33/2016 - Welcome to Canberra

 

While I may have failed at taking lots of photos in Sydney, I feel like I kinda made up for it in Canberra. It might be a small city and whatnot but my friend Bek certainly manages to prove to me each time I visit that that doesn't mean it is boring! From delicious food to amazing scenic hikes to a day of science, we certainly made the best of my short time there. To begin, a leisurely stroll around Lake Burley Griffin at sunset - definitely exactly what I needed a after a four and a half hour train ride! I've gotta say - Canberra does good sunsets!

 

29/2016 - Pretty Flowers and Sweeping Skylines

 

 

The other day I may have been distracted by the hordes of mobile Pokemon junkies, but I did actually get those flower and skyline photos that drew me to Kings Park in the first place. It may have changed a little over the last few years but I always love this view of our little city...

28/2016 - Gotta Catch 'Em All!

I've been pretty slack on the old exercise front lately, so in an effort to increase my step count for the day yesterday I went for a wander up to Kings Park on my lunch break. I was thinking I could catch some photos of some flowers... maybe some nice skylines...

...and ok - I had heard that there were a bunch of Pokemon to catch up there. Turns out lots of people had heard the same thing! I know that the whole Pokemon Go thing causes mixed reactions with people (Mamma hates it and takes every opportunity she can find to tell me that its stupid), but as a highly geeky person who is maaaaaybe a tad compulsive about collecting things I kinda love it. Not in a crazy trespassing/playing while driving/roaming the streets in the middle of the night kinda way, more in a nostalgic kinda way. And hey - all those people looking at their phones made me feel less nerdy about getting up close and personal with a bunch of flowers and real life critters!

24/2016 - A Bunch of Fun Guys

 

 

Get it? Fun guys... fungi's? Ugh... I'm  the worst. :) but I do enjoy a good mushroom, both with breakfast and photographically out in the bush.

 

 

23/2016 - Spooky?

 

While it sounds a tad spooky, the Ghost House Walk Trail in Yanchep National Park is actually a nice easy 9.2 km hike through very pretty, very green bush. The 'Ghost House' itself is more like a "Ghost Doorway' - not much house left to speak of. I tried to find out if there was some kind of backstory to it, but alas none was to be found. Although I suppose that might be a good thing - I am a big scaredy cat when it comes to the subject of ghosts... 

 

22/2016 - Creepy Crawlies and Cool Reflections

 

 

I don't know what it is about bugs and worms and spiders (oh my!) - they creep me right out and yet if I spot them when my camera is in my hand... I just can't help myself I have to snap them in all their gross glory. This writhing little bundle of caterpillars (google informs me that a group of caterpillars is called an Army but that doesn't seem to fit right to me) were huddled together for warmth on a bench - I was VERY glad I spotted them and didn't sit on them!

When I think of Yanchep I always picture beaches, but going for a hike in the Yanchep National Park a couple of weekends ago definitely showed me that there's a lot more on offer there! 

 

 

21/2016 - She's Aliiiiiive!

 

 

 

 

Well... I suppose if you read Mamma's blog then you'd already know that (I pop up there from time to time). With excessively busy work times and my immune system appearing to have decided to welcome every bug going round with open arms this year I've been seriously lacking in motivation lately. But I've decided it's time to pick the camera back up! I've missed it... And what better way to start with than my favourite thing - tiny plants with even tinier dew drops on them! A Sunday hike on the Eagle View Walk Trail in John Forrest National Park provided waterfalls, pretty flowers and stunning views out over the city - what more could one ask for? 

 

20/2016 - Teensy Bugs and Big Buildings

Despite Mum's initial apprehension, Elizabeth Quay has become a bit of a favourite for me on my lunchtime walks. I think (at least at this stage before all the skyscrapers go in) that its very pretty down there...

 

17/2016 - Sculptures by the Sea - Manscape, Der Traktor and Sea Sponges

 

As a person who enjoys textures, Manscape by WA artist Tony Davis is a favourite. I was pretty pleased to catch a shot without any children clambering around inside of this one (although that does also add a certain charm!)

You just know that the beautiful bright colours of Austrian artist Markus Hoder's Der Traktor would draw me like a magnet! Apparently this piece is in response to the WA mining industry, although I'm not quite sure what it's trying to say?

I couldn't resist taking a quick snap of this little munchkin as she gazed up at Karen Macher Nesta's Seas Sponges. The next moment she started throwing sand at them... I guess thats what she thought of that!'

16/2016 - Scupltures by the Sea - Dust and The Book Cave

Spotted through the trees from above you don't quite get a proper sense of the size of 'Dust' by WA Artist Norton Flavel. Known for his over-sized sculptures (who could forget the giant goon bag a couple of years back??), this years piece looks a whole lot more impressive close up. As with his piece 'Lucky Country' from last year I was impressed with the size of the main body of the piece being held up by a relatively slim base. Very clever.

 

 

Those of you who follow Mum's blog have already seen this piece. Interesting enough to coax her down to the sand despite her sore knee and strict physio instructions, the Book Cave by Juliet Lea (another WA artist!) was made up of a variety of great (and not so great) titles - although I suspect I've read less of them than Mum has. I loved the snap below with a little face poking out of the cave. There were a few interactive pieces this year which is always fun, especially for the kids (or the young at heart!).