I had company today!

I ran a macro workshop today, and guess what - I had a K10D user there! Second time in a row that I've had a Pentax user along, which is a really nice change from the tide of Nikon and Canon.

This particular gentleman came down from Norfolk, and he's been lurking here for a while, so hopefully he might post in the future. Hello Malcolm!

I really should be on commission from Pentax, the amount of promotion I give them. Malcolm gave me a helping hand today!

Anyway, here's a pic I took - an 'Earthball' (type of fungi) amongst Star Moss, spotted by Malcolm. Should really have popped a polariser on, but I don't like to take too long doing my own thing on a day like today.



K10D, Sigma 105mm, 2s @ f/9.5, ISO100.

Dan

Dan
That 105 is looking a bit worn out perhaps you could send it too me to use
Seriously though, Nice shot.
I would love to come to one of your classes but 10,000 miles is wee bit far im afraid

Well you're welcome any time you're this way.

Or I'll let you know if I'm ever back in Oz. We did Sydney, Blue Mountains, east coast, Magnetic Island, Cairns and Alice Springs about 12 years ago - loved it. That's what prompted me to get an SLR (not until I got back home though), we stayed at some lodges near Blackheath, up by 'Evans Lookout', and the views and wildlife were just stunning.

I really liked the little 'volcanoes' the ants made at the entrance to their tunnels, should have guessed then I'd end up on my knees in front of bugs half the time.

Saw a Lyre bird and a Copperhead nearby too, the wife nearly put her hand on the snake when she stumbled.

Dan

I have spent many nights camping out in the Gross Valley at Blackheath. You get a wonderful view from the top of Govetts leap and Evans Lookout. Did you walk down those stairs into the valley, you should try it with a 30kilo pack on your back
Yeah those snakes can be a problem, i always sleep in a hammock not on the ground

We stayed here http://www.jembyrinjahlodge.com.au/index.html , don't think they'd been open too long as it was all new, and they didn't have a restaurant then. Fed Rainbow Lorikeets on the balcony, listened to the Currawong (sound really odd, like robot noises or something ), huddled in the corner while the big spider ran about on the fly screen.

We did a walk into the valley (Grand Canyon?) from Evans Lookout, to the south of it and back along onto the evans lookout road. That was down steps (where we saw the Lyre Bird) and then up some others (where we saw the Copperhead). Also did a circular walk to the north of the lodges, to the waterfall you can see to the left from Evans Lookout (bridal veil I think, although that seems to be the name of all the ones like it, or is that Govetts Leap? Know the name but can't place it).

Got some really nice memories from there, would be nice to go back sometime.

Dan

If you do came back you have to get out to the red centre it is such a vast and empty place but plenty to photograph you wont be disapointed.
I love they way the locals out there give you directions. You follow this road for about 200kms and take the first on your left and follow that road for another 200kms and take the first right you cant miss it



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Yeah Bridal Veil falls and horseshoe falls. I stood under Bridal Veil falls the water was freezing Did you see any Black Cockatoos, What a beautiful bird and huge.

If you look at Uluru, 32nd little ridge from the left, that's where I proposed!

Here's a view of the trip back down! See the tiny coaches.




This was taken some time after, not the best light, and the compact we had didn't cope too well with the sunset the night before.




And here's a view from Govetts Leap, having looked through the snaps, I discovered I was right, it's Govetts Leap brook(?) that turns into the amazing waterfall.




We spent two months over there, flew into Alice Springs, then out to Sydney, stayed in Penrith for a week to go to a friends wedding, then into the mountains for about a week, then coached it up the coast stopping off in a few places, then 10 days on Magnetic Island, then up to Cairns and Kuranda, then flew back to Alice and spent about a week there, including the trip out to King's Canyon, Uluru and the Olgas. Unfortunately neither of us could drive at the time, but we still got about. Saw the Todd River flowing twice, so we're nearly native!

Yes, saw Black Cockatoos at Townsville. Sulphur Crested at a few different places too. Galahs all over the place, especially around Alice. Bearded Water Dragons looked impressive, as did the spiders.

Dan

Mate you have seen more than me i should be asking you for directions.
Your not allowed to climb the rock anymore the aboriginal land owners have closed it due to high insurance premiums and religious beliefs.

Yeah, I'd heard that. Fair do's, it's certainly a dodgy climb and it is a sacred monument to them, can understand why they don't want people climbing all over it.

The wife had done it before, about 5 years previously, and when we got there she said she wasn't fussed about going up again, but seeing as I'd been planning on proposing up there for a few months, I wasn't going to let her get out of it!

There was a German guy there that day who went up on crutches because he only had one leg. He was quicker than either of us.

Dan

The picture of Govetts leap, Just behind the second ridge on the right is where i would camp (about a 5hr hike) there is a trail that leads up from the valley floor to the top of the ridge great veiws and wild life. Including wild horses (brumbies).

The wife's been to Adelaide, Melbourne, Canberra, Tasmania and, I think, Darwin too, but you wouldn't want to ask her for directions, you'd end up in Perth!

Actually, I'd like to do the train trip from Perth to Adelaide(?), although it might just be a couple of days of seeing nothing but red.

Dan

Man that would have been a feat on one leg its very steep for the first third of the climb. I got a bad case of bursting bladder and got back down in record time
But what a place to propose very romantic.

I have done the train trip and you are right it can get boring, there is nothing out there. Just make sure you have plenty of beer and a deck of cards with you.

Nice chatting Dan but its 1am here and time to hit the sack. Night all