From a magical trip Mitch and I did back in 2017.
Timed to coincide with the Milky Way being in this position, solid driving for 3 days, making a beeline for Uluru in our camper.
The weather was just perfect.
Mitch surprised me with a gifted sunrise flight over Uluru and Kata Tjuṯa - magical.
A few days camping in the Grampians capped off a wonderful 10 days
During a late afternoon walk, we spotted this group of trees, and thought, if the sun were to set just near ‘there’ … could be nice!
Then waiting for the sun to set, trying to avoid this pesky blood sucking … 'worms'!
Worth it … just!!
A few days spent exploring the Victorian High Country with my son @mitchgreenphotos.
A new part of Oz for us to explore and more of a scouting trip than anything, we were keen to seek out some Snow Gums, with a view to return later in the year.
Despite lots of these gums dying off (they’re being eaten alive by a native wood borer - Longicorn Beetle!) we did mange to find a couple of groves of these stunning trees.
We returned for 2 sunrises to shoot them - which meant a 4:30am start, 90min drive from Bright, a bit of a hike. Frost, icy wind … at least the company was great!
These two jutting rock stacks, Gog and Magog, stand guard against the usually raging Southern Ocean ... not such a tough job this day!
Mitch and I had seen a picture of the inside of a canyon, with icy water flowing through moss covered walls.
We decided it was now on our ‘trip list’ for our New Zealand adventure. We spent a few days staying in Makarora, allowing us to explore further in and around Haast Pass.
We did manage to find the entrance to the canyon - a bit tricky! Nothing prepared us for icy cold water that flooded into our gumboots as we made our way in!
A bit of a surreal experience for me!
But loved every moment.
The session made even more memorable by the delicious home made Toasted Rueben sandwiches we had for dinner that night!!!!
Before sunrise, a 30min drive, a hike through the scrub, just to take in these Karijini Colours! So worth it!
In early August 2022 my son Mitch and I travelled to Karijini National Park in outback Western Australia for a week dedicated to Photography and Hiking in Karijini's amazing gorges. This adventure had been on our mind for a while and we finally had the opportunity to do it!
We had another great time together, catching up, listening to podcasts and music, only one loaf of banana bread this time (thanks Coles, Tom Price) and photographing the amazing Ghost Gums, the stunning red cliffs and fields, wildflowers and hiking the gorges.
A somewhat busy Tuesday morning at the rocks - a few other intrepid photographers having the same idea.
Plenty of nice sized waves rolling in … the ocean water still so warm!
This was around 15 minutes before sunrise … a slow shutter speed required, catching that lovely flow!
Just after this the clouds lit up with a couple of extended neon pink rays!
Stunning sight
Deep in an ancient forest, down Manapouri way, a sun star briefly burst through the dim light, as if honouring these fallen beech trees.
Crown ferns, still, forming a guard of honour.
It’s a humbling experience to stand alone in these ancient forests, amongst giant trees hundreds of years old … only birdsong breaking the quiet.
When I saw these fallen trees, for some reason, my thoughts turned to fallen soldiers.
I felt the need to honour them.
A Black and White version.
‘Twas Blue Hour, with just enough swell to make for some great wave action! 🌊🌊🌊
In early August 2022 my son Mitch and I travelled to Karijini National Park in outback Western Australia for a week dedicated to Photography and Hiking in Karijini's amazing gorges. This adventure had been on our mind for a while and we finally had the opportunity to do it!).
What a surprise it was to see this window to a hidden world! A great adventure hiking through Knox Gorge with Mitch, with a couple of tricky sections to navigate - thanks for the assistance and encouragement Mitch!
“Red Royalty”
Waratah / Southern Highlands, NSW, Australia
Telopea speciosissima - my all time favourite Australian Native Flower!!
‘Waratah’ means red-flowering tree - sometimes their flower spikes can reach up to 3m high. It’s late spring when these bright red flowers appear, attracting plenty of bees, birds and humans!
I’ve tried growing these a few times, with varied success … might be time to try again, they are just so STUNNING!
High tide, large waves rolling in … standing in the soup up to my …. shorts. 😁
Lucky the water was warm-ish! 🤣
All worth it!
The Sun just about to rise over the Pacific Ocean …
From a glorious sunrise a couple of weeks back, viewed from a small, weathered ledge on the edge Minnamurra Headland.
Driving up from Berry an hour before sunrise, with hints of red already in the high cloud - max anticipation! :) This morning was going to be Special! During the shoot I met a young family who, on that day each year, go out to watch the sunrise in memory of their daughter/sister.
It was her birthday … she would have been 12 …
The silent company was very welcome … and very Special!
Shot during a much cherished recent catchup with my son Mitch - our first for months!
We'd managed to successfully coordinate a few days camping down south, and then some time back up in Berry. Some great catching up, with a run of 4 and 4:30am starts for sunrise, plus sunsets ... all well worth it!
There are many wondrous gorges in Karijini. Often the scramble to descend is challenging, and the hike along the floor often presents its challenges along the way. However the effort is rewarded with stunning scenery, often magical rock pools, curved and tortured rock formations, and beautiful scenes like these 3 Ghost Gums stretching skyward to catch the light.
From a 9km Grade 4 hike with my son Mitch.
A great challenge for myself and thoroughly enjoyable ... stunning scenery, excellent waterfalls, magnificent cliff overhangs and small caves all encased in rainforest! 😍
Like a scene from Lord of the Rings or Game of Thrones …
Literally stopped my in my tracks …
My son Mitch and I had set up camp deep inside The Grampians, 9km down a windy dirt road, off the main road to Halls Gap. A beautiful campground, all to ourselves, nestled in amongst tall gum trees - kangaroos with joeys, emus wandering in, cockatoos, blue wrens, kookaburras, magpies.
We were keen to get to Mt Abrupt for sunrise - that meant a 4am start, 70min drive south to the southern end of the Grampians. Then it was a 90min hike in the dark to the summit. Very steep, path was mostly good, however several sections crossing over slippery, wet rock. A steady wind “enhanced” our feeling of “being alive” !
Eventually we made it, just in time for first light, and were rewarded with this awesome view!
Many thanks to Mitch for all of his assistance in getting his 'old man' to The Peak!
Summer in Australia’s alpine region - great hiking and bushwalking, and stunning views, made all the more eye catching by our beautiful Snow Gums and wild flowers!
… was just a lovely morning down at the beach, no breeze, no one else around.
Just back from very short catchup with my son Mitch in WA - Cervantes, Albany and Margaret River districts.
Weather not the kindest but great catchup.
We have some amazing beaches here on the East Coast, however WA definitely has it's far share as well! This was one of them!
From an awesome hiking day, through the magical forests and lakes of Fiordland, with my son Mitch and local lad done good William Patino!
Mitch and I had the absolute please of having Will show us around his 'backyard' in Te Anau, such a great experience to get an insight into what makes Will such a great photographer, and to observe him in action ... in his element ... in those forests! Thanks Will!
‘Twas Blue Hour, with just enough swell to make for some great wave action! 🌊🌊🌊
After a couple of rained out days at Aoraki / Mt Cook National Park , the drive out revealed some of the most stunning scenes for or trip!
Golden rays pierced through sheets of rain, momentarily lighting up the Tasman Valley!