Around the lake

Having spent the morning indoors at work, I looked forward greatly to our Sunday afternoon stroll with the dog around the UQ campus.

The afternoon was quite overcast and windy and not altogether pleasant, but we quickly warmed up as we embarked from the running track.

Inevitably, we passed by the lake near the centre of the campus. The wind had dropped considerably by this time and I noticed a majestic stork of some sort hidden among the paperbark trees at the western end of the lake, but unfortunately it took flight as soon as I took the lens cap off the camera.

This beautiful bird did encourage me to present a brief study of this wonderful oasis close to our city centre. (Canon 450D, efs 55-250mm)

Curlew

I was forced to park my car in an unfamiliar area of The University of Queensland when we were there a few weeks ago.

This little chap greeted me as I got out of the car. I believe him to be a Bush Stone Curlew - please tell me if I am wrong.

I thought that I would try to capture him in an acceptable image at 1600 iso on the Canon. I am continuing to try to learn different aspects of this new camera and I was wondering about its high iso capabilities. It was a very overcast afternoon, so it was a perfect opportunity to practice shooting in the shadows. (Canon 450D, efs 55-250mm)

Shorn

Maybe its the use of a digital camera that encourages a bit of whimsy more often than with film, but it must have hit me hard on this occasion ...

Okay, so it is not every day that you see a black-faced sheep grazing in the middle of suburban Brisbane. Taken on another walk around the Oxley Creek Common with my new toy.

I think that I was drawn more by the light than the subject, and I liked the play of the shadows across its freshly shorn wool. (Canon 450d, 55-250mm)

City Reach revisited

I know that I have posted City Reach previously with an image from almost this same spot, but with a new camera and some time on my hands, what was one to do?

I had some spare time when on my way to collect my daughter from a school outing and was going past the Kangaroo Pt cliffs. This was really an excuse to continue to learn some of the characteristics of how the Canon 450D reacts to some long exposures using the kit 18-55mm lens towards its longer end.

Not much more to say really, so I hope you enjoy.

Oxley Creek Windmill

Had a chance to use the new 450D for some sport shots (swimming) this weekend and it seems to be quite satisfactory for the task at the Chandler indoor pool.

Bailey's running group was at Oxley Creek Common rather than UQ this week, so I took the camera in the hope to learn more about its performance and see what I could see.

A prominent feature of the area is the Southern Cross windmill. These are a symbol of rural life and are dotted all over the country. I find this one particularly interesting because it is not just decorative and has a working pump attached to draw water for the amenities at the park.

With a stunning blue sky as background and late afternoon sun on its face, I thought that I would try out the shutter priority mode to get the vanes in motion but all else still ... I know that I should carry a tripod for these types of things, but leaning against a pole is almost as effective, if not quite as convenient. (Canon 450D, 18-55mm zoom)

UQ Walk

These three images complete complete the initial set of shots taken with my new toy.

Whilst my youngest trains for cross country at the UQ track on a Sunday afternoon, we tend to take the dog for a work among the stately buildings and tranquil gardens that make up the campus.

I never tire of the way the light at different times of the year and on different days plays its merry game. It often highlights to me the idea that I am not shooting a subject, but merely capturing the light. (Canon 450D, 18-55mm zoom)

Forgan Reflected

It has been quite some time since my last post to MB, so I thought that I would break the drought by formally announcing that I have crossed to the dark side. Yes, that is correct, I have bitten the bullet and put some cold, hard credit down on the counter for a Canon 450D Twin lens kit.

Of course, I will not be parting with the older gear in the short term. I think that my daughter will be monopolising the Canon in the name of school work, so in the name of research and to familiarise myself with this new world I took it for a walk around UQ this afternoon.

Not sure if I feel comfortable with it yet, but it is an interesting experience.