Photographing Whales

Yesterday was our last day on Fraser Island and once again the Gods of Fraser smiled upon us. As we boarded the Hervey Bay Whale Watch Quick Cat II with skipper Brian at the helm, a pea soup fog slowly surrounded us. Many on board looked worried but I knew that this was a good sign. I tried to alleviate the group that by the time we motored up to Platypus Bay it should lift and usually after a thick fog the day will have clear blue skies – perfect conditions for whale watching. All we needed now was whales in the bay.

At the Jetty at Kingfisher Bat Resort just before we took off
and the fog in the background got thicker but the light was awesome!

Nikon D3 f13, 1/80th, ISO 200, exp compensation -0.33,
Focal Length 66mm, polariser filter used.
Image by Danielle Lancaster

And whales we had! We stopped counting at 12 and they came right into us so we could almost touch them. They were splendid. Pods of no less than three at a time waved back at us, slapped at the water and passed from one side of the boat to the other (thankfully underneath it) and rolled in just a mere few centimeters under the water right next to us. It was truly another memorable whale watching trip.

How close did they come!

Image by Danielle Lancaster

Nikon D3 f8, 1/640th, ISO 800, exp compensation -0.3,
Focal Length 52mm, polariser filter used.

 We often term it as whale soup!

Can you see the two?
Image by Danielle Lancaster

Nikon D3 f8, 1/320th, ISO 800, exp compensation -0.33,
Focal Length 32mm, polariser filter used.

 Playing to the people:)

They love the interaction and while at first you feel a fool waving
and calling it does make them come to us for a play.

Nikon D3 f8, 1/400th, ISO 800, exp compensation -0.33,
Focal Length 36mm, polariser filter used.

Image by Danielle Lancaster

Platypus Bay, on the north western side of Fraser Island is one of my favourite locations to view humpback whales. The reasons are very simple: it's usually calm, I have never missed seeing numerous whales each time I go out and the numbers each year just keep on growing.

It is hard to imagine we nearly hunted them to extinction and that when whaling in Australia was finally banned in 1963 it was estimated there were only 200 individual Southern Humpback whales left. Numbers are increasing at the rate of 8% to 11% per year. Today it is thought between four to five-thousand humpbacks that pass along the east coast of Australia will venture into Platypus bay.

I was a happy camper and not alone. All on our Bluedog Kingfisher Bay Photography Tour were more than ecstatic and it was a brilliant way to finish off yet another tour. See you next year Brian!

A Couple of Humpback Whale Facts
Whales migrate along the Eastern Coast of Australia from August to October south to the Antarctic with their calves.

Humpback whales belong to the group of mammals called Cetacea. This group includes all of the dolphins, whales and porpoises.

There are two populations of humpback whales in the world, one living in the southern

hemisphere and the other in the northern hemisphere.

Humpback whales are marine mammals and like other mammals they are warm blooded and air breathing. They give birth to live young and their young suckle milk. At some stage of their life they have some hair on their bodies. The humpback calf will suckle up to the rate of 400 to 500 litres a day.

Humpback whales are the fifth largest of all the dolphins and whales - with adults growing up to 15 metres and weighing up to 40 tonnes. A new born calf is around 4.5 metres long and 1.5 tonnes in weight.

A Couple of Whale Photography Tips
Call out and wave to them – yes you will feel silly at first but they do react to us and will come closer to have a look.

Use a polariser.

If you can take two cameras: one with a larger zoom or telephoto lens and another wider lens. I generally use a 500mm and a 24-70mm.

Take the time to enjoy the moment without the camera in front of your face. They are truly incredible creatures!

Into my own back yard we go.

By Danielle Lancaster

Today we farewelled the Gold Coast and a big ticket bonus on the ‘Experience Queensland - Where Australia Shines’ campaign for operators on Tamborine Mountain is that it was included on this famil.

I can honestly say I know a little bit about the mountain – well now I know more! First up, we met up with Cody of Bunyip Bike Tours who, until I’d received my itinerary, I had never heard of. It happens Cody has been running his bike tours for around 12 months and he loves the mountain. The tour which started from Gallery Walk included Curtis Falls and a visit to a winery. Usual tours include the Glow Worm Caves but we were a little short on time to include this today.

Being honest the thought of the bike ride daunted a few of us – yes it is mountain bike riding not riding ones with engines – however even for those of us who had not been on a bike for over 20 years, those of us who are not as fit as we’d like to be etc that was never a problem for Cody. Hills can be walked and dips sailed and the new bike tracks make riding safe and a great way to see the mountain plus keeps our carbon foot print low doing so!

Jo, Brent and Cody
Image by Danielle Lancaster

From there we popped into the Mount Tamborine Brewery and Cheese Factory for a tasting. Once again the cheeses – all made in house – where a delight and I stocked up. I gave the beer tasting a miss, as I don’t drink bubbles, but my fellow travellers enjoyed the quenching cool ales especially after the bike ride.

Next stop was Songbirds for lunch. This has been on my bucket list for some time and I was far from disappointed. The food was excellent, the service perfect and the setting divine. Not hard to see why it’s won an award or two and I won’t have a problem referring it in the future, that is for sure. I must say that when the meal first arrived I was a little aghast at the size, however fine food fills and once our plates were finished we were all agreeing a shady mango tree for a nap would be in order.

 

Image by Danielle Lancaster

Not so. Instead we opted to walk it off with a visit to Tamborine Rainforest Skywalk. As many of you already know I love this forest – the third oldest National Nark in the world and the oldest in Queensland. One of the wonderful creatures the crew at Skywalk have been protecting by planting a specific native vine is the Birdwing Butterfly. Considered endangered, it thrives here and also in my own backyard!

Birdwing Butterfly
Image by Danielle Lancaster

So just goes to show one can always learn something new about their back yard!

A top tip: To see the glow worms at night in their natural environment take the Curtis Falls Walk. Don’t forget a torch and sturdy non-slip foot wear.

More:

Bunyip Bike Tours:
http://www.bunyipbiketours.com.au/Bunyip_Bike_Tours_Gold_Coast/Welcome.html

Songbirds: http://www.songbirds.com.au
Tamborine Mountain Brewery: http://mtbeer.squarespace.com/
Tamborine Rainforest Skywalk: http://www.rainforestskywalk.com.au
Tips on Photographing Butterflies: www.blue-dog.com.au and click through to e-newsletter archives

A Lady We Met Yesterday

Little towns are full of characters, Anita and I did not have to go far to find our first example on our walk around Rolleston yesterday afternoon. Across the road from our rooms at the hotel sits a little store. Many may pass this by as a boring little country store, hand painted signs and nothing chic to draw you inside. A cow bell sits on the top step and with a sign claiming to sell ‘a bit of this and that’, this may be less than intriguing to most and perhaps overlooked by those that pass through town.

Before entering we read the towns’ information sign outside the store. Here in Rolleston many of the buildings and blocks have historical signs telling the history of the buildings and its owner’s since settlement. This particular sign informed us Rolleston was originally named Brown Town and that a young man, Thomas Eyles, arrived here from England in 1856 and built a general store – this store is now across the road from the pub, our abode for our stay.

Some years later this store was purchased by Harry Moir (1929). He then on sold it to Elsie Hodgson who in turn sold to John and Norma Lowth – Norma as it turns out is the great, great granddaughter of Thomas Eyles. The sign says Norma is the great granddaughter however she is adamant a generation is missing from the dark black text of the outside sign.

Norma Lowth, aged 70 years in her store at Rollestone
Image by Danielle Lancaster

Upon acknowledging our arrival Norma apologised profusely for the spiders and dust however for Anita and I it adds a character and charm, one not found in any corner store within the bright lights of the city. Our cameras were clicking, we were checking histograms, contrast and composition whilst Norma followed us amazed at our intrigue in her little family store. On departing we purchased an ice-cream each , a small deed to show our appreciation for the time spent chatting to us and allowing us to capture an image or two.

Goods for sale.

Image by Anita Bromley

It made us realise when we spoke with our participants at today’s workshop, when some giggled at how intrigued we were at the corner store and it’s owners, how easily it is for all of us to overlook what is around us. The message is simple: Don’t take your back yard for granted and sometimes it simply takes, what to us may be a token purchase, a gratifying gesture that makes someone’s day.

Anita’s Note: This simple effort of making a purchase was something I learnt from Danielle prior to visiting Vanuatu a few years back. Many forget to say thank you for the opportunity to see a snapshot into someone’s lives and leave without acknowledgement. When we come across characters in small towns, or small villages for that matter, it is a way we can show our appreciation. Most often, the simplest and most effective way is to buy a little something from their store or business. Norma was so appreciative for the purchase she refused any offer of a tip and went to lengths to ensure we were handed a proper receipt for our troubles.

Nuts and Bolts
Image by Danielle Lancaster

Lillies, Little Towns and Landslides

Guest blog by Anita Bromley

I would like to think that I’ve seen enough of the world and Australia for that matter to not be surprised about what I’d see heading ‘out west’ with Danielle for the weekend. And no, I haven’t been surprised. A better word would be ‘reassured’. Reassured about this wonderful country we live in, the wonderful people that inhabit it and the wonderful adventures you can have just a few hours from home.

Danielle and I headed off from Brisbane yesterday and our first official ‘let’s take some photos’ stop was at Miles, half way into our day. I have both heard about and seen images of a rare water Lilly now extinct in its natural habitat. After Danielle last headed out this way I was mighty impressed on hearing how Therese braved the creek to get up close to the Lillies. My stance was “I’ll leave the wading up to chest height in unknown waters to Therese thanks Danielle…..I’ll grab my zoom lens!”

Now extinct in the wild, these rare water lillies thrive in
Chinaman's Lagoon on the outskirts of Miles.
Image by Anita Bromley

After snapping off a few shots we continued up to Injune were we were thankful to be invited to stay with good friends of Danielle’s - Puddy & Daggy – on their station. With a day’s worth of travel behind us we arrived just before sunset. Being my first road trip with Danielle I was eager to capture the amazing sunsets I’ve seen from out west, however the clouds had gathered thickly and our sunset shooting was off the agenda for the night. What to do? Settle in and enjoy the hospitality of some amazing people.

Our accommodation for the night is affectionately called The Hilton by many who have stayed there and I have to admit I had a better night’s sleep than I’ve had at many ‘real’ Hiltons, so I think we need to upgrade the nickname! For those that loved Augustine’s frog image last week, there are many, many green frogs up this way also. As an avid frog lover myself, this was one part of the trip I had renewed interest in after seeing that cute image on the blog last week. And hey, what’s a country experience if not having a green frog under your toilet seat :)

The 'Hilton' taken by Anita on an iPhone4

Following the above mentioned good night’ sleep we were roused from our slumber by Daggy, calling out to us from the back deck. Big rain was on the way and we had better get going before the dirt road out got too slippery and we were stuck there for the day (or month). Given the amount of red wine that was in stock Danielle and I exchanged a knowing look. We both agreed getting stuck on this amazing this property with such hospitable hosts would not be such a terrible thing…. However there were places we needed to go and so up we jumped, quickly grabbing our gear and hopped in the Bluedog truck.

Not two minutes later we were sliding and slipping down the road. The best description of the ‘greasy’ road was just that ‘greasy’. Danielle had the steering wheel working overtime until we literally slid sideways into one section of the road. After a few minutes of trying to get out of our little predicament we agreed that we were stuck. What to do next? Well as Danielle headed back up the hill to find mobile coverage to call for help I did what all avid photographers do, grabbed the camera! Thankfully just a few minutes later a knight in a shining ute, also skidding down the hill towards us, hooked us onto a tow chain and pulled us to safety. Thank you Sir Hugh!

Bogged we were! Image by Anita Bromley

Danielle then reassured me that adventure is always on the agenda on a rural trip. So we headed back off on the sturdy non slippery bitumen road for Rolleston – our destination for the weekend. But alas, what good adventure movie have you watched lately that simply ends after the first dramatic scene? Just 20 minutes out of Injune the trusty Bluedog truck lost gear….argh, what’s going on now? We were forced to pull up in the middle of the road and push the car to a safe area off to the side while a helpful passerby stopped for assistance (they breed them well up here). Thankfully the fix was quick and we ventured the remaining distance incident free.

Now for those that don’t know my history with Bluedog, a quick recap on my experiences – whilst in Vanuatu an earthquake occurred and we received a Tsunami warning and needed to head for the hills to safety, ANOTHER Tsunami warning was received the morning we were due to depart on the Stradbroke Island Tour last year and now heavy rain on the Rolleston remote trip……I’m thinking my career with Bluedog is on shaky grounds due to a weird connection I have with bad weather…..surely I don’t have that much power with Mother Nature, do I? I think we’ll just have to wait and see how the weekend pans out. Wish me luck!

And the lessons just keep coming…. A Guest Blog By Augustine Mathews

There is a lot to be said for the ‘hospitality of the outback’.  There is a magical quality to the air and I think that it must rub off on the people who live here.  (A lady today told me it is the dust and that there is nothing magical about dust, it just involves a lot of cleaning).

In the 2 days I have been in the St George region I have met so many wonderful people. Yesterday Danielle took me out to meet some friends that have a place a little way out of town. That should read as a 52,000 acre property 60+km from town!

Rounding a corner on the dusty scrub sided road we came to Rosehill Station and the oasis that is the home of the Beardmores. Elaine had started baking as soon as she heard we were coming and John was warming up the vocal chords to spin a few yarns. I have to say that Elaine bakes a mean jam drop biscuit and their home was peaceful and relaxing. Listening to John relate stories from his youth (which was a little while ago) took me on a journey to a time that was full of adventure and the thrill of property life. I was filled with city girl envy for those times and the different-ness of life on the land.

Danielle, John and Elaine

Image by Augustine Mathews

Today we got to meet 18 keen photography students who were participating in our regional St George workshop. I am quite comfortable speaking to groups while teaching and can get a real flow up as I explain about the rural scene depicted in many of our power point slides. Today, however, was different. There is something slightly off-putting about telling country folk about the cattle sale yard photos when I know they know more about it than I do. And of course Danielle had filled them with tales of my wide eyed city girl wonder. I have to say though, no one laughed at me, only with me and reaffirmed my love of all things country. Can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings J

P.S. For those frog lovers - head out this way. There are green tree frogs everywhere.

Image by Augustine Mathews

North Queensland Comes Back after Yasi!

To say Queensland, Australia has not felt another hard hit this week is an underestimation. Our beloved tropical north with its sweeping sandy beaches and clear tropical waters teaming with colourful fish and coral was hit hard by dual cyclones Yasi, described as the worst cyclone in the country's history and Anthony (yes there was another it’s just Yasi got all the lime light).

In 2006 I headed to the Cape after Category 5 cyclones, Larry and Monica ripped a path of destruction and last year to the Airlie Beach checking out the effect of yet another terrifying low on Conway National Park and State Forest (check out story a few issues ago in Go Camping).

One thing I have learnt from both visiting and once living in north Queensland is how quickly this region bounces back! It’s the little things that come back quickly: the butterflies, insects and frogs croaking fill the still post storm night air once again.

From fallen trees fungi sprout, birds start to nest and gather from the strewn debris and the tides once again come and go gently lapping. Each level seemingly does its bit. The north is familiar with an odd storm or two. Its fauna, flora and people are resilient.

"Tropical cyclones and heavy rain are a normal thing in the tropics of Northern Queensland, and the Whitsundays is very quick to recover from weather events because of our topography and our region's preparedness for such events," said Tourism Whitsundays Chief Executive Officer Peter O'Reilly on the subject this week.

The power is well and truly on, the airports open and the sun shining once again! If you have plans and are thinking of the tropics there’s some great deals to be had at the moment. Tourism Whitsundays is providing regular updates at
http://www.tourismwhitsundays.com.au/, www.facebook.com/WhitsundaysQLD, and
www.twitter.com/WhitsundaysQLD

We may just have to look into one or two of them ourselves:)

A Birdwing Butterfly
Image by Danielle Lancastser

Jet skiing on Magnetic Island
Image by Danielle Lancastser

Is the sun shining on Queensland?

Two weeks ago we had an interesting photography brief – ‘find out why people are still holidaying in Queensland with the news of floods. We want to hear from visitors how they are finding it, have they regrets and what is their message’.

We received this brief the day before the devastating floods surged through Toowoomba, flowed down the range to Grantham and through the Lockyer Valley to Ipswich and Queensland’s vibrant river side capital Brisbane.

Life, home and treasures were lost. The people of our home state here in Australia are reeling. With 75% of the state being effectively at some time over the past two weeks being inundated in metres of water no wonder it made international news.

Cold calling, as it’s known, is not easy. It’s walking into someone’s life, asking them to be photographed for the media and then capturing that image and walking on to find the next person to ‘fit the brief’.

There are different types of ‘cold calling’ you may be asked to do when working professionally – some not as nice as others. This was one of the nicer jobs.

What do we need do a job like this?

a). The gear: a good camera (DSLR of course), external flash and the ability to work the flash with natural daylight.

b). People skills! Yes the front to walk up to someone, introduce yourself and explain in less than 25 words what you are doing and why. After that they lose interest – you have to remember they have other things on their mind than you fulfilling your brief.This is one area many budding photographers find hard. What if they say no? Then oblige, thank them with a big smile and move on.

c). The ability to frame the shot and grab it first go.

These is not your average portrait session: they have to sell the story behind the image and the words which you may not see till in print. You need to be able to utilise colourful backgrounds if available, crop tightly if need be due to storm clouds brewing etc, use DOF creatively and know what should or should not be included.

We want to make sure these images are ready to go out of camera - time is of an essence for both us and Queensland, our so called client.

What we did find out is that Queensland is open for business! Our first port of call was the Gold Coast, undoubtedly one of Queensland’s tourism Mecca’s. And it appeared everyone was out having fun. 

L-R Noah, Ebonnie and Molly Simmons from Tamworth

“Loving the Gold Coast and the wet weather – what wet weather? We are having a fabulous time! Our advice is come on up and swim without goose bumps!”