Central Victoria

I wasn't sure how today was going to turn out it was a bit grey although they did say it was going to be warm. We had a need to go to Weddeburn to visit an elderly friend then an afternoon of snapping photos.

When we arrived at the house it was nice the breeze wasn't too hot as we entered the house and ere greeted by a cute cat who wanted to rub against your legs. A nice cuppa was awaiting us. After a few hours of chatting we headed off the sun had become quite hot, although we didn't feel it in the house as it was old and the ceilings were quite high.

We traveled back home and went through Bendigo past the Central Deborah Gold mine. The sun streamed through the window and i was very thankful that the car had such a great air-con as it was almost 31 degrees.

We had planned to go for a bit of a walk in a few places but it was far too hot, beloved stayed in the car whilst I took a few photos.

Weddeburn Victoria

The countryside is very dry at the moment from lack of rain, as the sun beats down and the cows tried to find refuge under a shady tree.
Weddeburn is a great spot for those who like to get out with their metal detectors and hope to find that piece of gold left behind from the gold rush era.

Eucalyptus distillery Weddeburn

Bendigo Victoria Town Hall

Central Deborah Gold Mine Bendigo

Malmsbury Victoria

Malmsbury Park

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City at night

I had planned to go out with my camera when I saw how hot it was going to be, they predicted a  hot 35 degrees and I wasn't going out in that unless I was going to the beach too cool of, that was something which we hadn't planned to do, so we spent a day home in front of the air con.
I suggested to hubby as the evening became much cooler to head off somewhere. We decided to head off to a place called East Wharf which is situated on the edge of the Yarra River just outside the city of Melbourne.

East Wharf is very close to the city and as the club on the opposite side of the river filled with people, we could hear the sound of music as people danced the night away, the idle rich walked with their partners hand in hand along the river as the sun began to set a little dog ran to us for a pat on the head.

The lights of the city began to come on, the ferris wheel opposite us began to light up as people went for a ride, it was quiet  as a lone boat sailed past us. It was a lovely cool night and great for photos.

A Day at The Zoo

I had all these things planned for the weekend and what did we do none of them we had friends call in Saturday, then Sunday hubby wanted to go up bush with the metal detector to see what he could find, got up Sunday morning and the temp was only 20 but they said it would be about 25 degrees and up bush it is usually 5 -10 degrees hotter. So on the spur of the moment we decided to go to the zoo thinking 25 degrees wouldn't be too hot for us so we gathered our cameras daughter and her friend and off we went.

We arrived at the Melbourne Zoo about 1.30pm, to be greeted by the hot sun streaming down on us as I whipped the sweat from my brow as I handed the money over for admonition.

I wasn't sure which direction to walk first, there were a few paths we could take I was beginning to feel quite hot but was very thankful I had brought a drink with me. My backpack which housed all my camera gear was feeling quite heavy on my back, but no I wasn't going to let that stop me.  I was a little bit lazy and had decided cos it was so hot not to change my lens and make do with the 50-200mm one, although a couple of times I wished I'd changed it, but the majority of photos turned out to be quite good.

For the first time I managed to get the courage up and enter the Butterfly enclosure, I am usually scared of anything which crawls and butterflies were the same, but I had to over come my fear because i was so keen to get some great shots which I did. The enclosure was like I'd stepped into a sauna it was so hot, the butterflies flew above my head and i even had one land on me. Wow I didn't even jump. You have to be so proud of me...

 

Many of the animals were very hard to see, as I watch children calling out to them and running in excitement to see if they cold see anything behind the glass window, the looks on their faces as they jumped up and down in anticipation.  many of the animal's were hidden, trying to stay cool from the sun. The elephants played playfully in the water whist the giraffes near by stood and watched as they stretched their necks over the door.

  

I longed for for the shade of a nice cool tree as it felt like it was about 35 degrees, all the animals we safely hiding in the shade or asleep somewhere. Children everywhere wanted to see them, people on holidays from over seas spoke in broken English trying to say each animals name and not always getting the pronunciation quite correct, which made me giggle.

 

Meerkat

 

These little Meerkats are the cutest things, all they do is sit there looking around at every body.

 

Not sure what type of monkey this is, but it sure did have a strange face.

 

 I'd never seen a bird like this before. Quite unusual

 Australian Budgerigars

Australian Kookaburra

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Shadows & Light

I think I've had withdrawals from not being able to get out with my camera until last weekend.
My priorities around the house and family commitments has stopped me sadly, but you do what you have to do.
A bathroom renovation which is a work in progress, cleaning up so our daughter can have her 18th birthday party here at the end of January Choosing paint etc for bathroom was harder than I thought, The colour combination I wanted wasn't welcomed by hubby or daughter so I had to go with white and cream eww not what I wanted, oh well at least the bathroom will look fresh when finished and new basin and cabinet makes a big difference.

So last weekend was a day I longed for with my camera, I had a few shots which I had to get for my photo group, this time it was leaves and the other being shadow and light. the later wasn't easy as with the weather here it was sunny one minute and cloudy the next with no shadows, but yes I did manage to get a few shots which I think worked really well and I also got great comment when I posted them to the photo group. So yes I was pretty happy.

Shadow on the steps of Saint Paul's Cathedral

Shadows in Botanical Gardens

Shadows on Water Lilly Botanical Garden's

These are just a couple of my photos I chose to use.

It was a strange day weather wise, it didn't know if it wanted to be hot or cold, cloudy or sunny. I always enjoy my days out with hubby no matter where we go.

We started off in the city and had to drive around for a bit until we found a spot, there was one right around the corner from the camera shop that we wanted to go to.it was only for 1 hour and after 1 hour having lunch at pie face and getting back to car, that was an expensive park for us, because we just got over the hour and there pinned to our windshield was as $75 fine... grrrrrrrrr is all I can say., But me being me what's happened has happened and I wasn't going to let it dampen my day.

 The Block Arcade

This arcade is my most favorite arcade with it's old charm and beautiful tearooms and cakes,  it's old world charm of olden days long gone

 

Beautiful eccentric shops with it's beautiful attire 

 

 Yummy cakes for all to eat at Hopetoun tea rooms

 

Lamps light up the front of a narrow laneway in Bourke Street which hold a quaint little restaurant

The beauty of the old Melbourne GPO (General Post Office)

Manchester Unity Building

 I had to share these pictures of such a beautiful building,
Manchester Unity Building in Swanston Street Melbourne.

Built in 1932, the Manchester Unity Building houses twelve stories of offices, residential units, and retail spaces. The building is clad in glazed terracotta faience and crowned with turreted gothic style tower.

The arcade includes Melbourne's first escalator an elaborate mosaic floor, black marble, and polished brass and copper plated elevator doors. It's also home to Switchboard and Mediterranean cafes.The escalator  drew many people who wanted to ride up and down on it being the only one in Melbourne back in it's time.

  Must say when in town I cannot resist a walk to Hosier Lane to see the ever changing graffiti. Even managed to capture a young boy hard at work and was hoping he didn't fall from that height.

After returning to the car and having a nice bite for lunch, we headed of to the gardens for a lovely walk. The sun had finally come out to greet us and I was happy about that, as it always makes for better photos. I was beginning to feel a tad warm with the sun shinning down upon us. We sat by the lake under the shade of a beautiful old tree as hubby stretched out and had a nice relax I got the camera out to take a few shots.

Botanical Gardens Lilly Pond

 I must admit I don't know what this cottage is, or if it is just the caretakers of the gardens office

 People relaxing and enjoying the sunshine

A pretty pink Lilly on the Lilly Pond

Reflections on Lilly Pond

When you sit in gardens it is so easy to forget that you are only 5 mins from the middle of the city of Melbourne, it is so peaceful and all you can hear is the beautiful sounds of the birds.It is just the most perfect place for me to take photos and I was really eager not to sit for too long, so I left hubby relaxing by the Lilly pond, whilst I took a walk with my camera. It was just the most perfect place to get my shadow and light images for my photo group.

I never realised how beautiful things around me where until I started photography some 4 1/2 years ago. I love what I do and capturing things which will last for a life time.It has taken me to so many beautiful places, that I would never have seen sitting at home. It has given my beloved and I loads of quality time together and some beautiful memories. Sometimes we go to places where he can take his metal detector and as he tries to find that hidden gold nugget I wander off with my camera.

All my photos are FOR SALE, if you are interested in any please contact me via my Facebook Page. You can find the link on the right side of this page.  

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