Tuesday January 26th 2010

Australia Day, 26 January, is the anniversary of the arrival of the First Fleet of 11 convict ships from Great Britain, and the raising of the Union Jack at Sydney Cove by its commander Captain Arthur Phillip, in 1788. The tradition of having Australia Day as a national holiday on 26 January is a recent one. It was not until 1935 that all the Australian states and territories used the term Australia Day on this date. On Australia Day we celebrate what's great about Australia and being an Australian. It's the day to reflect on what we have achieved and what we can be proud of and to recommit to making Australia an even better place for the future. The logo represents ‘togetherness’ while respecting the diversity and distinctive nature of Australia’s people and landscape. The bold coloured ribbons convey dynamism of pride, spirit and celebration.

Nikon D300, Nikkor 70-200mm f2.8 @ ISO 200, 200mm f2.8, 1/5000 sec

Click on photo for larger image view

Blast From The Past

Some images I have taken some time ago.

Nikon D300, Nikkor 18-200mm f3.5-f5.6 @ ISO 200, 170mm f5.6, 1/125 sec

Click on photo for larger image view

Nikon D300, Nikkor 18-200mm f3.5-f5.6 @ ISO 200, 40mm f5, 1/100 sec

Click on photo for larger image view

Nikon D300, Nikkor 18-200mm f3.5-f5.6 @ ISO 200, 18mm f9, 1/320 sec

Click on photo for larger image view

Nikon D300, Tokina 11-16 f2.8 @ ISO 200, 11mm f22, HDR

Click on photo for larger image view

Nikon D300, Nikkor 105mm Macro f2.8 @ ISO 200, 105mm f3.5, 1/60 sec

Click on photo for larger image view

Morning Sun and Webs

After visiting Watsons Bay, an eastern harbour side suburb of Sydney, at dawn this morning I failed to be inspired to photograph much that would not be a well worn image cliché. It was a beautiful morning and it's a lovely place but only a few hours later the whole area changes and is jam packed with tourists and locals alike. This is where you will find The Gap, HMAS Watson and stunning views from the national park reserves and beaches. Get your fish n chips from Doyles, sip on your Sauvignon Blanc and enjoy the ambience. If you can get a parking space. Anyway I took these pictures at home in the back yard.

Nikon D300, Nikkor 105mm f2.8 @ ISO 200, f3.5, 1/320 sec

Nikon D300, Nikkor 105mm f2.8 @ ISO 200, f3.5, 1/125 sec

Updating Flickr, Redbubble and Walking Hermione

Today I reviewed, rationalised and updated my portfolio of images on Redbubble.com

and did the same and synchronised the images on Flickr

You can get to both these sites from the Banner Badges on the top right hand side of the blog. Of course this was after walking Hermione at Hawthorne Canal Reserve.

Nikon D300, Nikkor 35mm f2 @ ISO 200, f2, 1/250sec

Nikon D300, Nikkor 35mm f2 @ ISO 200, f5.6, 1/200sec

Nikon D300, Nikkor 35mm f2 @ ISO 200, f2, 1/640sec

Green Mango Chutney

We have a large Mango tree just outside the back door in the yard. this tree is frequented by large fruit bats this time of year and they eat the fruit or worse just chew on the mango's a little and drop them off the tree into the yard. Much to Hermione's consternation, and she often gets up and goes into the yard an 2am to bark at them and try to chase them away. Much to my consternation. Anyway this year we thought we would harvest them green, since they never make it to picking ripeness anyway, and make Green Mango Chutney. Green Mango Chutney is great as a condiment with a good Indian curry, just with popadoms or on a cold lamb and cheese sandwich. Mmmm I feel a cold beer and a hot curry coming on? Andrea made a batch, that recipe is below and then I had a crack with the next batch of diced mango see end of this post.

Andreas Green Mango chutney

Ingredients

4 tablespoons of Malt Vinegar

6 Cloves

6 Peppercorns

1 Tablespoon of Cumin Seeds

1/2 Table spoon of onion seeds (also named Nigella Seed or Klonji)

Salt to taste

175g Sugar

450g Green Mango (Peeled and cubed)

1 5x2cm piece of fresh ginger finely sliced

2 cloves of garlic

Peel from 1 orange (sliced thin)

Chuck it all in a pot, bring to the boil, simmer on low heat till all ingredients are soft. 2 hours?

Let cool, then spoon into sterilised jars and wait at least a week before trying (yeah right!)

Nikon D300, Nikkor 35mm f2 @ ISO 200, f2.0, 1/30sec

Nikon D300, Nikkor 35mm f2 @ ISO 200, f2.0, 1/15sec

Nikon D300, Nikkor 35mm f2 @ ISO 200, f2.0, 1/40sec

Nikon D300, Nikkor 35mm f2 @ ISO 200, f2.0, 1/13sec

Nikon D300, Nikkor 70-200mm f2.8 @ ISO 800, 78mm f2.8, 1/25 sec

Waynes Green Mango Chutney

Ingredients

8 tablespoons of Malt Vinegar

6 Peppercorns

1 Tablespoon of Cumin Seeds

1 Table spoon of onion seeds (also named Nigella Seed or Klonji)

Salt to taste

200g Palm Sugar

400g Green Mango (Peeled and cubed)

2 x brown onions diced

1 tablespoon ginger powder

Peel from 1/2 orange (sliced thin)

250 g Raisins diced

1 tablespoon Mustard Seeds

Tablespoon dried chopped chillies (mild)

Chuck it all in a pot, bring to the boil, simmer on low heat till all ingredients are soft. 2 hours?

Let cool, then spoon into sterilised jars and wait at least a week before trying (yeah right!)

33rd Wedding Anniversary

The 33rd Wedding Anniversary does not have any traditional materials or Symbols associated with it. Whew! No gifts required. But a Contemporary or Modern 33rd anniversary gift has a theme of Amethyst. Hmm... lets keep even that quite .. .

Nikon D300, Nikkor 35mm f2 @ ISO 200, f2, 1/160sec (SB900, SB600 and pop up Flashes)

Nikon D300, Nikkor 35mm f2 @ ISO 200, f5.6, 1/160sec (SB900, SB600 and pop up Flashes)

Nikon D300, Nikkor 35mm f2 @ ISO 200, f5.6, 1/160sec (SB900, SB600 and pop up Flashes)

Off camera flash setup below. 1 x Nikkor SB900 1 x Nikkor SB600 and D300 Pop Up Flash for fill in all at 0.00 compensation.

Diagram via Stobox for the iPhone

Nexus One - Close, but no Cigar

While the Nexus One gained a great deal of attention for its announcement analysts seem to be in agreement that they still believe Apple's iPhone has the advantage, thanks mostly to the resounding success of the App Store. Apple announced this week that more than 3 billion apps have been downloaded for the iPhone and iPod touch. Disappointing as competition is needed. On the day of the Nexus One's launch Apple’s CEO Steve Jobs is quoted as saying “The revolutionary App Store offers iPhone and iPod touch users an experience unlike anything else available on other mobile devices, and we see no signs of the competition catching up anytime soon.”

Unfortunately this is no iPhone killer.

Crepe Myrtle

Nikon D300, Nikkor 35mm f2 @ ISO 200, f2, 1/1600sec

Happy New Year 2009

Life is a process of becoming.

A combination of states we have to go through.

Where people fail is that they wish to elect a state and remain in it.

What you are is what you have been.

What you’ll be is what you do now.

Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow - Buddha et al