and sustain the myriad complexities of all that live under her...this is a time of renewal...when flowers colour the world in a mosaic of hues unimagined..

when seemingly all is well with our world...a temporary illusion of peace and harmony...fleeting glimpses of one of the most magical places on Earth...

a time for dancing in the rain...to celebrate the more glorious of our two seasons...the wet

even that life which seems painted on the trunks of trees gains body at this time of the year...look for the little things in life...our micro biology blooms in time with the flowers...hail our smaller brothers and sisters in life...

drink in all that green.....tea...an essence of life...

take on the new challenges that this time of the year presents us.... practice patience and adjust your pace...

make a celebration of the wet...paint it gold

leave a message of love on the wall...for it is written...

and so life continues

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and with new year comes new beginnings, new oportunities to replace the missed ones,another chance at living
for the moment and developing as a Spiritual being..

Diana and I have gone our own ways...thank you for
the good times.

My new abode...ensconced in a mates house...have
purchased the bare essentials to live on..and only those
things that will fit into a mobile home I plan to purchase
sometime this year. Donations accepted. Going to be a
gypsy so I can move my house and studio around a bit.

If you get the chance to sit it out or dance...I hope you dance

Xmas is alive and well...just look for it in the eyes of children

Angel came down from heaven yesterday

...wrote so many drafts of things I wanted to get off my chest...and upon reviewing them

discovered that in the process i did get them off my chest...so will leave a bunch of quotes

instead...

If you woke up breathing, congratulations! You have another chance

Every day is an opportunity to make a new happy ending

We die daily. Happy those who daily come to life as well

Do not take life too seriously. You will never get out of it alive

You live longer once you realize that any time spent being unhappy is wasted

Be happy while you're living, for you're a long time dead

We die daily. Happy those who daily come to life as well

The tragedy of life is not that it ends so soon, but that we wait so long to begin it

I have spent my days stringing and unstringing my instrument, while the song I came to sing remains unsung

Life is not lost by dying; life is lost minute by minute, day by dragging day, in all the thousand small uncaring ways

If you were going to die soon and had only one phone call you could make, who would you call and what would you say? And why are you waiting?

and with new year comes new begginings, new oportunities to replace the missed ones,another chance at living for the moment and developing as a Spiritual being

.........and so life continues

Take a Walk on the 3D Side

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A collection of 3D photographs taken throughout Australia in 2008.