Bluedog spots a Mistletoe Bird at Kingfisher Bay Resort on Fraser Island

This morning I finally photographed a male Mistletoe bird, Dicaeum hirundinaceum. Now while not uncommon in certain areas, such as within the grounds of Fraser Island’s Kingfisher Bay Resort, what makes them a difficult subject is that they are so busy.

These tiny birds, only 10-11cm, have a brilliant scarlet throat and under-tail that catches not only the sun but also the eye of any avid bird watcher. Well, the boys do. Mistletoe birds are known to show marked “sexual dimorphism”. What this means is that the males get to be flamboyant in their colourings while the females are far less glam.

Early morning insects have them snapping their beaks as they dart swallow like in flight, fluttering and calling to their mates in the bush surrounding the resort. They have sharp little voices but a choice of calls including a high double note and a warble.

We had joined Ivor Davies, Group General Manager of King Fisher Bay Resort for a bit of bird spotting. Ivor is a keen twitcher and knows his bird ‘stuff’. Indeed, he’s just returned from a trip to the Red Centre where he added a further 10 birds to his personal ‘spotters’ list.

He not only tells, but also acts out the performance of the Mistletoe bird, a canopy bird, passing the digested mistletoe and how it ever so gently wipes itself along the branch three times, only three, bobbing between each wipe. It’s a rather elegant performance for the six foot three man. The wealth of information on birds acquired not only on Fraser Island but across the world over the years flows eagerly.

It’s a top spot for those who would like to try their hand or those that are already accomplished in bird photography with the abundance and variety of birds around the resort.

With canopy birds another challenge photographing them, aside from their quick movement, can be blow outs of highlights particularly in the areas containing leaves, clouds, and sky.

Exposure is critical as is accurate focus (continuous focus here will only frustrate you). I also find a polariser a great advantage.

I only had a few regrets: that I didn’t have longer day, an extra day or had discovered it sooner, and I wished I’d stopped and put on my x2 converter.

Bird Week, now in its ninth year kicks off on the 8th May till the 15th. Birdos from around the world meet at King Fisher Bay Resort and try to spot and record some of the 354 species found across the world’s largest sand island. A highlight of the week is tours of one of the RAMSAR listed wetlands and various presentations.

Also of interest to many will be the Bluedog-Kingfisher Bay Resort Fraser Island Photography Tours. An ever popular tour where we showcase the best that Fraser Island and Kingfisher Bay Resort has to offer while concentrating on the photographic skills that go along with such a great adventure. Details of this tour can be found on the Bluedog Photography website under the tours section. http://www.blue-dog.com.au/Fraser-Island-photography.htm

More:
King Fisher Bay Resort
Tel: 07 4120 3333
Tollfree: 1800 072 555
http://www.kingfisherbay.com/

Male Mistletoe Bird, Fraser Island

Image by Danielle Lancaster

Dreamboat Photography

There’s one thing about doing what we do and that’s being thrown challenges.

Different textures, surfaces, materials and the list goes on, gives photographers a myriad of challenges.

One such for us recently was Noosa’s brand new Dreamboat. Made of deep red mahogany and coated with 13 layers of varnish, this beauty truly glistened.

It’s only been cruising the river and canals of Noosa for the last 3 months and already photographers are booking it for a fun day out.

A polariser won’t always get rid of the reflections from such a shiny surface as the Dreamboat but it will help. Placement of boat to the angle of light is the best answer. And while you want the sun out to make the water jets glisten, the sun also makes the timber reflections stronger.

Ah another day in the office of a photographer.

Augustine slumming it at work on the Dreamboat.

Nikon D3, 17-35mm, polariser filter, f11, 200th
ISO 400 (why because with this camera we can),

Image by Danielle Lancaster

Out and about on the Noosa River with Michael and the Dreamboat - what a beast!
17-35mm, polariser filter, f3.2, 5000th, ISO 400

Image by Augustine Mathews

Shiny surfaces, such as timber can cause all sorts of challenges for photographers.
Noosa River with Michael and the Dreamboat - what a beast!

17-35mm, polariser filter, f2.8, 5000th, ISO 400

Image by Danielle Lancaster

For More informaion on the Dreamboat:
Tel: 0414 990 708
http://www.noosadreamboats.com.au/

Lest We Forget - Anzac Day Photography Tips

Image by Danielle Lancaster

With Anzac Day now drawing near we thought it would be a good idea to look at how we should be considering approaching our photography on the day.

ANZAC was the name given to the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps soldiers who landed on the Gallipoli Peninsula in Turkey early on the morning of 25 April 1915 during the First World War (1914-1918).

As a result, on this one day each year (25^th April) the whole of Australia ‘stops’ in a sign of gratitude and national pride. These solemn ANZAC ceremonies of remembrance are our way of saying thank you to ALL of the men, women and children (so many were under the age of 18) who have fought and died in the name of War.

It’s a wonderful opportunity to capture memorable images and practise photo documentary styles of photography.

Here’s a few tips for your Anzac Day Photography:

Research about Anzac Day and the associated wars. It gives an insight into the men and women, conditions etc so you can appreciate what some of the people you are likely to photograph are experiencing on this day. It will also allow you to have a more interesting and involved experience on the day.

Stimulate your own creativity by seeking inspiration from other photographers in books, magazines and on the internet.

Know the route of the march, times, places, best spot to park etc and do a rec trip.

Observe closely – there will be little things happening in every crowd. A tear wiped, a child holding a placard, hands being held etc.

Make sure you get your exposure right! You may be photographing in a variety of lighting conditions and matrix metering may not always be the best.

Tell a story with your images.

Composition, composition, composition! 

Keep pressing the big button as often as possible!

Bluedog Photography Heads to Injune and Carnarvon Gorge - Day 5 - 7

Better late than never and we are still before 12 midnight:

We returned to ‘Cobbadah’ homestead last night after two days in Carnarvon Gorge and of course ‘out of contact’. Before we left for our trip to Carnarvon the Bluedog truck had to go through a wash down to rid it of any Parthenium – a weed of national significance that has invaded much of the country side here. Unfortunately it looks a lot like Baby Breath and therefore often picked by tourists and easily transported to other regions.

Then a quick stop at Injune to stock up on necessitates such as chocolate, picnic bars, yes a little fruit and easy snacks to carry for our hikes we then headed further north into the Central Queensland Sandstone Belt.

Our first stop on the way was to a site on the Dawson River where Aboriginals sat hundreds of years ago sharpening their axes and spears. Imprinted in the rocks alongside the river the ancient grooves were readily recognisable.

We obviously forgot to tell Jake the bit about the ancient part as he was very excited to look at buying his Dad an axe from the ‘axe factory’ and after a 15 minute walk into the site and his comment, ‘so will they be open now?’, we realised we maybe could have explained this better.

We also explored a ‘possumer’s’ cave used during the depression when local men would hunt possums for their skins. These caves built within the sandstone under hangs were used to dry skins by using cyanide when the season was officially closed. Protected by the elements of weather the man made caves looked like they had been built yesterday.

Onto Carnarvon we went with Jake all the time learning more and more Australian history and eagerly listening to Puddy who had joined us telling many stories of life on the land. We were also joined by Darren Mansfield who had done the photography workshop and just returned from Cambodia doing volunteer work.

Over the next two days we explored Carnavon Gorge and all its wonders: the Moss Garden, the amphitheatre, saw ancient palms, giant King Ferns, numerous birds, whip tail wallabies, a very fat green tree snake and Darren was disappointed to find the walk to Aljon Falls, one of his favourite child hood Carnarvon haunts, near Wards Canyon now closed.

It was almost sunset when we emerged from the gorge yesterday afternoon and the air was already taking on the coolness of early autumn. The drive back to the property took us almost two hours of dodging roos, missing cattle by a hair and whisker and more eager chatter amongst us all.

We bid Puddy and Daggy farewell this morning and headed into Roma to the fat cattle sale as my travelling companions had never been to a cattle sale before. Therese went hunting for hectares in earnest and I for candid character portraits. Once again cameras were clicking away by all of us.

As we head home today we are reminiscing on our trip: the highlights outweigh the negatives – actually there are no negatives. Therese has taken the wheel so I can finish our blog and is steering the Bluedog truck on a course due east.

I have trialled a new tripod – the first day cursing and swearing at it and nearly throwing it into the next paddock until I realised what it could do. The first on the market designed by a women and I’m keen to put it through more paces. We tested 2 Lowpro bags – one may yet stay in the kit.

Jake has had a steep learning curve in rural life and Australian history. He now knows what a Birdsville is, that Bourke and Wills have done more than make swags, and there is life beyond the Sunshine Coast hinterland. He has taken the sledging on board and given plenty himself. And while we do give him heaps he is an enthusiastic student and I am proud of my choice in he and Augustine – they will indeed make a formidable team.

We must thank the people of Injune – your fabulous hospitality will see us return to your wonderful country town and thanks to everyone that has followed our blog. Next week another trip is planned to.......

Roma Sale Yard Character Portrait
By Danielle Lancaster

The Amphitheatre
By Danielle Lancaster

We bid farewell to ‘Cobbadah’
Photo by Puddy Chandler 

A micro section of the Moss Gardens.

Photo by Danielle Lancaster

And how did this get in?
On the track through Carnarvon with Darren Mansfield in background.
Photo by Jake Campbell

Bluedog Photography Heads to Injune and Carnarvon Gorge - Day 4

Day four started before sunrise as we saw sprays of pink sunrays expand from the horizon we eagerly pulled on our boots, grabbed cameras and tripods and headed out on foot. Unfortunately the clouds gathered and quickly dashed our hopes for a magnificent sunrise. However, there is plenty around the homestead to keep any happy snapper occupied.

Puddy as usual dished up a huge country breakfast before Daggy tethered Danielle and tightened her girth adding another two holes to her belt - at least now we don’t have to continually watch her hitching her jeans up all day.

Then into Injune we headed for another day of workshops with another eager group of photography students. Today Danielle skilled them up on Photoshop so they can make those awesome images they now know how to take, really pop.

Not long after arriving back at the homestead the next door neighbour arrived in his mustering chopper - a huge attraction for Jake who would have said three times, ‘It’s a helicopter!’ Yes Jake we know what a helicopter looks like.

The highlight for the day was a sunset drive up to one of the hills on the property where we are staying, ‘Cobbadah’; an Aboriginal word meaning high place. Our early morning rise and good day’s work was eventually rewarded with a brilliant sunset over the undulating foothills of the Carnarvon Ranges. Naturally, we had a bottle of red at hand to salute Mother Nature at her finest.

Danielle thinks she has created a monster with Therese continuing her night long exposures each night late into the evening. Her swearing at Jake walking through her image with his head lamp on would have made the most hardened of shearers blush. Anyone who may think Therese is sweet and innocent let us tell you otherwise.

Our night is ending with some bird watching. Daggy’s bird book is out, and we have spotted a Tawny Frogmouth (for those that do not know these are not owls) perched on a gum tree branch near our tin abode and Therese is unfortunately not adding another lifer to her list to night. For Jake though it is another first, no doubt not the last for this trip.

Tomorrow we head to Carnarvon Gorge for two days. For the first time in a long time the river and waterfalls are flowing so we look forward to our visit to this iconic Queensland attraction. But...we may not have service there so our daily blog may be delayed for a day or two till our return to ‘Cobbadah’.

Sunset this arvo on ‘Cobbadah’
Photo by Danielle Lancaster

Homestead Lanterns Swinging

Photo by Therese Lilis

Daggy tightens Danielle's girth.

Photo by Jake Campbell

Bluedog Photography Heads to Injune and Carnarvon Gorge - Day 3

Day 3 started for us at the end of Day 2 as we saw midnight come and go sitting under the stars on a nearby hill - yes we could hear the dingoes. The shooting star count was won by Therese who also discovered a new essential to take on any star trail shoot you do. As you may already know a bottle of fine red is a fundamental; we'll now add to that a requirment to wear red clothing - the stains from Therese spilling more than what went in her mouth are a testament to this.

Jake learnt photographers do long hours and the teen who needs so much sleep has now done a day with less than four hours sleep. It has been worth it as Jake nailed his first star trail and he keeps telling us, ‘it’s totally sick’. He’s on a steep learning curve: he now knows what the Southern Cross looks like, how to wash dishes (we hope his Mum is proud), how to resize images for the blog, and that cattle here are bred for meat not milk.

The countryside around Injune is the prettiest I have ever seen it. The rolling hills carpeted in an endless green of waving long grasses that reach upwards and nearly hide the cattle growing fat in their rich pastures. A heavy band of cloud hid Mount Hutton when we awoke this morning threatening more rain may be on the way. In fact, as we headed out of Injune a few rain drops splattered across the windscreen.

One of our main subjects today for photography was road kill and we can now add a Wedge Tail Eagle and Dingo to our list of road kill images and a wedgy feather now adorns the vent inside the Bluedog Discovery.

A highlight today for Therese was checking out the local ‘talent’ at the Injune Hotel. She found two hopefuls (see below!) but I took the opportunity to decline any offers.

We are now settled back at the homestead With Daggy and Puddy now back from their sojourn to Brisbane and yes we have a wine in our hands and are ready for another adventure tomorrow.

Therese chatting up the talent at the Injune Hotel.
'On the Tune'.
Photo by Jake Campbell.

Jake taking the oppurtunity to get a photo of
a sleeping birdie.

Photo by Danielle Lancaster.

Doggie having a nanna nap - we have to stop Jake writing captions.
Photo by Jake Campbell.

Jakes first star trail.

Photo by Jake Campbell.

Bluedog Photography Heads to Injune and Carnarvon Gorge - Day 2

I’ve just come in and 8 working dogs have been let off for a run, fed and either tied up or are back in their cages. The moon, a mere crescent, hangs low in the sky and from a nearby hill we can hear the dingoes howling.
All part and parcel of our caretaking on the property we are staying on west of Injune.

Coming back to Injune has meant catching up with friends and making new acquaintances at a Bluedog Beginner Workshop today. Any workshop at Injune is always accompanied by a great selection of home-baked goodies - these ladies know how to cook and keep our tummies full - many thanks!

Lunch seems to be a pub tradition and we headed for the Injune Hotel where Kay and Jodie looked after us all. This historic pub always has ringers, farmers and locals around ready for a friendly chat and to spin a yarn.

The workshop was challenging - no two cameras were the same. However that did not allow anyone the chance not to participate with the sparklers, as always being a huge hit - even for Therese.

For the first time during an Injune workshop we had an outing to the newly opened Henrick’s Park. The sandstone sculptures carved by locals mimic that of the surrounding Central Queensland Sandstone Belt including Carnarvon Gorge. This has to be a tourism feather in Injune’s growing crown. If you pass this way don’t miss stopping and having a look.

So what other highlights have we had today? For Jake as usual it is the food - he continually grazes and I am threatening to place him on a strict diet and exercise routine on our return. We restrained him from his pledge this morning of ‘going mental in the Spar’ (the local food store).

Therese and Jake continue their teenage bantering - a compliment for Therese who seems to relish in coming back with something quirkier then Jake each time. It’s a healthy competition I see gaining more momentum till our last leg of this journey.

The biggest highlight would have to be the wildlife. Huge wedge tailed eagles, roos and wallabies (we narrowly missed one this morning travelling into town) a bustard at the front gate and many more birds.

And tonight more wildlife awaits as we head to a nearby hill where we can hear the dingoes howling for a series of night photography shots. Of course us ‘big girls’ have a bottle of red ready to sample as it is a fundamental equipment requirement for any night shoot and yes Jake has a bag of food packed.

All photos by Therese Lillis

Danielle doing what she does best.
(shes not telling a joke)

Photo by Therese Lillis

And they tell us they are working!

Hanging with the locals.

Relaxing after a hard day at the homestead.