A scenic 36 hours spent in and around magnificent karri, marri and tingle forests (including the “Valley of the Giants”), undulating terrain sliced by numerous rivers and streams, fertile orchards and vineyards, all edged by dramatic cliffs, estuaries, and beaches along the Southern Ocean – welcome to the Southern Forests Region of Australia’s South West.
Here are three images from Fernhook Falls on the Deep River.
Fernhook Falls 2AM-112804
Canon 7D with Canon 24-105mm f/4 lens.
© Andrew and Allison McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.
Fernhook Falls 2AM-112855
Canon 7D with Canon 24-105mm f/4 lens.
© Andrew and Allison McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.
Fernhook Falls 2AM-112874
Canon 7D with Canon 24-105mm f/4 lens.
© Andrew and Allison McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.
Among the forest under-story these “flowers” really “Popped”.
Flowers 2AM-112716
Canon 7D with Canon 24-105mm f/4 lens.
© Andrew and Allison McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.
Color and lushness were pleasant surprises far below the forest canopy.
Flowers 2AM-112717
Canon 7D with Canon 24-105mm f/4 lens.
© Andrew and Allison McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.
An early morning bath in renewing rain and nourishing light greet the forest, including a youngish Karri tree.
Karri Tree 2AM-112698
Canon 7D with Canon 24-105mm f/4 lens.
© Andrew and Allison McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.
This walkway allowed for magical, if wobbly views of Beedalup Falls near Pemberton.
Beedelup Falls 2AM-113050
Canon 7D with Canon 24-105mm f/4 lens.
© Andrew and Allison McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.
Beedelup Falls 2AM-113039
Canon 7D with Canon 24-105mm f/4 lens.
© Andrew and Allison McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.
A grand old Tingle Tree (a so-called Giant Tingle Tree) in the Walpole Wilderness Area. This tree has a circumference of almost 25 meters and is thought to be the oldest living eucalypt in the world. The heartwood has been ravaged by numerous fires yet the tree survives because the “living and growing parts” (xylem and phloem) and located just under the bark.
Tingle Tree 2AM-112769
Canon 7D with Canon 24-105mm f/4 lens.
© Andrew and Allison McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.
An exposed portion of roots from the Giant Tingle Tree – resilience and form.
Tingle Tree 2AM-112772
Canon 7D with Canon 24-105mm f/4 lens.
© Andrew and Allison McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.
Nearby, a fern seeks the light after establishing itself in the decaying hulk of an old tingle tree – decomposition and succession at work!
Tingle Tree 2AM-112739
Canon 7D with Canon 24-105mm f/4 lens.
© Andrew and Allison McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.
When stirred up by pulses in river flow, Saponin – a leachate type product from plants breaking down in the water – causes a frothy, often cappuccino-like surface in Circular Pool. The pool’s name refers not to the shape – rather, it is for the currents and resultant eddies (circular flow) which create a myriad of patterns such as this, ephemeral as this pattern is as it is continually morphing.
Circular Pool 2AM-30266
Canon 30D with Canon 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L lens.
© Andrew and Allison McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.
The Cascades section of Lefroy Brook also contains serene little embayments where the water is calm, such as this little spot.
The Cascades – Lefroy Brook 2AM-112923
Canon 7D with Canon 24-105mm f/4 lens.
© Andrew and Allison McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.
Segue (of sorts)…
This is a Spotted Pardalote, a tiny and at this time of year very industrious “little colorful job.” I was enthralled for a considerable time as I enjoyed several of these birds gathering their nesting material alongside the Warren River, near Pemberton.
Spotted Pardalote 2AM-30289
Canon 30D with Canon 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L lens.
© Andrew and Allison McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.
Dawn and fog caress the Warren River and surrounding forest – near Pemberton.
Warren River 2AM-112953
Canon 7D with Canon 24-105mm f/4 lens.
© Andrew and Allison McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.
Warren River 2AM-112942
Canon 7D with Canon 24-105mm f/4 lens.
© Andrew and Allison McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.
Warren River 2AM-112983
Canon 7D with Canon 24-105mm f/4 lens.
© Andrew and Allison McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.
Warren River 2AM-113012
Canon 7D with Canon 24-105mm f/4 lens.
© Andrew and Allison McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.
Warren River 2AM-112955
Canon 7D with Canon 24-105mm f/4 lens.
© Andrew and Allison McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.
Warren River 2AM-112934
Canon 7D with Canon 24-105mm f/4 lens.
© Andrew and Allison McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.
Warren River 2AM-112995
Canon 7D with Canon 24-105mm f/4 lens.
© Andrew and Allison McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.
The coast, an innate yearning for most Australians. A rainy dawn at Nornalup Inlet, near Walpole, where estuary becomes ocean.
Nornalup Inlet Mouth 2AM-112671
Canon 7D with Canon 24-105mm f/4 lens.
© Andrew and Allison McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.
Nornalup Inlet Mouth 2AM-112675
Canon 7D with Canon 24-105mm f/4 lens.
© Andrew and Allison McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.
My final two photo-blogs from this trip to Western Australia will be images from Fremantle and the Margaret River Region. I hope you enjoy my existing photo’s and will visit the new posts when they occur.
Andrew McInnes Photography 