Flying In

Pigeons helping themselves with the seed we put out

Nikon D300, Nikkor 70-200mm f2.8 @ ISO 800, 200mm f5.6, 1/1000 sec

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Friends soon join in . . .

Nikon D300, Nikkor 70-200mm f2.8 @ ISO 400, 200mm f2.8, 1/640 sec

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Nikon D300, Nikkor 70-200mm f2.8 @ ISO 800, 200mm f5.6, 1/800 sec

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Nikon D300, Nikkor 70-200mm f2.8 @ ISO 200, 200mm f2.8, 1/125 sec

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Nikon D300, Nikkor 70-200mm f2.8 @ ISO 800, 200mm f5.6, 1/640 sec

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Under the watchful eye of Hermione

Nikon D300, Nikkor 70-200mm f2.8 @ ISO 800, 200mm f8, 1/800 sec

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Bountiful Garden

There is a fig tree in our front / side yard that we heavily pruned last winter that is just busting with fruit. We have been picking them every couple of days and my Mum even made a batch of fig jam. Here is some of the fruit.

Nikon D300, Nikkor 105mm Macro f2.8 @ ISO 200, 105mm f3.2, 1/40 sec

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The next batch growing daily.

Nikon D300, Nikkor 105mm Macro f2.8 @ ISO 200, 105mm f8, 1/13 sec

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There is even enough to share with this native Silvereye Passerine. . .

Nikon D300, Nikkor 70-200mm f2.8 @ ISO 200, 200mm f2.8, 1/320 sec

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Funny the birds are getting maybe only 5% of the fruit. A fair tax to have them around.

Nikon D300, Nikkor 70-200mm f2.8 @ ISO 200, 200mm f2.8, 1/400 sec

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The few I picked this morning while taking pictures.

Nikon D300, Nikkor 105mm Macro f2.8 @ ISO 200, 105mm f3, 1/1600 sec

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A still life study of figs on the kitchen window shelf.

Nikon D300, Nikkor 105mm Macro f2.8 @ ISO 200, 105mm f8, 1/40 sec

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The last of the home grown tomatoes from the garden.

Nikon D300, Nikkor 105mm Macro f2.8 @ ISO 200, 105mm f5.6, 1/250 sec

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Project Maccullochella Phase II

Now having had a 20 Hp Honda outboard fitted it was time to finish the decks and have the boat seaworthiness checked by a qualified and keen eyed Marine Surveyor. Well he said he was? He said that thing that looks like a white cane is actually a marine measuring apparatus?

Nikon D300, Tokina 11-16 f2.8 @ ISO 200, 11mm f2.8, 1/250 sec

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Front storage, anchor, rope, safety gear, rego OK

Nikon D300, Tokina 11-16 f2.8 @ ISO 200, 11mm f2.8, 1/30 sec

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Testing the structural integrity of the mods.

Nikon D300, Tokina 11-16 f2.8 @ ISO 200, 11mm f2.8, 1/30 sec

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12V outlet for LED spotlight, Fire extinguisher, bilge pump, marine battery, fuel tank and esky space . . check!

Nikon D300, Tokina 11-16 f2.8 @ ISO 200, 11mm f2.8, 1/50 sec

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Rear seat comfort check . . OK

Nikon D300, Tokina 11-16 f2.8 @ ISO 200, 11mm f2.8, 1/60 sec

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She's good to go mate, that'll be $100 thanks :-)

Nikon D300, Tokina 11-16 f2.8 @ ISO 200, 11mm f2.8, 1/50 sec

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Project Maccullochella Phase I

The beast of Project Maccullochella that will develop a basic 3.75 metre tinny into a great fishing platform has entered phase I. I have constructed tow floors designs from structural ply, primed them with Bondcrete and have glued down and fastened marine carpet to the mid section. I will carpet the more fiddley bow platform next. It has a hinged door large enough to access my biggest tackle box and anything else down there while maintaining structural strength.

Progress so far . . .

Phase II is finish the floors and cushion the rear seat.

Bendigo Pottery

I went to the Bendigo Olive Fiesta today held in the grounds of Australia's oldest working pottery factory, for over 150 years Bendigo Pottery has been famous for creating high quality ceramics for both domestic and commercial use. A company letterhead from 1895 reads, “Manufacturers of Bristol, Stone, Cane, Rockingham, White, Majolica, Terra-Cotta, and Fancy Wares also Drain Pipes 3 to 24 inches Diameter.” Around 1915 a style of tableware was developed from local red brown clays known as Langley ware that became quite famous. Copies of Bendigo Langley ware known for its durable leadless glaze, were made by most major Australian potteries in the 1920's and 30's. In the 40's and 50's as cheaper imports and plastics entered the market the pottery developed the production of fundamentally decorative items or 'art pottery' known as Waverley ware. A revival in the 1970's of the pottery craft saw Bendigo Pottery produce the Epsomware range of household ceramics. Bendigo Pottery is now a National Trust property, and operates a tourist museum and ceramics school while still is producing pottery.

Nikon D300, Nikkor 50mm f1.4D @ ISO 200, 50mm f1.4, 1/60 sec

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Nikon D300, Nikkor 50mm f1.4D @ ISO 200, 50mm f1.4, 1/8000 sec

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Nikon D300, Nikkor 50mm f1.4D @ ISO 200, 50mm f1.4, 1/200 sec

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Nikon D300, Nikkor 50mm f1.4D @ ISO 200, 50mm f1.4, 1/8000 sec

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Nikon D300, Nikkor 70-200mm f2.8 @ ISO 200, 200mm f2.8, 1/1600 sec

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Nikon D300, Nikkor 70-200mm f2.8 @ ISO 200, 70mm f2.8, 1/20 sec

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Nikon D300, Nikkor 50mm f1.4D @ ISO 200, 50mm f1.4, 1/50 sec

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Nikon D300, Nikkor 50mm f1.4D @ ISO 200, 50mm f1.4, 1/25 sec

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Nikon D300, Nikkor 50mm f1.4D @ ISO 200, 50mm f1.4, 1/200 sec

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Nikon D300, Nikkor 50mm f1.4D @ ISO 200, 50mm f1.4, 1/50 sec

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Nikon D300, Nikkor 50mm f1.4D @ ISO 200, 50mm f1.4, 1/125 sec

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Nikon D300, Nikkor 50mm f1.4D @ ISO 200, 50mm f1.4, 1/60 sec

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Nikon D300, Nikkor 50mm f1.4D @ ISO 200, 50mm f1.4, 1/60 sec

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Nikon D300, Nikkor 50mm f1.4D @ ISO 200, 50mm f1.4, 1/200 sec

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Nikon D300, Nikkor 50mm f1.4D @ ISO 200, 50mm f1.4, 1/100 sec

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