Bee-have in New England

While on our way to Mount Tamborine Queensland we stopped in a small town called Uralla. This little town is famous for it's connection with a legendary bushranger called Captain Thunderbolt. The grave of Thunderbolt (Fred Ward) is here and Thunderbolt Rock, a large granite boulder just south on the highway, is where he and his gang reputedly hid waiting for passing Cobb & Co. coaches to rob. The town is in hilly country 1,005 metres above sea level on the Northern Tablelands of the New England region of New South Wales about 500 km north-north east of Sydney and about 20 km south of Armidale. While in a park in the town centre I came across these guys.

Busy Bee

Nikon D300, Nikkor 105mm f2.8 @ ISO 200, 105mm f3.3, 1/250 sec

Very Busy Bee

Nikon D300, Nikkor 105mm f2.8 @ ISO 200, 105mm f3.3, 1/1000 sec

"Look Out He's Coming Straight For You" Angry Bee

Nikon D300, Nikkor 105mm f2.8 @ ISO 200, 105mm f3.5, 1/2500 sec

One of the Bees feminine butterfly friends

Nikon D300, Nikkor 105mm f2.8 @ ISO 200, 105mm f3.2, 1/4000 sec

Another one of the Bees feminine butterfly friends

Nikon D300, Nikkor 105mm f2.8 @ ISO 200, 105mm f3.2, 1/3200 sec

How Can I Help?

How can we help we asked?

Nikon D300, Nikkor 70-200mm f2.8 @ ISO 200, 200mm f2.8, 1/100 sec

Is this illustration below of Andrea in the back yard cheerfully hanging out the laundry to dry? When asked if I could possibly help by doing this job, I said "sure!" but the next image made me wonder how long has it been since anyone did this at our house?

(Below) The one lonely peg.

Nikon D300, Nikkor 105mm f2.8 @ ISO 200, f3.0, 1/250 sec
I think I will go fishing instead.

Nikon D300, Nikkor 105mm f2.8 @ ISO 200, f3.0, 1/100 se

Hermione thinks that's a great idea.

Nikon D300, Nikkor 70-200mm f2.8 @ ISO 200, 200mm, f8.0, 1/80 sec

More Christmas Lights

December, don't you love it . . .

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

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

Nikon D300, Nikkor 35mm f2 @ ISO 200, f2.0, 1/3 sec

Walking, Chinese Food and Italian Beer

While walking Hermione sunday night we decided to get Chinese Take Away for dinner. This is one out our locals.

When we got it home Andrea came out of the basement with some cold Peroni's but Hermione didn't want hers, just a drink of water was fine, so I drank hers.

Mmm steamed dim Sims and beer.

Spiced honey chicken, dry fried pork and fried rice and beer.

Beer - Peroni Beer

Gladiola, Lily or something else?

While taking Hermione for a walk and a small diversion to get half a dozen Peroni's we came across this flower (see below). I think its a Galdiola or a lily. Gladiolas are also commonly called Sword Lily, grow quite tall and are easy to grow and like to be in full sun and in well drained soil. Is this one?

Nikon D300, Nikkor 35mm f2 @ ISO 200, f2.0, 1/250 sec

Christmas Lights

Out looking for this years Christmas lights to photograph I grabbed this shot of an almost full moon over a bay near my house.

Nikon D300, Nikkor 35mm f2 @ ISO 800, f2.5, 1/13 sec (Hand Held)

The lights are a little slow coming out this year or I'm a bit early. Anyway here is an abstract view of some Chrissy lights near home.

Nikon D300, Nikkor 35mm f2 @ ISO 800, f2.0, 1/200 sec