The weather over the last few weekends of July then into August was generally wet and overcast, in line with that old saying of “good weather for ducks.” Because of those conditions, I had not been out photographing for a few weekends so I was really missing something. Although Sunday, 1 August, was another drizzling and overcast morning I decided to go photographing regardless. I could wait for perfect weather but who knew when that would come. Besides, I would not always have perfect weather so I had better practice with less than ideal circumstances so that I was ready to photograph the beauty of nature in all climatic conditions. With that resolve I headed to one of my favourite spots, the nearby Callum Brae Nature Reserve. Over the few years that I have been photographing I was used to seeing Callum Brae as a dry habitat but the rain over the last 18 months had given new life to it. I was keen to see how the environment was changed with rain falling. If I found no other animals, I knew that I would see ducks. Despite the scattered showers and overcast conditions I thoroughly enjoyed my morning wandering around the beautiful but soggy reserve. I hope that you like the photographs below.
Read MoreThe biggest huntsman I have photographed - Photographing around Lake Burley Griffin on Saturday night, 3 October 2020
I feel that I am on a quest to get more photographs of the frog species around Canberra. That somewhat Quixotic quest, given how hard it is to find frogs, saw me out on this Saturday night with a headlamp and my camera walking around a shore of Lake Burley Griffin. I was hoping to find some frogs to photograph, but the title of this post is a bit of a spoiler. I heard a lot of frogs but I could not see any to photograph. I consoled myself when I came across the largest huntsman spider that I have been able to photograph. I really enjoyed photographing this amazing looking spider, but I certainly made sure I did not get too close. I hope that you enjoy the photographs below.
Read MoreA magnificent female Golden Orb Weaver at the centre of her web - Photographing at Namadgi National Park on Saturday, 27 April 2019
I made a special car trip to hike two kilometres by myself, along a bush track, so I could stand on a rock ledge, in the middle of a cool night at Namadgi National Park, just to take a photograph of the night sky. I think my passion for my hobby is bordering on obsession but I am thoroughly enjoying it. Standing on that ledge, with a clear night sky revealing the millions of stars in a truly black night sky was jaw dropping in its vastness. My photographic ability could not do the scene justice but I enjoyed the opportunity. I also took my macro light with me to take pictures of any little creatures I saw. I enjoyed the dark, where the extent of what I could see was so constrained, making the world seem so small but then contrasting those limits with the boundless heavens above me. There was a tranquility to the night but also a new world where the sound of a kangaroo hopping over the the woodland floor carried much further. It was a really wonderful experience. I hope you enjoy the photographs below.
Read MoreSome eyes-glowing Wolf Spiders and a Marbled Gecko - Night-time photography at Red Hill Nature Reserve on Saturday, 20 April 2019
Eight eyes reflected back at the camera, hairy chelicerae hiding fangs underneath, eight legs ready to move the creature at speed; I love photographing spiders. I recently bought a Yongnuo YN14EX Macro Ring Lite as I wanted a dedicated macro flash unit. The Canon equivalent is about three times the price of the Yongnuo so I went for the cheaper, budget friendly option. I was worried about the quality of the unit before I bought it but I am so impressed with the function. I am now more determined to buy a better macro lens to replace my kit lens Canon EF-S 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 IS STM so I can take my macrophotography to the next level. I took some test shots with the macro light at home to understand how it works. I mainly kept it on TTL (through the lens). I also loved the two small LED lights on the front of the ring to help focus at night. After those shots around the garden I was ready to head to Red Hill Nature Reserve for some more night-time shooting. I went to a slightly different location than last time to see what I could find. I again thoroughly enjoyed myself and I hope you enjoy the photographs below.
Read More