Night view on Christmas Eve

Night view to the central coast

Stormy nights, moonlit nights. Such a cliche. But I have a friend who likes to take such photos. Hence, I too, now keep trying.

This image looked ok when replayed on the camera. But was basically black when replayed on my computer. However, the camera comes complete with editing software. To recapture what I saw, this image was edited using brightness/colour adjustments, the most important of which was the 'Tone curve adjustment' but I also added a fraction more brightness and adjusted the levels (whatever that may be!)

(To see any image in its original size, double click on the image. This takes you to the image in larger format and to its original on Flickr. )

Countries I've been to

I was checking out someone on Flickr, by looking at his profile, and lo and behold there was something like the map below. Doodling through the possibilities, I was minded to create my own, but how false it is. I have actually visited every state and territory of Australia, but the linear tracings of my paths, reveal that I have seen bugger-all, although, now in my seventh decade, I am working on it. I have certainly not yet visited the North Island of NZ and the south is so wonderful, that that is where I would be tempted to return. Sadly, the map is so USA-centric that the country of my birth (Australia) and that wonderful country to the east (NZ) are not visible (and nor is New Caledonia), so I look like a European (6 weeks from a lifetime???).



create your own visited countries map

The photo is from my visit to Patonga Creek, and was taken on the road back.


Acacia linifolia
(Growing in Brisbane Water NP at the top of Mount Ettalong, amidst the lovely grey of dead branches and wonderful chaotically resurgent and beautiful new growth after a fire probably a year ago. Another December flowering acacia. Beautiful.)

Patonga Creek

Looking across the creek


Cabbage tree palms


Mangroves in the saltmarsh


Rushes, casuarinas and mangroves and saltmarsh beyond


Brush turkey

The last time I went to Patonga, I went by ferry from Palm Beach, and we paddled up the creek. But the ferry no longer runs, so I drove. I had a memory of how beautiful it was, but I had forgotten nonetheless.

I was surprised to see the turkey, but I had to include him, since he was so decorative. (I took photos of crabs and flowers too, but it was the landscape, which really knocked me out.)