Southern Highlands - Steve and Murray

Steve and Murray were supposed to go camping down in Kangaroo Valley last weekend, but Murray caught a terrible cold that stayed with him for over a week and is actually still hanging around now. He should have taken time off work, regardless of meetings! Anyhow... Instead of risking a night in a cold tent they decided to do a day drive and take some snaps. Steve carried the gear due to Murray's 'man cold', but Murray offered some camera advice in return.....Point and Shoot right? ha ha

So here's a few shots....I'm told the disclaimer is that the weather was not on their side and their was no 'golden hour'...

The first lookout...




Roadside Gums....



Carrington Falls..


Probably the pick of the bunch, Steve's composition just above Carrington Falls.

Weekend Review

Friday night we left work a little early to drive up to Ken Duncan's gallery in Gosford to attend a presentation by Frans Lanting.

That's Frans in the grey shirt signing our books (we bought all 3 of his books)!
The presentation he did was good (although a bit political), but really the photos spoke for themselves - he has some AMAZING wildlife photos!

We also got to meet Ken Duncan! He was dressed like he was going to a luau, but such a nice guy. He is the country's top photographer of Australian landscapes - it was fantastic to meet him & have a little chat!

My favorite Frans photo 'Emperor Penguin Family'- these penguin parents are having a 'welcome' ceremony for their new chick - cute:)

Murray's favorite 'Cougar Face'

Sunday we went on a walk out to North Head - this was the view looking back at Manly from the hill

Murray, Me, Steph & Matt with Sydney in the background

Me, Sparky & Sydney

Notice the Manly Ferry coming in!

It was a long but lovely walk, we really took our time and spent time enjoying the views & chatting, followed by a LOVELY crepe breakfast. Beautiful weather as well - quite hot actually!

Sunday we enjoyed a BBQ at our friends Laura & Mike's place. Megan & Jon brought along sparklers to go with the lovely cake she made for dessert & they wished me a happy b-day which was nice:)

Laura, Megan, Me, Jon & Mike

A lovely weekend catching up with friends & enjoying the weather - I hope this weather holds on for awhile longer. You can't beat these 80 degree 'autumn' days!

Wildlife Photographer of the Year

Last Saturday we also went to see the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition at the Natual History Museum. It was FANTASTIC!!!

My favourite - Borneo Baby

Murray's favourite - The Full Lion

Another Whale Session!

Well we had another weekend of blue skies and hot sun....is this really winter? Murray had time to kill while I went to a High Tea so he decided to try his luck again at whale watching just outside the Sydney harbour. This time he brought his longer lens.......

Just for info - On average about 70 whales a day pass Sydney.

WHALE OF A TIME !

Early Sunday morning we made our way to Circular Quay on the ferry to....
celebrate my sister in law Helen's Birthday (a few days early)!!!

Me & Murray on the boat


The sky was ominous and a bit rainy - but the sun DID peek through now & then


Our surprise was that we took her out Whale Watching!!!


I screamed the first time this huge humpback whale came RIGHT by our boat! It was SO exciting! They are the size of a bus! No joke. Just the head is like the size of my little car!


diving back under


and down with a huge splash

Helen & Murray up on the viewing deck - lucky we wore our waterproof jackets - it was rainy & the wind was freezing!


The whales did about 30 breaches - it was AMAZING. Their pectoral fins were SO long and floppy when they flew out of the water they looked like wings!


Doing the backstroke


Adults range in length from 12–16 metres (40–50 ft)


We followed these two whales for about an hour and a half - they took turns leaping out of the water


They weigh approximately 36,000 kilograms (79,000 pounds)


Waving HELLO


They really are SO amazing - we were totally entranced


It was THE most amazing whale watching experience we have ever had. They breached about 30 times...


and at times they were SO close. Wildlife is just Amazing.


They are heading North to their breeding grounds in Northern Australia where the water is warmer.


Their babies can't swim when they are born, so they also need to be in calm water (which is why they stay near the reefs) so they can hold the babies up to breathe and keep an eye out for predators.


Humpback whales typically migrate up to 25,000 kilometers each year.


The final tail 'fluke' of the day and they were gone.

What an amazing day!