Dover Heights to Watsons Bay – 8 January 2019

Posted on January 12, 2019 by Dave Noble

I had visited the Tempe Wetlands in the morning, and later in the afternoon, was sitting at my computer, and watching the weather radar page. It showed a large thunderstorm was approaching the city. I thought that Gap Bluff at Watsons Bay could be a good place to obese the storm if it came over. I also used the photographers ephemeris  and it showed that the Sun would set over the city buildings.

So later in the afternoon (around 4:30 pm), I set of for Bondi Junction, then caught a 380 bus to near Rodney Reserve. I first looked for Peregrine Falcons – without any luck. I continued on to Dudley Page Reserve. This provides good views of the city. The storm did seem to be approaching, but didn’t seem too impressive.  Continue reading →

Posted in Birds, Photography, Sydney | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Birds at Tempe – 8 January 2019

Posted on January 11, 2019 by Dave Noble

I spent an interesting two hours wandering around the Tempe Wetlands and the Tempe Reserve photographing birdlife.

Brown Goshawk

One  of  the more interesting encounters at the Wetlands was observing a Red Wattlebird eating a cicada it had caught – Continue reading →

Posted in Birds, Nature, Sydney | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Fungi in Sassafras Gully – 7 January 2019

Posted on January 11, 2019 by Dave Noble

I thought that it may be worthwhile ding a walk down Sassafras Gully at Springwood to see if any fungi was out. There had been some recent rain, and the Springwood area seemed to have received a fair amount. However, on my visit, it rained lightly most of the time – which did make photography difficult.

I started down the track at the end of Sassafras Gully Road, and walked down to the Victory Track junction then continued to not far past the junction with the Wiggins Track. I then walked back out, the same way, stopping for lunch under an overhang on the way up to Sassafras Gully Road. Continue reading →

Posted in Blue Labyrinth, Wildflowers | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Wollangambe Canyon – 6 January 2019

Posted on January 8, 2019 by Dave Noble

I spent a very pleasant day photographing Wollangmabe Canyon. I was on a trip with Albert. The trip was supposed to be more of a social trip rather than a photographic one, but an adverse weather forecast resulted in the others dropping out – which left Albert and myself. This would allow us plenty of time to stop for photos along the way without holding others up.

We visited the “Tourist Section” of the canyon. During the day, it was misty higher on Mt Wilson and there was a bit of drizzle on and off. It was also cool. But, the canyon was very pleasant. The water was not cold. The lighting was soft – nice for photography. Continue reading →

Posted in Canyoning, Photography, Wilderness Photography | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Kiama Road Trip – 4 January 2019

Posted on January 5, 2019 by Dave Noble

Digi Dave invited me to join him on a trip to Kiama. He was heading down to pick up some gear at a friends place, but this would not take long and there could be some good photo spots to visit on the way down or back.

He picked me up near Heathcote Station as we continued onto the M1. However, the road was blocked near Figtree due to, what we found out later, a petrol tanker that had caught on fire. Google Maps came to our aid and guided us around the closed motorway. We then decided to head out to Hill 60 at Port Kembla – a nice lookout.  Continue reading →

Posted in Birds, Illawarra | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Hole in the Wall Canyon – 3 January 2019

Posted on January 5, 2019 by Dave Noble

This was a very pleasant day spent with Bob Sault in the Wollangambe Wilderness visiting Hole in the Wall Canyon and the North Branch of Bungleboori Creek.

We set off from the carpark on the track that goes along the Waratah Ridge and after abut 80 minutes arrived at the start of the canyon. The upper constriction was soon entered.  Continue reading →

Posted in Blue Mountains, Canyoning | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Mammatus Clouds Over the City – 2 January 2019

Posted on January 5, 2019 by Dave Noble

Recently there has been a fair bit of stormy weather – including afternoon thunderstorms, some with hail. These storms often build up over the Blue Mountains and then move towards the coast.

On the 2nd January, I had been watching the weather radar, and noticed some thunderstorms were currently over the Blue Mountains. I looked outside and saw that there was a good display of Mammatus Clouds overhead. I have these spectacular clouds before – and they are often associated with severe storms ( See here and here) Continue reading →

Posted in Atmospheric physics, Sydney | Tagged | Leave a comment

Two Days of Canyoning – 31 December 2018 – 1 January 2019

Posted on January 2, 2019 by Dave Noble

This was a pleasant trip with two days of canyoning in the Blue Mountains. We experienced hot weather on both days – and the canyons provided an idea refuge from the heat. The plan was to visit The Grand Canyon at Blackheath, then a pub dinner, camp overnight, then Dalpura Canyon on the second day.

The Grand Canyon

The Grand Canyon

A good way to end the year. This canyon is always nice to visit and easy to get to and from – so not too taxing on a hot day. Most of the party abseiled in at the top of the canyon, while four in the party entered from below. Continue reading →

Posted in Blue Mountains, Canyoning | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Taronga Zoo – 30 December 2018

Posted on January 2, 2019 by Dave Noble

I had not been to the Zoo for a while, and thought another visit would be a suitable place to visit on a hot day. But, visiting on a Sunday during School holidays was probably a mistake – the Zoo was very crowded – and I had to avoid certain sections.

This visit, I concentrated on the birds. This meant photographing them through the mesh of their cages in some cases. In other places you can avoid this – eg in he big walk through aviaries and at the bird show. I also found that certain animals had moved – the Lemurs were now in the Squirrel Monkey enclosure and the Squirrel Monkeys had moved to where the Alligator used to be.  Here are some Squirrel Monkeys –  Continue reading →

Posted in Photography, Sydney | Tagged | Leave a comment

Engadine Lagoon Walk – 29 December 2018

Posted on January 2, 2019 by Dave Noble

Very hot weather was forecast for the run up to the new year. I had been invited on a multiway walk, but thought it would be too hot for walking, so was stuck at home. But then Brian invited me to join him and others on his NPA walk to Engadine Lagoon.

This was a short walk from his house to a magnificent swimming hole on the Woronora River, a short way upstream from where it becomes tidal. The plan was to walk to the pool, have a swim and take a few photos and be back at his place by midday. Continue reading →

Posted in Birds, Bushwalking, Nature, Wildflowers | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments