Happy 7th Birthday Hermione

Hermione is an English Staffordshire Bull Terrier. The Staffordshire Bull Terrier breed is stocky and very muscular, this breed is noted for the characteristics of intelligence, fearlessness and loyalty. This coupled with its affection for its friends, being protective of them and its territory, quietness and trustworthy stability, make it a great companion dog. Staffordshire Bull Terriers are friendly, enthusiastic and extremely affectionate towards humans and they express their affection through jumping up, nuzzling, licking and pawing.

Hermion's name comes from Greek mythology, Hermione was the only child of Helen to Troy. During the Trojan War Helens husband, Menelaus promised Hermione to Neoptolemus, the son of Achilles as a reward if he sacked Troy.

Hermione 7 years on the 22nd March 2013

Hermione at 10 weeks old

10 Weeks old

2 years old

 4 Years an adult

In The Kitchen

What's in the kitchen, some random images.

Nikon D300, Nikkor 50mm f1.4D @ ISO 200, 50mm f1.4, 1/30 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 f5.6, 1/4 sec

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 Nikon D300, Nikkor 50mm f1.4D @ ISO 200, 50mm f1.4, 1/320 sec

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Nikon D300, Nikkor 50mm f1.4D @ ISO 200, 50mm f1.4, 1/320 sec

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Barmah Redux

I last visited the Barmah Nationa Park in June 2011 (see post here) when most of the park was closed due to recent winter flooding. This time in much warmer conditions I was able to go much deeper into the park and follow the Murray River from Barmah along the Victorian side of the river past Mathoura and Picinic Pont and deep into the park upstream towards Tocumwal. As noted in the 2011 post this is the largest river red gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) sanctuary in Australia. This is part of the Barmah Forest. The forest has 112 km of Murray River frontage and when it floods the water flows out into the forest and fills lake Barmah, Moira and others in the Barmah National Park.

Nikon D300, Tokina 11-16 f2.8 @ ISO 200, 11mm f8, 1/200 sec

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Nikon D300, Tokina 11-16 f2.8 @ ISO 200, 11mm f8, 1/200 sec

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Nikon D300, Tokina 11-16 f2.8 @ ISO 200, 11mm f8, 1/200 sec

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 Nikon D300, Tokina 11-16 f2.8 @ ISO 800, 11mm f2.8, 1/25 sec

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 Nikon D300, Tokina 11-16 f2.8 @ ISO 200, 11mm f5.6, 1/100 sec

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10 Million Views

Since having this image featured on Googles Picassaweb some time ago This image I captued just outside Tamworth NSW in 2008 has received ovet 10,000,000 views. Huh? No money has flowed through? But i have had lots of great and encouraging comments.

Source: https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/r0noRdhCCfg8FizP-57Ah9MTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0

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Original Photo

Nikon D300, Nikkor 18-200mm f/3.5-f5.6 @ ISO 200, 32mm f10, 1/400 sec

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Third of the Third

Herb and Chili garden on the deck is comming on nicely. Plenty of fresh basil for those Margherita pizzas! And below a couple of birthday presents :-)

Nikon D300, Nikkor 50mm f1.4D @ ISO 200, 50mm f1.4, 1/320 sec

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Nikon D300, Nikkor 50mm f1.4D @ ISO 200, 50mm f1.4, 1/800 sec

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Nikon D300, Nikkor 50mm f1.4D @ ISO 200, 50mm f1.4, 1/60 sec SB900 Flash set as a Slave for a back light

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Victorian 4X4 Show

The Victorian 4WD show where 4X4 Clubs and vendors show the latest accessories, vehicles, campers and modifications available to 4X4ers. It was a great chance to meet Mr 4X4 Pat Calinan and find out his hat is actually an Akubra 'Cattleman'. I did meet the guys from probably the best website for tracks and camp sites 4X4 Earth you should check them out. The usual suspects were also there like ARB, TJM, Ironman etc etc and a host of 4X4 clubs. Lots to see.

Nice set of lugs!

Nikon D300, Tokina 11-16 f2.8 @ ISO 200, 11mm f8, 1/160 sec

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A hot 38c Day 

Nikon D300, Tokina 11-16 f2.8 @ ISO 200, 11mm f22, 1/1025 sec

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Quite a few D-Max's were there!

Nikon D300, Tokina 11-16 f2.8 @ ISO 200, 11mm f22, 1/125 sec

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Nikon D300, Tokina 11-16 f2.8 @ ISO 200, 11mm f22, 1/125 sec

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Expensive Bling with GRUNT

Nikon D300, Tokina 11-16 f2.8 @ ISO 200, 11mm f22, 1/125 sec

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Comp Cars

Nikon D300, Tokina 11-16 f2.8 @ ISO 200, 11mm f22, 1/60 sec

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Jeeps are cool looking and very capable but make as much sense as using a farm 4X4 quad bike as your daily commute. Surely a boys toy and specialised bit of kit but not a road or touring vehicle. 

 Nikon D300, Tokina 11-16 f2.8 @ ISO 200, 11mm f16, 1/60 sec

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Nikon D300, Tokina 11-16 f2.8 @ ISO 200, 11mm f5.6, 1/640 sec

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Soldier Ben was a little wooden in his presentation skills but these bits of history were interesting. 

 Nikon D300, Tokina 11-16 f2.8 @ ISO 200, 11mm f16, 1/100 sec

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 Nikon D300, Tokina 11-16 f2.8 @ ISO 200, 11mm f8, 1/500 sec

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 Nikon D300, Tokina 11-16 f2.8 @ ISO 200, 11mm f8, 1/320 sec

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 Nikon D300, Tokina 11-16 f2.8 @ ISO 200, 11mm f22, 1/320 sec

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Nikon D300, Tokina 11-16 f2.8 @ ISO 200, 11mm f8, 1/500 sec

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