Days 5 and 6: Moeraki and Dunedin, New Zealand – December 2015.

Posted on January 15, 2016 by Andrew McInnes Photography

Days 5 and 6 – Moeraki and Dunedin.

Just outside the coastal town of Moeraki there are numerous large concretions, exposed and highly visible, lying along a stretch of Koekohe Beach. I thoroughly recommend reading more about them (here is a Wikipedia link).

Here are a series of images captured during our brief visit.

Moeraki Boulders 2AM-000526. ©Andrew McInnes

Moeraki Boulders 2AM-000500. ©Andrew McInnes

Moeraki Boulders 2AM-000496. ©Andrew McInnes

Moeraki Boulders 2AM-000517. ©Andrew McInnes

Moeraki Boulders 2AM-000533. ©Andrew McInnes

Moeraki Boulders 2AM-000549. ©Andrew McInnes

Moeraki Boulders 2AM-000538. ©Andrew McInnes

After a thoroughly enjoyable dinner washed down with a local amber ale at the Moeraki Tavern, I took these shots of the nearby harbour. We had hoped to also eat at the famed Fleurs Place restaurant another night but, alas, it was closed for a while over the Christmas break.

Fleurs Place – Restaurant 2AM-000598. ©Andrew McInnes

Moeraki Bay 2AM-000599. ©Andrew McInnes

Moeraki Bay 2AM-000593. ©Andrew McInnes

Moeraki Bay 2AM-000595. ©Andrew McInnes

A little further south is the city of Dunedin, where I have family heritage. We had a joyous visit with a cousin and her family, and she accompanied us on a lovely hike to see the Organ Pipes. “The Otago peninsula was formed entirely by volcanic activity and the tall polygonal columns featured on this walk are remnants of this past. As molten lava cooled slowly beneath the hardened crust, it contracted and formed geometrical cracks which propagated downwards as the mass cooled.” (source: NZ Tramper website).

The Organ Pipes 2AM-000567. ©Andrew McInnes

The Organ Pipes 2AM-000576. ©Andrew McInnes

The Organ Pipes 2AM-000577. ©Andrew McInnes

The Organ Pipes 2AM-000578. ©Andrew McInnes

After the organ pipes we wanted to visit the world’s only mainland breeding colony of Royal Albatross so we ventured out to Taiaroa Head on the Otago Peninsula. Unfortunately we did not see any albatross, but there was a rather active colony of gulls. Whilst wandering along an observation path, we heard, then saw, quite an aerial commotion… upon further observation we saw a Black-backed Gull being harassed by several smaller gulls – the larger gull had apparently “kidnapped” a chick and was heading off with it. For those who may be a bit squeamish about natural history, the following two images may concern you.

Black-backed Gull 2AM-004861. ©Andrew McInnes

Black-backed Gull 2AM-004882. ©Andrew McInnes

Looking down the steep cliffs of Taiaroa Head I was entranced by bull kelp (Durvillaea species) as it seemingly twirled and shimmied in a whimsical tango with the ocean.
Rimurapa - Bull Kelp 2AM-004857

Overlooking the spit within Otago Harbour – our lunch spot on our way back to Moeraki.

Harrington Point 2AM-000580. ©Andrew McInnes

Back to Mouraki, we were thrilled and fortunate to observe, up close, a few Yellow-eyed Penguins (Megadyptes antipodes)! These New Zealand endemics (native) are purported to be among the worlds rarest penguin species.

Yellow-eyed Penguin 2AM-004739. ©Andrew McInnes

Yellow-eyed Penguin 2AM-004780. ©Andrew McInnes

Thanks for visiting – I hope you enjoyed these images.
Cheers 🙂

Silly Galah

Posted on October 13, 2014 by Andrew McInnes Photography

A Galah (Eolophus roseicapilla) inverted whilst debarking around a nest-hollow in a gumtree on the riverfront of Perth.

Australian Pelican taking flight.

Posted on August 26, 2014 by Andrew McInnes Photography

An Australian Pelican takes flight near Fremantle, Western Australia.

I created this hexaptych to replay the scene.

Australian Pelican hexaptych #2. Copyright 2014 Andrew McInnes.

Avian assault ;)

Posted on August 25, 2014 by Andrew McInnes Photography

An Australian Raven pesters an Australian Pelican near Fremantle, Western Australia.

I created this hexaptych to replay the scene.

Australian Pelican 2AM 007525-007530 hexaptych

Posting #11 of my road trip from Fremantle to Kununurra, Western Australia.

Posted on July 30, 2014 by Andrew McInnes Photography

Near Wyndham, and still proximal to Kununurra, is a world-renowned birding area known as Marlgu Billabong – part of Parry Lagoons Nature Reserve. Dusk and dawn are the best times to visit and observe the varied avifauna, yet anytime is a good time to be outdoors 🙂

The scenery as you enter Parry Lagoons Nature Reserve…

Arriving at Marlgu Billabong…

A sampling of the abundant bird wildlife:

In addition to the wildlife, flora abounds. These water lilies were stunning at dusk…

Dusk over Marlgu Billabong.

Two quick views over nearby Wyndham, including tidal flats.

That’s it for this post; I hope you enjoyed the images.

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.

Crepuscular-Rays-2AM-005269---EOS-5D-Mark-III

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

Dog-Beach---South-Beach-2AM-002163-EOS-7D

Who says that dogs don’t “smile”?
South Beach-2AM-002163
© 2014 Andrew McInnes. All Rights Reserved.

Green and gold – Australia’s National Colours.
Illyarrie/Red-capped gum 2AM-003304
© 2014 Andrew McInnes. All Rights Reserved.

Santa revisiting to kiss mum under the mistletoe?
Santa 2AM-002528
© 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.
Honey Bee 2AM-004025
© 2014 Andrew McInnes. All Rights Reserved.

Floral delicacy and delightfully aromatic – Frangipani.
Frangipani 2AM-003114
© 2014 Andrew McInnes. All Rights Reserved.

Airborne – higher than the moon?
Kiteboarding 2AM-002816
© 2014 Andrew McInnes. All Rights Reserved.

Airborne times two.
Kiteboarding 2AM-002934
© 2014 Andrew McInnes. All Rights Reserved.

An adult White-cheeked Honeyeater feeding two fledglings early on a glorious summer day.
White-cheeked Honeyeater 2AM-002411
© 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.
Little Corella 2AM-004182
© 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.
Paella 2AM-002205
© 2014 Andrew McInnes. All Rights Reserved.

Unexpected.
Pebbles 2AM-002488
© 2014 Andrew McInnes. All Rights Reserved.

Odd…
Pebbles 2AM-002496
© 2014 Andrew McInnes. All Rights Reserved.

Some assorted structures/architecture/patterns…

South-Terrace-Home-2AM-003049-EOS-5D-Mark-III

A residence on South Terrace.
South Terrace home 2AM-003049
© 2014 Andrew McInnes. All Rights Reserved.

St.-Patricks-Fremantle-2AM-003068-EOS-5D-Mark-III

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

Stairway 2AM-003112
© 2014 Andrew McInnes. All Rights Reserved.

WA-Maritime-Museum-2AM-002536-EOS-5D-Mark-III

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

WA-Maritime-Museum-2AM-003091-EOS-5D-Mark-III

Another stairway.
Western Australia Maritime Museum 2AM-003091
© 2014 Andrew McInnes. All Rights Reserved.

WA-Maritime-Museum-2AM-003100-EOS-5D-Mark-III

A third stairway.
Western Australia Maritime Museum 2AM-003100
© 2014 Andrew McInnes. All Rights Reserved.

WA-Museum---Shipwreck-Galleries-2AM-002253-5D-Mark-III

This port town, like all port towns, abounds with maritime history; the “Western Australia Museum – Shipwreck Galleries” displays some of this. rugged history.
Western Australia Museum – Shipwreck Galleries 2AM-002253
© 2014 Andrew McInnes. All Rights Reserved.

WA-Museum---Shipwreck-Galleries-2AM-002533

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

North-Quay-and-Inner-Harbour-2AM-002549-5D-Mark-III

North Quay and Inner Harbour, Fremantle during the “blue hour.” I reckon the cranes look rather Jurassic.
North Quay and Inner Harbour 2AM-002549
© 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 🙂

A very brief trip to the Texas panhandle – Palo Duro Canyon, Cadillac Ranch, and Wind Turbines.

Posted on March 19, 2013 by Andrew McInnes Photography

The Texas panhandle is a fascinating region and I spend too little time there unfortunately. Recently I fit in a very quick trip to recharge. Here are a few images from that trip.

Prints of my images are available if you click on the Licensing/Purchasing images tab on this blog or click this link: https://2amphotography.wordpress.com/licensingpurchasing-images/

All images Copyright Andrew McInnes/2AM Photography.

Wind Turbine 2AM-114791
Canon 7D with Canon 24-105mm f/4L lens. f5.6 for 1/5 second at ISO 1600.
© Andrew McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.

Cadillac Ranch 2AM-114850
Canon 7D with Canon 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 lens. f22 for 1/2 second at ISO 400.
© Andrew McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.

Hoodoo at Capital Peak - Palo Duro Canyon 2AM-114814_7D_blog

Hoodoo at Capital Peak – Palo Duro Canyon 2AM-114814
Canon 7D with Canon 24-105mm f/4L lens. f11 for 1/800 second at ISO 200.
© Andrew McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.

Capital Peak - Palo Duro Canyon 2AM-114896_7D_blog

Capital Peak – Palo Duro Canyon 2AM-114896
Canon 7D with Canon 24-105mm f/4L lens. f22 for 1/13 second at ISO 100.
© Andrew McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.

Capital Peak - Palo Duro Canyon 2AM-114897_7D_blog

Capital Peak – Palo Duro Canyon 2AM-114897
Canon 7D with Canon 24-105mm f/4L lens. f22 for 1/13 second at ISO 100.
© Andrew McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.

Golden-fronted Woodpecker 2AM-30656_30D_blog

Golden-fronted Woodpecker 2AM-30656
Canon 30D with Canon 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L lens and Tamron 1.4x teleconverter. f5.6 for 1/320 second at ISO 1000.
© Andrew McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.

White-winged Dove 2AM-30604
Canon 30D with Canon 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L lens and Tamron 1.4x teleconverter. f5.6 for 1/160 second at ISO 1000.
© Andrew McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.

The Lighthouse - Palo Duro Canyon 2AM-114886_7D_blog

The Lighthouse – Palo Duro Canyon 2AM-114886
Canon 7D with Canon 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 lens. f22 for 1/250 second at ISO 400.
© Andrew McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.

Hoodoo at Capital Peak - Palo Duro Canyon 2AM-114844_7D_blog

Hoodoo at Capital Peak – Palo Duro Canyon 2AM-114844
A light-painting.
Canon 7D with Canon 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 lens. f8 for 30 seconds at ISO 1600.
© Andrew McInnes/2AM Photography. All rights reserved.

That is the end of this little adventure. Thanks for visiting!

Southern Forests Region – Australia’s South West

Posted on December 15, 2012 by Andrew McInnes Photography

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.

Among the forest under-story these “flowers” really “Popped”.

Color and lushness were pleasant surprises far below the forest canopy.

An early morning bath in renewing rain and nourishing light greet the forest, including a youngish Karri tree.

This walkway allowed for magical, if wobbly views of Beedalup Falls near Pemberton.

Beedelup Falls - Pemberton 2AM-113050_7D

Beedelup Falls - Pemberton 2AM-113039_7D

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 - Walpole Wilderness Area 2AM-112769_7D

An exposed portion of roots from the Giant Tingle Tree – resilience and form.

Tingle Tree - Walpole Wilderness Area 2AM-112772_7D

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 - Walpole Wilderness Area 2AM-112739_7D

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.

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_7D

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.

Dawn and fog caress the Warren River and surrounding forest – near Pemberton.

The coast, an innate yearning for most Australians. A rainy dawn at Nornalup Inlet, near Walpole, where estuary becomes ocean.

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.

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

Posted on December 9, 2012 by Andrew McInnes Photography

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