Blackwood River Valley Region and Geographe Region – Australia’s South West

The purpose of this particular trip was that I planned to do some long-exposure night images to capture the Orionid meteor shower with a light-painting of the ubiquitous grass-tree in the foreground. Unfortunately my planning was awry so only managed to get a few shots before the rising sun burnt-out the stars. Alas, no meteors included in the images but I am well-pleased with the resultant grass-tree images.

On the drive to the region we passed through the Geographe Region and a wonderful little ruin near the town of Boyanup. We captured some images of this ruin during the day and determined we would return to “light-paint” the building and its associated trees that night.

 

Here is the ruin by day

Boyanup Ruin 2AM-112251Canon 7D with Canon 24-105mm f/4 lens. © Andrew and Allison McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.

Boyanup Ruin 2AM-112251
Canon 7D with Canon 24-105mm f/4 lens.
© Andrew and Allison McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.

 

Boyanup Ruin 2AM-112258_7D

Boyanup Ruin 2AM-112258
Canon 7D with Canon 24-105mm f/4 lens.
© Andrew and Allison McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.

 

Here is one of the light-paintings from that night.

Boyanup Ruin Lightpainting 2AM-29856_30D

Boyanup Ruin Lightpainting 2AM-29856
Canon 30D Canon with Canon 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 lens.
© Andrew and Allison McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.

 

The following images are all from the Blackwood River Valley – this is a typical scene.

Rural Scene 2AM-113052Canon 7D with Canon 24-105mm f/4 lens.© Andrew and Allison McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.

Rural Scene 2AM-113052
Canon 7D with Canon 24-105mm f/4 lens.
© Andrew and Allison McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.

 

A bold and very vivid splash of color from a very small little bird.

Splendid Fairy-wren 2AM-30032Canon 30D with Canon 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L lens.© Andrew and Allison McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.

Splendid Fairy-wren 2AM-30032
Canon 30D with Canon 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L lens.
© Andrew and Allison McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.

 

Soft morning light backlights foliage and warms the pasture after a chilly evening.

Morning Grass 2AM-29905Canon 7D with Canon 24-105mm f/4 lens.© Andrew and Allison McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.

Morning Grass 2AM-29905
Canon 7D with Canon 24-105mm f/4 lens.
© Andrew and Allison McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.

 

Grass-trees and southern stars as first light reveals itself.

Grass Tree Lightpainting 2AM-112328_7D

Grass Tree Lightpainting 2AM-112328
Canon 7D with Canon 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 lens.
© Andrew and Allison McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.

 

Grass-trees and southern stars; a light-painting.

Grass Tree Lightpainting 2AM-112325_7D

Grass Tree Lightpainting 2AM-112325
Canon 7D with Canon 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 lens.
© Andrew and Allison McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.

 

 

 

“Photo’s from Perth.” Western Australia.

This is  a “botanical” looking photo-blog – I am drawn to the fascinating textures and intricacies of the flora found in Australia and the apparent contrast of coarse vs. delicate. All these images, excepting the view of the city, were taken at Kings Park, Perth.  http://www.bgpa.wa.gov.au/kings-park/

This is in no way presented as a thorough representation of the vast floral variety of Western Australia, let alone the whole continent.

All images are Copyright © Andrew and Allison McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.

 

Downtown Perth and the Swan River.
Viewed from South Perth.
Canon 7D with Canon EF24-105mm f/4 lens.
Copyright © Andrew and Allison McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.

 

Resplendent, ripe, and rough.

Ashby’s Banksia 2AM-29084.
Kings Park, Perth.
Canon 30D with Canon 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 lens.
© Andrew and Allison McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.

 

This Hooker’s Banksia flower is yet to open and reveal its intricate nectar laden bounty.

Hooker’s Banksia 2AM-110782
Kings Park, Perth.
Canon 7D with Canon 24-105mm f/4 lens.
 © Andrew and Allison McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.

 

This Hooker’s Banksia flower has commenced its “great reveal.”

Hooker’s Banksia 2AM-110783
Kings Park, Perth.
Canon 7D with Canon 24-105mm f/4 lens.
© Andrew and Allison McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.

 

Woolly Orange Banksia 2AM-110785.
Kings Park, Perth.
Canon 7D with Canon 24-105mm f/4 lens.
© Andrew and Allison McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.

 

Each of these “toes” will present a beautiful flower soon after this stage of development.

Kangaroo Paw 2AM-110812
Kings Park, Perth.
Canon 30D with Canon 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 lens.
© Andrew and Allison McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.

 

Not a masterpiece, just found this to be interesting.

Karri Bark (Texture and Shadow) 2AM-29056.
Kings Park, Perth.
Canon 30D with Canon 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 lens.
© Andrew and Allison McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.

 

There is “liquid gold” in there.

Mallee Eucalyptus 2AM-110900.
Kings Park, Perth.
Canon 7D with Canon 24-105mm f/4 lens.
© Andrew and Allison McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.

 

Aptly named flower/plant I thought: “Prickly Toothbrushes.”

Prickly Toothbrushes 2AM-29205.
Kings Park, Perth.
Canon 30D with Canon 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 lens.
© Andrew and Allison McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.

 

This Red Wattlebird is among a Pouched Grevillea plant.

Red Wattlebird 2AM-29142.
Kings Park, Perth.
Canon 30D with Canon 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 lens.
© Andrew and Allison McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.

 

There are no hummingbirds in Australia. Instead, along with copious insects there are numerous bird families/species which appear to occupy that niche – the Red Wattlebird is but one.

Red Wattlebird 2AM-29150.
Kings Park, Perth.
Canon 30D with Canon 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 lens.
© Andrew and Allison McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.

 

“Silver Princess” flowers in development. I can “feel” why it is named so – hope you can too.

Silver Princess 2AM-29211.
(of the Eucalyptus genus)
Kings Park, Perth.
Canon 30D with Canon 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 lens.
© Andrew and Allison McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.

 

The flowers are very dense and shockingly vivid against the soft colors of the leaves.

Silver Princess 2AM-29213.
(of the Eucalyptus genus)
Kings Park, Perth.
Canon 30D with Canon 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 lens.
© Andrew and Allison McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.

 

Flowers spent – all that remains…

Silver Princess 2AM-110836.
(of the Eucalyptus genus)
Kings Park, Perth.
Canon 7D with Canon 24-105mm f/4 lens.
© Andrew and Allison McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.

 

The bark of this tree species is stunning to me.

Silver Princess 2AM-110816.
(of the Eucalyptus genus)
Kings Park, Perth.
Canon 7D with Canon 24-105mm f/4 lens.
© Andrew and Allison McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.

 

 

Some images from March, 2012

I haven’t been able to get out and about as much as I would like to lately. However, here is a (rather eclectic) assortment of images taken during March, 2012.

Texas Bluebonnets heralding Spring.
Canon 7D with Canon EF-S10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM lens. f18 at 1/25 second - hand-held. ISO 400.

 

Ranch-road bridge after the storm, near Chappell Hill, Texas.
Canon 30D with Canon EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM lens. f11 at 1/25 second. ISO 400.

 

Two Curves - near Chappell Hill, Texas.
Canon 7D with Canon EF-S10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM lens. f11 at 1/40 second. ISO 250.

 

Bradford Pear trees and barn. Great Smoky Mountains foothills - Tennessee.
Canon 7D with Canon EF-S10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM lens. f11 at 1/320 second. ISO 200.

 

More Bradford Pear trees. Great Smoky Mountains foothills - Tennessee.
Canon 30D with Canon EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM lens. f11 at 1/100 second. ISO 640.

 

Barn signage. Great Smoky Mountains foothills - Tennessee.
Canon 30D with Canon EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM lens. f11 at 1/160 second. ISO 640.

 

Barn. Great Smoky Mountains foothills - Tennessee.
Canon 7D with Canon EF-S10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM lens. f11 at 1/200 second. ISO 200.

 

Back in Texas - between Anahuac and High Island.
Canon 30D with Canon EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM lens. f14 at 1/500 second - hand-held. ISO 250.

 

Red-winged Blackbird on papyrus plant in our yard (I am a bird lover after all).
Canon 7D with Canon EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM lens. f5.6 at 1/250 second. ISO 400.

 

Red-winged Blackbird on golden dewdrop plant in our yard.
Canon 30D with Canon EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM lens. f5.6 at 1/80 second. ISO 500.

 

Let’s finish with a series of “baby” images:

What's not to like about babies and their little feet and toes?
Canon 30D with Canon EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM lens. f6.3 at 1/4000 second - don't ask me why ( I had just gone from indoors to outdoors and hadn't adjusted camera settings yet). ISO 800, hand-held. This image has had the background cloned to black for effect - extremely rare that I would alter an image other than standard image processing.

 

Daddy's big toe = baby's foot.
Canon 30D with Canon EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM lens. f8 at 1/320 second - handheld, ISO 1000 .

 

Mother's hand and baby's foot.
Canon 7D with Canon EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM lens. f5 at 1/320 second - handheld. ISO 1600.

A reminder that my images are available for sale through my website:

http://andrew-mcinnes.artistwebsites.com/

 

Two poems remembering… encouraged by photographs.

I was backing up my images recently and came across images of a Bald Eagle and the American Flag. These images inspired me to share two poems I wrote several years ago in response to the horrific, hate-driven attacks on Americans by radical islamic assholes on 9-11.

I find sharing my written words much more… exposing… than sharing my photographic images. These two poems come from different “persons” – the first one is a hypothetical first-person take, supposedly in real-time as the drama occurred. The second poem is partly autobiographical and as such is partly self-judgemental (I was a sailmaker at that time). It is mostly a personal “spew” whereby I vent…

Bald Eagle 2AM-15572

 Big Smoke in the Big Apple

Riding the controls
forcing the plane
to bank left
toward my office
window framing the unknown.

I see it coming and am unsure –
surely not. It can’t be. What the hell.
Stupid pilot. Can’t he see he’s too low?
He’s going to crash
into this building, killing
the passengers, killing himself, killing me.
This can’t be a mistake.
It must be terror.

What to do.
How can I think
during the unthinkable.
Do I log off? Do I warn everyone?
Did I tell her I love her?

No time now.
There was
then.
Time wasted.

 Big smoke in the Big Apple,
Eden’s fruit now bitten.
Fire and smoke
extremism misinformed – smoke and mirrors
the view as I make the jump.

33 floors
sufficiently long
to
ponder…

Bald Eagle 2AM-15645


9-11

Big smoke in the Big Apple.
Vengeance has spewed itself
and you return to your sewing
ignorant of the stench while others are praying
and saying “let’s roll”.

Ignorance has struck again.
Fire and smoke
extremism misinformed –
smoke and mirrors.
Radical Islam full of hate,
Imam’s non-reflective mirrors leading the blind
pups into peril.

To call them pups is too kind.
They are dogs. They are parasites
blemishing the human complexion.
Merciless in their ignorance,
the promise of future virgins
too much to handle.

Strange really,
they hate women.

 

 

 

“Creative Context” images.

This post contains the 27 Creative Context images we have created. Creative Context images are a form of photographic expression that combines nature photography and artistic renderings of background objects to provide creative context. These unique prints are a combination of the photographic works of Andrew McInnes, and the creative drawings of Ken Skinner.

All images Copyright Andrew McInnes/2AM Photography.

Please visit the following website if you wish to purchase prints:
http://andrew-mcinnes.artistwebsites.com/art/all/mixed+mediums+-+pencil+sketch+and+photo/all

We hope you see the beauty of the natural world that surrounds us in this new form of photographic and artistic expression.

 

Rainbow Lorikeet 2AM-18278

 

Great Egret 2AM-6394

 

Northern Jacana 2AM-9481

 

Carolina Chickadee 2AM-7966

 

White Ibis 2AM-5771

 

Australian King Parrot 2AM-18978

 

Mourning Dove 2AM-7053

 

Keel-billed Toucan 2AM-9787

 

Black-bellied Whistling-Duck 2AM-7821

 

Great Egret 2AM-6751

 

Eastern Spinebill 2AM-19024

 

Scarlet Tanager 2AM-6930

 

Ruby-throated-Hummingbird-2AM-104192_FINAL

Ruby-throated Hummingbird 2AM-104192

 

Tricolored-Heron-2AM-6839_FINAL

Tricolored Heron 2AM-6839

 

White-bellied-Emerald-2AM-9400_FINAL

White-bellied Emerald 2AM-9400

 

Yellow-crowned-Night-Heron-2AM-7818_FINAL

Yellow-crowned Night-Heron 2AM-7818

 

Black-crowned-Night-Heron-2AM-3870_FINAL

Black-crowned Night-Heron 2AM-3870

 

Bridled-Honeyeater-2AM-19465_FINAL

Bridled Honeyeater 2AM-19465

 

Brown-Pelican-2AM-6821_FINAL

Brown Pelican 2AM-6821

 

Common-Moorhen-2AM-4234_FINAL

Common Moorhen 2AM-4234

 

Crested-Caracara-2AM-7115_FINAL

Crested Caracara 2AM-7115

 

Eastern-Rosella-2AM-9396_FINAL

Eastern Rosella 2AM-9396

 

Green-Heron-2AM-7848_FINAL

Green Heron 2AM-7848

 

Northern-Cardinal-2AM-10073_FINAL

Northern Cardinal 2AM-10073

 

Northern-Mockingbird-2AM-5645_FINAL

Northern Mockingbird 2AM-5645

 

Pied-billed-Grebe-2AM-13179_FINAL

Pied-billed Grebe 2AM-13179

 

Red-tailed-Hawk-2AM-7746_FINAL

Red-tailed Hawk 2AM-7746

 

 

To purchase prints:
http://andrew-mcinnes.artistwebsites.com/art/all/mixed+mediums+-+pencil+sketch+and+photo/all

 

 

 

 

An avian assortment.

Ah, a little free time for me having just completed the draft of my Master of Marine Resources Management Thesis! Typically I like to spend my “discretionary” time outside, often as a birdwatcher; however, it is mid-summer and we are deep in drought so not a lot going on other than “resident” species. Therefore, I have selected an assortment of the bird species I have photographed to share with you. The images were shot either in Australia, Belize, or the USA.

Enjoy!

American White Pelican, USA.

 

American White Pelican, USA.

 

Australian Pelican, Australia.

 

Black-bellied Whistling-Duck, USA.

 

Black-bellied Whistling-Duck, USA.

 

Black-necked Stilt, USA.

 

Black-necked Stilt, USA.

 

Brown Pelican, USA.

 

Brown Pelican, USA.

 

Brown Pelican, USA.

 

Brown Pelican, USA.

 

Cedar Waxwing, USA.

 

Crested Caracara, USA.

 

Eared Grebe, USA.

 

Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl, USA.

 

Fork-tailed Flycatcher, USA.

 

Fork-tailed Flycatcher, USA.

 

Graceful Honeyeater, Australia.

 

Greater Yellowlegs, USA.

 

Green Heron, USA.

 

Keel-billed Toucan, Belize.

 

Laughing Gull, USA.

 

Laughing Gull, USA.

 

Long-billed Curlew, USA.

 

Marbled Godwit, USA.

 

Merlin, USA.

 

Northern Jacana, Belize.

 

Northern Jacana, Belize.

 

Osprey, USA.

 

Pied-billed Grebe, USA.

 

Pied-billed Grebe, USA.

 

Purple Gallinule, USA.

 

Rainbow Lorikeet, Australia.

 

Rainbow Lorikeet, Australia.

 

Redhead, USA.

 

Red-winged Blackbird, USA.

 

Ring-necked Duck, USA.

 

Ring-necked Duck, USA.

 

Roseate Spoonbill, USA.

 

Rose-breasted Grosbeak, USA.

 

Royal Tern, USA.

 

Sanderling, USA.

 

Sarus Crane, Australia.

 

Sarus Crane, Australia.

 

Scarlet Tanager, USA.

 

Silver Gull, Australia.

 

Silver Gull, Australia.

 

Silvereye, Australia.

 

Snail Kite, Belize.

 

Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Australia.

 

Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Australia.

 

Tricolored Heron, USA.

 

Wedge-tailed Eagle, Australia.

 

Willet, USA.

 

Wood Duck, USA.

 

Wood Duck, USA.

 

Yellow-crowned Night-Heron, USA.

 

 

 

May 11-22, 2011: The Junction experience with Wyman Meinzer

Two weeks based out of the Texas Tech University campus at Junction, Texas, shooting with Wyman Meinzer and others. Conditions are very dry yet beauty abounds. What follows is a sample of the images captured from various locales visited.


Day 1: 05/12/2011

Started out up nice and close with a western diamondback rattlesnake.

 

Then off to “paint” a Church at night. Wyman does all the work and we just compose and shoot the image. This image was actually taken pre-painting, as there was a pretty sunset and the “street” light (on left, out of frame) was providing sufficient light on the left to balance the sunset light on the right.
Day 2: 05/13/2011
Morning shoot of rapids on the Upper Llano River.

 

Evening shoot on the Llano River.

 

 

 

Day 3: 05/14/2011
More Llano River images – this time from the gorgeous property of artist Bill Worrell.

 

 

These next few images were taken with moonlight – a wet and chilly shoot.

 

 

 

This next series is from a different location on the same river.

 

 

 

Day 4: 05/15/2011
Mason Mountain Wildlife Management Area – a very dry though still magnificent location.

Three looks at prickly pear cactus:

 

 

 

Dusk

 

And then it was dark…
another “painting” – Wyman was running back and forth in the dark and somehow didn’t fall whilst painting.

 

Day 5: 05/16/2011
The following flower images were captured at Native American Seed company.

 

 

Church at dusk – another splendid paintjob by Wyman Meinzer.

 

 

Day 6: 05/17/2011
Independence Creek Preserve is a holding of The Nature Conservancy. The artesian spring contributes significantly to the Pecos River. The riparian area is truly in contrast to the desert region surrounding it.

The following two images are of a Round-tailed Horned Lizard.

 

 

Here is a Black-chinned Hummingbird:

 

and here are some black-tailed prairie dogs:

 

 


Day 7: 05/18/2011

A typical scene at Independence Creek.

 

and another:

 

This scene is a result of a beaver dam on a seep that feeds into the main creek:
Day 8: 05/19/2011

More “typical” views:

 

 

 

Day 9: 05/20/2011

Back at Junction. New bridge leading to the Texas Tech at Junction campus painted by who else but Wyman:

 

Another night shoot so captured these oaks at dusk:
Day 10: 05/21/2011

Back to 377 Falls.

 

 

 

 

 

Day 11: 05/22/2011

Sabinal River near Utopia.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 12: 05/23/2011
A morning shoot – Portrait work – in a feedstore warehouse with natural light.
“Wild Dave” was the first model:

 

 

Then Maddee:

 

Then back to Bill Worrell’s property on the Llano River for an evening shoot:

 

 

 


Day 13: 05/24/2011
This morning we visited a ranch to image more western diamondback rattlesnakes:

 

 

Evening shoot at Fort McKavett – time to ponder the past and the lives of folks back then:

 

Then another “painting” by Wyman:

 

After the shoot Wyman and “Wild Dave” wanted to refine a shot they had planned of Wyman “painting”. As they were practicing the shot I grabbed an opportunity shot which changed the approach of the final shot. Here is that first “inspiration” image:

 

After Wyman and Dave saw the image, we three, along with Trevor White, began to discuss how to create the final image. What follows is the image we decided on shooting (all light painting by Wyman Meinzer):
Day 14: 05/25/2011
Back to Native American Seed farm – the breeze came up making macro work very challenging so I switched to capturing zoom-blur images instead:

 

 

 

We ventured back to Mason Mountain Wildlife Management Area for our last evening – a time to shoot, visit, and enjoy our last evening as a group. Frienship abounds.

 


Day 15: 05/26/2011
The final shoot was an opportunistic one of a water moccasin and patchnose snake:

 

 

 

So long from Junction.