Posting #8 of my road trip from Fremantle to Kununurra, Western Australia.

Posted on July 15, 2014 by Andrew McInnes Photography

Mirima/Hidden Valley National Park – Kununurra, Western Australia.
Bungle Bungles in miniature – located just minutes from Kununurra, Mirima/Hidden Valley is a small park with sandstone ranges, cliffs and valleys, similar in appearance (and formed by similar processes) to parts of the Bungle Bungles (Purnululu National Park). The 350 million year old sandstone features within the park are subject to some striking colour changes due to sunlight variances.

Here is the ‘mini Bungle Bungles’ (a portion of Mirima/Hidden Valley), viewed from a helicopter, including the town of Kununurra, Lily Creek, Indian Sandalwood plantations, and a portion of the surrounding ranges.

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Okay, back on terra firma – time for a wander through Hidden Valley…

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Posting #7 of my road trip from Fremantle to Kununurra, Western Australia.

Posted on July 14, 2014 by Andrew McInnes Photography

Ah, I arrived at my destination – Kununurra – after 9 days of driving and bush camping. Here are some images around the greater Kununurra area from the first day or so.

Not far short of Kununurra, and the scenery, topography, and geology changes (after leaving Halls Creek).

Assorted roadside grasses…

The fishing is fantastic in the Kimberley; this is a 1.14 meter Barramundi (released immediately after photo) caught on the lower Ord River.

The ubiquitous estaurine crocodiles (“Saltwater Crocodile”) necessitate care around the water.

Iconic Kimberley vistas…
If you have watched the movie “Australia” then you may recognise this geologic feature, known as ‘House Roof Hill’ – it is the backdrop to the fictional “Faraway Downs” homestead.
This image was captured very early on another glorious Kimberley morning.

The next image is “False House Roof Hill” – neighboring bluffs along the Ord River.

The April 2014 Lunar Eclipse occurred whilst I was in this area. The following image captures part of this eclipse over a Kimberley range.

Lake Argyle is Australia’s largest artificial lake (by volume). It is part of the Ord River Irrigation Scheme and is a sight to behold. Unfortunately these “roadside” images are all I managed to capture of this vast and beautiful feature – I must return and spend time above and on the lake!

An alternate view of the Ord River Dam – construction was completed in 1971.

Grass in seed along the dam wall – beautiful April conditions.

Posting #5 of my road trip from Fremantle to Kununurra, Western Australia.

Posted on July 9, 2014 by Andrew McInnes Photography

All images in this post are from a very brief (overnight) stop in Broome and its immediate surrounds. A town full of history, gorgeous scenery, and the fabled Cable Beach.

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A glorious storm building over Cable Beach, Broome – Western Australia. In addition to the much needed rainfall, this storm did wonders ameliorating the hot conditions on that day. © 2014 Andrew McInnes

Sun Pictures (Sun Picture Gardens) is reportedly the world’s oldest picture garden still in operation.

Another glorious dusk as I departed Broome.

Posting #4 of my road trip from Fremantle to Kununurra, Western Australia.

Posted on July 8, 2014 by Andrew McInnes Photography

During my recent >9,000 km road trip highway vistas like this one routinely had me in awe of the scenic beauty of this wonderful land.

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Oh, how I enjoy the tranquillity of a sleepy river and the Australian bush. This is the De Grey River and rail bridge just off the Great Northern Highway near Port Headland, Western Australia. I didn’t camp here but I did enjoy the respite as I stretched my legs during the long drive.

Travelling is full of surprises…

The ubiquitous road train: some transport livestock, some transport supplies, and for others, like this one, it is iron ore.

Thanks for swinging by and I hope you enjoyed these photo’s of my travels.

Posting #2 of my road trip from Fremantle to Kununurra, Western Australia.

Posted on July 5, 2014 by Andrew McInnes Photography

I hope you enjoy these images of a portion of my recent travel up the Western Australia coast.

More images to follow in upcoming photo-blogs.

Posting #1 of my road trip from Fremantle to Kununurra, Western Australia.

Posted on July 2, 2014 by Andrew McInnes Photography

I recently embarked on what turned out to be a quite a drive with the purpose of visiting an old mate from my teenage years whom I have not seen for more than 20 years! My old vehicle (1984 Toyota Hilux diesel) logged 9,193 km (5,712 miles) doing my return trip from Fremantle – Kununurra – Fremantle, Western Australia.

With an esky full of water and assorted sandwich-construction material, plus spare diesel, oil, etc., I essentially drove until it was time to find a bush-camp for the night. I’d awake early and continue northward, repeating as required until I arrived at Kununurra.

Subsequent blog postings will present more images from the trip to the north of this bloody big state.
Theses images document my travels up and back – I hope you will find them appealing.

It isn’t long until these emblematic signs present themselves, with varying fauna presented.

Having previously visited and photographed The Pinnacles (click here to view these) at Nambung National Park, near Cervantes, I chose to revisit and shoot more images from this amazing ‘moonscape’ before moving on and finding a place to camp for the night.

This leaning tree is but one of many around the Greenough area. These River Gum/eucalyptus trees (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) have horizontal trunks due to exposure to strong and near-continuous southerly winds.

Should you find yourself anywhere near Geraldton or Walkaway, I thoroughly recommend a visit to Ellendale Pool, be it for a day trip or a place to camp – as I did for an evening.

Lovely spot to set up a caravan!

The ubiquitous and raucous Little Corella

Hope you enjoyed the early portion of my trip, if vicariously 🙂

More images from the trip to follow soon.

Cheers,

Andrew

Some “snapshots” from around Fremantle, Western Australia; January-February, 2014

Posted on March 5, 2014 by Andrew McInnes Photography

Here is an eclectic assortment of images from near my home in Fremantle, Western Australia for the months of January and February, 2014. Being a coastal and historical port town, there is much variety and options for activities and scenery.

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Crepuscular rays (God-beams) as we enjoy our morning breakfast on our Mediterranean style courtyard at home.
© 2014 Andrew McInnes. All Rights Reserved.

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Who says that dogs don’t “smile”?
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© 2014 Andrew McInnes. All Rights Reserved.

Green and gold – Australia’s National Colours.
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© 2014 Andrew McInnes. All Rights Reserved.

Santa revisiting to kiss mum under the mistletoe?
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© 2014 Andrew McInnes. All Rights Reserved.

Recycling – just a little fun image taken at home this lovely summer morn’ as my bride enjoyed hot mint-tea with honey.
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© 2014 Andrew McInnes. All Rights Reserved.

Floral delicacy and delightfully aromatic – Frangipani.
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© 2014 Andrew McInnes. All Rights Reserved.

Airborne – higher than the moon?
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© 2014 Andrew McInnes. All Rights Reserved.

Airborne times two.
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© 2014 Andrew McInnes. All Rights Reserved.

An adult White-cheeked Honeyeater feeding two fledglings early on a glorious summer day.
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© 2014 Andrew McInnes. All Rights Reserved.

After hanging inverted to forage in this eucalyptus tree, a Little Corella takes flight flashing its pale yellow underwings, blue-grey eye ring, and muted pink above the beak.
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© 2014 Andrew McInnes. All Rights Reserved.

Paella cooking at the Bather’s Beach food market; lots of families enjoying communing, a nice breeze, and sun on our faces – life is good.
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© 2014 Andrew McInnes. All Rights Reserved.

Unexpected.
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© 2014 Andrew McInnes. All Rights Reserved.

Odd…
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© 2014 Andrew McInnes. All Rights Reserved.

Some assorted structures/architecture/patterns…

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A residence on South Terrace.
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© 2014 Andrew McInnes. All Rights Reserved.

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St. Patricks – Fremantle 2AM-003068
© 2014 Andrew McInnes. All Rights Reserved.

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© 2014 Andrew McInnes. All Rights Reserved.

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Western Australia Maritime Museum 2AM-002536
© 2014 Andrew McInnes. All Rights Reserved.

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Another stairway.
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© 2014 Andrew McInnes. All Rights Reserved.

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A third stairway.
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© 2014 Andrew McInnes. All Rights Reserved.

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This port town, like all port towns, abounds with maritime history; the “Western Australia Museum – Shipwreck Galleries” displays some of this. rugged history.
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© 2014 Andrew McInnes. All Rights Reserved.

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More external views of the Western Australia Museum – Shipwreck Galleries.
© 2014 Andrew McInnes. All Rights Reserved.

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North Quay and Inner Harbour, Fremantle during the “blue hour.” I reckon the cranes look rather Jurassic.
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© Andrew McInnes. All Rights Reserved.

I hope you enjoyed this brief sojourn around where I live. More posts of Fremantle will follow over time.
Thanks for viewing 🙂

Two views of Perth, Western Australia – January 2014

Posted on March 4, 2014 by Andrew McInnes Photography

A bit of a delay in getting these two images up

Two views of the Perth skyline across the Swan River. I hope you enjoy them.

Street light illuminating Perth 😉
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Copyright 2014 Andrew McInnes. All Rights Reserved.

Park bench with a view to commence some pondering 🙂
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Copyright 2014 Andrew McInnes. All Rights Reserved.

That is it for now. Cheers.

Bush fire at Banjup, Western Australia – February 2014.

Posted on February 11, 2014 by Andrew McInnes Photography

More horrific bushfires around the Perth/Fremantle area recently (Banjup to be more precise). I was on my way to shoot a winery when I observed the early smoke of what became a raging fire. I spent a while photographing the fire – the pilots of the helicopter and plane water-dumpers/water-bombers appear fantastically skilled, and also very courageous; thankfully, damage to human and home was minimal.

A bushfire rages at Banjup, Western Australia.

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Police road block as a bushfire rages at Banjup, Western Australia.

Thanks for swinging by and looking at my images. See you next time I post 🙂

Hotham Ridge Organic Winery – Wandering, Western Australia

Posted on February 6, 2014 by Andrew McInnes Photography

I recently had the pleasure of 36 hours at the lovely Hotham Ridge Winery at Wandering, Western Australia as I conducted a photo-shoot for the owners. At only a little beyond 1.5 hours from downtown Perth, this organic/biodynamic winery is a wonderful and proximal location to spend time relaxing with fine wine, delicious food, and gorgeous rammed-earth cottages that are refreshingly clean and quiet. The bistro utilizes a wood-fired oven to produce meals, from which I enjoyed what may well be the most delicious pizza I can recall – the “Classico.”

The following images are all taken at the winery – I hope you enjoy them, and if you are planning a visit to the Perth area I suggest you may want to consider spending time at Hotham Ridge Winery, even if only for a bite to eat and a sampling of their award winning wines.

Overlooking the Chardonnay, with a beautiful crop for this vintage.

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Looking back at the cottages, homestead, bistro, and winery.

The Dutch influenced homestead, and the two cottages – “Billie” and “Nina” – as seen from the bistro.

Here is “Billie’s” porch.

These old oak barrels, settled among a garden of ponds, flowing water, and birds-a-plenty, greet visitors on pathway to the cellar door and bistro.

The Magpie tapestry – illustrating the basis of the Hotham Ridge label.

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The vintner’s vintages.

Vines, very soon to be relieved of their sweet bounty.

A red bicycle appearance among the vines.

This red bicycle makes an appearance in several of these images as the owners of the winery wanted the bicycle included in some of the scenes – I like it.
Copyright © Andrew McInnes. All rights reserved.

As this is an organic winery (certified), there is no herbicide or pesticide usage thus these young vines are competing with the remnants of the spring’s grass.
Copyright © Andrew McInnes. All rights reserved.