Lycon Plateau Walk – 24 August 2017

Posted on August 30, 2017 by Dave Noble

On a recent trip to Butterbox Point near Mt Hay, I had seen what I thought might be a good lookout on the far side of Rocky Points Ravine. It was a rocky outcrop that I thought may provide a good view into the main slot of Mt Hay Canyon. I was keen to visit this spot, and so was Bob.

Rocky Points Ravine

We set off from The Pinnacles along the Lockleys Pylon Track. About half way to the Pylon, we turned off to the north and followed a ridge out along the Lyon Plateau  to the vantage point. We were surprised to find signs of an old track along the first part of the ridge. It went past an area used as a campsite and seemed to continue on towards Walford Walls. We only went a short distance along this track before it left our ridge. The rest of the way was quite scrubby. Continue reading →

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Radiata Plateau

Posted on August 27, 2017 by Dave Noble

Here is a good video on the campaign to keep Radiata Plateau at Katoomba in a wild state. It is from the Blue Mountains Conservation Society –

Leave Radiata Plateau Wild from BMCSNSW on Vimeo.

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Illawarra Coast – Wombarra and Coledale – 23 August 2017

Posted on August 27, 2017 by Dave Noble

I spent an enjoyable day with Digi Dave photographing along part of the Illawarra Coast mainly near Wombarra and Coledale.

We headed through Royal National Park and our first stop was the lookout at Otford. We there proceeded a little further along to Stanwell Tops for a few more photos. Continue reading →

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Cooks River Birds – 22 August 2017

Posted on August 27, 2017 by Dave Noble

Another visit to my local river to photograph the birds. It was nice to see a spoonbill searching for food in the mudflats near the mangroves in the Boat Harbour area.

Here is a selection of photos – Continue reading →

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Taronga Zoo – 21 August 2017

Posted on August 27, 2017 by Dave Noble

The main purpose of this visit to the Zoo was to see the new Sumatran Tiger enclosure. It had opened the day before. It certainly was impressive – both for these magnificent animals and also allowing people to observe them. It also relates well to the tiger’s conservation.

It starts with a group of visitors entering a chamber that looks like you are in an aeroplane.  The illusion is made more real when TV monitors on the side show a runway out side and the place then takes off. After surviving a storm, you seem to be flying over the Sumatran jungle. Then a ranger appears on a different monitor and you hear a conservation message. Then the “plane” lands, another door opens and you emerge into an Indonesian village. You pass stalls and a garage and then enter a national park where you can see the tigers.  Continue reading →

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Local Birdlife – 20 August 2017

Posted on August 27, 2017 by Dave Noble

I spent an enjoyable few hours with camera and bike – along the Cooks River and then along the cycleway to the Landing Lights Wetland at Barton Park. Quite a few birds were out.

Here are some photos –  Continue reading →

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Astrophotography 19 – 20 August 2017

Posted on August 27, 2017 by Dave Noble

I recently took a few photos of the Moon and some of the planets. All were taken from out side my flat in suburban Sydney using a camera, tripod and telephoto lens.

When I photographed the crescent Moon above, The planet Venus was in conjunction – it is the small dot on the lower right –  Continue reading →

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Cape Banks Walk – 19 August 2017

Posted on August 27, 2017 by Dave Noble

Sydney was experiencing a period of very windy weather which made it unpleasant to be outdoors in exposed places. But on the other hand, it provided some spectacular seas. I was keen to be out in the bush but not particularly in the wind. I thought that a walk out to Cape Banks from La Perouse would be good – a lot of the walk is in very sheltered forest and then it would also provide some opportunities to perhaps see some big waves hitting the cliffs near the Cape.

I caught a bus to La Perouse, and then starts walking out to Cape Henry. This part of the walk was sheltered and I was even able to photograph some birds. Continue reading →

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Sculpture at Barangaroo – 18 August 2017

Posted on August 27, 2017 by Dave Noble

After visiting the Sealife Aquarium, I wandered down to Barangaroo to see an exhibition of sculptures. It was a very windy day and it was a bit hard to stay upright in the strong gusts.  There were not too many sculptures and they were a bit spread out – but perhaps some had been taken down due to the wind?

Here are some of my photos –  Continue reading →

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Sealife Aquarium – Sydney – 18 August 2017

Posted on August 27, 2017 by Dave Noble

I had been a long time since I had visited the Aquarium at Sydney (now called Sealife). I spent an enjoyable and interesting few hours inside the aquarium – looking at and trying to photograph the marine creatures.

As well as fish, there are corals, molluscs, crustaceans, birds and mammals to see. Some of my favourites included jellyfish, several species of penguins, a couple of dugongs and a nice tank of cuttlefish.  Continue reading →

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