tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2638003599585690282024-03-17T20:21:11.131+11:00The f8 Group: Photography and Occasional CommentaryOccasional Photography Posts from Robin NicholsRobin Nicholshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03650101386350865476noreply@blogger.comBlogger698125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-263800359958569028.post-25595039201162405692023-09-13T15:44:00.005+10:002023-09-13T16:07:06.075+10:00Brand New Blog Site<p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">After nearly 15 years of battling with Google Blogger, I have finally migrated my photography blog from this site to a dedicated blog that allows me far greater control over site design and blog posting. <br /></span><b style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="http://www.robinnichols.blog">www.robinnichols.blog</a></b><span style="font-family: verdana;"> <br /><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div style="text-align: center;">The new blog is called <b>Stay in Focus...<br /><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdaW38Bsv6v117oxICONh9YdQxQ8ctUMViFiwg0Bnztcf1dI7XC40r7GDwQzzTB3HxIU0BCkMeqQcF7Vy3HzxuJkDj4kD-qAZ8Sd30mEPSt2Qhp-YMt2zjmpR6ouYWr9GYJPKsrblwfR2GkKwXobYsg2l48MrGADZBWIUedMh1r0jOARRA_3q-5a24aA5l/s1103/new%20blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1103" data-original-width="994" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdaW38Bsv6v117oxICONh9YdQxQ8ctUMViFiwg0Bnztcf1dI7XC40r7GDwQzzTB3HxIU0BCkMeqQcF7Vy3HzxuJkDj4kD-qAZ8Sd30mEPSt2Qhp-YMt2zjmpR6ouYWr9GYJPKsrblwfR2GkKwXobYsg2l48MrGADZBWIUedMh1r0jOARRA_3q-5a24aA5l/s16000/new%20blog.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></span><p></p>Robin Nicholshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03650101386350865476noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-263800359958569028.post-37326115922022246632023-08-22T18:06:00.000+10:002023-08-22T18:06:09.738+10:00A Short Walk in the Rainforest<p><span style="font-family: verdana;">You can see a lot in the rainforest if you stop, look and listen. <br /><br />We walked the <b>Dubuji Boardwalk</b> in Cape Tribulation, a concrete and timber walkway located between the main and only road and <b>Myall Beach</b>. Although it was the wrong time of day (3 o'clock) there was still plenty to see - especially the amazing shapes and patterns created by the dense palm leaves, vines, creepers and varied trees in the area. The boardwalk is level and easily navigable, even if you are not a good walker! Here are a few of the things we saw on the way... </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_piunsZHIw8-gsDaYhoH9L9ahfx5w_SHr6qqPek3L-ojRyIwRBlCkM7dhO3cNQU0T2DVoZPK767DdksPYAxCkClj5m1WrnAbKQUweXm3h8F-E5akGrO53-lMtewviJhLghjNFTNv429zQok0N8osPTBvmKk0UeBY4Vdf1PWcfoeqtup28WrXtEmgfIOYM/s1000/blog%201.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="373" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_piunsZHIw8-gsDaYhoH9L9ahfx5w_SHr6qqPek3L-ojRyIwRBlCkM7dhO3cNQU0T2DVoZPK767DdksPYAxCkClj5m1WrnAbKQUweXm3h8F-E5akGrO53-lMtewviJhLghjNFTNv429zQok0N8osPTBvmKk0UeBY4Vdf1PWcfoeqtup28WrXtEmgfIOYM/s16000/blog%201.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYksue68WBYNEt09sFGZLHAT1Pc_gltcijWpBEzy8hrO2rAXZIMJLscr95VfSP4N0xi1zycekPGUF8PrpAgiuhuWyE5nq8hjLVPS6c4eSo_qqzFkXW_6yD7mkMnDHeXMuj_KbeiFFQhquhs8JukwZNwEkNAQEYeLgJ47S-RG03YMLhhgue17S5L1bZttJ3/s1000/blog%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="373" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYksue68WBYNEt09sFGZLHAT1Pc_gltcijWpBEzy8hrO2rAXZIMJLscr95VfSP4N0xi1zycekPGUF8PrpAgiuhuWyE5nq8hjLVPS6c4eSo_qqzFkXW_6yD7mkMnDHeXMuj_KbeiFFQhquhs8JukwZNwEkNAQEYeLgJ47S-RG03YMLhhgue17S5L1bZttJ3/s16000/blog%202.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGrEO90k-_Y-l9BGYpQzwAZzk2tr3VN3avfRi5Uud2hwQivOPNnPC7Y6zQljCagrHnXJyaXOxXiuXJnwoiAinrOId3vmGk5IX-e6YNjT9_z72h6y50QoXbj-Rkkp71XTJ71FYKDOHzQnMX86KydbPylS4QU1lncCwIV6VDBuftdgjyuYrjTO_UT150oI9z/s1000/g%203.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="373" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGrEO90k-_Y-l9BGYpQzwAZzk2tr3VN3avfRi5Uud2hwQivOPNnPC7Y6zQljCagrHnXJyaXOxXiuXJnwoiAinrOId3vmGk5IX-e6YNjT9_z72h6y50QoXbj-Rkkp71XTJ71FYKDOHzQnMX86KydbPylS4QU1lncCwIV6VDBuftdgjyuYrjTO_UT150oI9z/s16000/g%203.jpg" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZfN4x0wSbLuVlpUCAx09gcEIWs9Vb1r6xXjpu9Iw0fzy_Q6PEmRtwOZ2XS6eteusV2YMJ-arqVBPkPvTi2E4F31T64fv49-uWZAWfXNkOgUGn17UuZdZ2SFKoOp8dXq_6KEyNIQiFtKlerYZNppKwjzTn-rhzMIQ1jf2r-zCbvruRphAw2F6ZitRSo6rm/s1000/Daintree%2001%20sml.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="636" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZfN4x0wSbLuVlpUCAx09gcEIWs9Vb1r6xXjpu9Iw0fzy_Q6PEmRtwOZ2XS6eteusV2YMJ-arqVBPkPvTi2E4F31T64fv49-uWZAWfXNkOgUGn17UuZdZ2SFKoOp8dXq_6KEyNIQiFtKlerYZNppKwjzTn-rhzMIQ1jf2r-zCbvruRphAw2F6ZitRSo6rm/s16000/Daintree%2001%20sml.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Mangrove swamp, Cape Tribulation</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjVssltB5MrXCKqvn_2VBRO1rNryEhVtfk06tufoMXvep6LqKuG1nGIKKeHh6g-wcld9qtYrcz1eeqKmi5cRG9L0a2RRq3vbseVwwA7GcpIYer2FChw2xsQtBMmWLDxtZJaYXhpACtvxGW-aSC4HRmlg4Q5NF9l0QcdGgF8HM2xu5397CBWyjCWaScDTE0/s1000/Daintree%2003sml.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjVssltB5MrXCKqvn_2VBRO1rNryEhVtfk06tufoMXvep6LqKuG1nGIKKeHh6g-wcld9qtYrcz1eeqKmi5cRG9L0a2RRq3vbseVwwA7GcpIYer2FChw2xsQtBMmWLDxtZJaYXhpACtvxGW-aSC4HRmlg4Q5NF9l0QcdGgF8HM2xu5397CBWyjCWaScDTE0/s16000/Daintree%2003sml.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Daintree Rainforest - Princess Alexandra Lookout - looking east toward the Low Isles</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFNgzL6Iam0nv2cwY5ss_5Fug-HZ4VLCelP_iLw9TzTxnlwEaHNWVpeHhlQ2uvg8HGl0dFZH-v7kWy3mQ_l3_89O2Du3X52ocqAnyDtUGmdN9SKSds5LCTEB2pXJremeBFaCaa1brhqjBjZzEgucoTmS7bbKQjM6zF50RiT-VONJba3jHE2EyyooVB4-VB/s1000/blog%204.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="373" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFNgzL6Iam0nv2cwY5ss_5Fug-HZ4VLCelP_iLw9TzTxnlwEaHNWVpeHhlQ2uvg8HGl0dFZH-v7kWy3mQ_l3_89O2Du3X52ocqAnyDtUGmdN9SKSds5LCTEB2pXJremeBFaCaa1brhqjBjZzEgucoTmS7bbKQjM6zF50RiT-VONJba3jHE2EyyooVB4-VB/s16000/blog%204.jpg" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf1OdvCrzpCS_tlNTQx8Fc_fOeqKCmLHvQJP55nCkf4d97CLXErYO3CaoKp38FiwzAnz7Fh6ZG0Go1P3gvuD0lwWepBHiSEfBgfAk7759euuTB0HXqXLFbgFDE9MKIZtSe8NYxox-x2FWFtA5qw_okJpLT5Jt9SL9JsJXrQmmsTRKCWbFbtjvKh-pzAI-T/s1000/blog%205.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="671" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIts7c1hQltUE_VqQyyfcYjDOAHB264V1sNHbuaczsDWRLaoF9ql5ZEs7ZVEjmNbJ79AaBmYdfIIIPriiho9C71Js3J-SgH4NmvJsQTGFEv1m1MZv16ZNjETeigGY_4yK0YjD8Thr50QeqpRErLn4y8FGk1Ds1R-PBbWDuTJ-MXHjBOvP0pV5MA4cMTmgi/s16000/blog%2011.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi795sl1VPDbJcM3VyTFL20wATtsoP4IIFZpZ-MRjk-_FoZqs9o3lhmQn7IuLH62sqyg4nYmWWT_iw84T1SdY-Izxsm3ExQ4WmenBP-GNnbEwMMH2GH6ywTVfbExvu0fWPw0rgseeGFA-PY6QVQmoq23YSL1VOX-MsgP0dMSQ5-OUmWqevGSqGyvzj4gt5c/s1000/blog%2012.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="380" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi795sl1VPDbJcM3VyTFL20wATtsoP4IIFZpZ-MRjk-_FoZqs9o3lhmQn7IuLH62sqyg4nYmWWT_iw84T1SdY-Izxsm3ExQ4WmenBP-GNnbEwMMH2GH6ywTVfbExvu0fWPw0rgseeGFA-PY6QVQmoq23YSL1VOX-MsgP0dMSQ5-OUmWqevGSqGyvzj4gt5c/s16000/blog%2012.jpg" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQgUwXjABtM9AkfdhZtLQ3kC04wQysVNMPHFc9MVdd7vsZUrG2dJ-RW3fcqBappk893ZqnR90MRniXa3WDS0VEECib-j8pwKnoglaAa6CH9qyu8aZRgxeN-cd9nSE9l-hSbq3T8RYdDcgvJ-iKpWY2PhGWBPo_xN1YEopgwgr8BGcFdtqKbq1etEnswNma/s1000/forest%20kingfishersml.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="718" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQgUwXjABtM9AkfdhZtLQ3kC04wQysVNMPHFc9MVdd7vsZUrG2dJ-RW3fcqBappk893ZqnR90MRniXa3WDS0VEECib-j8pwKnoglaAa6CH9qyu8aZRgxeN-cd9nSE9l-hSbq3T8RYdDcgvJ-iKpWY2PhGWBPo_xN1YEopgwgr8BGcFdtqKbq1etEnswNma/s16000/forest%20kingfishersml.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Forest Kingfisher</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div>Robin Nicholshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03650101386350865476noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-263800359958569028.post-22777757524604454622023-08-18T12:20:00.005+10:002023-08-18T12:25:20.015+10:00Metallic Starlings<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-jnQwixXci2skR_dJtxK7uyTzwHsCOReqrgRyweNaFLmg9Vjx2vHlg7i2GKBqaiuDmowCAlSVaXRlZE5D-ZW6D97vFGv8Iy5ndKAahP3HZugLQ3hxgCgVJ3A9hDxTfe94jbR1NaDln3ObVEbkew-O706pDtnyAwLtOAh5mKw7DesEaxuz34iw-CIUmdY2/s1000/Metallic%20StarlingsSml.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-jnQwixXci2skR_dJtxK7uyTzwHsCOReqrgRyweNaFLmg9Vjx2vHlg7i2GKBqaiuDmowCAlSVaXRlZE5D-ZW6D97vFGv8Iy5ndKAahP3HZugLQ3hxgCgVJ3A9hDxTfe94jbR1NaDln3ObVEbkew-O706pDtnyAwLtOAh5mKw7DesEaxuz34iw-CIUmdY2/s16000/Metallic%20StarlingsSml.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The restaurant at Thala Beach Nature Reserve is open-sided, making it a perfect viewing platform for all the bird species living in the forest - today it was the turn of these amazing </span><b style="font-family: verdana;">Metallic Starlings</b><span style="font-family: verdana;"> to have a bath. Olympus OM1, 300mm f4 lens with 1.4 converter (840mm equivalent), f5.6 @ 1/400s<br /><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Robin Nicholshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03650101386350865476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-263800359958569028.post-12630205028992158112023-07-31T15:53:00.002+10:002023-07-31T17:15:29.520+10:00End of the line for Filters?<p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I recently bought a new lens </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">and was quite surprised that the sales person didn't try to capitalise on my purchase by trying to sell me an over-priced filter for the new toy.</span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2jKh6MZCBhiRCFgC0nZA_k6ZAmeK4iIQa10MzdeRV9bSrMF0TVudkjMlp1u7Naz2Iq33t76ejteR8ma7sUQsDVNBCmdn41Fm4_WTm-0lTlnVIoCguhvBGWU59mD2g7F8AhwcZUbvgAgMoGJo_K46ByKrJhGb2wFzJKZ9S73Ibg_1FGnW7ncH6gbPY8t4u/s1246/OKKO.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="923" data-original-width="1246" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2jKh6MZCBhiRCFgC0nZA_k6ZAmeK4iIQa10MzdeRV9bSrMF0TVudkjMlp1u7Naz2Iq33t76ejteR8ma7sUQsDVNBCmdn41Fm4_WTm-0lTlnVIoCguhvBGWU59mD2g7F8AhwcZUbvgAgMoGJo_K46ByKrJhGb2wFzJKZ9S73Ibg_1FGnW7ncH6gbPY8t4u/w640-h474/OKKO.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Back when I was teaching photography I heard so many stories concerning new lens purchases - and the pressure they felt on them to buy a filter for the lens - usually the most expensive brand in the shop - all the while not really knowing why one was needed.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">I recall one student in particular showing me a couple of </span><b style="font-family: verdana;">B+W</b><span style="font-family: verdana;"> filters she'd been told were 'absolutely' necessary - a <b>UV</b> and a <b>Polarising</b> filter that, combined added nearly $350 to her purchase.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">So, is a filter really important or is it just a marketing beat-up? And how much should you realistically pay for one?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Adding a filter to the front of a lens is important</b>. If you buy a new lens - remove the lens cap and immediately attach a filter. That way the front elements is kept in pristine condition. The filter acts as a <b>protective buffer</b> against all that the elements (and you) can throw at it.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><br />What does a filter do?</b></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghtgXve2uMiZf25OLF2NuFszm0rpVGyi-npq8GPh2WVKNb80BHGgsxNjR9PDhaBstFz_JzbO_niCeYL80iPZEYlXHTxfMZ6QaezmmXeH5u3ThabffAAXW_vSJilai33y6HACvSogZBu0OKkGrku_2s1A-uktoXZUrn2beFbV95olAVm9uEhZMqEnVNQ5as/s1000/lens%20coating.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="695" data-original-width="1000" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghtgXve2uMiZf25OLF2NuFszm0rpVGyi-npq8GPh2WVKNb80BHGgsxNjR9PDhaBstFz_JzbO_niCeYL80iPZEYlXHTxfMZ6QaezmmXeH5u3ThabffAAXW_vSJilai33y6HACvSogZBu0OKkGrku_2s1A-uktoXZUrn2beFbV95olAVm9uEhZMqEnVNQ5as/w640-h444/lens%20coating.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>Although the coating on many lenses look quite colourful at certain angles, it makes no difference to the photo's colour - but it can reduce <b>flare</b> and <b>refraction</b>, thus helping to produce a clearer looking picture.</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Lens manufacturers apply an ultra-thin protective coating to the front element - hold the lens surface up to a bright light and you'll see a range of colours reflecting off that front element. This coating is there to reduce optical imperfections like <b>refraction</b>, <b>flare</b> and <b>ghosting</b> - all negative aspects which reduce image quality. <br /><br />However, the prime job of a filter is <b>protection </b>- it prevents dirt and greasy fingerprints getting onto the front element of the lens. <br /><br />Also, note that although a <b>lens cap</b> is useful to keep the lens protected, its protective capabilities are not nearly as effective as a filter that screws onto the lens. To be honest I used to tell students to buy a filter and once that was fitted, to throw their lens caps way. Drastic perhaps - but I have also seen a lot of missed shots because the photographer forgot to take the lens cap off!<br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />Be aware that the <b>multi-coated</b> front element is a very fragile surface - it </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">can be scratched easily, even when cleaning with<b> optical quality lens tissue</b> or a soft <b>microfibre cloth</b>. Best advice is to never touch the front element. Ever. Leave it sealed behind a protective filter.</span></span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Cheapest filter type is called a <b>protection</b> filter - essentially a circle of (almost) clear glass that seals the front element from the ravages of the environment or mis-handling. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">If the filter gets dirty you can safely clean it with any kind of cloth and not worry about damaging that precious coating on the lens beneath it. Plus, if the filter gets badly scratched or broken, as they often do over time (see ND filter example below) it's significantly cheaper to replace the filter than to replace the front element.<br /></span><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3AVH24Qip0a1UuDSp4u8QDsQzIjU9JT5LQrtCJbj_2FFgEBwLlnXn9F2hVeKrpYuzaU-GCWvYunVP1rTcCEUrVC-GxQOIu2IkcmBvOKIMpUcEcE8ZAgt2PF3y_tnyktZ3VB8SX8BlB1_bzDPJdkYn2BMmAnpElXBVNn1YWmXfuvRPfw2OKrR4ORoWnnYa/s1500/Damaged%20ND%20Filter.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1341" data-original-width="1500" height="572" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3AVH24Qip0a1UuDSp4u8QDsQzIjU9JT5LQrtCJbj_2FFgEBwLlnXn9F2hVeKrpYuzaU-GCWvYunVP1rTcCEUrVC-GxQOIu2IkcmBvOKIMpUcEcE8ZAgt2PF3y_tnyktZ3VB8SX8BlB1_bzDPJdkYn2BMmAnpElXBVNn1YWmXfuvRPfw2OKrR4ORoWnnYa/w640-h572/Damaged%20ND%20Filter.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>Normally an ND filter 1000 (Neutral Density) is almost totally black - it cuts out 13 f-stops of light. This one got an extensive workout in Iceland but it's multi-coated surface has taken some seawater damage. It looks bad but, providing I shoot with wide apertures, it should still work reasonably well. </i></span> </td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Filter Benefits:</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">- Simple to use<br />- Doesn't significantly affect size or weight of host lens<br />- Inexpensive - depending on the brand and marketing<br />- Prevents moisture ingress<br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">- Adds a good layer of protection from physical damage. <br /><br />You'd be surprised at how many photographers drop, bump or scrape their cameras and lenses (including myself). I have seen cameras on poorly set up tripods fall forward and smack onto concrete floors, filters that have cracked when accidentally bumped when squeezing through a doorway (see pic here) - there are a hundred ways to damage the front of a lens!</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmawKypq7qpZKy3AJ4FGbfDaOE5o_IKyjwuNRiSyl_w_FxOEiiIjM3dQURig-WlEXnazb21_02tVInmmlTlUWteEiPVT0bI7cMFbufhG4hS9aghgnk6-0Q7QhmGpkysVmJ5aMipFTPR6A_ADGmLcCxkHcLlioXw6L2AgHgVN05OcPyVAqcH1S9yYlIRTcO/s1500/Cracked%20filter.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1500" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmawKypq7qpZKy3AJ4FGbfDaOE5o_IKyjwuNRiSyl_w_FxOEiiIjM3dQURig-WlEXnazb21_02tVInmmlTlUWteEiPVT0bI7cMFbufhG4hS9aghgnk6-0Q7QhmGpkysVmJ5aMipFTPR6A_ADGmLcCxkHcLlioXw6L2AgHgVN05OcPyVAqcH1S9yYlIRTcO/w640-h426/Cracked%20filter.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>Another broken filter! This happened to me on an African trip - and of course I was not carrying a replacement so had to treat the suddenly naked front of the lens very carefully for several weeks...</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><b style="font-family: verdana;"><br />Other types of protection filter</b><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">A protection filter is just clear glass. It makes almost no visible change to the image at all other than a<b> fractional loss of light</b>. This is so small that it's not worth worrying about.<br /><br />Another type of protection filter is a hand-me-down from the world of film. The ultra-violet or <b>UV</b> filter not only protects the front element but also adds a tiny colour adjustment - typically warming the colour slightly to offset the slight blue tinge often picked up in areas of high ultra-violet light. This kind of filter is particularly effective when shooting film - <b>Kodak Ektachrome</b> slide film in particular, was prone to produce <i>exaggerated blues</i> - which were further amplified in high UV light areas. But on a digital camera a UV filter is little more than an alternative type of protection filter.<br /></span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis2V-cIT24y60SP2LvdO6TFBmUXKbxe7x_c8E7q9Lc8DPYZhWeuAkrM5662B4a3AlHSK3xwL2eZF_qhX2ja1-SCX7xHw0lItesThu96vq_g5pdz1HfW5azjkz-lI3dnwrqqM0iUcEj73TeFUVdm_WoYknN-54KJkC3r4ypRQFbqsz1z4MIUzzHdawd_Ei5/s1369/Ekta.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1001" data-original-width="1369" height="146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis2V-cIT24y60SP2LvdO6TFBmUXKbxe7x_c8E7q9Lc8DPYZhWeuAkrM5662B4a3AlHSK3xwL2eZF_qhX2ja1-SCX7xHw0lItesThu96vq_g5pdz1HfW5azjkz-lI3dnwrqqM0iUcEj73TeFUVdm_WoYknN-54KJkC3r4ypRQFbqsz1z4MIUzzHdawd_Ei5/w200-h146/Ekta.jpg" width="200" /></a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Cost of filters</b></div></div><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">This is where buying a filter can get very expensive. There are generally three grades of protection filter (depending on where you shop): <b>budget</b>, <b>mid</b>-<b>range </b>and <b>expensive</b>. The difference? Mostly it's in the optical quality of the glass - and in some cases, the efficacy of its multi-coating. <br /><br />In lab tests the more expensive filters do make a difference - because their high glass purity doesn't restrict the transmission of light through the filter as much as a cheaper brand. But we are not talking about f-stops here - we are talking fractions of an f-stop, something that I challenge most people to pick up with the naked eye. I can find no conclusive evidence that an expensive filter is going to make your photos look better - there are simply too many variants at play to make that call. But some purists will still argue that an expensive lens deserves either no filter (not a good idea!) or at least the 'best' filter glass.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">So while some are happy to spend $80 or $100, I'm totally happy getting away with $31 for an OKKO protection filter.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Old School Filters<br /></b><br />Almost every type of filter that I have heard about, and used, over the last 40 years has been replaced by a digital equivalent.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">In 1978, <b>Jacques Cokin</b>, a French photographer, invented a very neat universal filter system. Its design was genius - the filters were mostly made from a plastic resin that slotted into a universal filter holder that was then attached to the lens via a <b>metal adaptor ring</b>. So, instead of having to buy different sized filters for different lenses (an expensive process) all you needed was an inexpensive metal adaptor ring for each different sized lens.</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ9y6Pq2fO6dqSWsK4vDM0230flksjnb5WfcCulok2TQSEKt2BMfIAb9n08Lto5vNusg4_s_NDGzJBgHdB0-Lx7whzAuojCZihk0hDEnULWf6RO5x9D2nGPfXJJDrUHFw1DjrboKrU41eGuKNRKEKCQs2qb3wHHwAZDOyq24WNnTWPrstMHEOCwQR4npIV/s2070/Sunset%20filter.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2070" data-original-width="2000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ9y6Pq2fO6dqSWsK4vDM0230flksjnb5WfcCulok2TQSEKt2BMfIAb9n08Lto5vNusg4_s_NDGzJBgHdB0-Lx7whzAuojCZihk0hDEnULWf6RO5x9D2nGPfXJJDrUHFw1DjrboKrU41eGuKNRKEKCQs2qb3wHHwAZDOyq24WNnTWPrstMHEOCwQR4npIV/w618-h640/Sunset%20filter.jpg" width="618" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>One of my favourite effects filters from years ago - the <b>Graduated Sunset</b> filter was good for ramping up a lacklustre sunset. And because it's a mechanical process, most results looked a bit fake... </i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Some of the more memorable filters included:<br /><b>Starburst<br />Prism<br />Rainbow<br />Colour Spot <br />Graduated Sunset <br />Graduated Neutral Density<br />Polarising<br />Cutouts<br />Film Grain</b> - </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">and about 130 other types of filter! </span></p><p><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-weight: 400;">Though most of the really quirky filters are no longer available (thank goodness - there were some really BAD ones in the seventies), Cokin, and now many other brands, still retail the highly adaptable, slide-in filter design which is now extensively used for digital, film, and video.<br /><br /></span></b></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjunpiZY5dcwyevvCjhB-d9ql8ruHcVT80QLTY_A5mMetRhfTZkSWnshkyjSf9INkarBF8khm5Vg8aUsLp7A_TEBmjQ4z7Ebnl18SHRkz2BtyxvL9fEwTKHgpTECONPlQQqoPUwuK6rLJvB4iq0SXeSlmocpfnaHgNUM1-5Fv3rNpro19rfsDWWt3ftKMd8/s1000/Sunrise.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="407" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjunpiZY5dcwyevvCjhB-d9ql8ruHcVT80QLTY_A5mMetRhfTZkSWnshkyjSf9INkarBF8khm5Vg8aUsLp7A_TEBmjQ4z7Ebnl18SHRkz2BtyxvL9fEwTKHgpTECONPlQQqoPUwuK6rLJvB4iq0SXeSlmocpfnaHgNUM1-5Fv3rNpro19rfsDWWt3ftKMd8/s16000/Sunrise.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i><b>Sunset Filter?<br /></b>Not this time - taken early morning, September 2009, recording the day Sydney went orange with a dust storm blown in from the far west of the State...</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p></p><p><b style="font-family: verdana;">Software Filters</b><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Dig around in your photo editing software and chances are good that you'll find a software method for warming or cooling your files - Photoshop Elements for one, not only has a range of colour filter effects that mimic the industry-standard Kodak filters from the world of film, plus a range of other, bolder colour effects. And unlike a physical glass filter, software filters of course offer no physical protection to the lens, but they do offer a staggering array of colour options. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLY4k_8diPNJINrVtVvnTDW025wTjZMXq-NOARoS5eqL34DI4ihfhRqdSwGK-3sXJMnMOg7fu2s9xfI2IfCqUDHDaaBBQfICnsNp5naK5T_qExsG0E2oTLuIpFn0hTX6OZEM6ylvLypx3XS0PocVRsLwwMe0a-v3aulWTp8ZR2WE0YUxAmOV_T7TN9xsNY/s854/Software%20filter.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="854" data-original-width="742" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLY4k_8diPNJINrVtVvnTDW025wTjZMXq-NOARoS5eqL34DI4ihfhRqdSwGK-3sXJMnMOg7fu2s9xfI2IfCqUDHDaaBBQfICnsNp5naK5T_qExsG0E2oTLuIpFn0hTX6OZEM6ylvLypx3XS0PocVRsLwwMe0a-v3aulWTp8ZR2WE0YUxAmOV_T7TN9xsNY/s320/Software%20filter.png" width="278" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">It's interesting that, of the regular filters still sold, the <b>Polariser</b> and<b> Neutral Density</b> (ND) filters are two examples that cannot be reproduced in post-production software - although to be fair some applications, like <b>Skylum Aurora HDR</b>, try mimicking the effects of a polarising filter by enhancing the blue tones. But it can never remove reflections from foliage or water to reveal their true colours - the biggest reason to use a physical Polarising filter.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">And then there's the <b>preset filter</b>. This is a mini adjustment recipe, saved as an action - to get it to work all that's needed is choose a particular effect, click on its thumbnail and watch as it gets added to your file <b><i>automatically</i></b>.</span></div></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><p></p>Robin Nicholshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03650101386350865476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-263800359958569028.post-7731432310163268972023-04-28T17:15:00.148+10:002023-04-30T18:19:57.502+10:00Tasmania's answer to Africa's Honey Badger?<p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG8BMpe_BDhchJj0GKEHkpERcRIg9czaC--IrfJjtNOf2EAyT-DOc81yrQkWzNDRRHr3sUTUDU75j4N-dZkNEIOw7wj8SyT8tZvKNeS4c57UxGATDKXhoJSn9vgwGRrGKu_X_AcWTS-ru2lWm6A1Mr0zPW3EvA2iYGsiXZDfM8Tlpn8CYczvE9kvZFpQ/s1333/devil%201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG8BMpe_BDhchJj0GKEHkpERcRIg9czaC--IrfJjtNOf2EAyT-DOc81yrQkWzNDRRHr3sUTUDU75j4N-dZkNEIOw7wj8SyT8tZvKNeS4c57UxGATDKXhoJSn9vgwGRrGKu_X_AcWTS-ru2lWm6A1Mr0zPW3EvA2iYGsiXZDfM8Tlpn8CYczvE9kvZFpQ/s16000/devil%201.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Devils</b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"> mostly scavenge for carrion - road kill or anything else that's not putting up a fight. To me they look like physical misfits - their paws look awkward, their very active shiny noses look like they've been stuck onto the wrong animal, their ears, especially when backlit, look like the animal is on fire. And their vocalisation is really quite scary - so much so that in 2007 its screeching was voted in an international survey as being one of the <b>world's worst sounds </b>(</span><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">https://www.abc.net.au/news/2007-01-26/tassie-devil-ranks-in-worlds-worst-sounds/2180624).</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisInqOonl35kyBgOR2JBgKQXeYn01MVQ8qBtx_5EkbfqpHHZQME39pheA5C4ywtT8DFdLzd3bz6StESEvbZjXugHPkCFZBzQhbo6HAFkBoHoCCamM0A9ucVuj4AzkBJdCV5hismsClwOXqKx0mRzF6IQM1sIEqFNdoUt4h1_dh0JmpSCJa3KJpWlJhsg/s1000/small%20devil%202.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisInqOonl35kyBgOR2JBgKQXeYn01MVQ8qBtx_5EkbfqpHHZQME39pheA5C4ywtT8DFdLzd3bz6StESEvbZjXugHPkCFZBzQhbo6HAFkBoHoCCamM0A9ucVuj4AzkBJdCV5hismsClwOXqKx0mRzF6IQM1sIEqFNdoUt4h1_dh0JmpSCJa3KJpWlJhsg/s16000/small%20devil%202.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Tasmanian</b> <b>Devils</b> are very curious marsupials. It is the largest carnivorous marsupial in the world. We visited a wildlife park near <b>Bicheno</b> in Tassie which, unknown to us, hosted several Devil populations - more than we have seen anywhere else in Australia. What's more, we arrived just at feeding time for a group of four very hungry juveniles... <br /></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGxz4hIhjwg692RhU3bzAlAMs75A2Pb0f4r6ROM4ACWhVj8URNUxNVz-EAjDlhmyr1xIIWKHiSyL_UbGDov9e5JmOzlvQseVNSjpViHkKvh4D9Xg3vCRCrUE_8VilISNGGSfo6FXCB-zgh4pPz7st0hz3ZfnV_-FZ92_S0d47wu8A4s7knh4Qn6TPOwQ/s1000/small%20devil%204.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGxz4hIhjwg692RhU3bzAlAMs75A2Pb0f4r6ROM4ACWhVj8URNUxNVz-EAjDlhmyr1xIIWKHiSyL_UbGDov9e5JmOzlvQseVNSjpViHkKvh4D9Xg3vCRCrUE_8VilISNGGSfo6FXCB-zgh4pPz7st0hz3ZfnV_-FZ92_S0d47wu8A4s7knh4Qn6TPOwQ/s16000/small%20devil%204.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">There was a lot of growling - 'growling' doesn't really describe the noise these animals make. It's a mixture of desperation, threat, and great hunger mixed with a noise worse to fingernails scraping a blackboard. The Devil's bite has been rated as being one of the strongest of any predatory animal, size for size - exerting 553psi of force. So don't pat them when they are eating!</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYpxQlsr5KIc58MlUe_A3V7A9wqJGB6IQsVSx0Puh2QbrzYB-f-MYnGrpnqcHyUvPUbHJ62c80h5tCTCP7XOIzpacd8opmmWCNGKA-kLBqo4LjWYqLPwvDlkuRIE14FaeQxGXt3j4r22r7ZCBFNs9_WVgLjky8yrs1-7vzBSXUAZuMOESw_ns7O6_2Ww/s1000/small%20devil%205.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYpxQlsr5KIc58MlUe_A3V7A9wqJGB6IQsVSx0Puh2QbrzYB-f-MYnGrpnqcHyUvPUbHJ62c80h5tCTCP7XOIzpacd8opmmWCNGKA-kLBqo4LjWYqLPwvDlkuRIE14FaeQxGXt3j4r22r7ZCBFNs9_WVgLjky8yrs1-7vzBSXUAZuMOESw_ns7O6_2Ww/s16000/small%20devil%205.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">The keeper did a good job of maintaining the devilish patter while avoiding being bitten and the devils devoured the soft bits before moving on to the less attractive parts of the possum - the bones and the fur.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigPV7PpMBMvBw5F06eQsnvoLaboXyRPY-PKwvdAgPMh0u-EmzqTVCtdBDP4Ct49ubiJ7i93iTDozkoEio-4-cO4IhJJECFWFGhzLD3L-zzQ37ZU7HxAAFnS56y2aEjDBhRCR2xSy6JCJOdJLB6pUyRzQ4wsqvAJFgEug6ObjATnWKWZH6Cz5zIWtjl2w/s1000/small%20devil%206.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigPV7PpMBMvBw5F06eQsnvoLaboXyRPY-PKwvdAgPMh0u-EmzqTVCtdBDP4Ct49ubiJ7i93iTDozkoEio-4-cO4IhJJECFWFGhzLD3L-zzQ37ZU7HxAAFnS56y2aEjDBhRCR2xSy6JCJOdJLB6pUyRzQ4wsqvAJFgEug6ObjATnWKWZH6Cz5zIWtjl2w/s16000/small%20devil%206.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">At this stage of breakfast all of the soft tissue had been ripped out of the very stinky carcass so with a memorably crunching all four started on the bones...</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgfj9_-KlECroig2lGVcJK2EZ0JgEILScCkK9ZtsM51Iexv3uxHItXzE8s4Kebn5rk23VdtzhldV_XvLmQ_3m16f86665opGusVikDyKqJrp9aY1vPqvZDFAHhv6uXtptyoh8cU5V3BOi0g29MSNgfAQU2rZl8kr5e8pI09cFdn1pjqsm0X6Ite_PfHg/s1000/small%20devil%207.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgfj9_-KlECroig2lGVcJK2EZ0JgEILScCkK9ZtsM51Iexv3uxHItXzE8s4Kebn5rk23VdtzhldV_XvLmQ_3m16f86665opGusVikDyKqJrp9aY1vPqvZDFAHhv6uXtptyoh8cU5V3BOi0g29MSNgfAQU2rZl8kr5e8pI09cFdn1pjqsm0X6Ite_PfHg/s16000/small%20devil%207.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Yum! They have very long whiskers on their faces - a feature that helps them find live prey when hunting at night. This Devil has quite pronounced markings - like a white scarf around its neck although the keeper did say that this was a random pattern - the other three in this exhibit were mostly black.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN_Mp-K4ZMHqdgwbcy2JrdHlYSXZQ6YlsRaQJzffR1wDnfnWHI0E5wyGXTaLWdTZIJ2A3DVs19VEw3FJecWpBZQuamnSdbMZI26l2-_Dx346XJM9EdHL7rKpOa7KKIoD9sL0sV1k9O6xq_9tqVLK4OAnA70mk9SzYdoxFGmHbSvOhZQ649pfeGabu-oQ/s1000/small%20devil%208.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN_Mp-K4ZMHqdgwbcy2JrdHlYSXZQ6YlsRaQJzffR1wDnfnWHI0E5wyGXTaLWdTZIJ2A3DVs19VEw3FJecWpBZQuamnSdbMZI26l2-_Dx346XJM9EdHL7rKpOa7KKIoD9sL0sV1k9O6xq_9tqVLK4OAnA70mk9SzYdoxFGmHbSvOhZQ649pfeGabu-oQ/s16000/small%20devil%208.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Now all the flesh and bones have been consumed it's time for the pelt - which, at this stage, looked like an abandoned glove puppet.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTfIuvMqp0rW8TnWFHWNdm1qIaZUB8S4c5JOMlEG2JxhHyp16wM8JSoWsFHAvmz8IAag6Wf0swo0jLXqLFcFZ0dC-Kb6vNj-uh_nS4fGlG3m0CD2sRDIgi29biNvsab0DQC4QyVvs_4R0vXyJn5KGM6It6He0OYLCrAxdAcpuv_29gBUsqiF82qnHKCw/s1000/small%20devil%209.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTfIuvMqp0rW8TnWFHWNdm1qIaZUB8S4c5JOMlEG2JxhHyp16wM8JSoWsFHAvmz8IAag6Wf0swo0jLXqLFcFZ0dC-Kb6vNj-uh_nS4fGlG3m0CD2sRDIgi29biNvsab0DQC4QyVvs_4R0vXyJn5KGM6It6He0OYLCrAxdAcpuv_29gBUsqiF82qnHKCw/s16000/small%20devil%209.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Surprisingly despite their ferocious nature and ability to eat almost anything, dead or alive (but preferably dead) Devils rarely live for more than 5 years. Although they are not 100% nocturnal, they do hunt at night - which is where their long whiskers come into play. They have excellent hearing and an acute sense of smell - they can detect prey up to one kilometre away. An 8kg male Devil can take on a 30Kg wombat and win. Its massively strong bite allows it to hang on till the prey dies.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtyoN1Zd5FsBIAojXLmT2hr4NL-hizhpiX4YPGx6Uq40mJCUs9-FBrHiK16EF8RACrznjcyct6s-Vg6op6YV8VxxGLY_udkoPCxEgHaioz6XGNlKdX5hdbzM88MtqO2w7tKXYY1_W5vckNuv_F4fvxQoYmSM5EmgEeJuJSfsoMRD3Y0wRXi_UgFE-lLQ/s1000/nat%205.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtyoN1Zd5FsBIAojXLmT2hr4NL-hizhpiX4YPGx6Uq40mJCUs9-FBrHiK16EF8RACrznjcyct6s-Vg6op6YV8VxxGLY_udkoPCxEgHaioz6XGNlKdX5hdbzM88MtqO2w7tKXYY1_W5vckNuv_F4fvxQoYmSM5EmgEeJuJSfsoMRD3Y0wRXi_UgFE-lLQ/s16000/nat%205.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">At another <b>Devil</b> exhibit these young pups were actively playing - they kept jumping into the bath, more to leave their scent than for better Devil hygiene. As soon as one had done this, another appeared and jumped in to repeat the process.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVMkskVGJr6LH7MldziRyQXToToKID8pmC5TB38aMgBN9EtMdiRo_NqN1b86hVTg_Vy0CikiWpncnzRzqa8T9lSEXE5zco066pz_jIgw7P5lzuSUBKBGW79dPSGe077rzsit369kXG4exbZXdxbYJNmiJjrjzyL9bhjKF0M-JJ7mIXa4YmJor7Pqj1qA/s1000/nat%204.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVMkskVGJr6LH7MldziRyQXToToKID8pmC5TB38aMgBN9EtMdiRo_NqN1b86hVTg_Vy0CikiWpncnzRzqa8T9lSEXE5zco066pz_jIgw7P5lzuSUBKBGW79dPSGe077rzsit369kXG4exbZXdxbYJNmiJjrjzyL9bhjKF0M-JJ7mIXa4YmJor7Pqj1qA/s16000/nat%204.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Here the light is catching the <b>Devil's</b> very long whiskers - these are used to help it find prey in the dark.<br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">(Pic by Natalie Hitchens)</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJaqvxro5XFoLHvmoEq1pCn_tcW6hOEJpCS0_Ndm8bBojvJSwmy7WfkuipmB-eoHm3HtCliARYBOA9iDGodlSmjSlILzob37LOduDUJRgfeT84EPm92_7BpH1VI2XbfJRE8BfFaO2EA8s_H1FEQHAcauY3VjHWFn0pjvM3fDzIzfJT1dkwkShy9aqj9g/s1000/nat%203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJaqvxro5XFoLHvmoEq1pCn_tcW6hOEJpCS0_Ndm8bBojvJSwmy7WfkuipmB-eoHm3HtCliARYBOA9iDGodlSmjSlILzob37LOduDUJRgfeT84EPm92_7BpH1VI2XbfJRE8BfFaO2EA8s_H1FEQHAcauY3VjHWFn0pjvM3fDzIzfJT1dkwkShy9aqj9g/s16000/nat%203.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">A devilish face only a mother can love <br />(Pic by Natalie Hitchens)</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwOFi1PHMT-m3rRsOR-GQG1XcS1OUZRLM2jsnNqQ18sb7p-vUuiDKQ0BDNb46Gg5zk_PQG6l6mxg3Po0CA-Rzby8COuva2LI76Iwc3-jEUqSH0k-t-aeFY3gjWVAjPXSro0eFVVwmp84OTJMaHskFbucsoYJ920CbcilEqbuI_lEgXH-q9BWKEUws99Q/s1000/nat%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="755" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwOFi1PHMT-m3rRsOR-GQG1XcS1OUZRLM2jsnNqQ18sb7p-vUuiDKQ0BDNb46Gg5zk_PQG6l6mxg3Po0CA-Rzby8COuva2LI76Iwc3-jEUqSH0k-t-aeFY3gjWVAjPXSro0eFVVwmp84OTJMaHskFbucsoYJ920CbcilEqbuI_lEgXH-q9BWKEUws99Q/s16000/nat%202.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">(Pic by Natalie Hitchens)<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj39Y8hvkO0ltdgt_DORKHzY3Okuf6jIYRlKdXQ62P-TIXIrBwTmMXWls5gmpa7r0Vy4Dysa8OJK7QG03fM91j14Vgm0G2wZ4-UA63ZpbR1Px9e8LJW-YTSADoIzwvf7dP6Q5aBTQqBoXaPqYoleRL89TM-_Y3op5W_Ju5D5KEVl108viIn24LH2ePjoQ/s1000/nat%201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="693" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj39Y8hvkO0ltdgt_DORKHzY3Okuf6jIYRlKdXQ62P-TIXIrBwTmMXWls5gmpa7r0Vy4Dysa8OJK7QG03fM91j14Vgm0G2wZ4-UA63ZpbR1Px9e8LJW-YTSADoIzwvf7dP6Q5aBTQqBoXaPqYoleRL89TM-_Y3op5W_Ju5D5KEVl108viIn24LH2ePjoQ/s16000/nat%201.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">In this shot of a passing <b>Tassie Devil</b>, you can clearly appreciate its unusual facial colouring - the young ones were mostly black faced but the adults in the exhibit tended to look a lot more battered - whether that's from previous hunting exploits or from scraps with fellow inmates, who knows!<br />(Pic by Natalie Hitchens)<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpyXasX5xetl7MIhaxRI2HlAj7_DrtEfc_8zJdR9Jzo-3LO6aKeZLteE0JXXsbp2IsC3ozsWGaJRKK-6d-tx7F9mlS3zwWAo9B-EEF1aGgQyDSDUzw-m7RlEELPRrzDjRGhhg8DbrWhzzfPaX7RdES1VPCY5yek70eHZled7mkcg1UgfMJdTYNhLX_4g/s1320/devil%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1320" data-original-width="1017" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpyXasX5xetl7MIhaxRI2HlAj7_DrtEfc_8zJdR9Jzo-3LO6aKeZLteE0JXXsbp2IsC3ozsWGaJRKK-6d-tx7F9mlS3zwWAo9B-EEF1aGgQyDSDUzw-m7RlEELPRrzDjRGhhg8DbrWhzzfPaX7RdES1VPCY5yek70eHZled7mkcg1UgfMJdTYNhLX_4g/s16000/devil%202.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">This young animal keeper climbed into the enclosure with a (very smelly) dead possum and the fight was on. She sensibly wore good boots but grimly hung on to the possum's tail as the four occupants proceeded to pull the possum apart.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br />Robin Nicholshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03650101386350865476noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-263800359958569028.post-70509062752653467392023-04-22T16:57:00.002+10:002023-04-23T12:31:19.215+10:00The Sydney Royal Easter Show<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-x7oo2-6A_4Qqm4n1BVunn5TgXENYgF2ScqdNXz8IusQhDmVP79N9cBwv1FlfoXbU9BNBcGeRBKQ9vbQwzgPW-G9HA7ygdE8BE4xDocaUx1fPBelwUMj1CD86GE9HjxnZUZzjXO_yC3P1jOg2j5WvImEhUgh95bL-WljOV30hQTSEYT9hoyf-zf-cGw/s1989/small%20easter%20show%20combo%202.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1989" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-x7oo2-6A_4Qqm4n1BVunn5TgXENYgF2ScqdNXz8IusQhDmVP79N9cBwv1FlfoXbU9BNBcGeRBKQ9vbQwzgPW-G9HA7ygdE8BE4xDocaUx1fPBelwUMj1CD86GE9HjxnZUZzjXO_yC3P1jOg2j5WvImEhUgh95bL-WljOV30hQTSEYT9hoyf-zf-cGw/w640-h241/small%20easter%20show%20combo%202.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Just for fun - the country massive produce exhibition appeared to be a bit smaller this year - possibly because of all the floods experienced in the north of the State? Anyway, this is a single image, copied, then pasted back into the same file and the canvas was extended to accommodate this panoramic version.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG2n4w1dSXdoYJitRBfDd6BnQkjKIJgkY8mG-VaFEmo1OWteokhT1HLMyKnXbPQG5_zzke-RwQoL6Q6exMXuP-hviOtGXhXtYoH7lqdAhsZRg31kCYDli7Nk_X0XhQco7G_KWGcd_kmSr5StLSH0vlMluidvv-mgPxmr2mjT-kqBqw6qSmtW63VD70fg/s1000/small%20easter%20show%207.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG2n4w1dSXdoYJitRBfDd6BnQkjKIJgkY8mG-VaFEmo1OWteokhT1HLMyKnXbPQG5_zzke-RwQoL6Q6exMXuP-hviOtGXhXtYoH7lqdAhsZRg31kCYDli7Nk_X0XhQco7G_KWGcd_kmSr5StLSH0vlMluidvv-mgPxmr2mjT-kqBqw6qSmtW63VD70fg/s16000/small%20easter%20show%207.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Close up portrait of a white <b>Finnish Lapphund</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQJ7u53KwKzMsxZXjO_T89BdHTt2ky8ofc0c52p839s3yzVH6PTdcWQ-cp2su29MfHAOSEEGxpd9V1hb3bmqV7DQGzFQDED27jzj5hu3-Ya_9gkTAaQfzdeCwAGBxCuOwS13FIEImx8Ueu7PoW3Ewx_6jCnar5kLEESIrT1W82FJH8x6ZO7em5gra1-w/s1000/small%20easter%20show%206.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQJ7u53KwKzMsxZXjO_T89BdHTt2ky8ofc0c52p839s3yzVH6PTdcWQ-cp2su29MfHAOSEEGxpd9V1hb3bmqV7DQGzFQDED27jzj5hu3-Ya_9gkTAaQfzdeCwAGBxCuOwS13FIEImx8Ueu7PoW3Ewx_6jCnar5kLEESIrT1W82FJH8x6ZO7em5gra1-w/s16000/small%20easter%20show%206.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Finnish Lapphund</b> - This was pretty much towards the end of the show, so there were just a few competitors left in the canine section left to strut their stuff. <br />Here the owner gives her prize pooch a final, and careful, last minute groom...</span> </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRR2xIOn2JKHWkHhLMuFr0iTp9tNdbtFc4mQkpF5bR8_2jKhgLSjKeyRj6akEgK6WAvny71nWHTW1cAB9FEG-9ELEUAl2tEj0bKvKv1NJRelcr0ID9p7vRCa5fze8I1DGuImxKzuYPIy-9BgWotuamXenPtHJlElyYXktMhVpN97xIBB7PhCzop_26Cg/s1000/small%20easter%20show%209.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRR2xIOn2JKHWkHhLMuFr0iTp9tNdbtFc4mQkpF5bR8_2jKhgLSjKeyRj6akEgK6WAvny71nWHTW1cAB9FEG-9ELEUAl2tEj0bKvKv1NJRelcr0ID9p7vRCa5fze8I1DGuImxKzuYPIy-9BgWotuamXenPtHJlElyYXktMhVpN97xIBB7PhCzop_26Cg/s16000/small%20easter%20show%209.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I liked the subject contrast in this shot - of the owner's tattooed calf and her immaculate <b>Xolo</b> (<b>Xoloitzcuintle</b> = a Mexican hairless dog)</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV6MsdQj1Ep6O0u1WeNLYuD0DALp2AkGegLCvpU8yxO4c3OdBkhoirrfcd7korOiU7tgGgTkKCmo4IkLPCXysGnhkQLhTc7Vtoo-Kab1a_M7GKjrijjkdNW-5tQEflFEEtvW9F_GwaeU8TQFSLJGu-PemLEZTxjOVI3XK_AaMq5VoInWwRXsDAY63V5Q/s1498/small%20easter%20show%20doggie%20double.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1498" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV6MsdQj1Ep6O0u1WeNLYuD0DALp2AkGegLCvpU8yxO4c3OdBkhoirrfcd7korOiU7tgGgTkKCmo4IkLPCXysGnhkQLhTc7Vtoo-Kab1a_M7GKjrijjkdNW-5tQEflFEEtvW9F_GwaeU8TQFSLJGu-PemLEZTxjOVI3XK_AaMq5VoInWwRXsDAY63V5Q/w640-h427/small%20easter%20show%20doggie%20double.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The <b>dog obedience</b> demonstration is always good value - although on the day we went it was piddling down with rain - the dogs were undercover, but the audience was not! Here are two different pooches belting through the pole fence. <br /><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj_iJffXc2k1zpBoZo0uxf_Jh0-_H9C5a6Mizatxk6cfEf77SjXbs7JOylIuplVvB9OfiUVXJajPDsD5drDmq9ZqL8QkjNJSD_No-W3Q1VWWYhG9mYKPtv2xY2qNCN2nETF0U3E9PWOaxjQGQ8xot90MSc3nBIoKyXuA-iaG7nqR_zhsp7p4TtVos24w/s1000/nat%209.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj_iJffXc2k1zpBoZo0uxf_Jh0-_H9C5a6Mizatxk6cfEf77SjXbs7JOylIuplVvB9OfiUVXJajPDsD5drDmq9ZqL8QkjNJSD_No-W3Q1VWWYhG9mYKPtv2xY2qNCN2nETF0U3E9PWOaxjQGQ8xot90MSc3nBIoKyXuA-iaG7nqR_zhsp7p4TtVos24w/s16000/nat%209.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Last minute makeup from Mum.<br />This is a <b>Portugese Podengo</b>, apparently the national dog of that country.<br />(Pic by Natalie Hitchens).<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTzRqrBg72H5tOdjhr4N5giXEG3O0lIgVA7ZpQVmSTc3yS11k3WnJWKAKYEQp69u10p3ir3sW4gNbQzp8X-N8LFn6YrgXet4LFQjGFzis67WmHUrFuswR17UI-9rnzcz6TnBzdGCrqfrYBicl2-k9yiJ5ONveepGIqBYEepZheOKu6cuaDHAHirdS0og/s5112/NAT14142_DxO.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3834" data-original-width="5112" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTzRqrBg72H5tOdjhr4N5giXEG3O0lIgVA7ZpQVmSTc3yS11k3WnJWKAKYEQp69u10p3ir3sW4gNbQzp8X-N8LFn6YrgXet4LFQjGFzis67WmHUrFuswR17UI-9rnzcz6TnBzdGCrqfrYBicl2-k9yiJ5ONveepGIqBYEepZheOKu6cuaDHAHirdS0og/w640-h480/NAT14142_DxO.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">We must have missed the entrants for the <b>Bitch Challenge</b>. Must have been quite a contest! (Pic by Natalie Hitchens)<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9fHEVNIr2s6YU1obvlV5evQ4ZBVx6Hij4pHrC2IxILpdy0gBWhMmfnEwo8JrL9g9oVWxeudiO3ONmKaqVYmXWtogW95XwUX62ieGdHbssLF7xIWV7ognefQ6YRm-rF5yJMIhpkChWtZaPlqd1H3dSv_ZrOIBsEBPLvNPC3HtZavGWrVy0yfynCMcyNg/s1333/small%20easter%20show%2010.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9fHEVNIr2s6YU1obvlV5evQ4ZBVx6Hij4pHrC2IxILpdy0gBWhMmfnEwo8JrL9g9oVWxeudiO3ONmKaqVYmXWtogW95XwUX62ieGdHbssLF7xIWV7ognefQ6YRm-rF5yJMIhpkChWtZaPlqd1H3dSv_ZrOIBsEBPLvNPC3HtZavGWrVy0yfynCMcyNg/s16000/small%20easter%20show%2010.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Axman and his trainer (maybe?)</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg72F14nVo7-0ZhcSmdcV_SLC28MbVQVrIWQ6X3fAJc299OT_ITF2p1e8O1CqrGGHzRKiXIjFKxDW9UqQRGekcCP9YprJdt6OxsrkCPXRehhKfcLxuM1A7ejm9sBZ1S3M3B9Vb-AmMqujxVhGaP4w5laBBmj-_CpsrKyACouSDpR97xlRKUfQB-Wn8Cfw/s1000/small%20easter%20show%2016.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="650" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg72F14nVo7-0ZhcSmdcV_SLC28MbVQVrIWQ6X3fAJc299OT_ITF2p1e8O1CqrGGHzRKiXIjFKxDW9UqQRGekcCP9YprJdt6OxsrkCPXRehhKfcLxuM1A7ejm9sBZ1S3M3B9Vb-AmMqujxVhGaP4w5laBBmj-_CpsrKyACouSDpR97xlRKUfQB-Wn8Cfw/s16000/small%20easter%20show%2016.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">These competition axes are all very carefully checked and weighed before any match to ensure everyone is on a level footing - as you can guess from seeing the splinters in this shot - they are also insanely <b>sharp</b>.</span> </td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyj4NJHX8vc0YD6KTr22O7Z3N17PoC4j65SjkAE_Bxgt2rsJmNbfeJGzF2DY_QUluf9xmbzNRO-XD6ttLz6HVWbH_81JbXl6LcZNcE-Udl9rsDuuydRF58QbYiWHGzhIOatH9OTfQxZHTMiZh-6i8OgWT_o3Rr-BXYPdz0t1UO68klib32M_wp7QsuAg/s2016/small%20easter%20show%20choppers.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2016" height="423" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyj4NJHX8vc0YD6KTr22O7Z3N17PoC4j65SjkAE_Bxgt2rsJmNbfeJGzF2DY_QUluf9xmbzNRO-XD6ttLz6HVWbH_81JbXl6LcZNcE-Udl9rsDuuydRF58QbYiWHGzhIOatH9OTfQxZHTMiZh-6i8OgWT_o3Rr-BXYPdz0t1UO68klib32M_wp7QsuAg/w640-h423/small%20easter%20show%20choppers.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>WA</b> versus <b>NSW</b>. In this heat, the latter won.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvMNakiwTOyIMyb6IMGunX_RWsLxJHX2_iw3Q5tvNoBH9nffjsn-jBNKJwdMhHUWaPlJtrz1W7sYLngK1qgwLwXX0eFtw1N7-MzXp9-hvKRgs_E9yBHZnm3rGj46ILshsDgUGdikKMAXVZCWHgpooRAsjGRztlUa41eZnkyEty7C2JDQyb_T_YDYRMcA/s1333/nat%208.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvMNakiwTOyIMyb6IMGunX_RWsLxJHX2_iw3Q5tvNoBH9nffjsn-jBNKJwdMhHUWaPlJtrz1W7sYLngK1qgwLwXX0eFtw1N7-MzXp9-hvKRgs_E9yBHZnm3rGj46ILshsDgUGdikKMAXVZCWHgpooRAsjGRztlUa41eZnkyEty7C2JDQyb_T_YDYRMcA/s16000/nat%208.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Even though it's obvious that another axeman might have already won the heat, all the contestants still go on to finish the job. <br />(Pic by Natalie Hitchens)</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI2igXtadTiF1dc49ibWAjy5D-ufPCkMLzVJoLEWSbo52SV4tGIh1k_aGeQ0xCPfxCuXCDDtzUQSIL9WcbVv-djDtU46R_yCdjYY9CcyJJCD3QMxBq175vWj6P2PHrBrebis5wfLs6YEFRtoQYyI3dkVpMEt-a_l-SntQNmoHFcWD-qxjWeIKzJusWsQ/s1333/small%20easter%20show%2015.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI2igXtadTiF1dc49ibWAjy5D-ufPCkMLzVJoLEWSbo52SV4tGIh1k_aGeQ0xCPfxCuXCDDtzUQSIL9WcbVv-djDtU46R_yCdjYY9CcyJJCD3QMxBq175vWj6P2PHrBrebis5wfLs6YEFRtoQYyI3dkVpMEt-a_l-SntQNmoHFcWD-qxjWeIKzJusWsQ/s16000/small%20easter%20show%2015.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">For me this has to be one of the most dangerous events - you have to stand/balance on the two foot wide log while you chop it in two with a very sharp axe...</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-p2IVqpYb5HRph2mCmgeyqzixpl1y91jOPkj5ljfk8ezwLGqYQEM5YjWtuTCrJm-_AiS0PpxhUhAo2pf96pSiSm_auF3pvU1UqIcihcs9gEk1Pcm5Vg4UDnLRyNZFqWsDfAxRlsod4ghIZpIS1Vdru-cf80LNRZxXOL3AQHl9EDzQFCa3MwEC6ygCdA/s1000/nat%2013.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-p2IVqpYb5HRph2mCmgeyqzixpl1y91jOPkj5ljfk8ezwLGqYQEM5YjWtuTCrJm-_AiS0PpxhUhAo2pf96pSiSm_auF3pvU1UqIcihcs9gEk1Pcm5Vg4UDnLRyNZFqWsDfAxRlsod4ghIZpIS1Vdru-cf80LNRZxXOL3AQHl9EDzQFCa3MwEC6ygCdA/s16000/nat%2013.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Extreme close up of a <b>Silky</b> (breed of chook).<br />(Pic by Natalie Hitchens)<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpdI1ivbKrO3mA8iEKw0ChZ8BhJqI42UWg5wnGFbQ5ayWUh7q0x6aaCboFLyMzqWyjKQWf1YOSnjk-CnBv06tjnXSeuOsNKmw5yxZYdRZffXatOgKZXpsAbW4l5TSO2rEu57x5q9Lmls4SxqTbYPTPQ7WtcgzhppXAl2VDxZgExR5tnvtOXzHWDfuWtQ/s1000/small%20easter%20show%2025.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="703" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpdI1ivbKrO3mA8iEKw0ChZ8BhJqI42UWg5wnGFbQ5ayWUh7q0x6aaCboFLyMzqWyjKQWf1YOSnjk-CnBv06tjnXSeuOsNKmw5yxZYdRZffXatOgKZXpsAbW4l5TSO2rEu57x5q9Lmls4SxqTbYPTPQ7WtcgzhppXAl2VDxZgExR5tnvtOXzHWDfuWtQ/s16000/small%20easter%20show%2025.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The <b>chook exhibition</b> featured hundreds of birds in all shapes, sizes, colours, and breeds. The noise inside the hall was significant!</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLETcdRcug6uduOTyRNqJIncnOHxEUM_hxcDqxNjFRefB7fiuRUjzSy5QwxWrf1YmF9yazIn-SzZdvhIpBcNeuAHtyzNoETrjAPBJItkkUPSoAmMO2Wx3I478rTpO-RSGUnWmSH_6FKmvAtfIPYm7UGIqgTiGY3S5wCHYyelqOO75gWn_iuIjFeKU17Q/s1000/nat%203.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLETcdRcug6uduOTyRNqJIncnOHxEUM_hxcDqxNjFRefB7fiuRUjzSy5QwxWrf1YmF9yazIn-SzZdvhIpBcNeuAHtyzNoETrjAPBJItkkUPSoAmMO2Wx3I478rTpO-RSGUnWmSH_6FKmvAtfIPYm7UGIqgTiGY3S5wCHYyelqOO75gWn_iuIjFeKU17Q/s16000/nat%203.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">One of the many Guinea Fowl on show.<br />(Pic by Natalie Hitchens)<br /><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit7sJSfETPnz1IBVRgGpxiIP9tRCOF2JblV8Y-t3zIaiJFsR-WbBzl_BFnLgjM5H5LxUjv6hsF8ksvb149jy3Zd279Orp6FbQ2QRaoKy-jWAh0tJoou_qkIW2OM74mFmAxR58NllRoe4IMGwBtgNXOXE3DNWtxH325ECFZjFT1bkskpB8F0Q0NqdeqHw/s1478/nat%20combo%201.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="999" data-original-width="1478" height="433" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit7sJSfETPnz1IBVRgGpxiIP9tRCOF2JblV8Y-t3zIaiJFsR-WbBzl_BFnLgjM5H5LxUjv6hsF8ksvb149jy3Zd279Orp6FbQ2QRaoKy-jWAh0tJoou_qkIW2OM74mFmAxR58NllRoe4IMGwBtgNXOXE3DNWtxH325ECFZjFT1bkskpB8F0Q0NqdeqHw/w640-h433/nat%20combo%201.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Still looking quite sprightly even after more than a week of the Show.<br />(Pics by Natalie Hitchens)<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVq5bkq_dZhztUF_Xkq1cewe7EmtvXM89j32484CRdu7iiD8dWIXmwBXAWEA9EgmZpjlazRmT27XRtbw74emauLrjxfEqN6_B314nxsI6WJJTkzFlHkOsVaapZuc3vD4WOdcJ4K5INPgqL1uNgFHgbnLxGP42Zs2USj7858tYRSYEKc3QKJnohgz2_1g/s1506/nat%20combo%202.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1506" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVq5bkq_dZhztUF_Xkq1cewe7EmtvXM89j32484CRdu7iiD8dWIXmwBXAWEA9EgmZpjlazRmT27XRtbw74emauLrjxfEqN6_B314nxsI6WJJTkzFlHkOsVaapZuc3vD4WOdcJ4K5INPgqL1uNgFHgbnLxGP42Zs2USj7858tYRSYEKc3QKJnohgz2_1g/w640-h425/nat%20combo%202.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">A couple more exhibits from the poultry exhibition - turkey and pigeon.<br />(Pics by Natalie Hitchens)<br /><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHhIreR1RQPHkVDa2mxDjlzwtNHPCStnA_mrvDwUcPf4XrVLfwi3vrq6pmogz09kp9VOYY5JZrV_XLom6TnkP3u3kg7CTxW7wR9CeWTeuMQj2Y9B1QreGsWc7aysS6GKO3V6hTuSKiwY0DeM2oKyRa4iPqGUFzCPxSiib0tCjkr-y0HbT48tzo8fgFMA/s1000/small%20easter%20show%2029.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHhIreR1RQPHkVDa2mxDjlzwtNHPCStnA_mrvDwUcPf4XrVLfwi3vrq6pmogz09kp9VOYY5JZrV_XLom6TnkP3u3kg7CTxW7wR9CeWTeuMQj2Y9B1QreGsWc7aysS6GKO3V6hTuSKiwY0DeM2oKyRa4iPqGUFzCPxSiib0tCjkr-y0HbT48tzo8fgFMA/s16000/small%20easter%20show%2029.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Another snap of one of the <b>Silkies</b> on show</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfNKMJnkgUWgQnpQlze9PF74swY2h2HKvCGvVIheXEjWDSANzufnY9y4XMj3Id2k53GiYuWDzCCrC27UTxp-YXIq7wVo8HrsUsfgQ5rSyMrT9fJ8PbyuePDe5ECwypWdAo_A35oT4QsIQYCKIB4StRDPugLYbtnq9k5MvOc4SEG4OhvF1DeAKbkehHuA/s1000/nat%2017.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfNKMJnkgUWgQnpQlze9PF74swY2h2HKvCGvVIheXEjWDSANzufnY9y4XMj3Id2k53GiYuWDzCCrC27UTxp-YXIq7wVo8HrsUsfgQ5rSyMrT9fJ8PbyuePDe5ECwypWdAo_A35oT4QsIQYCKIB4StRDPugLYbtnq9k5MvOc4SEG4OhvF1DeAKbkehHuA/s16000/nat%2017.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Now I have seen it all - of the many demonstrations at the show, this was the funniest - how to wash and dry a chook's feathers with a hair dryer.<br />(Pic by Natalie Hitchens)<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDAAtUfqcust5VIuOVaAdWsCKuLDTVNDH3g3rpsKi9fKI6sQKDB86hJGTqC-MJbPrePxF-PElpYR6f9RA3RWuWxgXvRwBPI7oApB9fHpBbO9HflArjHOvgLcF10G5UKRgzVbS_NZI3wJHQbQyJlEQlS-U3k-CEUkPNLnwNomvF1GpWKaC0QnaFg2QRag/s1000/nat%2010.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDAAtUfqcust5VIuOVaAdWsCKuLDTVNDH3g3rpsKi9fKI6sQKDB86hJGTqC-MJbPrePxF-PElpYR6f9RA3RWuWxgXvRwBPI7oApB9fHpBbO9HflArjHOvgLcF10G5UKRgzVbS_NZI3wJHQbQyJlEQlS-U3k-CEUkPNLnwNomvF1GpWKaC0QnaFg2QRag/s16000/nat%2010.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Alpacas</b> are very popular at the Royal Easter Show<br />(Pic by Natalie Hitchens)<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhea6291CRiOgkgyQ75SOgulGI6NC5eve3D2c62FhdLz-uaCpUq0pAQ2DfTMTeDL5nbCeBA1EfEbw7zD8WabO6ppjfclM8xn_VHqTJUZhoO_ElWNwl7Me7DCinozDFmj4IAH0fFDHweAN_06RIF8UPjUURSO4U76sj1KT8HEgR5qzDfCgK5b_fFavzbcw/s1000/small%20easter%20show%2019.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhea6291CRiOgkgyQ75SOgulGI6NC5eve3D2c62FhdLz-uaCpUq0pAQ2DfTMTeDL5nbCeBA1EfEbw7zD8WabO6ppjfclM8xn_VHqTJUZhoO_ElWNwl7Me7DCinozDFmj4IAH0fFDHweAN_06RIF8UPjUURSO4U76sj1KT8HEgR5qzDfCgK5b_fFavzbcw/s16000/small%20easter%20show%2019.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Another potential winner getting a last minute trim before heading into the ring.<br /></span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS4JCJptPIVaqKUkpO8275L6QxsuNT-Qrve0QoEFVGcTN5Uhh8fZakog_cA1utf8LVES8Q6H-x8BwQdaud_fj9NKHHeJPdHggFyFA3DJYx20G8RBgPTUQ06H9Tovc7QUbGXGLjczhnRVl0ewEsEPwjTSk3IvE6tIGguTmzV5gTW3ZUfjYoOy2pLHwJNg/s1000/small%20easter%20show%2022.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS4JCJptPIVaqKUkpO8275L6QxsuNT-Qrve0QoEFVGcTN5Uhh8fZakog_cA1utf8LVES8Q6H-x8BwQdaud_fj9NKHHeJPdHggFyFA3DJYx20G8RBgPTUQ06H9Tovc7QUbGXGLjczhnRVl0ewEsEPwjTSk3IvE6tIGguTmzV5gTW3ZUfjYoOy2pLHwJNg/s16000/small%20easter%20show%2022.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji2vFw18jUaRb-40mk1hIC-Q36rqRhI57QPxEWFVd9ivhw-eDaBPm_9ybvh5gwPWKiBg0mW5Mo_dSAy0HIhgyehizh1WE-kLxLWIq7lj8Ql66NQumpAXe0BoWvrFPcASx6mTnvjecCMIEH4zQZs82k3hICOyhGePI69zK3HGDXnfmzRIER4M0xnwvNbQ/s1000/easter%20show%2039.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji2vFw18jUaRb-40mk1hIC-Q36rqRhI57QPxEWFVd9ivhw-eDaBPm_9ybvh5gwPWKiBg0mW5Mo_dSAy0HIhgyehizh1WE-kLxLWIq7lj8Ql66NQumpAXe0BoWvrFPcASx6mTnvjecCMIEH4zQZs82k3hICOyhGePI69zK3HGDXnfmzRIER4M0xnwvNbQ/s16000/easter%20show%2039.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">One of the alapaca event officials</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdskGXUyo44gb1RMIxPv6JmjrCYjVOimE9pL1l5vSfAJmcg3nbdLe-V_KyOo96-wQ5tXHUgbIT5RQZ_sLyD2E04bZ1PNzW-97Tn1Wfcy8TXZy1wInwEuU13ymtcC9H5NAqGqWUHeXOBVZkTqBVjXbnziHQ2y-IK7YFLh3tnA5e-iqCSWuqjH0x1tcpZA/s2004/small%20easter%20show%20alpacas.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="2004" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdskGXUyo44gb1RMIxPv6JmjrCYjVOimE9pL1l5vSfAJmcg3nbdLe-V_KyOo96-wQ5tXHUgbIT5RQZ_sLyD2E04bZ1PNzW-97Tn1Wfcy8TXZy1wInwEuU13ymtcC9H5NAqGqWUHeXOBVZkTqBVjXbnziHQ2y-IK7YFLh3tnA5e-iqCSWuqjH0x1tcpZA/w640-h240/small%20easter%20show%20alpacas.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWyRqlvJ-wgG2H-7ngBMBReFAZbQQH5AkHfX-I2QqLhrkmNSwo-Ov1yAWjZrDwpOs-H60Bm5MPOcz9w91cmb0nnUxpzsh92h39egTh057kvY-wAvsNLWsx0_E085IKX3JHFBxTdBgidjKQtKKzFG00GX6pMkovi1P12cKZTdfk0J9T-HQxo6EUkOcQ9Q/s1000/small%20easter%20show%2023.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWyRqlvJ-wgG2H-7ngBMBReFAZbQQH5AkHfX-I2QqLhrkmNSwo-Ov1yAWjZrDwpOs-H60Bm5MPOcz9w91cmb0nnUxpzsh92h39egTh057kvY-wAvsNLWsx0_E085IKX3JHFBxTdBgidjKQtKKzFG00GX6pMkovi1P12cKZTdfk0J9T-HQxo6EUkOcQ9Q/s16000/small%20easter%20show%2023.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Possibly not as popular as Alpacas, the cows and bull exhibits featured really impressively presented animals.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdyX-YU2VmYJVro14o9BoDstvM-Zfr1Z7c9xGTwg46hLeq5yJYCHt3bDdRG9xqPaH8Jf7lfDXuFCAibRNDMMWpQNcXXqlrq6FOk51au9jubDDbwQo8opcfFU4ssAoBUZ8elmh_9RskHozQElqhN0qQC81REyR-psRwr68qM5oYYt0OX2QmVav5o3nH6g/s1000/nat%2016.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdyX-YU2VmYJVro14o9BoDstvM-Zfr1Z7c9xGTwg46hLeq5yJYCHt3bDdRG9xqPaH8Jf7lfDXuFCAibRNDMMWpQNcXXqlrq6FOk51au9jubDDbwQo8opcfFU4ssAoBUZ8elmh_9RskHozQElqhN0qQC81REyR-psRwr68qM5oYYt0OX2QmVav5o3nH6g/s16000/nat%2016.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">A large <b>porker</b> sleeping off lunch<br />(Pic by Natalie Hitchens)<br /><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlZs24LnxO6CHD-xLtfEtl_teQj7POv2bY9VcMGjvEAjCPz3F6Vqg45n2S1u05HcaEFeCOivCUW_B40TJBcw-pkY7OOvR9fNpX5Mv1YJmp54f2Yw-zOSBNwzpfzjLetw3awfdJJZbmUpxs8QTGkUDdqvoTHAg3QQhy8wkpc4aTGiBqca5CqOvY-N3pmg/s1000/easter%20show%2040.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlZs24LnxO6CHD-xLtfEtl_teQj7POv2bY9VcMGjvEAjCPz3F6Vqg45n2S1u05HcaEFeCOivCUW_B40TJBcw-pkY7OOvR9fNpX5Mv1YJmp54f2Yw-zOSBNwzpfzjLetw3awfdJJZbmUpxs8QTGkUDdqvoTHAg3QQhy8wkpc4aTGiBqca5CqOvY-N3pmg/s16000/easter%20show%2040.jpg" /></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div style="text-align: center;">All you had to do was mutter the words "mint jelly" under your breath to get their immediate attention</div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYQ6Rg4GWdAgD4z3YicyunnNqRQiZ0hfb0fa34kPTJrfkov2njvlM_Q7EPqBjGx8vEG36WrOmw-DkyKn9i59b9_hF31txqVh1K6Gp8pr0fafjn7S4HihmMQFsG74M6zz9gtW09wpbLutv0xsawEc4TlNVTmX-ucJvcTwRpoTU246A8y15X2f28u5T1kg/s1506/small%20easter%20show%20sugar.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1506" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYQ6Rg4GWdAgD4z3YicyunnNqRQiZ0hfb0fa34kPTJrfkov2njvlM_Q7EPqBjGx8vEG36WrOmw-DkyKn9i59b9_hF31txqVh1K6Gp8pr0fafjn7S4HihmMQFsG74M6zz9gtW09wpbLutv0xsawEc4TlNVTmX-ucJvcTwRpoTU246A8y15X2f28u5T1kg/w640-h425/small%20easter%20show%20sugar.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I had forgotten that the Royal Easter Show is not just about the animals - it also features a huge range of other activities submitted by country communities. <br />Here are two amazing examples of what you can do with a bag of sugar and some food colouring!</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJslSBrDsXESWho1im9-Nn0iagSzAOLtEF2fgvSfCsxx48ySRDtjQx5mt02nNEG09MH7laQv1RjgbgO8PxEhgyA-HW5QZTXaO2pj-SsNs5D5GO1lx5rTg73dPHDmERFMvHwAyAKyxSmwPcWWhMthUnahwlOjHzicLVmWoQjlPRCX3CYvVP117i8LJ5bQ/s1000/hat%20small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="685" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJslSBrDsXESWho1im9-Nn0iagSzAOLtEF2fgvSfCsxx48ySRDtjQx5mt02nNEG09MH7laQv1RjgbgO8PxEhgyA-HW5QZTXaO2pj-SsNs5D5GO1lx5rTg73dPHDmERFMvHwAyAKyxSmwPcWWhMthUnahwlOjHzicLVmWoQjlPRCX3CYvVP117i8LJ5bQ/s16000/hat%20small.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">One of the prize winners form a hat making contest.<br />(Pic by Natalie Hitchens)<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6P-qpJx7Xna-KccT1uN_OwuPTG51xknluO7HZvCUPu0KXTQTtutOOsXnpCRQXD9sV5fBr6v31RTqXGP5z_eJ6CvYPczeK8aOk19PL8_wy4dHMLWgi0GkhJG1iurihXajTEnhEfHWUfht-37MhH4rucYydL6VAI6yBAHeCvL3ZW66o1wehB9YS6J7syw/s1000/nat%202.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6P-qpJx7Xna-KccT1uN_OwuPTG51xknluO7HZvCUPu0KXTQTtutOOsXnpCRQXD9sV5fBr6v31RTqXGP5z_eJ6CvYPczeK8aOk19PL8_wy4dHMLWgi0GkhJG1iurihXajTEnhEfHWUfht-37MhH4rucYydL6VAI6yBAHeCvL3ZW66o1wehB9YS6J7syw/s16000/nat%202.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">And of course the <b>CWA</b> (Country Women's Association) is always very active in a range of activities, including of course, baking.<br />(Pic by Natalie Hitchens)<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4YE73Q0l-F-NIqjkn6m2PZNvw3ujRK9NfBuSyrHUk0As2qZlAKj912VGBHBr0fGt83abFlmPfQQbwMLBRjo_CU3FGN0SI2jVtKJq4GIxsw1MK5_2Q8BJ8bedSvbeITXIg6IpnAEuXmgO0EtDMa-p5g6rTPeyGz9tKOm4Mr4YW49exo3QDWV6f9spJAw/s1000/nat%204.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4YE73Q0l-F-NIqjkn6m2PZNvw3ujRK9NfBuSyrHUk0As2qZlAKj912VGBHBr0fGt83abFlmPfQQbwMLBRjo_CU3FGN0SI2jVtKJq4GIxsw1MK5_2Q8BJ8bedSvbeITXIg6IpnAEuXmgO0EtDMa-p5g6rTPeyGz9tKOm4Mr4YW49exo3QDWV6f9spJAw/s16000/nat%204.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Another sugary model.<br />(Pic by Natalie Hitchens)<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsIUhavDNYl-yRXzSbgBBhgxKDL-w2UoZfOmz6JSggLWs3DMKcaE4ezrQ5WauP69vJIYQtBOY9LJdWZxdag7L0OSkRh6zo8y-NTSiAbBPhVmqj5cYpEZY-T_ANL3yHC8M6u0n8JuE6BZrtMuMULNoWJFMb92nkVn-_pN9GykIQVk4sI9IJjMPa9dvh3w/s1000/small%20easter%20show%2032.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsIUhavDNYl-yRXzSbgBBhgxKDL-w2UoZfOmz6JSggLWs3DMKcaE4ezrQ5WauP69vJIYQtBOY9LJdWZxdag7L0OSkRh6zo8y-NTSiAbBPhVmqj5cYpEZY-T_ANL3yHC8M6u0n8JuE6BZrtMuMULNoWJFMb92nkVn-_pN9GykIQVk4sI9IJjMPa9dvh3w/s16000/small%20easter%20show%2032.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Cake, and more cake</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAas8EkGAcN0MXgTn4X20Ebi2aXSKK_sM6f4tm284j2oMokclEnioXaQNionmVhHmoftBOAOEDacCIDMNAPcKc5BTx484gIEEMO__FsmoZN4cztFG1Y6BfIC3V1GOeKUCSC9IDjqpeVH6686uDgQaNCzEmrtFSmo7CRAExexvewe2ngINWyWiL7x2m6Q/s1000/small%20easter%20show%2033.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAas8EkGAcN0MXgTn4X20Ebi2aXSKK_sM6f4tm284j2oMokclEnioXaQNionmVhHmoftBOAOEDacCIDMNAPcKc5BTx484gIEEMO__FsmoZN4cztFG1Y6BfIC3V1GOeKUCSC9IDjqpeVH6686uDgQaNCzEmrtFSmo7CRAExexvewe2ngINWyWiL7x2m6Q/s16000/small%20easter%20show%2033.jpg" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg06I43_-K94PsL37FQeVaz2-jxOC-lfH8pdn_ZKHQsoZ44BkLgMeGAEeM01rM6DE3b1LwDruhl4siMKemf4cj9nnsqCIGaT7gJMIsEjXRfQRGV6UwnH0N_lggzeOaSAIxbFssWe8b64-EHJaKSnF0IquUkjiDkeWDs1DR6sLGileNNRyCGUiVSya6r0A/s1000/small%20easter%20show%2034.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg06I43_-K94PsL37FQeVaz2-jxOC-lfH8pdn_ZKHQsoZ44BkLgMeGAEeM01rM6DE3b1LwDruhl4siMKemf4cj9nnsqCIGaT7gJMIsEjXRfQRGV6UwnH0N_lggzeOaSAIxbFssWe8b64-EHJaKSnF0IquUkjiDkeWDs1DR6sLGileNNRyCGUiVSya6r0A/s16000/small%20easter%20show%2034.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Some more sugary stuff (I was getting a bit hungry looking at all this food)</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0anEdoNhISXWp4FqbQEmTXkYmiIANvYElG8CTIBOU6VUH0hg2stOeN8APm8Vio5mKoqTQSrtwULJ4WZG6VKeoBn6aS_NKpBDc6GedBVzXi0z0ApTB9LwJjRGTfkq9SZdXgOuuycwTTFXO7EKlvIJTbLv3htpFc6J4Ik1dzfYeoK8W-gOXHvGQkbT_xw/s1000/small%20easter%20show%2037.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0anEdoNhISXWp4FqbQEmTXkYmiIANvYElG8CTIBOU6VUH0hg2stOeN8APm8Vio5mKoqTQSrtwULJ4WZG6VKeoBn6aS_NKpBDc6GedBVzXi0z0ApTB9LwJjRGTfkq9SZdXgOuuycwTTFXO7EKlvIJTbLv3htpFc6J4Ik1dzfYeoK8W-gOXHvGQkbT_xw/s16000/small%20easter%20show%2037.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCt3r3gWcNfNTFlN_-Xo70q3xdbTDJ3_52Cmpc3xhzioUMaJdxv9puFVCMAURIgwBJYdWvpeIcwZO6_ZBckbImnv1PQ99HtxXUH27Qfd8weGYxx-l9L_1_nYb2MQ88ynNZdXEofFuPL8pRqgVx5Po5-uZsGrjgU9-tSJYRoM-xWMbwFFiNET365lFUKg/s1000/nat%207.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCt3r3gWcNfNTFlN_-Xo70q3xdbTDJ3_52Cmpc3xhzioUMaJdxv9puFVCMAURIgwBJYdWvpeIcwZO6_ZBckbImnv1PQ99HtxXUH27Qfd8weGYxx-l9L_1_nYb2MQ88ynNZdXEofFuPL8pRqgVx5Po5-uZsGrjgU9-tSJYRoM-xWMbwFFiNET365lFUKg/s16000/nat%207.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Another great little tableau, with a distinctly local flavour (but still made from sugar), (Pic by Natalie Hitchens)<br /><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiurtjVxFKOKAduam0gvf_RCKjlmgdZFLcHHswOIpfoSTZ6tmI26iWSRBDwerOrh94SIMmWLbkFgytWTezigeOYDn-RJ_5xXQZvImli2rvQXZtGM6ptMbtehDZOIONu7MZfd_QQGfma5CRPitago1j8XeX9YWoS7fuNOeJh2TLPscD2jhm2onOh7gRqkQ/s1000/easter%20show%2040.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="571" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiurtjVxFKOKAduam0gvf_RCKjlmgdZFLcHHswOIpfoSTZ6tmI26iWSRBDwerOrh94SIMmWLbkFgytWTezigeOYDn-RJ_5xXQZvImli2rvQXZtGM6ptMbtehDZOIONu7MZfd_QQGfma5CRPitago1j8XeX9YWoS7fuNOeJh2TLPscD2jhm2onOh7gRqkQ/s16000/easter%20show%2040.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">A few of the happy looking cows in the cattle section</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqgDgZIlGzCpLoK9LHeXt3YflzxMtb6yiW5z2My6Kw0VrwUjB7w80onSqAbviOUDrMDi6gASra-li4-mdYlpEFDtfGnIlN5xbwJs2sxR1fTm2bFFly-SC1AE8AbAJlwn8XWdiw-zymT_7Z590nA6FjfWqbNNil4YHDbwyhtmWkLHVal7Xo1DnX0_CWeQ/s1994/small%20easter%20show%20combo.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1994" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqgDgZIlGzCpLoK9LHeXt3YflzxMtb6yiW5z2My6Kw0VrwUjB7w80onSqAbviOUDrMDi6gASra-li4-mdYlpEFDtfGnIlN5xbwJs2sxR1fTm2bFFly-SC1AE8AbAJlwn8XWdiw-zymT_7Z590nA6FjfWqbNNil4YHDbwyhtmWkLHVal7Xo1DnX0_CWeQ/w640-h240/small%20easter%20show%20combo.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Robin Nicholshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03650101386350865476noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-263800359958569028.post-17664208513655412592023-04-02T15:03:00.005+10:002023-04-02T15:03:51.737+10:00A Trip to Sydney Zoo<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyoQ4mmWMZIkdlnWg8HabnYid3vz9T5-NAzdf_Z4uWq_d0Aeye1k24IxhX44yb3uGL9Kx9mqxA8RCrcJikBCziQh4fKbRpc6OPdnhIyO2aaXEvfXTAsEohsDi4VGewvhlZyntFpo7IZW5A9JKE9HZHW_USPWicYlrUYtIIuGp0SlmGfNaLCub90U0b4w/s1000/Green%20Tree%20Snake%20small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyoQ4mmWMZIkdlnWg8HabnYid3vz9T5-NAzdf_Z4uWq_d0Aeye1k24IxhX44yb3uGL9Kx9mqxA8RCrcJikBCziQh4fKbRpc6OPdnhIyO2aaXEvfXTAsEohsDi4VGewvhlZyntFpo7IZW5A9JKE9HZHW_USPWicYlrUYtIIuGp0SlmGfNaLCub90U0b4w/s16000/Green%20Tree%20Snake%20small.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">In-your-face close-ups are a great way to add visual impact to almost any image - and especially so if the subject is venomous! <br />This is a <b>Green Tree Snake</b> photographed in <b>Sydney Zoo's</b> reptile house. 600mm Olympus lens, 1/160s at f11, ISO 10,000, file cleaned up using <b>DXO PhotoLab 5</b></span> </td></tr></tbody></table> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIZBbL6HK_AAHAkmj6xXzrgS5G2qa26QaeNC7YVPObKICCxTm2JNh-N1GIrLDSWR5wvc_ZvZUghm0_WfW9PGZVMJ8Z22QsrxB-YN74W0vgKIhr_5CDzNzy9gErgBZmjOvayZOY-qV0Y-NXDSMWf5GB9E3AVspJVcDCJYiDyystzdvnmqH2dDIwcgyUJA/s1000/Raven%201%20small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIZBbL6HK_AAHAkmj6xXzrgS5G2qa26QaeNC7YVPObKICCxTm2JNh-N1GIrLDSWR5wvc_ZvZUghm0_WfW9PGZVMJ8Z22QsrxB-YN74W0vgKIhr_5CDzNzy9gErgBZmjOvayZOY-qV0Y-NXDSMWf5GB9E3AVspJVcDCJYiDyystzdvnmqH2dDIwcgyUJA/s16000/Raven%201%20small.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">As is often the case, it's when you are not specifically looking for a great shot that an opportunity presents itself - here in the shape of an <b>Australian Raven</b> that was sitting on a fence watching me eat lunch.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLDYp2_0xWz5761xWsS5T8Q0lt1UbsyYGiUuufWyuyoK5d72tTHvSBj2U_el6uITYgzJ-HOTX1syBu78HFUmFijGVbvP_HmUGL1nt41k_wSBX_43JBoS9r2n3295kwovRK175cZTQNaEoYtltZVfks3D55zy73_Nz7DG_3xvumRNGygPb5hgpyey6exA/s1000/Koala%20small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLDYp2_0xWz5761xWsS5T8Q0lt1UbsyYGiUuufWyuyoK5d72tTHvSBj2U_el6uITYgzJ-HOTX1syBu78HFUmFijGVbvP_HmUGL1nt41k_wSBX_43JBoS9r2n3295kwovRK175cZTQNaEoYtltZVfks3D55zy73_Nz7DG_3xvumRNGygPb5hgpyey6exA/s16000/Koala%20small.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Backgrounds often make or break a shot. In this example you can clearly appreciate that the background is totally separate from the foreground subject, the <b>koala</b>. In a zoo one way to achieve this is to get close-ish to the subject while positioning yourself so the background is a way off (in this case about 10 metres). It also helps to use a telephoto lens with a wide aperture as this is likely to emphasise background softness. <br />Pic by Natalie Hitchens (200mm lens, f2.8, 1/500s, ISO200).</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit-FLivsyQ0xhOxY8-j5H4aCVZ0scVxFbrymbTO7vcBSes5lSTAWk1K3VF2hZlG7T7tMndp-t_pkQagZo06_KJRZ0XNEsbvee8qtQz2x0v0jwBCp9zoFXn40V2OFQC_2s0LK4xqJuEJz-fJeju2Ag-G1Vjam4KhVDBBhMdpXAtc3XeMUz1H-vC1vK8xg/s1000/Yabby%20small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit-FLivsyQ0xhOxY8-j5H4aCVZ0scVxFbrymbTO7vcBSes5lSTAWk1K3VF2hZlG7T7tMndp-t_pkQagZo06_KJRZ0XNEsbvee8qtQz2x0v0jwBCp9zoFXn40V2OFQC_2s0LK4xqJuEJz-fJeju2Ag-G1Vjam4KhVDBBhMdpXAtc3XeMUz1H-vC1vK8xg/s16000/Yabby%20small.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">A good example of how ISO can save a shot - a few years ago I'd never even considered taking pictures inside a nocturnal house (there's a clue in the name - it's dark in there) but with better camera technology and some superb software to clean up the extreme digital noise produced by high ISO settings, you can get some good results. This <b>Yabby</b> was snapped thru glass (obviously) but it was so dark in the exhibit I had to boost the ISO to 12,800 to get a 1/60s @ f5.6 exposure. The excess noise was cleaned up using DXO PhotoLab 5<br /><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYlCIARJ5DVbWUYtguJb9-rlKLMdHSZgj_GaiN3NXjtiDi6oBjPtk6dqE85a1ErT2p5xRbKUm6zr93k4e817F3uBPYxDwFTjfD9ivm3FPt1AaM6PN-XgjXZX6CbhZE2aPXjozfbWdJ7Otafpr-IH-YzGD7WyWc4EdjNjVvclGac26zAJ10UlW54txLtQ/s1000/WildDogs.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="414" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYlCIARJ5DVbWUYtguJb9-rlKLMdHSZgj_GaiN3NXjtiDi6oBjPtk6dqE85a1ErT2p5xRbKUm6zr93k4e817F3uBPYxDwFTjfD9ivm3FPt1AaM6PN-XgjXZX6CbhZE2aPXjozfbWdJ7Otafpr-IH-YzGD7WyWc4EdjNjVvclGac26zAJ10UlW54txLtQ/s16000/WildDogs.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Here's a reminder about <b>timing</b>. As in the wild, most animal and bird activity can be experience in the early morning and late afternoon. Around the middle of the day your subjects are normally at rest, in the shade - as are these fine <b>wild dogs</b>. Doesn't make much of an interesting shot but I suppose it's a reasonable record of the day (Pic by Natalie Hitchens).</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjODA09YAayF2DKuzzr9YgUT8ME33z_sD0V9YeWoaAx1-Jt-exnhyugQUiWOON5mYfHMRdk_NRZWGKCZ5VYNT5JXfxcYCrxHum3F4Eh3SBqulSpYMCBkvBdsbVNX1XBBdyTD41x3LcUz9ri7SDyawd69Cdf1FmkJbjAjXePan4Fl6sVY4Is6Kjua5HvA/s1000/Desert%20Rat%20small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjODA09YAayF2DKuzzr9YgUT8ME33z_sD0V9YeWoaAx1-Jt-exnhyugQUiWOON5mYfHMRdk_NRZWGKCZ5VYNT5JXfxcYCrxHum3F4Eh3SBqulSpYMCBkvBdsbVNX1XBBdyTD41x3LcUz9ri7SDyawd69Cdf1FmkJbjAjXePan4Fl6sVY4Is6Kjua5HvA/s16000/Desert%20Rat%20small.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Another reasonable result - this little <b>desert rat</b> only stopped moving for a second or two so first finding, then focussing on the subject was a real challenge. I got a lot of just missed, blurred or plain confusing results. This was the best (sharpest) of the lot recorded with a high ISO of 25,600. DXO produced a remarkably clean looking result, despite the lousy lighting.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKb4lkLm4MblKfD_ln-vvafgJhcEq-fG-nmLXKRqCRKL9ddjx0vM1d9v9IXo6BqQ_cwuRZ4nhDoyUasvU6qwO5s-pKKqgxx4IkQhLDTBkHEuK5DEhBvYAGHrfz6hb8HGMSXInBnadjHYYpI8NXTtXxBajQTb9LlhFKhavmznEQj_rgvub3xt8L-JOdAw/s1518/Possum%20compare.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1518" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKb4lkLm4MblKfD_ln-vvafgJhcEq-fG-nmLXKRqCRKL9ddjx0vM1d9v9IXo6BqQ_cwuRZ4nhDoyUasvU6qwO5s-pKKqgxx4IkQhLDTBkHEuK5DEhBvYAGHrfz6hb8HGMSXInBnadjHYYpI8NXTtXxBajQTb9LlhFKhavmznEQj_rgvub3xt8L-JOdAw/s16000/Possum%20compare.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Here's a good example of how <b>Auto White Balance</b> can go awry in a place like a zoo's nocturnal house. There was light in this display but it was very subdued and tinted so the RAW file results looked horrible. A bit of jiggling in DXO PhotoLab 5 produced a far more acceptable colour.<br />(Pic by Natalie Hitchens - 80,000ISO, 1/25s @ f2.8).</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIy00ntkMVR5tq7wPgkOOWQXrQX0W1Vrdlyo7SPRf4YvAAJxuWGF-g_AYz-MC40RfDZ_PTt573cMXGYp8Xi12X4XSyWTMBssx3QscRxImtxZ1Z9MSCjhwh1l-xFnJvg9B6MyC_ER1RVJVdkNRDv1lNNQYUm4cZw4l3CZLXfbLdQn1re76tBHl8OeFCgA/s1000/Meercat%20small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIy00ntkMVR5tq7wPgkOOWQXrQX0W1Vrdlyo7SPRf4YvAAJxuWGF-g_AYz-MC40RfDZ_PTt573cMXGYp8Xi12X4XSyWTMBssx3QscRxImtxZ1Z9MSCjhwh1l-xFnJvg9B6MyC_ER1RVJVdkNRDv1lNNQYUm4cZw4l3CZLXfbLdQn1re76tBHl8OeFCgA/s16000/Meercat%20small.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Another good idea - <b>meercats</b> are always a big favourite in any zoo - always active, busy watching out for predators or just playing amongst themselves. Here Natalie went for the reflection, adding a different take on an otherwise straight shot. (Pic by Natalie Hitchens - Olympus 135mm lens, 1/8000s @ f2.8).</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrkbbhaQaZ2WogWuSdOW0kBAfaiCu9KdQlRkW9BPsjG_wWRgl5VbIUb-X9gbouY807D4YrLLbXx1eDpaUJLkVsgfQm8eusjkudnEyz2K6BJyJUyz1ccSH_BtIrvEpEgCNrlWlrd_-TEnRjnCfbpX53L_bCnCDhupj3ul5XbDBv_ykb9TqCRTqWNMPCzQ/s1000/Emu%20small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrkbbhaQaZ2WogWuSdOW0kBAfaiCu9KdQlRkW9BPsjG_wWRgl5VbIUb-X9gbouY807D4YrLLbXx1eDpaUJLkVsgfQm8eusjkudnEyz2K6BJyJUyz1ccSH_BtIrvEpEgCNrlWlrd_-TEnRjnCfbpX53L_bCnCDhupj3ul5XbDBv_ykb9TqCRTqWNMPCzQ/s16000/Emu%20small.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">What was I saying about <b>close-ups?</b> It was hard to get away from this very inquisitive <b>emu</b>. While it was busy trying to peck other people's mobile phones out of their hands, Natalie got this great shot using a 150mm lens setting and an exposure of 1/800s @ f2.8.</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO5duF4StJ7dvLwXxYSaLo82zFRSUNFxP7gHiGrb6II9MmZLUD6Fly2vHIQaHEfmBJEVJgBlV3j-jzYbdZJqWyZD-hf4SCBW8c8kO52U6eGYMjB_0hjIK1Av1oCPBMH1o1thM_lAbtZVJvJc7II4qLfBjLkcFV5To4g1Ne9Pvhj1FdvNhF-SV2_XDXEw/s1000/Hyena%20small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="688" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO5duF4StJ7dvLwXxYSaLo82zFRSUNFxP7gHiGrb6II9MmZLUD6Fly2vHIQaHEfmBJEVJgBlV3j-jzYbdZJqWyZD-hf4SCBW8c8kO52U6eGYMjB_0hjIK1Av1oCPBMH1o1thM_lAbtZVJvJc7II4qLfBjLkcFV5To4g1Ne9Pvhj1FdvNhF-SV2_XDXEw/s16000/Hyena%20small.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Often creative zoo photography can be hard. Sydney Zoo has several posters around its property providing suggesting ways to improve your photo taking. But this can be very tricky if you only have a smartphone - especially as the <b>Hyena</b> was at least 40 feet away. I watch people zooming in on their smartphone screens, blissfully unaware that the more you zoom, the worse the image quality becomes. This hyena was very relaxed sitting in a mud wallow. With a 600mm lens I was able to frame just the back of the animal producing this nice symmetrical pose.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh05K-0OideOf4l8EDEUm1rtUStkLSqiXu5w4hclLI6JUUvZ9J8BA3OJ2x6JrQjM-48lnDnSdjjMd0uC6EGu_Hj5SMnQGziFMuZOoUZGajl6gqIOmdJoESi7ZeS9eEWWpk3tDM3nHJkwdZsrCcZJwgTTe4QGp-UOwmiuXsA9JzuXfLOBx0yfuMXMofXTw/s1333/Lizard%20small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh05K-0OideOf4l8EDEUm1rtUStkLSqiXu5w4hclLI6JUUvZ9J8BA3OJ2x6JrQjM-48lnDnSdjjMd0uC6EGu_Hj5SMnQGziFMuZOoUZGajl6gqIOmdJoESi7ZeS9eEWWpk3tDM3nHJkwdZsrCcZJwgTTe4QGp-UOwmiuXsA9JzuXfLOBx0yfuMXMofXTw/s16000/Lizard%20small.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Lizard </b>posing in the nocturnal house. Most of the exhibits in this part of the zoo contain just rocks and sand - not that interesting - so I went for a close up shot of this lizard with a 12-100mm lens. The result was surprisingly good considering the 10k ISO setting shot through plate glass.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Robin Nicholshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03650101386350865476noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-263800359958569028.post-27315845113634660322023-01-25T14:14:00.088+11:002023-01-25T15:58:28.249+11:00Queen of the Night<p><span style="font-family: verdana;"> I have one of these weird looking plants in my backyard for three or four years. It was a gift from a friend who wasn'</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">t entirely sure what it was - I stuck it in a pot and left it to do its thing. As it happens it has grown nicely - from 12 inches to over two metres and after a bit of research, discovered that it is </span><i style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: #0a1633; font-family: "PT Serif", system-fonts-secondary, serif; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Epiphyllum oxypetalum</i><span style="font-family: verdana;"> - or more commonly known as <b>Queen of the Night</b>. It's of interest because if and when it flowers, it only does so for one night. Quite by accident I happened to see buds developing one day so waited till dark, set up my Olympus OM1 to snap a time-lapse video to record the event. I waited a couple of hours then checked the results - nada, nothing doing. So maybe next night. </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiU9CiajkZo-VbyatVp4RojvyPZ2cqNKro_Cu11q9_VctCQUfamsKtHXwF5-VH5pccNtKE-WmnT62gLKQANve-YTFDCHArIVY17ET3kLaGhU7C3efVifkRvkWQKQUVsxVD_Dc39M9xulaiGZKAYp0vz7_LJnT9U8r6MP-eooh7AAvzyCdzhoKN_Tyktg/s1000/QOTN%20before%20small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiU9CiajkZo-VbyatVp4RojvyPZ2cqNKro_Cu11q9_VctCQUfamsKtHXwF5-VH5pccNtKE-WmnT62gLKQANve-YTFDCHArIVY17ET3kLaGhU7C3efVifkRvkWQKQUVsxVD_Dc39M9xulaiGZKAYp0vz7_LJnT9U8r6MP-eooh7AAvzyCdzhoKN_Tyktg/s16000/QOTN%20before%20small.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Queen of the Night </b>(false alarm!)<br />Looking like a real developing flower head - on the first night this was as good as it was going to get that night. Olympus OM1. 1/20s @ f14 ISO3200 (ExpComp -0.3).</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyIDPHT9lca2idr3elG6A24DYCYOc_hgbPhrfrOHbQE5KiUk9-RG8ipu_monHrfXLnQl6e83RecXmcdLTIsGvfaKYeBVD_LDpi3qEddtCAUI1utYGhxaP1OQXUs6_ZsRAwtCV2zUlz6LjqgapXqK0HeOAtgWXskTQcu9TxTp-4O-VxL8Y9gVJQjDqnCQ/s1000/QOTN%20opening%20small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyIDPHT9lca2idr3elG6A24DYCYOc_hgbPhrfrOHbQE5KiUk9-RG8ipu_monHrfXLnQl6e83RecXmcdLTIsGvfaKYeBVD_LDpi3qEddtCAUI1utYGhxaP1OQXUs6_ZsRAwtCV2zUlz6LjqgapXqK0HeOAtgWXskTQcu9TxTp-4O-VxL8Y9gVJQjDqnCQ/s16000/QOTN%20opening%20small.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Next night, there I was lurking in the shadows once more, hoping the bud would develop into a full bloom - the flower did begin to open once the sun was down.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJFn7_E1VEoAfyKo2-6_zLUaNCtH42xQBYz7j60ZIynJUQEG_xzJknYqwNfcwpXNZLegIy1qmnf_iDzlpZtZPkoSR_Psx3kq4T0oMm42wzYz15RkG26A8nmTSU27kaKcklhlxa-aijq4iQHyejNnFw8pMOxKCQ8CJesONsExX3X8uC7j0ESUaXRes-bA/s1000/QOTN%20small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="951" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJFn7_E1VEoAfyKo2-6_zLUaNCtH42xQBYz7j60ZIynJUQEG_xzJknYqwNfcwpXNZLegIy1qmnf_iDzlpZtZPkoSR_Psx3kq4T0oMm42wzYz15RkG26A8nmTSU27kaKcklhlxa-aijq4iQHyejNnFw8pMOxKCQ8CJesONsExX3X8uC7j0ESUaXRes-bA/s16000/QOTN%20small.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">An hour later there was a thunderstorm and it started raining quite heavily and of course, this was the night of nights! Once fully open it's about the size of the average saucer and looks really quite beautiful (and fragile). <br />Shot with the Olympus OM1, 12-40mm f2.8 lens (at 40mm), 1/60s @ f5.6, ISO 6400. Illuminated with a single LED flashlight.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE5KiYDf9i7MA8Tj7AG16-zICZpO56I4vfLEji42QxTQp2KRZDRVL4Nsn3A8Cgguj1YhJAV_QfOA5JUVdmRU5ZRctFcCWWXerN5iPhe2fx3K3uHNyAS-qTDmZyAQNpa3m3a94S2K_oBM2mryETH7zr3tgvb835DnR7etNbXROMl_Lcud47ILtUxL9nNA/s1000/QOTN%20open%202%20small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE5KiYDf9i7MA8Tj7AG16-zICZpO56I4vfLEji42QxTQp2KRZDRVL4Nsn3A8Cgguj1YhJAV_QfOA5JUVdmRU5ZRctFcCWWXerN5iPhe2fx3K3uHNyAS-qTDmZyAQNpa3m3a94S2K_oBM2mryETH7zr3tgvb835DnR7etNbXROMl_Lcud47ILtUxL9nNA/s16000/QOTN%20open%202%20small.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Another shot of a different flower (this plant produced seven flowers in all). Olympus OM1, 1/13s @ f14, ISO 6400 </span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgraMACu4YXbNlRG4x1siFwH_YwG8FX363Lzf6Td17_TPOhIhp95dq5bo1xPjMEunYF8MhrdegsBuI5AGuEl4ocW1OnXrhVOKWkFM8W5zKJIV38zGo_dBXqadcd87wA7FnWwS-aY9wLk5yANhmsg2k-F5bK9I-8dLEp9JnkIyGhb8j-7bVVRHvTNH6P2w/s1114/CloseUp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1114" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgraMACu4YXbNlRG4x1siFwH_YwG8FX363Lzf6Td17_TPOhIhp95dq5bo1xPjMEunYF8MhrdegsBuI5AGuEl4ocW1OnXrhVOKWkFM8W5zKJIV38zGo_dBXqadcd87wA7FnWwS-aY9wLk5yANhmsg2k-F5bK9I-8dLEp9JnkIyGhb8j-7bVVRHvTNH6P2w/s16000/CloseUp.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Here's a close up. <br />1/10s @ f14, ISO1600</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNGPH1xzz39oKOYnOTXpYKiAeJ4gHduUUItW6gHBGciZyQlAQr8jYVgNrwpaFIwbcK-NDeIiNJcF3kO2JyunD55OodRole_ctMOyVfTyRfgEkMo5aJRzNinkZh1cK-znNS-UFnRVLA7Y9Um36dFLDwqc9HD28CWoy29HNEkhYcP8ZO1tE8bVLunfDjFg/s1000/QOTN%20all%20over%20small.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNGPH1xzz39oKOYnOTXpYKiAeJ4gHduUUItW6gHBGciZyQlAQr8jYVgNrwpaFIwbcK-NDeIiNJcF3kO2JyunD55OodRole_ctMOyVfTyRfgEkMo5aJRzNinkZh1cK-znNS-UFnRVLA7Y9Um36dFLDwqc9HD28CWoy29HNEkhYcP8ZO1tE8bVLunfDjFg/s16000/QOTN%20all%20over%20small.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The after party: once the flowering is done, the next day this is what it looks like. If you mess up the camera settings, you have to wait a year for the next opportunity! I was so glad that the Olympus is more or less waterproof otherwise I'd have not got these shots!</span></div><br /><p></p>Robin Nicholshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03650101386350865476noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-263800359958569028.post-59512007681278288682022-12-08T18:15:00.000+11:002022-12-08T18:15:06.215+11:00A Trip to Birdland<p><span style="font-family: verdana;">I love taking pictures of animals, wild or domesticated - sometimes good results are too hard to achieve because you don't know the local conditions wherever you might be visiting - or it's the wrong time of day, month or year for the best shots. To this end I also like checking out the local <b><i>wildlife parks</i></b> - which feature a mostly captive audience. On a recent trip down the south coast (as far as Broulee), we decided to give <b>Birdland</b> a go. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh56-KXnlmZxTr8QrNVmIOP9cLaNwqV1SfqpnMmoswK3uq5Tfg4u1jFKk3v58QC4HSELuh_U1_g_Z1vdYTBclwCeI8rvI1xMlv1zgKbKcL6URSfPYfj8Q9OgYbkr3k0sJZvYlw6ZUYmShdU4OY-O8sSG00w_1TVGj8SvUkzEmYCJCoILAv3Ch5VAdmMaA/s1200/Peacock.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh56-KXnlmZxTr8QrNVmIOP9cLaNwqV1SfqpnMmoswK3uq5Tfg4u1jFKk3v58QC4HSELuh_U1_g_Z1vdYTBclwCeI8rvI1xMlv1zgKbKcL6URSfPYfj8Q9OgYbkr3k0sJZvYlw6ZUYmShdU4OY-O8sSG00w_1TVGj8SvUkzEmYCJCoILAv3Ch5VAdmMaA/w640-h480/Peacock.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />This 7 hectare wildlife park is located on the shoreline between Bateman's Bay and Batehaven. Tripadvisor reviews that I read were mostly negative - the place was '<i>run down</i>', '<i>very wet and muddy paths</i>' between exhibits, etc. Interestingly on Google maps the park is barely visible as it's almost entirely covered by trees. Not a bad thing if you are sheltering hundreds of wild animals and birds (or intend to wander about in the heat of the day). It's $26 for an adult entry ticket so we thought we'd give it a go. <br />We arrived at 10:30 and were probably only the third or fourth visitors on that day - and the only ones not dragging two-year old kids around in a pram. One review I read complained that there were '<i>too many peacocks and not enough other animals'. </i>Not sure what planet they were from. Yes, there were a lot of peacocks in the park - we counted more than 20 peacocks, but only a couple of females ('peahens') but we still appreciated their amazing plumage and raucous calls, plus they provided some great photo opportunities. Who doesn't like peacocks?</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZNAzaJ_sfxbbdywsevmr16Ec6PhoufMHsV5WSI3HTYnKZEFIuV9TmcUSCqdX6oleNI0PzMYBJ_gUs3YR-doCxKKXpWCo8lbNbVlvdfdF7ylW4TLwHfbQtFrc4on0qve3t0HLHYQKKDVFYOfaN6JVKC29i8_ezPV6ClEWtr81sfHcrZRhpBIo4HkNhPQ/s1000/Peacock%20smalljpg.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZNAzaJ_sfxbbdywsevmr16Ec6PhoufMHsV5WSI3HTYnKZEFIuV9TmcUSCqdX6oleNI0PzMYBJ_gUs3YR-doCxKKXpWCo8lbNbVlvdfdF7ylW4TLwHfbQtFrc4on0qve3t0HLHYQKKDVFYOfaN6JVKC29i8_ezPV6ClEWtr81sfHcrZRhpBIo4HkNhPQ/w640-h480/Peacock%20smalljpg.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Right from the entrance gates, the park emanates a feeling of dishevelment - it really looks like the garden of an eccentric old family where all the plants and flower borders are heavily overgrown, with leaf-strewn paths in dire need of sweeping or raking. And the park location map, well, there wasn't one that we saw - just a few bedraggled signposts helpfully pointing in various directions - to the ostriches (the 'Eagles' were crossed out with tape - I wonder what happened there?), to the 'the toilets' (a block that looked as if it had recently been hit by a Turkish Bayraktar drone) plus multiple signs leading us to a wonder of other park residents.</span><p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1HHhEXhI3rl6Ttbl9S75ns81pM4kOMjGgGOMxZF6tvH_JfQysEiVp1VWISBJFJJ3G98G1gYmKTHzIXiiTdwkY0FNfCWJZOa5Hm0AGxYHR4lw4Vqg_QhXE4PI9gQTwlkh-wbY0RKnCdR-Mnuf0VhCqLnGXDde4eM6k3nz004HW9D7sMC1kd8l4QERaQQ/s1000/parrots%20small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1HHhEXhI3rl6Ttbl9S75ns81pM4kOMjGgGOMxZF6tvH_JfQysEiVp1VWISBJFJJ3G98G1gYmKTHzIXiiTdwkY0FNfCWJZOa5Hm0AGxYHR4lw4Vqg_QhXE4PI9gQTwlkh-wbY0RKnCdR-Mnuf0VhCqLnGXDde4eM6k3nz004HW9D7sMC1kd8l4QERaQQ/w640-h480/parrots%20small.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I think these are <b>Green Ring-necked Parakeets</b>. One shortcoming in this park was that not all the birds were labelled clearly - and some enclosures boasted several labels for birds that were clearly not resident at the time we visited. Interestingly <b>Mogo Zoo</b>, 25kms further south, used to have a lot of birds on show, but now has almost none, so I wondered if they ended up in Birdland.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />Superficially the park does look as if it's neglected - although to be fair, the exhibited species all looked <b>very well cared for.</b> In fact, the kangaroo, wallaby and ostrich paddocks are huge - much larger than most paddocks in other wildlife parks I've visited. The whole experience is one of wandering through an unkempt overgrown garden populated with a dazzling array of birds, mammals, reptiles and more. I'd thoroughly recommend a visit.</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIUhiyMJgQZTsfaE8UOIlpDlLWU1qHGSNIeCIwOKd6922FIZmYWhAyZaeY7Xp7rKQqHj5GQz8d5DQW0Ro949H0FKdRAeoLFAV2b54A14cLq8UdU2mSYMVko4-EAQAhLkKeehi411k4lp578Qwv2jVK0Rquh1D-seB1lS-y9FSZWhEa60Of7371UHfFDw/s1000/yellow%20parrot%20small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIUhiyMJgQZTsfaE8UOIlpDlLWU1qHGSNIeCIwOKd6922FIZmYWhAyZaeY7Xp7rKQqHj5GQz8d5DQW0Ro949H0FKdRAeoLFAV2b54A14cLq8UdU2mSYMVko4-EAQAhLkKeehi411k4lp578Qwv2jVK0Rquh1D-seB1lS-y9FSZWhEa60Of7371UHfFDw/w640-h480/yellow%20parrot%20small.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I think this is a <b>Yellow Ringneck Parrakeet</b>.</span></td></tr></tbody></table> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN4yoxCu7MtUS1exaBR3fKHk27yhx6kBDYc6PKdAGFEQoqrBfF3o6BnAm3DleLYlOIpWvqLcYFUsxjuSqCXBkNfEIo-aeCrsefFbVrFf4xtbOo5EgrNjfxTQM-FAc6LHo_uW7LXXGzNFwIAlDPelqU_c53AdaIsAtm9yyYFWUcJ3C0WTw77pQJz_GgHA/s1000/kookaburraPigeon.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="375" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN4yoxCu7MtUS1exaBR3fKHk27yhx6kBDYc6PKdAGFEQoqrBfF3o6BnAm3DleLYlOIpWvqLcYFUsxjuSqCXBkNfEIo-aeCrsefFbVrFf4xtbOo5EgrNjfxTQM-FAc6LHo_uW7LXXGzNFwIAlDPelqU_c53AdaIsAtm9yyYFWUcJ3C0WTw77pQJz_GgHA/w640-h240/kookaburraPigeon.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Kookaburra</b> and <b>pigeon</b> - free visitors to the park</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRpXHhi1HwEwkKnVKctHZ-sEEg6P9zWaXnWDL-Gx_EfvbOfB0dFbrAtSBzWXFYAAGDRGwGsBlT6v4nzjMJAB2aPf-mCI1fv4Q0_jKSsAXt__tikcRPLk6Trqzy4-BJwF44cQ9xmRK1i3QbtyR0W2Ptj9YKnRRamXb4nMKxfYBOwwC1Q9BlteITqXlKTw/s1000/wallaby.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRpXHhi1HwEwkKnVKctHZ-sEEg6P9zWaXnWDL-Gx_EfvbOfB0dFbrAtSBzWXFYAAGDRGwGsBlT6v4nzjMJAB2aPf-mCI1fv4Q0_jKSsAXt__tikcRPLk6Trqzy4-BJwF44cQ9xmRK1i3QbtyR0W2Ptj9YKnRRamXb4nMKxfYBOwwC1Q9BlteITqXlKTw/w480-h640/wallaby.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">A rather hairy looking <b>Swamp</b> <b>Wallaby</b> highlighted in the bright sunshine</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizYjG99IvAcKntom8fSROMfytdhyQJQPySXm7jsqOguZXIATn9XlhC8iNsqJw_GDcNof9AK9i8TWNnch5WKFPqoUhf_QBtBgdm1apeaI2v9m9Y6unWe7XShNNaNe1bi19s1IEZOdQoCRaWO5SGTrtOFercCqeOP3tiHKuQrHJaEIJJVCm4uFVjFN9r6g/s1000/wallaby%202.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizYjG99IvAcKntom8fSROMfytdhyQJQPySXm7jsqOguZXIATn9XlhC8iNsqJw_GDcNof9AK9i8TWNnch5WKFPqoUhf_QBtBgdm1apeaI2v9m9Y6unWe7XShNNaNe1bi19s1IEZOdQoCRaWO5SGTrtOFercCqeOP3tiHKuQrHJaEIJJVCm4uFVjFN9r6g/w480-h640/wallaby%202.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Another <b>wallaby</b> with what appear to be slightly buck teeth</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj-2BcK_SS5xtu8gQug8Vg1YnvTPjsQGo-t2OKivATOVzUSO10GOUq745PV0X-Tzm27xQBjtsgeYGEf6iYiYEy124SyylJ6g6jH158OhOTm67inzrRlyaxJAx_KWDYsoTEwds5NMW01pbIR0C5LG1L8FNClXJ0ITJpHgybR2LvKWIr3h55m_YahE1_sA/s1000/LadyAmherstPheasant.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj-2BcK_SS5xtu8gQug8Vg1YnvTPjsQGo-t2OKivATOVzUSO10GOUq745PV0X-Tzm27xQBjtsgeYGEf6iYiYEy124SyylJ6g6jH158OhOTm67inzrRlyaxJAx_KWDYsoTEwds5NMW01pbIR0C5LG1L8FNClXJ0ITJpHgybR2LvKWIr3h55m_YahE1_sA/w640-h480/LadyAmherstPheasant.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">This is a <b>Lady Amherst Pheasant</b> - native of S.W. China and Northern Myanmar - so named as she (Lady Amherst) was the first person to ship one of these strikingly-plumed birds to the UK. She bred them on her estate in Bedfordshire and, with typical English upper crust arrogance, used them for hunting. I read that there are frequent sightings of wild Amherst pheasants - escapees that avoided getting shot and have bred in the wild - but they are not regarded as common by any means. </span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj30cZ1HLgVkuJFA3JffpX2DoefkHZXunmVaqZgN3bcPddFqnomAfilArkYNYJZMx0fGV08rXBHGsD66adczZ7jPwfDIHm5CGIKwnsfWySHRaSoW1c52zpdWgWCU7Km-tc8qFFHNiwFpFME8jAy-B3A-SogxE9cvLwFDjq-Fuh7arXnzJ4SxfOrv8FeoQ/s1000/dove.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj30cZ1HLgVkuJFA3JffpX2DoefkHZXunmVaqZgN3bcPddFqnomAfilArkYNYJZMx0fGV08rXBHGsD66adczZ7jPwfDIHm5CGIKwnsfWySHRaSoW1c52zpdWgWCU7Km-tc8qFFHNiwFpFME8jAy-B3A-SogxE9cvLwFDjq-Fuh7arXnzJ4SxfOrv8FeoQ/w640-h480/dove.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Close up of a <b>Barbary Dove</b> - an introduced species</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgetuSe0qi-09RNHBw1UQFlxgkKiKLmSRfiYuViQyxatuVMMEDgasm_VdWomc-EL-FLNDxrkYcYISfL0guucUa1FroRnUnNFT9N4gE0rAkqLBgRxS-2ZFA6CTjBcOYDo3E_3HrxCT9u1B0gchPvqGjRFzaLCxzLbfy0Hi3HKBvKMCz3kBPEgfO0-PEbFQ/s1000/peacocks.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="329" data-original-width="1000" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgetuSe0qi-09RNHBw1UQFlxgkKiKLmSRfiYuViQyxatuVMMEDgasm_VdWomc-EL-FLNDxrkYcYISfL0guucUa1FroRnUnNFT9N4gE0rAkqLBgRxS-2ZFA6CTjBcOYDo3E_3HrxCT9u1B0gchPvqGjRFzaLCxzLbfy0Hi3HKBvKMCz3kBPEgfO0-PEbFQ/w640-h210/peacocks.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Two very different views of a <b>Peacock</b> - with a 24mm lens and a 600mm lens, at right</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijJ-soNd6UUhI41DCywPpigEO6lxgiHysFrjOJJr9MAv3eDYxUTzxiTZuf9tcC-SZS800P3vqnzyQkTN9__ra1vPYJEqIde0WHpxb1-sSjrib8nFhezmIzu6YGW2wHj1sda9ocuPel1JYMNNAs05FpK6B54QrWFS9Mxl_l6LZn0orf4AgBt4WaNY0TDg/s1000/frogmouths.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="1000" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijJ-soNd6UUhI41DCywPpigEO6lxgiHysFrjOJJr9MAv3eDYxUTzxiTZuf9tcC-SZS800P3vqnzyQkTN9__ra1vPYJEqIde0WHpxb1-sSjrib8nFhezmIzu6YGW2wHj1sda9ocuPel1JYMNNAs05FpK6B54QrWFS9Mxl_l6LZn0orf4AgBt4WaNY0TDg/w640-h364/frogmouths.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Two great views of the cute <b>Frogmouth</b>, a nocturnal bird with exceptional camouflage plumage.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA9o4pYOJ3jxn1E9TF9QJBmsPqrhdrUHKjbDyow1qiHCZlGLlEh2ABcLVGJ4tHvg1gfJ6sC7pBt7bfTlAHqKsvEB3IeSpgXX4MA86o9HCGy2qYopIGnfLMnMpZs_89D7K2J75oIM9uE9TsaRpAhx_nSr3u5P9B0-MqUs3g6zwY6fLHrl_Jgopnj39FiA/s1000/Nat%20curlews.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="717" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA9o4pYOJ3jxn1E9TF9QJBmsPqrhdrUHKjbDyow1qiHCZlGLlEh2ABcLVGJ4tHvg1gfJ6sC7pBt7bfTlAHqKsvEB3IeSpgXX4MA86o9HCGy2qYopIGnfLMnMpZs_89D7K2J75oIM9uE9TsaRpAhx_nSr3u5P9B0-MqUs3g6zwY6fLHrl_Jgopnj39FiA/w458-h640/Nat%20curlews.jpg" width="458" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">A pair of stoic-looking <b>Bush</b> <b>Stone-Curlews </b>or<b> Thick Knee</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu4ZD7NL3D6Wee6b1V9E_DPptZNdX5cDVOmt9yTPuTxejmOORJSau-SjaKOKjz7ZO9vAb3UrshF9GryWFBObkKKhv80fP67aVC-IyFlRtMrWe58wPzmi_Ic9_zwvwdKzHURVBQhAd6o1ZJD4w5sHx8yxqKMUQr2cmFDxlG2IzuUXNa9yY3XTuyBLLZ_A/s1000/Nat%20Silver%20pheasant.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="674" data-original-width="1000" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu4ZD7NL3D6Wee6b1V9E_DPptZNdX5cDVOmt9yTPuTxejmOORJSau-SjaKOKjz7ZO9vAb3UrshF9GryWFBObkKKhv80fP67aVC-IyFlRtMrWe58wPzmi_Ic9_zwvwdKzHURVBQhAd6o1ZJD4w5sHx8yxqKMUQr2cmFDxlG2IzuUXNa9yY3XTuyBLLZ_A/w640-h432/Nat%20Silver%20pheasant.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Not all the birds on show appeared calm - this magnificent <b>Silver Pheasant</b> just paced back and forth in its enclosure - obviously stressed and not happy with its life in sunny Batehaven. (Natalie had more patience than I did getting this good profile shot of the bird).</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_R0bZfzCxB1tfwAVnqqflpnuwS-vdrjBYRTfPzTlx4R3ll89hwkz4hFaZOhyvm8OyBshNgs366yWt0NVQ4xyUasbHaLJw-ztIME-uXkeTuopDLNQ4_ZyHqXJAapjcE2tUvnRij-mmV-JeJ2mQhRoWYOkWPFNX0xOkzYl7oiMlEWPto8BNklBaYHzlaQ/s803/Nat%20kestrel.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="617" data-original-width="803" height="492" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_R0bZfzCxB1tfwAVnqqflpnuwS-vdrjBYRTfPzTlx4R3ll89hwkz4hFaZOhyvm8OyBshNgs366yWt0NVQ4xyUasbHaLJw-ztIME-uXkeTuopDLNQ4_ZyHqXJAapjcE2tUvnRij-mmV-JeJ2mQhRoWYOkWPFNX0xOkzYl7oiMlEWPto8BNklBaYHzlaQ/w640-h492/Nat%20kestrel.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Never seen one of these raptors in captivity before - the <b>Australian Kestrel</b> or <b>Nankeen Kestrel</b> - is well know for its exceptional eyesight and its ability to hover in one spot while hunting for small prey - then dropping like a stone to grab whatever unfortunate critter it had its eyes on. </span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6QqaNpqxcaR7MtbVddBH8fRN3kshdBCY_kS9bQLg-U-4uX5md-JA31XUh22JWojqztCBjsmkgtbo6ZpeaRojnBerYtOEmja1qgNvcdEpLo1j81Ur70GAYad_zVZG7JX-WXPe5Wn3xvkvEHLSkf724n78lxqm-NeK_5sgvWNTtbJuo5tBVcjPMVzR-Lg/s1000/Nat%20ostrich.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6QqaNpqxcaR7MtbVddBH8fRN3kshdBCY_kS9bQLg-U-4uX5md-JA31XUh22JWojqztCBjsmkgtbo6ZpeaRojnBerYtOEmja1qgNvcdEpLo1j81Ur70GAYad_zVZG7JX-WXPe5Wn3xvkvEHLSkf724n78lxqm-NeK_5sgvWNTtbJuo5tBVcjPMVzR-Lg/w640-h480/Nat%20ostrich.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The park has a pair of female <b>Ostriches</b> who are very curious when visitors approach - they seemed to be quite tame </span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVKUSWtJj_79TDczmUmpSih4PJIvQMnKeMUWcSfRQ1hCn_xkoy8drBLbD82exEaV5tTKV343eNHy1pBfTzxCmx6gRWIFUqDEb5usaVK8ZaNmaSvkNioTHzUXQTB0Z5vXyLRhhh0wG75PMXporE8fFYyDmm9Hn5ccU_5-CpepXRYH-J-i8tiS_nQc8QSw/s1000/Nat%20parrots.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="668" data-original-width="1000" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVKUSWtJj_79TDczmUmpSih4PJIvQMnKeMUWcSfRQ1hCn_xkoy8drBLbD82exEaV5tTKV343eNHy1pBfTzxCmx6gRWIFUqDEb5usaVK8ZaNmaSvkNioTHzUXQTB0Z5vXyLRhhh0wG75PMXporE8fFYyDmm9Hn5ccU_5-CpepXRYH-J-i8tiS_nQc8QSw/w640-h428/Nat%20parrots.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">A couple more parrot shots - a pair of <b>green parakeets </b>(I think)<b>,</b> at left, and a <b>Corella</b> at right. Snapping birds in cages is hard because of the mesh cage. The only way to get rid of the tell-tale mesh is to go close to the fence then focus on a bird that's not too close to the mesh in front or behind it. In the left-hand example the cage is almost invisible while the Corella shot picks up the wire netting easily. Shooting with a wide open aperture (ie. f4) helps defocus any distracting backgrounds.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyUL3Dby1OE393m6LFXrZfohC5dv-yr_SNvE8H6fvOgUnDaD5dvvcpsItEkIlhq0tDB2PaWDdmurv2wAiCLfsYo5wrdzIwnV48VfP735NQDNLSBWDCNpCl8a2FGt-jo7B_bYMRL_G4zb1WiGnMxv0-CfkwApX3Fg1BaGSxEKvfSVbUM5sEfY_is_otiQ/s996/Nat%20Kangaroo%20mob.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="652" data-original-width="996" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyUL3Dby1OE393m6LFXrZfohC5dv-yr_SNvE8H6fvOgUnDaD5dvvcpsItEkIlhq0tDB2PaWDdmurv2wAiCLfsYo5wrdzIwnV48VfP735NQDNLSBWDCNpCl8a2FGt-jo7B_bYMRL_G4zb1WiGnMxv0-CfkwApX3Fg1BaGSxEKvfSVbUM5sEfY_is_otiQ/w640-h418/Nat%20Kangaroo%20mob.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Just hangin' around . As you can see in this shot, these <b>wallabies</b> have a huge enclosure - I had to walk about a hundred metres into their paddock to get this shot with a 600mm lens. And a beach view as well!</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Robin Nicholshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03650101386350865476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-263800359958569028.post-21913227847531137472022-09-25T12:19:00.001+10:002022-09-25T12:20:06.414+10:00Gulumyambi Cultural Cruise on the East Alligator River<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_kZerDbsIcEXBbyuDnaSLNqqDjDw8Vv-k43t7_bgKG7UBsH6gt5foFZXccpc5oYaCUqf5vmQ6MSh4rOQR5VvC88YgHZxs5PnTzFHOWGsJhPggmurrjkD54g3WLeBrTq0ZmZZmvcvqzkkMsG5smngpzGi3RbkdCGx-rV7J95AKKQh2ROWkwUk9tPD--w/s1000/East%20Alligator%201%20small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="620" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_kZerDbsIcEXBbyuDnaSLNqqDjDw8Vv-k43t7_bgKG7UBsH6gt5foFZXccpc5oYaCUqf5vmQ6MSh4rOQR5VvC88YgHZxs5PnTzFHOWGsJhPggmurrjkD54g3WLeBrTq0ZmZZmvcvqzkkMsG5smngpzGi3RbkdCGx-rV7J95AKKQh2ROWkwUk9tPD--w/s16000/East%20Alligator%201%20small.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">One thing that's curious about the topography of Kakadu is that you can drive for a seemingly endless way through flat, (mostly) forested top end bush, then suddenly come upon an immense river that stretches off into the distance in both directions. In fact you can recognise a river simply because of the dense foliage growing along the edges of the waterway. This is the East Alligator River just a bit south of <b>Cahills Crossing</b> - the official border point between Kakadu National Park and West Arnhem Land.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF2bzZZFfYtsA7pSGhSlLlxfz-BV-P95CiXBI2nOdZ42a9kTZRU4QUoVpFTiK4FCIrWNizzGBevYlTod3jcdLbuKVzxP4RzyACwJPCqwNUemDDxrEb98wyIsfwqVavJOcQzgAaMjbGIOMvfs5MUCWdxAhp8IVb9514ov1xGO7pIlQKZEZEO3b3jeYHsw/s1000/croc%202%20small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF2bzZZFfYtsA7pSGhSlLlxfz-BV-P95CiXBI2nOdZ42a9kTZRU4QUoVpFTiK4FCIrWNizzGBevYlTod3jcdLbuKVzxP4RzyACwJPCqwNUemDDxrEb98wyIsfwqVavJOcQzgAaMjbGIOMvfs5MUCWdxAhp8IVb9514ov1xGO7pIlQKZEZEO3b3jeYHsw/s16000/croc%202%20small.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">We saw a lot of 'salties' (estuarine crocodiles) on this stretch of river - there was one about every 20 metres or so - anywhere there was a beach for them to rest. The fella running the cruise told us it was because of the plentiful supply of fish in the river - they hunt and eat all night and lie bloated on the riverbanks by day. Despite warning signs at every river crossing in the park - and beyond - people continue to risk their lives by wading across the causeway, fishing too close to the water's edge or by getting out of a bogged vehicle looking for help.<br /><br /><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7dlLTa_q977lMlN3BNmyNyebr8aZ7i0O3RLZ_XSQ5uvlIJf8YHbxKx3Vn6tUzKOD7eDuaY1BzLdnW0B9Y9U3G7ZpqJXHfcDKvurjkZ9E-RsGCF2Cm3sm3NpF5SnWdEhn6VPEasF6n0dbcFyCaEY5Deb8wxFPUI_POmRYWy0GbXKzdG8W_aTd6oCV2Rw/s1000/Croc%201%20small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="485" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7dlLTa_q977lMlN3BNmyNyebr8aZ7i0O3RLZ_XSQ5uvlIJf8YHbxKx3Vn6tUzKOD7eDuaY1BzLdnW0B9Y9U3G7ZpqJXHfcDKvurjkZ9E-RsGCF2Cm3sm3NpF5SnWdEhn6VPEasF6n0dbcFyCaEY5Deb8wxFPUI_POmRYWy0GbXKzdG8W_aTd6oCV2Rw/s16000/Croc%201%20small.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Another close up view of an East Alligator River <b>saltwater crocodile</b> (The river was first named by the explorer Phillip Parker King in 1820, because he'd learned about alligators and assumed that these were the same species).</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQgzL75jrGsI0NBIib3GHFOuY01zwjnWYqSj8Hp4Utk2_PU6IUP5BRNNeBKe58ni320ndaWpLRMHhEro02cyPccW0HyXIkckTVTRckhmAkVnxq4QcSvd1fX-kv1ejsyd_OMxzT6Om3rSL1SKYqx0mLgFJSwFUx-6KLY7Wkfj5UQ83UOPKxsZpLq2wK_g/s1000/heron%201%20small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQgzL75jrGsI0NBIib3GHFOuY01zwjnWYqSj8Hp4Utk2_PU6IUP5BRNNeBKe58ni320ndaWpLRMHhEro02cyPccW0HyXIkckTVTRckhmAkVnxq4QcSvd1fX-kv1ejsyd_OMxzT6Om3rSL1SKYqx0mLgFJSwFUx-6KLY7Wkfj5UQ83UOPKxsZpLq2wK_g/s16000/heron%201%20small.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">A good view of the <b>Great-billed Heron</b> along the East Alligator River. Listed as 'uncommon' in my hand book, this bird was quite a sight - over a metre high - though a bit shy we got a good view as we drifted past in the tinny. </span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYu8qrBpc97Hpe1Ta9xkWAx8PwT7Y0eWG_JJ8Vbz8z0bPu0G5_W1itptQ5ZkV64jXWe-P2q9AozwYM38KL-9IXP6QOJHuuXeF4O2Gr5zq6xUxQpibSUTdJLbW_OOFx1bQBhqooqZB4YLfY9ePFqf-2_OkpK3VoYJT9FKjM5w1QksBAfPZssthgvJD9HQ/s1000/egret%201%20small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="613" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYu8qrBpc97Hpe1Ta9xkWAx8PwT7Y0eWG_JJ8Vbz8z0bPu0G5_W1itptQ5ZkV64jXWe-P2q9AozwYM38KL-9IXP6QOJHuuXeF4O2Gr5zq6xUxQpibSUTdJLbW_OOFx1bQBhqooqZB4YLfY9ePFqf-2_OkpK3VoYJT9FKjM5w1QksBAfPZssthgvJD9HQ/s16000/egret%201%20small.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">A <b>Great Egret</b> wandering along the sand banks of the East Alligator River.<br />1/1250s @ f8, ISO1600, ExComp: -1.3 stops</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjh1NJguOKzsfwSsdcJniFWDk4iQrtK7JNADULlsbDnWBeliRFxWP7g4fBDqiZDkUVacbdu6HQC0kiQaJ9t4DxJjugJsfc0a4qln2fUubHe6wN2aensrkwNjmyNszmj42az0MNwwHboxy2TGsHncRVliutd8gAVhqOYOh8wsoACtvwyCIdREpE7CuM7Q/s1000/East%20alligator%202%20small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjh1NJguOKzsfwSsdcJniFWDk4iQrtK7JNADULlsbDnWBeliRFxWP7g4fBDqiZDkUVacbdu6HQC0kiQaJ9t4DxJjugJsfc0a4qln2fUubHe6wN2aensrkwNjmyNszmj42az0MNwwHboxy2TGsHncRVliutd8gAVhqOYOh8wsoACtvwyCIdREpE7CuM7Q/s16000/East%20alligator%202%20small.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">South of Cahills Crossing we came to a large outcrop of rock - behind which is this large <b>billabong</b>, a secure source of fresh water for the local indigenous people (the main river is saline and undrinkable).</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizKCz9JdB0O3FsSra57uCANH4as0dc9dEwSZC0sP55a8YeXIgTqfh_zbds4Pe9nqdQYhmldgfTaUitI19Ee-99xmNsbczEBvaOs6UBS0l17FiWL54SsAJ3ZrlWEeWBu6BzAzasmHsYKUYPd2MuTtvvXKA1AjAmz_NPT6AYhZeOnPWCWY2P6AELDmV8IQ/s1000/croc%203%20small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="511" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizKCz9JdB0O3FsSra57uCANH4as0dc9dEwSZC0sP55a8YeXIgTqfh_zbds4Pe9nqdQYhmldgfTaUitI19Ee-99xmNsbczEBvaOs6UBS0l17FiWL54SsAJ3ZrlWEeWBu6BzAzasmHsYKUYPd2MuTtvvXKA1AjAmz_NPT6AYhZeOnPWCWY2P6AELDmV8IQ/s16000/croc%203%20small.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Our guide pointed out many ambush spots along the river's edge - places where sand dunes reached down to the river's edge providing easy access for mammals to drink - and for crocodiles to strike. </span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvwkXdoEVG0BcfCh3SjDA39wWSnnJhmRcrc6RpPv4WvaATObWUw5suFUUWQWx_ThD2cUvr9rfujLcnmGyw7GV9mIBnuURBKFx6bpTG8jxVBqmwM9vxsfoxs5JdQez0cDhxbx8uKOl9oMEuNHC_iK5taIo2-XGv8xBlUw6b-FMZXmHfDIdy8Q6KF8SdZw/s1000/east%20alligator%203%20small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvwkXdoEVG0BcfCh3SjDA39wWSnnJhmRcrc6RpPv4WvaATObWUw5suFUUWQWx_ThD2cUvr9rfujLcnmGyw7GV9mIBnuURBKFx6bpTG8jxVBqmwM9vxsfoxs5JdQez0cDhxbx8uKOl9oMEuNHC_iK5taIo2-XGv8xBlUw6b-FMZXmHfDIdy8Q6KF8SdZw/s16000/east%20alligator%203%20small.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Typical bushland approaching the <b>Cahill's Crossing</b> area. The local indigenous people perform small burn offs to control the proliferation of undergrowth and thus to limit the possibility of larger, uncontrollable blazes, of the type seen in the southern states a few years ago. </span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS-zWAPmonbgMIMf5eq8EHPeTBjIn1TpxW6iNptnifLjoxp85tugZD3XoUkXoeDIB9mIv--lPcTPSDqiB33Hk1F-Lo5MnVmG7wd7sEjRfWtIXAg3RpQTfQV5OWuyTUFoM1wbJoRc20sA_m6gf2ZvVkfV835ieA8_In2fJuli02QkU7LMQjrBNaQve4zQ/s1000/East%20Alligator%204%20small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="644" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS-zWAPmonbgMIMf5eq8EHPeTBjIn1TpxW6iNptnifLjoxp85tugZD3XoUkXoeDIB9mIv--lPcTPSDqiB33Hk1F-Lo5MnVmG7wd7sEjRfWtIXAg3RpQTfQV5OWuyTUFoM1wbJoRc20sA_m6gf2ZvVkfV835ieA8_In2fJuli02QkU7LMQjrBNaQve4zQ/s16000/East%20Alligator%204%20small.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Typical landscape on the road approaching <b>Ubirr Rock</b>, one of Kakadu's most important rock art sites.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja7FbX1AZjIEW6jVUTKHisAEUqaSmH1bkEOQtr2Q6SpY2yM3HWb7zCAtSlmOm1WhGAuBfemsl2c-JaxEKAibHLpGjdU2YMCrieDkOmAWyV71JbQaiafBx8j7xVh2Et9sqxJ_TBrgYCLqswOo__GSfUhmj-3ujXgygZQDdsflHkyviblyag0hWW5MuD-w/s1000/ubirr%201%20small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja7FbX1AZjIEW6jVUTKHisAEUqaSmH1bkEOQtr2Q6SpY2yM3HWb7zCAtSlmOm1WhGAuBfemsl2c-JaxEKAibHLpGjdU2YMCrieDkOmAWyV71JbQaiafBx8j7xVh2Et9sqxJ_TBrgYCLqswOo__GSfUhmj-3ujXgygZQDdsflHkyviblyag0hWW5MuD-w/s16000/ubirr%201%20small.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">This shot gives you a good idea of what a rock art site looks like. <b>Ubirr </b>has several places where you can view the paintings - and I suspect a lot more places that are not generally open the public (I read somewhere that there are more than 18,000 rock art sites in the region).</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfBM8_aCLUuJJ8eu1jaCeZCyNH9teYf-4JrZRbkKS1n-M-zOf7Iej8bTLLq7ZC7oOqg6vWoHRBRRDSW9BY4hjgdPFOjicfjJ5ujMBVIF1kXRFxRWt1OxbLQP3IHD8q_vOBFxg-183ZGFcGp_aIzbLqHV7rleHJdMhrBkwp00g1Xs3_KZJLKAuoVWYfzA/s1000/ubirr%204%20small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfBM8_aCLUuJJ8eu1jaCeZCyNH9teYf-4JrZRbkKS1n-M-zOf7Iej8bTLLq7ZC7oOqg6vWoHRBRRDSW9BY4hjgdPFOjicfjJ5ujMBVIF1kXRFxRWt1OxbLQP3IHD8q_vOBFxg-183ZGFcGp_aIzbLqHV7rleHJdMhrBkwp00g1Xs3_KZJLKAuoVWYfzA/s16000/ubirr%204%20small.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Because rock art is essentially an un-curated record of multiple generations of contributors, viewing a panel can be confusing. That said, if you study one area for a while you'll begin to see some amazing illustrations - from a simple hand print to fish, crocodiles, humans and more. </span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJBjU02Dazar8NsdypU_J4mBPlXp1CCrHQYqQJ8CmRQRyJyzSOQS1KVTJTTmnaTCwD_mPJLclmmHH5min7-rBTM39aBp5V8b9P48RELr5gTMK8g26VVW2heDCvSiwFFH_o_R3WQI3eucX-xIqC07BJI_mqDnml9fRfV34JZ6hp36eFi1BcGrvOvU_L9A/s1000/ubirr%203%20small.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJBjU02Dazar8NsdypU_J4mBPlXp1CCrHQYqQJ8CmRQRyJyzSOQS1KVTJTTmnaTCwD_mPJLclmmHH5min7-rBTM39aBp5V8b9P48RELr5gTMK8g26VVW2heDCvSiwFFH_o_R3WQI3eucX-xIqC07BJI_mqDnml9fRfV34JZ6hp36eFi1BcGrvOvU_L9A/s16000/ubirr%203%20small.jpg" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifCifTKVRXX7d0n_AAr5DYC39EUh-JE1GxoY4SJmA96eHUJMkop47nM7UsdjyB8nYXHyqzCtQ5Ho8zc0rByOP1MF4ITby7sTA0jQ1caWYaUSi5Ew6OBOD3CtUWGxD0ft1g1SBK8l3hJwRDoVNMqMeh9h7oMiwHaHjobT6O8wOUp8XH1tBC56lagMrU-A/s1000/gulu%201.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifCifTKVRXX7d0n_AAr5DYC39EUh-JE1GxoY4SJmA96eHUJMkop47nM7UsdjyB8nYXHyqzCtQ5Ho8zc0rByOP1MF4ITby7sTA0jQ1caWYaUSi5Ew6OBOD3CtUWGxD0ft1g1SBK8l3hJwRDoVNMqMeh9h7oMiwHaHjobT6O8wOUp8XH1tBC56lagMrU-A/s16000/gulu%201.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Crocodile guarding <b>Cahills Crossing</b> - or was it just waiting? <br />Pic by Natalie Hitchens</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii1I3O5n_3tSw4SBcuZRe7K6Ttdu20hBlAf9UGHZPODd-dWx1RuZl0o_w4Oznko8EoKzxJaC3iQU3mmzu7oGh4NMgD8SBSWAHE6nJPXTfGQ2SEXQvLk6MWP9zH32mTNNuKokWWWpLUk1ia5YAoXJdt8-ldp7D_VBA-zyhiFmrWUMorXDm1bqLOiTBwqw/s1000/gulu%202.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="629" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii1I3O5n_3tSw4SBcuZRe7K6Ttdu20hBlAf9UGHZPODd-dWx1RuZl0o_w4Oznko8EoKzxJaC3iQU3mmzu7oGh4NMgD8SBSWAHE6nJPXTfGQ2SEXQvLk6MWP9zH32mTNNuKokWWWpLUk1ia5YAoXJdt8-ldp7D_VBA-zyhiFmrWUMorXDm1bqLOiTBwqw/s16000/gulu%202.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">An <b>Australian Pratincole</b> on the banks of the wetlands. Pic by Natalie Hitchens.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLUz8MjHLoUhH2w5FkbfopMFOY6j5Kw37wW4aqmXQBIPJzSxPTiPFbK8GRKk6YNFSwAaXHfK-XHUzmPrVxeOs37d3VsjYHZiu5pNftAu7_NXnkY7N_R2ke2R3mZWd_NaatkRnT-V1w8p4D8IgMuLGzREl0u7FdD0roGg8Gz-m9QPJBk1Dte44d_HRfLg/s1000/gulu%203.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="753" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLUz8MjHLoUhH2w5FkbfopMFOY6j5Kw37wW4aqmXQBIPJzSxPTiPFbK8GRKk6YNFSwAaXHfK-XHUzmPrVxeOs37d3VsjYHZiu5pNftAu7_NXnkY7N_R2ke2R3mZWd_NaatkRnT-V1w8p4D8IgMuLGzREl0u7FdD0roGg8Gz-m9QPJBk1Dte44d_HRfLg/s16000/gulu%203.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">A tiny <b>Black-fronted Dotterel</b></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> on the banks of the wetlands. Pic by Natalie Hitchens.<br /><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWGzrcqUOMEoS_tmNL6C-l0m7EjBQyvIjPghkxYW1SJfQ8BqwEr6q1WUGqKFzvCxO2HvGpaxEQzSUP0day6OsAZgvrsQRlpj6bR6XW7UeLILnCDc0ml7DX_4svtpeZBnzReDSbHKZU67iCwdVm1auzMabVnivRxvY-p-NwjVe7uyHFLrVOr08eIWSI-A/s1000/gulu%204.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="724" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWGzrcqUOMEoS_tmNL6C-l0m7EjBQyvIjPghkxYW1SJfQ8BqwEr6q1WUGqKFzvCxO2HvGpaxEQzSUP0day6OsAZgvrsQRlpj6bR6XW7UeLILnCDc0ml7DX_4svtpeZBnzReDSbHKZU67iCwdVm1auzMabVnivRxvY-p-NwjVe7uyHFLrVOr08eIWSI-A/s16000/gulu%204.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">This picture illustrates how intermingled the eco system can be particularly around water. A <b>Great-billed Heron</b> glides across the river just above a 3 metre croc. <br />Pic by Natalie Hitchens.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv7iMveU3BXDZHTu0-AsjqI9REH0LJ1-URKiUSzoq4iUlHtQVt1muDwK6mN5s_QwI5fMv9qdZtOEoJK577tOXlC17ki2jkjCbZdrx_TPiJX_RGSygCH-dkz2BXZio_IsfOoyRFJVkBv4RyfwN17rJss2W37q9kCCYU3p9Ysxc6jAFeKaOZ-gjnm6NC7w/s1000/gulu%205.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="691" data-original-width="1000" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv7iMveU3BXDZHTu0-AsjqI9REH0LJ1-URKiUSzoq4iUlHtQVt1muDwK6mN5s_QwI5fMv9qdZtOEoJK577tOXlC17ki2jkjCbZdrx_TPiJX_RGSygCH-dkz2BXZio_IsfOoyRFJVkBv4RyfwN17rJss2W37q9kCCYU3p9Ysxc6jAFeKaOZ-gjnm6NC7w/w640-h442/gulu%205.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">A <b>Striated Bittern</b> on the East Alligator river.<br />Pic by Natalie Hitchens.</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUTa3vVLn7tX8tWbfTy3_6nhvb7HMVN7mUOXN-VUdGiaMy1BJaz_A02McghVVY-E0toYv9T-LTeZIA_2I8MrIzT5rTl7mA_zLldkwpUMwWwb_AWGTUwXbviiwk92BbjkHXGgknqc2t50nBR8H7OF4pGxRtwzyUCrXmlOHnUVVyzFSfR_AupjVSkNkRcQ/s1000/gulu%206.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="817" data-original-width="1000" height="522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUTa3vVLn7tX8tWbfTy3_6nhvb7HMVN7mUOXN-VUdGiaMy1BJaz_A02McghVVY-E0toYv9T-LTeZIA_2I8MrIzT5rTl7mA_zLldkwpUMwWwb_AWGTUwXbviiwk92BbjkHXGgknqc2t50nBR8H7OF4pGxRtwzyUCrXmlOHnUVVyzFSfR_AupjVSkNkRcQ/w640-h522/gulu%206.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">A single <b>Pied Cormorant</b> perched among tree roots on the East Alligator River<br />Pic by Natalie Hitchens.<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiItr3T-fJOkfFjB1g2EE5QjoXVQjyyIjlY3JfIViF9ISRpgqFBPpPYHmF3kbm4OfG6UFRfGembO88Kq6-LPq6UA-ZNZhp-njIUXARSBnv8RcUzU_PZhASZytIDPIvRCnPUTKK4HZDJFbj_5AaiefbbWkFHNb457efzCyZYW3ipvOxa_LnQQJmECDefwg/s1000/gulu%208.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiItr3T-fJOkfFjB1g2EE5QjoXVQjyyIjlY3JfIViF9ISRpgqFBPpPYHmF3kbm4OfG6UFRfGembO88Kq6-LPq6UA-ZNZhp-njIUXARSBnv8RcUzU_PZhASZytIDPIvRCnPUTKK4HZDJFbj_5AaiefbbWkFHNb457efzCyZYW3ipvOxa_LnQQJmECDefwg/s16000/gulu%208.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">A magnificent <b>White-bellied Sea-eagle</b> perched high above the river surveying the wetlands. Pic by Natalie Hitchens.<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Robin Nicholshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03650101386350865476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-263800359958569028.post-55505191932309645862022-09-07T13:27:00.006+10:002022-09-07T13:27:57.191+10:00Inside the Territory's Nocturnal House<p><span style="font-family: verdana;">On one of our days on the Northern Territory we visited the <b>Territory Wildlife Park</b> in Berry Springs (50kms south of Darwin) expecting something similar to the three wildlife parks we visited recently in Sydney. This place, aside from being huge (40+ hectares) was quite an experience. The entrance is nothing special, as are the immediate grounds, which are mostly typical NT bushland. The exhibits are sprinkled along a sealed access road - to check out the exhibits you can take the half hourly bus or walk - most of the displays are discretely hidden in the bushland. Rather than wait for the bus, we did walk some of the way between exhibits as there was a bit of shade. Exhibits include an excellent aquarium, a spacious billabong, numerous walk-through aviaries, a monsoon forest walk, a buffalo trail, a goose lagoon, a dingo exhibit and of course, a nocturnal house.</span> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrczMqOQB5dPYYxybNkdbF2uQPGJM5CpmNtxeEcKGiBpMEfqKKIrgB4jBcK1CChL4ryexKyoZjBQzKDBhsqfiaBQWy6klV_Vf3a_w4LBHMlm5HbN_2Y98_cYq3xs62nLbX7T59myhLspS6Jd-flO_mn0mDfuHsU5KEdj5w_LEhnHCjlz-dVYOH8KsGJg/s1000/Ghost%20bats%20small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrczMqOQB5dPYYxybNkdbF2uQPGJM5CpmNtxeEcKGiBpMEfqKKIrgB4jBcK1CChL4ryexKyoZjBQzKDBhsqfiaBQWy6klV_Vf3a_w4LBHMlm5HbN_2Y98_cYq3xs62nLbX7T59myhLspS6Jd-flO_mn0mDfuHsU5KEdj5w_LEhnHCjlz-dVYOH8KsGJg/s16000/Ghost%20bats%20small.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Ghost bats</b> snoozing in the nocturnal house. Not surprisingly the enclosure is quite dark so to get an acceptable shutter speed, I had to boost the ISO to 25,600 - then spend time removing the hideous noise artefacts using DXO PhotoLab5.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0CQGMB_ZE0hDhKMgehL5Nb8fRnYMMZtvBJA8U8MdeugQMHyEvRZit1AxzcRBJTvO32aQJ5Wm69cQ3xqWC8x9nJ3GbQu3_9vzJ_a2nfjyTe53gTZNGsNk6BIukR74y_LG5A5vNMngDzWffymic_pr2xuHuZxt1gB_PH7aesscjw1naZYdnczF2mfeRag/s1000/Owlet%20Nightjar%20small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0CQGMB_ZE0hDhKMgehL5Nb8fRnYMMZtvBJA8U8MdeugQMHyEvRZit1AxzcRBJTvO32aQJ5Wm69cQ3xqWC8x9nJ3GbQu3_9vzJ_a2nfjyTe53gTZNGsNk6BIukR74y_LG5A5vNMngDzWffymic_pr2xuHuZxt1gB_PH7aesscjw1naZYdnczF2mfeRag/s16000/Owlet%20Nightjar%20small.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Pygmy Nightjar</b> snoozing in a hollow log, as you do if you are nocturnal!</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSgYxLFW5X18g6IvEGCMmrUJOZFa1-5dRut6wT5PGJ372oBMKIftTIfBHduNvSBX6SqDrHNbJBR4VJIXU3kd9jRfuyVc5ZLLu2lwmqJWdv-_5hRtifyJhQBY_XsV-YKs_-w15unnK6MhH6s9nyKvvHrBYReOZgwBRqGTysi0m5a4360ur2CXJsnGCj8Q/s1000/possum%20small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSgYxLFW5X18g6IvEGCMmrUJOZFa1-5dRut6wT5PGJ372oBMKIftTIfBHduNvSBX6SqDrHNbJBR4VJIXU3kd9jRfuyVc5ZLLu2lwmqJWdv-_5hRtifyJhQBY_XsV-YKs_-w15unnK6MhH6s9nyKvvHrBYReOZgwBRqGTysi0m5a4360ur2CXJsnGCj8Q/s16000/possum%20small.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">A rather cute-looking <b>Possum</b>. Exposure: 1/20s @ f2.8, ISO12800</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm-VF874H6ekmvK7cORcZtvPSWCsdiTiz3zDxhkRvz3FhQ357jCRmsWx4fwoUUnSNUlf0rI774RfgtNqKwgiF7l5aFq06pn_2xYINH-l2W8XjiQYm7zKukfY9qW8JKctfQlqbJveDUhQJmMyp5U_I2cD1_tERnGqr9sBWYsX76Cx0UHiYmCrv0n0RL9g/s1000/spotted%20quoll%201%20small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm-VF874H6ekmvK7cORcZtvPSWCsdiTiz3zDxhkRvz3FhQ357jCRmsWx4fwoUUnSNUlf0rI774RfgtNqKwgiF7l5aFq06pn_2xYINH-l2W8XjiQYm7zKukfY9qW8JKctfQlqbJveDUhQJmMyp5U_I2cD1_tERnGqr9sBWYsX76Cx0UHiYmCrv0n0RL9g/s16000/spotted%20quoll%201%20small.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Although other wildlife sparks also have <b>Northern Quolls</b>, this exhibit provided the best views I have seen so far. Very cute, quite active, but, in this example, I was lucky enough to snap the critter when it was stationary - the slow shutter speed still produced a sharpish result. Exposure: 1/20s @ f3.2, ISO12800. </span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidJ2mVWY5IB6azm3rLEan9SaTqBHSYmq5Njc5QB43YMkYDcT6nRm5DnNg38tiBts8zbllKnTYq4cQIwT7gr6ug8JP9f5J9hTWb5b0jbbHgWFnwBcAd4rYZIzWro25lUhXvW9VhlZRZ9fnZHuIOrAtnGcT8ba3ShjG5FHm0qOfK090lYLhsMwybUEQYxg/s1000/Sugergliders%20small%201.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidJ2mVWY5IB6azm3rLEan9SaTqBHSYmq5Njc5QB43YMkYDcT6nRm5DnNg38tiBts8zbllKnTYq4cQIwT7gr6ug8JP9f5J9hTWb5b0jbbHgWFnwBcAd4rYZIzWro25lUhXvW9VhlZRZ9fnZHuIOrAtnGcT8ba3ShjG5FHm0qOfK090lYLhsMwybUEQYxg/s16000/Sugergliders%20small%201.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Action in the <b>Sugar glider</b> enclosure. <br />I don't know what the keeper was up to here - measuring their health or perhaps checking their microchips? Either way it made a great snap as the keeper knelt down to check her gear, she appeared to be covered with became sugar gliders (I think it was only 4) crawling up and down her arms as she set up her tests. Exposure: 1/125s @ f2.8, ISO12800.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI4gAII8tz4GZMovyUB_zIuqBfkpT5RIY2jrsI0HVvDrAtwXSVmtJW0bB15L6MV-oi18XjIBY3hLK1Vig0Qm59IbmnBZadfvvTPlts9j_9OUdC5t2-ZsSow8n6wK8S6yKUc0zg2AU-7GiCNOM_WYXh1_yLpj6PzN6kNBbMquGUOzUSQx4472Zgu0-yzQ/s1000/Sugergliders%20small%202.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI4gAII8tz4GZMovyUB_zIuqBfkpT5RIY2jrsI0HVvDrAtwXSVmtJW0bB15L6MV-oi18XjIBY3hLK1Vig0Qm59IbmnBZadfvvTPlts9j_9OUdC5t2-ZsSow8n6wK8S6yKUc0zg2AU-7GiCNOM_WYXh1_yLpj6PzN6kNBbMquGUOzUSQx4472Zgu0-yzQ/s16000/Sugergliders%20small%202.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">A bit more sugar glider action in the exhibit. The contrast range between the dark, unlit cage and the intensely bright head torch caused my OM meting to go a bit haywire - but in the end it was fixable once the RAW files had been edited (i.e. Highlights set to the maximum negative position).</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmNXQuNAh5EiciIXtlF0r3SiFUu41pCF5CLFOXC_muEVql4Ij8-1JG5Z2CczP11dNQ_GS-ggZ30_h6p3TKLTKVQ2MiE1LhaJfHl6BaWDLm0mt4C4-zLdw6vKO-7zoLcCGBe4WgPaZ1WGGrY60h9puLvo9hAM5H27EvPyY91PWLBOOPjx_nQvnJpv29uA/s1000/Desert%20mouse1%20small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmNXQuNAh5EiciIXtlF0r3SiFUu41pCF5CLFOXC_muEVql4Ij8-1JG5Z2CczP11dNQ_GS-ggZ30_h6p3TKLTKVQ2MiE1LhaJfHl6BaWDLm0mt4C4-zLdw6vKO-7zoLcCGBe4WgPaZ1WGGrY60h9puLvo9hAM5H27EvPyY91PWLBOOPjx_nQvnJpv29uA/s16000/Desert%20mouse1%20small.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">A very cute <b>Common Dunnert</b> (We think?). <br />Exposure: 1/80s @ f2.8, ISO10000 <br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBWZ3iLMUtYYRLvRO55emnSkPy_ctD6-9XnJtTcc6PnIR9vh2qdUMuhdYl53lCs-SkVox63018tFJ9sfFBShkqYA0cCPd7-LduyKozdKjSGoWs3NDGgPJ-75X6jIHPr5bddh7AJrHS5i6hLr3OZOppeZbpvQ9vMSfabsmvPxVdmqRpSHcXFN4i-6D6lg/s1000/dunnerts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="374" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBWZ3iLMUtYYRLvRO55emnSkPy_ctD6-9XnJtTcc6PnIR9vh2qdUMuhdYl53lCs-SkVox63018tFJ9sfFBShkqYA0cCPd7-LduyKozdKjSGoWs3NDGgPJ-75X6jIHPr5bddh7AJrHS5i6hLr3OZOppeZbpvQ9vMSfabsmvPxVdmqRpSHcXFN4i-6D6lg/s16000/dunnerts.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">A very cute <b>Common Dunnert</b> (We think?). Pics by Natalie Hitchens.<br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Exposure: 1/80s @ f2.8, ISO10000 </span><br style="font-family: verdana;" /></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtuI1rms3HW24tsP_xJcXjDXTGejt8ZZyexRSG9hY6pjiWm09whIPaR3PIcliTKo0JunxhBGldmeHopZS8Ct0AFTdUKoXtvONkvJVLkvx5DgzJNukeclrRG9E5RoUnQi2RlMHF0G3QIQZLDAkAzKwak42i5wDGjOeWg6Y6araCZoC8KYP0ghHM45RpGQ/s1000/dunnert%201%20small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="838" data-original-width="1000" height="536" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtuI1rms3HW24tsP_xJcXjDXTGejt8ZZyexRSG9hY6pjiWm09whIPaR3PIcliTKo0JunxhBGldmeHopZS8Ct0AFTdUKoXtvONkvJVLkvx5DgzJNukeclrRG9E5RoUnQi2RlMHF0G3QIQZLDAkAzKwak42i5wDGjOeWg6Y6araCZoC8KYP0ghHM45RpGQ/w640-h536/dunnert%201%20small.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">A very cute <b>Common Dunnert</b>. Pic by Natalie Hitchens. <br />Exposure: 1/80s @ f2.8, ISO10000 </span></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMiHL1axPd31f6iGZkyETED9Q8ecUpD-wKPMqrsAluLVTmQDfqdhSUH8etI-fEaHVuscE_m2Jheiwtw6I5EHlEp9RQx2ALBHy2R2vVMkFOXJ_a_4-qXXHIN_mmD9FlvhSsDu8SF3HgG1tq7zduZe0_P3MtBxaU_NT5NYXdUyj8xluZxwGtgBBkKlneXQ/s1000/frog%20small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMiHL1axPd31f6iGZkyETED9Q8ecUpD-wKPMqrsAluLVTmQDfqdhSUH8etI-fEaHVuscE_m2Jheiwtw6I5EHlEp9RQx2ALBHy2R2vVMkFOXJ_a_4-qXXHIN_mmD9FlvhSsDu8SF3HgG1tq7zduZe0_P3MtBxaU_NT5NYXdUyj8xluZxwGtgBBkKlneXQ/s16000/frog%20small.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Green tree frog</b>, Pic by Natalie Hitchens. <br />Exposure: 1/125s @ f2.8 ISO1000 </span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdsXc47sxvCRTgWbukmXEKSIi1kH2S1vaNGy44vDekkHKu2uejmU5gflru5iBgTYWUMrPre7ANue4uYsyxvRGrVQGQBAy9ffocT5K-0s9JiL3y3ljtv1SXeNenpeIHy-N9ISr4YDnNVv75J4G7wBTb_8rh_CpTTYiEfMp5f9TksWm72Tmr9U4Ajsc30Q/s1000/spotted%20quoll%20small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdsXc47sxvCRTgWbukmXEKSIi1kH2S1vaNGy44vDekkHKu2uejmU5gflru5iBgTYWUMrPre7ANue4uYsyxvRGrVQGQBAy9ffocT5K-0s9JiL3y3ljtv1SXeNenpeIHy-N9ISr4YDnNVv75J4G7wBTb_8rh_CpTTYiEfMp5f9TksWm72Tmr9U4Ajsc30Q/s16000/spotted%20quoll%20small.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Another shot of the cute <b>Northern Quoll</b>. (Pic by Natalie Hitchens). <br />Exposure: 1/20s @ f2.8, ISO16000 </span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic4krV4NRep2VuyjVKmoJnK6tpwnq2aELPjHTrw-i6114jxN7oFH8tOt-Fkjz6YVK-xET9qGgsXVirQpsh0lsquE3Y6tu_SfvcD7x5fbaHGCm0S_POPpoorz9vxX6mzN_8e5qEgfzdwMSFbXTauoWR2AoT7YHwhIw95H13-aBK4tg9hyfu8wqXohPYrg/s1000/Stone%20Curlew%20small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic4krV4NRep2VuyjVKmoJnK6tpwnq2aELPjHTrw-i6114jxN7oFH8tOt-Fkjz6YVK-xET9qGgsXVirQpsh0lsquE3Y6tu_SfvcD7x5fbaHGCm0S_POPpoorz9vxX6mzN_8e5qEgfzdwMSFbXTauoWR2AoT7YHwhIw95H13-aBK4tg9hyfu8wqXohPYrg/s16000/Stone%20Curlew%20small.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Like a statue - the <b>Beach Stone Curlew</b> has a very superior look to it. <br />Pic by Natalie Hitchens. Exposure:1/25s @ f2.8, ISO10000</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb6yolpMsGiynhqMP6i520COhEk1k_xXqdY856T3lENzm2W0sCfA2u47Tb559ofythEb9-8eyo_5j2pZQyqA5hVHx4uwNwt-Ckhy3U50KpLuLr5xOVIIYTG16hDDfgtMBW658mbLbcsxAN2ERCgGJ376Iq9Agw82QqsN4beoG2nqM8jvtgM6_mBwYX1A/s1000/wallaby%202%20small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="777" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb6yolpMsGiynhqMP6i520COhEk1k_xXqdY856T3lENzm2W0sCfA2u47Tb559ofythEb9-8eyo_5j2pZQyqA5hVHx4uwNwt-Ckhy3U50KpLuLr5xOVIIYTG16hDDfgtMBW658mbLbcsxAN2ERCgGJ376Iq9Agw82QqsN4beoG2nqM8jvtgM6_mBwYX1A/s16000/wallaby%202%20small.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I think this is a rare <b>Nabarlek</b> - a type of small wallaby. Apparently quite rare and extremely shy - even when housed in an enclosure, it was hard to spot these small critters. Pic by Natalie Hitchens. Exposure: 1/25s @ f2.8, ISO8000</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBn92meMXgdNeizYzlAoYmvvdSjwpdEtF9_Sn7Sx3AvYOZisW_AxVItFFeBbeFIB1qWKaAlJwhlJ6Dbqeq7C72qqOrLjxkuyJ9HjT0U23nABFS4nIuTLzxyXjygC1f4LiSjO05cqxe57H-7vT4ZSSEff4kmXlS3M4ZHIeC4SwbeP06FW19I6CVN9SRfg/s1000/Wallaby%20small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBn92meMXgdNeizYzlAoYmvvdSjwpdEtF9_Sn7Sx3AvYOZisW_AxVItFFeBbeFIB1qWKaAlJwhlJ6Dbqeq7C72qqOrLjxkuyJ9HjT0U23nABFS4nIuTLzxyXjygC1f4LiSjO05cqxe57H-7vT4ZSSEff4kmXlS3M4ZHIeC4SwbeP06FW19I6CVN9SRfg/s16000/Wallaby%20small.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">A lighter, brighter glimpse of the rare </span><b style="font-family: verdana;">Nabarlek</b><span style="font-family: verdana;">. Pic by Natalie Hitchens. <br />Exposure: 1/25s @ f2.8, ISO10000</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Robin Nicholshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03650101386350865476noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-263800359958569028.post-91360980747504952332022-08-29T18:19:00.000+10:002022-08-29T18:19:51.037+10:00Trip to Fogg Dam in the NT<p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>The Fogg Dam Conservation Area</b> was originally built as part of the <b>Humpty Doo Rice Project</b> - a scheme hatched in 1954 to develop the area for rice production. From what I have read, the dam was (hastily) built to provide a regular water source, however poor management eventually sent the </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">project bust and in 1962 the land was returned to the government it was officially declared a Conservation Reserve. Fogg Dam is only 50mins from Darwin and is well managed with walking trails, observation platforms, parking and even toilets.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiDtYt5EcY_5PBBdh-u22gmiZtByWjVzA0c_gtQBub0ajOsWFvxDAIDP-JSQV2hluJ9qKMHEv4G3Nwz7pxMjNB-Nu-lYT-8Mc7eRgz-9UGV-7-JIbnL6giqI4HRg0ifCXfqgxMuJBJP466dEd4Fi25pKN-tbVAgv3dNfyDHHs3TfYIFeYhgBRtYOJvRg/s1000/Fogg%204%20small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiDtYt5EcY_5PBBdh-u22gmiZtByWjVzA0c_gtQBub0ajOsWFvxDAIDP-JSQV2hluJ9qKMHEv4G3Nwz7pxMjNB-Nu-lYT-8Mc7eRgz-9UGV-7-JIbnL6giqI4HRg0ifCXfqgxMuJBJP466dEd4Fi25pKN-tbVAgv3dNfyDHHs3TfYIFeYhgBRtYOJvRg/s16000/Fogg%204%20small.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The wetlands of the Northern Territory are awash with flora and fauna - these water lilies are typical of the plants that are often so prolific that they choke the ponds and billabongs.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBRPKVX_7Ror247BrYy7HfVIZEiL4neIhXEbp0qvdwg5LtXkEsyc6a5I4JcCLdhHOGUU3o33vBaH8hIGS_At--VKpV425kHx7DMZAXny6r-kTQHBDuBtPUvEheFRVXWfJZD7aCeFN4B8atpxKByJNpeE0gRIanDVuglr-j-w_bXTO8ASdqydbcbefu1w/s1000/Fogg%20jacana%20small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBRPKVX_7Ror247BrYy7HfVIZEiL4neIhXEbp0qvdwg5LtXkEsyc6a5I4JcCLdhHOGUU3o33vBaH8hIGS_At--VKpV425kHx7DMZAXny6r-kTQHBDuBtPUvEheFRVXWfJZD7aCeFN4B8atpxKByJNpeE0gRIanDVuglr-j-w_bXTO8ASdqydbcbefu1w/s16000/Fogg%20jacana%20small.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Comb-crested Jacana</b> hopping across the Dam's lily pads. This is a small bird perfectly adapted for life on the lily ponds. It has huge feet - in fact, the largest feet of any bird in the world proportionally which enable it to stand on even the smallest of lily pads or other water plants. When there's not enough to support the small bird's weight, it flies to a safer landing, dangling its over-size legs behind it.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkJNnUeE0JwT-TuWeybXEDrXsTp6-xYGteI5m8UCeHSzhR1X8l7H6J3WYkn0n_2wR7carV0pvWHwA3bwTtxWe6jMTj4qIi_Sd3S8Fls6GiRaNqeud9p5GcrONC5o_Q63Ac93-YqRpArm7mfq8WxUUUyo0tzyMSQWA0ESiEjiCzwv_9ALJy6DlG2PLS1Q/s1000/Fogg%20imm%20pied%20heron%20small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkJNnUeE0JwT-TuWeybXEDrXsTp6-xYGteI5m8UCeHSzhR1X8l7H6J3WYkn0n_2wR7carV0pvWHwA3bwTtxWe6jMTj4qIi_Sd3S8Fls6GiRaNqeud9p5GcrONC5o_Q63Ac93-YqRpArm7mfq8WxUUUyo0tzyMSQWA0ESiEjiCzwv_9ALJy6DlG2PLS1Q/s16000/Fogg%20imm%20pied%20heron%20small.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">This is an immature <b>Pied Heron</b> at Fogg Dam</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS6_E1IK2cln_mY6CSts9pU6EXGhNIWI2Ax_FNRiavLnkPH-argWLyEvPVoQIuOKkLf6a2Jok9X-ERihsGDMoHRR5s2WpSLiVJ69OKGQWVjv3DTe6upiVCqhl956jHbpctIQIljA3RJB4vFy71UGTkkScr2HoNFuFYxj9xYzi1Cjbp8IuRtFJjpgzCrw/s1000/Forest%20Kingfisher%20SMALL.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS6_E1IK2cln_mY6CSts9pU6EXGhNIWI2Ax_FNRiavLnkPH-argWLyEvPVoQIuOKkLf6a2Jok9X-ERihsGDMoHRR5s2WpSLiVJ69OKGQWVjv3DTe6upiVCqhl956jHbpctIQIljA3RJB4vFy71UGTkkScr2HoNFuFYxj9xYzi1Cjbp8IuRtFJjpgzCrw/s16000/Forest%20Kingfisher%20SMALL.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">A rather bad picture of the tiny <b>Forest Kingfisher </b>- there's no light in the eye because of the position, but beggars can't be choosy. One minute it's there, then its gone in a flash.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLbbLiRCCoLql-Jqw8QE-QtmZ1dvbwnDVY_x7yX2_9w7E_Nbld7GUbUayt_q3YFDNjW2iW6x4tNJG-awT83CbGsPa7dIMRA2bFfn0IRuDOPOwOMYVveJzXB4NGfQKoKa0bktRIk-svK7KXfHJeIp5Eb3LwzIR54twZnK8ab-SyzUKWyLZO0JhLdekcug/s1000/FOgg%20Magpie%20Goose%20small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLbbLiRCCoLql-Jqw8QE-QtmZ1dvbwnDVY_x7yX2_9w7E_Nbld7GUbUayt_q3YFDNjW2iW6x4tNJG-awT83CbGsPa7dIMRA2bFfn0IRuDOPOwOMYVveJzXB4NGfQKoKa0bktRIk-svK7KXfHJeIp5Eb3LwzIR54twZnK8ab-SyzUKWyLZO0JhLdekcug/s16000/FOgg%20Magpie%20Goose%20small.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Probably the tamest wild birds in the dam - the rather ugly <b>Magpie Goose</b> is to be seen throughout the region.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-6cDXYEGst8teZErv5s8HeP7bTW9Uub3bN5KkHFd0Mh4vKNGtyiUn_53kcYEu4UceqNmDcrvKj5K9kr3eoss3qxT3rWqPFnD3zguV9TrjeV65dLlfbhRCh_xVm2CVUqylvQBXxgGMNyvcGU3v9HQXXB3L2cb87gOhjLvyKhY2ejfWEdjGcpgmtGefVw/s1000/Fogg%201%20small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-6cDXYEGst8teZErv5s8HeP7bTW9Uub3bN5KkHFd0Mh4vKNGtyiUn_53kcYEu4UceqNmDcrvKj5K9kr3eoss3qxT3rWqPFnD3zguV9TrjeV65dLlfbhRCh_xVm2CVUqylvQBXxgGMNyvcGU3v9HQXXB3L2cb87gOhjLvyKhY2ejfWEdjGcpgmtGefVw/s16000/Fogg%201%20small.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Tiny frill-edged <b>Snowflake lily </b>water plant flowering in the dam.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOUI7D_Z_xl8qw49o_LDmE7GJ8_lzvaO7UeanVKxmGa4lIay-o6SJXbtzMikM4mGDeaLBm4s25EXp2eHC-X067QJza7jNHMOuJjLR6NC62ZtBX0CRpx_5ZIcVgd0-eqq03GBE8lzseuGKbnYnLqNn8l6aWWWG9muyvkf-jTf-FxB_DNxb-37hJlh591g/s1000/Egret%202%20small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOUI7D_Z_xl8qw49o_LDmE7GJ8_lzvaO7UeanVKxmGa4lIay-o6SJXbtzMikM4mGDeaLBm4s25EXp2eHC-X067QJza7jNHMOuJjLR6NC62ZtBX0CRpx_5ZIcVgd0-eqq03GBE8lzseuGKbnYnLqNn8l6aWWWG9muyvkf-jTf-FxB_DNxb-37hJlh591g/s16000/Egret%202%20small.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Several Egret<b> </b>species can be seen at the Dam - this, I think, is an <b>Eastern Great Egret </b>(as it has the longest neck).</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUSsNSDOfos4VmZLcciyHoX0GymRNtqhqD4V2sfpg-lCxz2todDOwDKPJBRdzj9k7eHEseY2gB3vq8n_JMkjTBEAL6jj36GnoBitLL68SniRVedp70VZRbsmjrDVk3YMGqZx3vMyxeWbw2CQHthUYE6ttP4SC6VPRwm1JANoz99yaccBK2wN0_FJC8vQ/s1000/Bee%20Eater%204%20small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUSsNSDOfos4VmZLcciyHoX0GymRNtqhqD4V2sfpg-lCxz2todDOwDKPJBRdzj9k7eHEseY2gB3vq8n_JMkjTBEAL6jj36GnoBitLL68SniRVedp70VZRbsmjrDVk3YMGqZx3vMyxeWbw2CQHthUYE6ttP4SC6VPRwm1JANoz99yaccBK2wN0_FJC8vQ/s16000/Bee%20Eater%204%20small.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">One of my all-time favourite small birds, the <b>Rainbow Bee Eater</b> is found all over the NT, often in pairs, cleaning up the local bugs, bees and insects. You can spot a bee eater from a great distance simply by noting its unique acrobatic flight pattern. This pair were spotted at <b>Knuckey Lagoons</b>, a series of smallish billabongs about 15mins drive from Darwin. As these wetlands are surrounded by farmland, it's quite hard to get to the shoreline - and there's no shelter or hide available (which would have been a nice shelter from the heat).</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimg660x0HZfg2H7RASwxlD-zpxTCpwOBbzJHQz9RiZIeT4_zEVHVM0PPZ4gVwqv_Gz3b9Tvspt608RKvxwDrpcJAEnMl_BjhDE_8kNBVxm8Kt4NKuixCqMZ07ITPllR0LdX_UHp257jQGQSANKOzPDQHsTot89shCLcMjr-0c4S-WKrpKRp3cty3fXWA/s1000/FileSnake%20small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimg660x0HZfg2H7RASwxlD-zpxTCpwOBbzJHQz9RiZIeT4_zEVHVM0PPZ4gVwqv_Gz3b9Tvspt608RKvxwDrpcJAEnMl_BjhDE_8kNBVxm8Kt4NKuixCqMZ07ITPllR0LdX_UHp257jQGQSANKOzPDQHsTot89shCLcMjr-0c4S-WKrpKRp3cty3fXWA/s16000/FileSnake%20small.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Although I photographed this <b>File Snake</b> at Howard Springs close to Darwin, there are plenty of these aquatic snakes in Fogg Dam but as the water is so often packed with vegetation you are unlikely to see one as clearly as this. An Aboriginal woman at the Springs told me that they make "...excellent tucker...".</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU1qNvEK03BbzB-lxpkS4ETpukPruclpL_wNWOtIUk9Hjg9dZAEJA4SJ8omUR2akaCKOYHZmg1iJwwbmaVgzBB9WvuJSxdVTSEtx2Aqbqmhktc0pPm2-3s6y0XJZc0xtpZNJBAQumWk1A0JPG4CjUTMYbCUWLKe5L6wvYDUaJx-msZwqdk9AViMzEs7w/s1000/lizard%20small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU1qNvEK03BbzB-lxpkS4ETpukPruclpL_wNWOtIUk9Hjg9dZAEJA4SJ8omUR2akaCKOYHZmg1iJwwbmaVgzBB9WvuJSxdVTSEtx2Aqbqmhktc0pPm2-3s6y0XJZc0xtpZNJBAQumWk1A0JPG4CjUTMYbCUWLKe5L6wvYDUaJx-msZwqdk9AViMzEs7w/s16000/lizard%20small.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Fogg is mostly about birds - although there are other critters like snakes (pythons), black rats (python food), turtles, <b>lizards</b> and freshwater crocs. This lizard was about a foot long and had no trouble negotiating the floating lily pads.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrhEPtH1m-e-_HDcMKADch-QEbN_JOcoPxxgQ0Wo4hSGfid21TGfvJqakihc4Y-gxC46qgVzxzxThgM1g-RuXwk_DNiuZF2_1XbuACChudNYT5XcKoIulEfjNN2WYXYh2oaEjm_sH_61jekgqAh5k2tQMVHSFk-D5P1d_I3uzlf4PzmGYWZMCl2XR60w/s1000/Fogg%20Pied%20Heron%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrhEPtH1m-e-_HDcMKADch-QEbN_JOcoPxxgQ0Wo4hSGfid21TGfvJqakihc4Y-gxC46qgVzxzxThgM1g-RuXwk_DNiuZF2_1XbuACChudNYT5XcKoIulEfjNN2WYXYh2oaEjm_sH_61jekgqAh5k2tQMVHSFk-D5P1d_I3uzlf4PzmGYWZMCl2XR60w/s16000/Fogg%20Pied%20Heron%202.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">An adult </span><b style="font-family: verdana;">Pied Heron</b><span style="font-family: verdana;"> stalking in the shallows of the Dam (The pronounced dark cap and neck frills indicate that it's an adult). </span><br style="font-family: verdana;" /></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Robin Nicholshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03650101386350865476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-263800359958569028.post-30369419062279527572022-08-08T16:17:00.000+10:002022-08-08T16:17:01.833+10:00A Day Out at the Australian Reptile Park<p></p><span style="font-family: verdana;">In our continued self-imposed Olympus OM1 training, we recently visited the <b>Australian Reptile Park</b> near Gosford. Like <b>Symbio</b>, this is a great place to put some of the new camera's features to the test. It was also a fun day out. Here are some of our best efforts. The hardest pictures to get are of course the enclosures that are behind glass or wire. But if, as we discovered, the critters are indoors, and are luxuriating under extremely specialised infra red lighting, good results can be a bit of a struggle.<br /><br /></span><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6OtmXVAm08dZBHxMrQiGFUInmolo4JfCVgQ-11BXKqiZfhUofO1ytnILcm623FR-liJXAvTGE19vnR63xyffKa6jQPIhasA-Z6mlaMBdFfxVwv-Pr8hi2Tdsg9vGTMEPxO57-n8t4K21FannWBIrXXaOXOgXDxsxvwz6gV_EGmhGpH-H2ftb904ty1w/s1000/NAT10061%20small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6OtmXVAm08dZBHxMrQiGFUInmolo4JfCVgQ-11BXKqiZfhUofO1ytnILcm623FR-liJXAvTGE19vnR63xyffKa6jQPIhasA-Z6mlaMBdFfxVwv-Pr8hi2Tdsg9vGTMEPxO57-n8t4K21FannWBIrXXaOXOgXDxsxvwz6gV_EGmhGpH-H2ftb904ty1w/s16000/NAT10061%20small.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Caged <b>Mexican orange-kneed Tarantula</b>. Pic by Natalie Hitchens. <br />1/100s @ f2.8, ISO2000.<br /><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqeDGiwcaEQcNY-pC2Vwg5p23ZTjP_rVc_Dyx8hccWEx82KuXRilvNu-p7FzL7ORcKKxHdED5aav-cqNMZJRDjyxnHCyyMYygKLJc9kFwGjqwJfQE1oK2CVpMvR8ZhUlK7KjPUzR-AatAmd9h1Om37sNMTnwgDf2MhsrtGL35_4HiahxLft6DhkX0IRA/s1000/ROB18469_DxO%20small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqeDGiwcaEQcNY-pC2Vwg5p23ZTjP_rVc_Dyx8hccWEx82KuXRilvNu-p7FzL7ORcKKxHdED5aav-cqNMZJRDjyxnHCyyMYygKLJc9kFwGjqwJfQE1oK2CVpMvR8ZhUlK7KjPUzR-AatAmd9h1Om37sNMTnwgDf2MhsrtGL35_4HiahxLft6DhkX0IRA/s16000/ROB18469_DxO%20small.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Close up of a <b>Green Iguana</b> at rest. <br />(600mm focal length lens) 1/125s @ f4, ISO400.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpV9T82tgo9FcvhOoXhMOXTfjZfL35ZbWh3ZeTRGTMRE6mlVvLlgamAjFwl7MfuQKx7FTUzcYQmTeIXQMTIwlQJsBUGWq0pTDpoNHlWPbNqxn7MxL9u9NPbbtWXGtZJuAg6SLwzGzGBt3HbtBGKrDJPWuGU4XE2y775TqAqH4FLYLOhf9WQeg1Q9wTXg/s1000/NAT10533%20small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="511" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpV9T82tgo9FcvhOoXhMOXTfjZfL35ZbWh3ZeTRGTMRE6mlVvLlgamAjFwl7MfuQKx7FTUzcYQmTeIXQMTIwlQJsBUGWq0pTDpoNHlWPbNqxn7MxL9u9NPbbtWXGtZJuAg6SLwzGzGBt3HbtBGKrDJPWuGU4XE2y775TqAqH4FLYLOhf9WQeg1Q9wTXg/s16000/NAT10533%20small.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Snoozy Tassie Devil</b>. Pic by Natalie Hitchens.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVDygxMuVhWd-1XEjGe_ZkFVGRfoUWnCVm9w3yPHgYxGD58JKYaiXWvTlB6HXARqMWhK8-Bxbqj13HYzezgent0GTZJR2rNe-EXyehFQGgwS9-E6oYCRkU9fYon0zMnFNyQGkzKDDuzpQgNKh8-UBgpiceWIiQrz578boFvMCA4kIC9PsocV_brvgqpQ/s1000/NAT10395-DeNoiseAI-severe-noise%20small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVDygxMuVhWd-1XEjGe_ZkFVGRfoUWnCVm9w3yPHgYxGD58JKYaiXWvTlB6HXARqMWhK8-Bxbqj13HYzezgent0GTZJR2rNe-EXyehFQGgwS9-E6oYCRkU9fYon0zMnFNyQGkzKDDuzpQgNKh8-UBgpiceWIiQrz578boFvMCA4kIC9PsocV_brvgqpQ/s16000/NAT10395-DeNoiseAI-severe-noise%20small.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Glimpse of a <b>Feathertail Glider</b>, the smallest gliding mammal in the world, in the nocturnal house in the Park. It was tiny, very active and therefore very hard to snap! This was a great result by Natalie Hitchens. 1/100s @ f2.8, ISO6400.<br /></span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWeoMPKVCV5W6qearMeVVVjDgQBY_FDwdppHSW2Uh-KVaHWsA7kJNprYZRiC8FIDlxuGHMVzHzv_pfSF7z800ZudgijCTD0ghQ3YMLTOR1FV76aHosSrDEy0qIaKcw8zQ82hYV_9pmmvgBj5FxiWRS22W-lBpfQPcoksi1FGqSuF4r8tWA9487cQcV1w/s1000/NAT10374-DeNoiseAI-severe-noise%20small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="684" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWeoMPKVCV5W6qearMeVVVjDgQBY_FDwdppHSW2Uh-KVaHWsA7kJNprYZRiC8FIDlxuGHMVzHzv_pfSF7z800ZudgijCTD0ghQ3YMLTOR1FV76aHosSrDEy0qIaKcw8zQ82hYV_9pmmvgBj5FxiWRS22W-lBpfQPcoksi1FGqSuF4r8tWA9487cQcV1w/s16000/NAT10374-DeNoiseAI-severe-noise%20small.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Feathertail Glider</b> munching in its food bowl. It stayed in this position for a second or two only - I wasn't quick enough to get a shot but Natalie was.<br />1/100s @ f2.8, ISO6400.</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnxxVe4DPr5LFFsK-tw5l3575bindBzd0AdHr8tcWazqWgLDbWGz4O0d5yrw8Ylwqfpky9OgJYBG7ZECFTWeu72ruHsHmh9TT4QT7zuJiG9qY8i5h8Xae58ATNPW9u0zrljalVV4sVNTFtU5rA-lZM3fN5PFF2rSU8CAhCdiUEPdXQ7OyqQxJQ4aS9zA/s1000/NAT10328-DeNoiseAI-clear%20small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="645" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnxxVe4DPr5LFFsK-tw5l3575bindBzd0AdHr8tcWazqWgLDbWGz4O0d5yrw8Ylwqfpky9OgJYBG7ZECFTWeu72ruHsHmh9TT4QT7zuJiG9qY8i5h8Xae58ATNPW9u0zrljalVV4sVNTFtU5rA-lZM3fN5PFF2rSU8CAhCdiUEPdXQ7OyqQxJQ4aS9zA/s16000/NAT10328-DeNoiseAI-clear%20small.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Tiny <b>Red-Browed</b> <b>Finch </b>, one of several that were almost lost in the large parrot enclosure.<br />Pic by Natalie Hitchens.<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcdvvGAOzY6V-EZlQficxtw8jgYPhmIlWt-UmgNt5WRqVPuFmYEDRt8ZBtcnGp4JsQI21B4RpidmrX9rBa4IpA5fXe1-6dgLpflQa3huukAWbUTlZHHrlYfDWKa9wdnbsOw_9DAhjnlDC-svQCwj8fIawGoMZrwld2BqJ0w5cqouVcEKrtkhZh0tsbPQ/s1000/NAT10252%20small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcdvvGAOzY6V-EZlQficxtw8jgYPhmIlWt-UmgNt5WRqVPuFmYEDRt8ZBtcnGp4JsQI21B4RpidmrX9rBa4IpA5fXe1-6dgLpflQa3huukAWbUTlZHHrlYfDWKa9wdnbsOw_9DAhjnlDC-svQCwj8fIawGoMZrwld2BqJ0w5cqouVcEKrtkhZh0tsbPQ/s16000/NAT10252%20small.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Local <b>Kookaburra</b> watching over the enclosures at the park.<br />1/320s @ f11, ISO 3200.<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNb2V2j36VsNh_RgevTjR6UbJ8xLB9bm4kwdYB1bhtErRHYSDmBSHqJ_5UnDJHBVA0qeE5oSfrmwRC1NW-K9Z03eElZWCYFr_TCnoiMXCcV3WBQ6chm5xu1ZRn3tdwthzRsRQJ31pzmt8wEDPPCoPxGt7UlrlJkPH8TmHsWLN0e7O0vsmXgjs5CU-N_g/s1000/NAT10240%20small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNb2V2j36VsNh_RgevTjR6UbJ8xLB9bm4kwdYB1bhtErRHYSDmBSHqJ_5UnDJHBVA0qeE5oSfrmwRC1NW-K9Z03eElZWCYFr_TCnoiMXCcV3WBQ6chm5xu1ZRn3tdwthzRsRQJ31pzmt8wEDPPCoPxGt7UlrlJkPH8TmHsWLN0e7O0vsmXgjs5CU-N_g/s16000/NAT10240%20small.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Pair of <b>Green and Golden Tree Frogs </b>taken through glass in the Park's breeding centre. (In hindsight, this needed an aperture of f8 or smaller to get both frogs sharp). <br />1/2000s @ f2.8, ISO800.<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNmhLfOTpwhXBvkhq86aGiueJ2WlEaCK3HzYlLfT8p0TOHL_J4MVr0ezYBIA_1E-MBelRKCzyEwLBHby39l9yFHmFDp1EvRVS9lPOsaH8PtmXSrulA4OfjXZJ8y6tXK4E114cmbhXYxXogMl-leS58_kuuo1eVOXUA_9UImGAD2COHxFFoco9LWFEdcg/s1000/NAT10218%20small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNmhLfOTpwhXBvkhq86aGiueJ2WlEaCK3HzYlLfT8p0TOHL_J4MVr0ezYBIA_1E-MBelRKCzyEwLBHby39l9yFHmFDp1EvRVS9lPOsaH8PtmXSrulA4OfjXZJ8y6tXK4E114cmbhXYxXogMl-leS58_kuuo1eVOXUA_9UImGAD2COHxFFoco9LWFEdcg/w480-h640/NAT10218%20small.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Black-winged Stilt </b>- common enough birds - you can see hundreds of these shoreline feeders in and around Olympic Park.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh71dZAlJnSvjeIWyYD4P8Yh4DCKSsPha7bS7wu3aJOW7p7nt9hjVsc09j85bAS7wDwLa1R97z9VDLfV09sr6SUjKYFhUJBYTBWJJJsQDwxmQvGurMN3WrxlWzRnhcFRPaumhrles9lb1DpD_npEO7JucPq1L7su_8AOsxYwPhF8DM3n1gmCNc0vZadqA/s1000/NAT10187%20small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh71dZAlJnSvjeIWyYD4P8Yh4DCKSsPha7bS7wu3aJOW7p7nt9hjVsc09j85bAS7wDwLa1R97z9VDLfV09sr6SUjKYFhUJBYTBWJJJsQDwxmQvGurMN3WrxlWzRnhcFRPaumhrles9lb1DpD_npEO7JucPq1L7su_8AOsxYwPhF8DM3n1gmCNc0vZadqA/s16000/NAT10187%20small.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Unusual (to us) pair of black and white <b>Dingoes</b>. <br />Pic by Natalie Hitchens.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCZmvbD6BCBD4VXmPn4BcpxptU_YjWUZIzUQrme6OByBjgKlpk_dq_7oGbiXBmK_qVui5Mh-YtpXrfbitWhQYST3AKsmDoQ4IA51jJH7w056ZaMxhVDxPYzxfFG2Epr8g2SbvbgfuP9VYTf8rjDnI4PpIcYMtgtqDSIc_he3cI2-UX0yy3TamC-gNALQ/s1000/NAT10179%20small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="728" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCZmvbD6BCBD4VXmPn4BcpxptU_YjWUZIzUQrme6OByBjgKlpk_dq_7oGbiXBmK_qVui5Mh-YtpXrfbitWhQYST3AKsmDoQ4IA51jJH7w056ZaMxhVDxPYzxfFG2Epr8g2SbvbgfuP9VYTf8rjDnI4PpIcYMtgtqDSIc_he3cI2-UX0yy3TamC-gNALQ/s16000/NAT10179%20small.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Yellow-footed Rock Wallaby </b>sitting on a rock!<br />Pic by Natalie Hitchens.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvJlf2-LR9GYmKwr3vXgNb_IBk0SpEf7WZjuI3GLX2Wqk6VTeCXaAx3fKw4Ul76ZQTcffqOrCcfl6ZALZprzopsn4ofkNY8C5X0e_FfPcLjAMm2BGWWeja6BIF9cyE460-XJSPGifWZoiI3IAojj5UxxiwDu-R9gHhVLmwA6W8oEI0mN4i2h9B7zqo9A/s1000/NAT10149%20small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvJlf2-LR9GYmKwr3vXgNb_IBk0SpEf7WZjuI3GLX2Wqk6VTeCXaAx3fKw4Ul76ZQTcffqOrCcfl6ZALZprzopsn4ofkNY8C5X0e_FfPcLjAMm2BGWWeja6BIF9cyE460-XJSPGifWZoiI3IAojj5UxxiwDu-R9gHhVLmwA6W8oEI0mN4i2h9B7zqo9A/s16000/NAT10149%20small.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Another inmate at the frog pond- no idea what type of frog this is - again, taken through glass making it hard to minimise reflections from the bright day outside. Pic by Natalie Hitchens.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSAT_s13G3t7JO79FJKq7yyI1SayWCgPSXSx-Yyhtikt6tIEoQ1vyjZ9FkjFLuUpxeopttIatOtbs0JnjJ0uiFZixvFRtQ8kISEkpzlrTmM50_Mzm2StArbtkvh0kiwrrpsmuUD8-rN3rkzbyd3HtXixGfan0tCjtoECwuohAmcS3q44Qwj4SxAhzEVA/s1000/NAT10121%20small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="719" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSAT_s13G3t7JO79FJKq7yyI1SayWCgPSXSx-Yyhtikt6tIEoQ1vyjZ9FkjFLuUpxeopttIatOtbs0JnjJ0uiFZixvFRtQ8kISEkpzlrTmM50_Mzm2StArbtkvh0kiwrrpsmuUD8-rN3rkzbyd3HtXixGfan0tCjtoECwuohAmcS3q44Qwj4SxAhzEVA/s16000/NAT10121%20small.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I think this was a type of <b>Water Dragon</b>, pictured in its glass fronted enclosure. Great detail in the head and body of this lizard. <br />Focal length, 200mm. 1/800s @ f4, ISO3200.<br /><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi752qTMJjTmTc3x_AcutqZQw-T0TdxzKRCOlaJmU6LMUEThQRCa2b8Xu_OXvLAdpuOSel8AeH8P2-uiFOW3AKI4pRepCYcwnX28TT08kTnu3KcNLtA4aJS-SfXjD_TeRFPZdfaHM5VTZoJmQTxXa5aHRCZCs6G2i6IDUIp5RleVUmnOiexX9ZfXh0e1Q/s1000/NAT10104%20small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="850" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi752qTMJjTmTc3x_AcutqZQw-T0TdxzKRCOlaJmU6LMUEThQRCa2b8Xu_OXvLAdpuOSel8AeH8P2-uiFOW3AKI4pRepCYcwnX28TT08kTnu3KcNLtA4aJS-SfXjD_TeRFPZdfaHM5VTZoJmQTxXa5aHRCZCs6G2i6IDUIp5RleVUmnOiexX9ZfXh0e1Q/s16000/NAT10104%20small.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Close-up, through glass of 'Fluffy', a <b>Burmese Python</b>. <br />Pic by Natalie Hitchens. 1/60s @ f2.8, ISO2000.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje_4wcknCTEbiv80ubgbdQpoXOUtEyq63JsD0U18O1I8NoZWRgdiPhiqkGxocIWnGjzAXK3sdM3pRVVlT-rcuohoz-lvtXiBtLaSd5EpN4NAU2l_oZ2BEH6250X0_fkn0PHcQtcYpMmuhQ9nGrB1_6EoLoEMYizpXSFMTF4knlDWlRAklUr0IpqFGAPg/s1000/NAT10099%20small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje_4wcknCTEbiv80ubgbdQpoXOUtEyq63JsD0U18O1I8NoZWRgdiPhiqkGxocIWnGjzAXK3sdM3pRVVlT-rcuohoz-lvtXiBtLaSd5EpN4NAU2l_oZ2BEH6250X0_fkn0PHcQtcYpMmuhQ9nGrB1_6EoLoEMYizpXSFMTF4knlDWlRAklUr0IpqFGAPg/s16000/NAT10099%20small.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Very close close-up of a <b>Brown Tree Snake</b> (I think?). Pic by Natalie Hitchens. 1/250s @ f2.8, ISO 2000.</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMwJMJDeZtqw7Ik0-el7AiT_t1AG281U0J8H60Od8bpRB1WEqQKNTtNE5TGRIFZxSVD0wEAsrV0iyyMkONnhhdf3PSWyNpJP0ykZkQCwIsjGzPWgbb9cbPib7W-EXXHtPTdJsN_yoftpV3uxoatc9Cwm_H-JUFJArGkNHgv17_0exM2DgWImv8RQusNg/s1000/NAT10084%20small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="688" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMwJMJDeZtqw7Ik0-el7AiT_t1AG281U0J8H60Od8bpRB1WEqQKNTtNE5TGRIFZxSVD0wEAsrV0iyyMkONnhhdf3PSWyNpJP0ykZkQCwIsjGzPWgbb9cbPib7W-EXXHtPTdJsN_yoftpV3uxoatc9Cwm_H-JUFJArGkNHgv17_0exM2DgWImv8RQusNg/s16000/NAT10084%20small.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Green Iguana</b> (in a tank with mixed lighting)<br />Pic by Natalie Hitchens. 1/400s @ f2.8, ISO 2000.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaKruAfU4pk_DyOc6wD6oIg2JF-h-xgRYPS_Zez2IWV7I7nQ6a5Jc-X3bIY-L7JwzP8A478GkW9NPQsd0vObHPc7_6ma_CncU25kVdaisNnlOT7-603CuQXZJho3W3GsN0tLWEOoaP5GqkP8XmvgKC95QRC-ZEOEjWL9N0vxD4LOwD1rJDkxZ-mpx1Bw/s1000/NAT10039%20small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaKruAfU4pk_DyOc6wD6oIg2JF-h-xgRYPS_Zez2IWV7I7nQ6a5Jc-X3bIY-L7JwzP8A478GkW9NPQsd0vObHPc7_6ma_CncU25kVdaisNnlOT7-603CuQXZJho3W3GsN0tLWEOoaP5GqkP8XmvgKC95QRC-ZEOEjWL9N0vxD4LOwD1rJDkxZ-mpx1Bw/s16000/NAT10039%20small.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The <b>Duck-billed Platypus</b> has a room (tank) to its own - it's very active, almost always on the move and therefore hard to capture with a camera. Pic by Natalie Hitchens. 1/13s @ f2.8, ISO1600.</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-sca_yYdpKB-ySyRgskzDVtzr0PAT5LzUIjTsKJeMxWl7lcJHjCBejI2nyhnHjX345_asHBZVBgran7E43puHTjzNFf110iCmB_9xFd4t0yNr243Cg0HCFugMcxczZdXjsOuZn1hlZ8oBlrJui3ZgJuhujaJ2lDZuhRlZqHaWMQJn8w5RJiBwzpF2ew/s1000/NAT10031%20small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="777" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-sca_yYdpKB-ySyRgskzDVtzr0PAT5LzUIjTsKJeMxWl7lcJHjCBejI2nyhnHjX345_asHBZVBgran7E43puHTjzNFf110iCmB_9xFd4t0yNr243Cg0HCFugMcxczZdXjsOuZn1hlZ8oBlrJui3ZgJuhujaJ2lDZuhRlZqHaWMQJn8w5RJiBwzpF2ew/s16000/NAT10031%20small.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The park has a huge population of American <b>Alligators</b>. <br />Pic by Natalie Hitchens. 1/500s @ f2.8, ISO200.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh4iwb5AAWkIQGH9UGibw7gtTCr56ovIKI8YvCrrDy1QG7OrD352Yr54L0yz4KNF8hmy6xR8hN0Jkw5-uPpoKvbOKc9g3ufsH05YFE7A6rmv8HjxGmCixfiWHgjx7YNNRT7TruEZdyn828d5y2WkrL0uf1u02PAVNUYttY0LgngIXkUq9LHQjqL8Fc6Q/s1000/ROB18453_DxO%20small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh4iwb5AAWkIQGH9UGibw7gtTCr56ovIKI8YvCrrDy1QG7OrD352Yr54L0yz4KNF8hmy6xR8hN0Jkw5-uPpoKvbOKc9g3ufsH05YFE7A6rmv8HjxGmCixfiWHgjx7YNNRT7TruEZdyn828d5y2WkrL0uf1u02PAVNUYttY0LgngIXkUq9LHQjqL8Fc6Q/s16000/ROB18453_DxO%20small.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Close-up detail of a <b>Lace Monitor </b>(through glass)<br />1/125s @ f6.3, ISO2500, -0.7 Exp Comp.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgipGk7qRlK2wCjqJPCVWUlytfoRUkfOZjedLPBY5mO-wX1jYsJgQpLQuFn1umStjnx3CCuFWlW0vGfGa27nxKsWdANy15oOBo5SWQ-zOMUAUl3D2XSGagCvAmloCYT6qpIG1z8ua_aPMG-hNFAjcAvn-nUfgvwzBx5GVdAunjp4IW3q3_wms3J7JjpLg/s1000/ROB18481_DxO%20small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgipGk7qRlK2wCjqJPCVWUlytfoRUkfOZjedLPBY5mO-wX1jYsJgQpLQuFn1umStjnx3CCuFWlW0vGfGa27nxKsWdANy15oOBo5SWQ-zOMUAUl3D2XSGagCvAmloCYT6qpIG1z8ua_aPMG-hNFAjcAvn-nUfgvwzBx5GVdAunjp4IW3q3_wms3J7JjpLg/s16000/ROB18481_DxO%20small.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Green Iguana </b>snapped through glass in the indoor enclosure. Most shots like this are tricky - not so much because of the low light levels but because of the reflections in the glass - some of this can be retouched out, some not. Success can be a bit hit and miss.1/125s @ f4, ISO320.<br /><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiafTTvd1lSusI5KeqdS4rmrVtfGt4UYCSHAwnz8YoIzbdpkqiX1lJBxp3b_8dqgS8kW3qbDg4k2R89o-H9yUQNvd0iSPsXCAVI2H3YgGv7ry-wOn7iodso-ZymAnrsaxOQuQ_jT-WthicjF4BjSB21cO0B6kIt9RaAFlHv_AhTFWjBWJKFuHd4ixgo6g/s1000/ROB18499_DxO-2%20small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiafTTvd1lSusI5KeqdS4rmrVtfGt4UYCSHAwnz8YoIzbdpkqiX1lJBxp3b_8dqgS8kW3qbDg4k2R89o-H9yUQNvd0iSPsXCAVI2H3YgGv7ry-wOn7iodso-ZymAnrsaxOQuQ_jT-WthicjF4BjSB21cO0B6kIt9RaAFlHv_AhTFWjBWJKFuHd4ixgo6g/s16000/ROB18499_DxO-2%20small.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Lace Monitor</b> in an enclosed exhibit. Aside from being able to get really close, another advantage of using a telephoto lens is that you only include a small area of glass in the frame - and therefore can limit the amount of reflection in the photo. 1/250s @ f9, ISO3200.<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnzqSKkfrR56YxNB_xtqYqFxtI3qrGjhFBXR5kE-J-teYvwu8JavhiWGWEGz3mi8SnNsVSUmchC_mc4Cnc95E1ZbwIWNhxGZDXhzDe_tNncpF7e39obbc-LqMVGs44zPCiO_HeFLEQs-Pw8sXhlikjlVfftTCwJMoFfbWCfNIgMOUUkyAyr03f3CwJ0w/s1000/ROB18515_DxO%20small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnzqSKkfrR56YxNB_xtqYqFxtI3qrGjhFBXR5kE-J-teYvwu8JavhiWGWEGz3mi8SnNsVSUmchC_mc4Cnc95E1ZbwIWNhxGZDXhzDe_tNncpF7e39obbc-LqMVGs44zPCiO_HeFLEQs-Pw8sXhlikjlVfftTCwJMoFfbWCfNIgMOUUkyAyr03f3CwJ0w/s16000/ROB18515_DxO%20small.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Rainbow Lorikeets</b> splashing about in the guttering around the park's entrance building. 1/1600s @ f7.1, ISO3200.<br /><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrFj17AXtWWez5V7ZXuQQmiH3c8cjfn1Y-7lubwmMva79kTnzD3XlkZK6YQdQGnttK680N59VsxXqlhTzinY8m_P8TFCczPxe1M-uFvmd5pxvj0rScRzz4AIUQVzg_OIfGELaYMcm4dTA6QiyidgRItxjQwK__n8AFBcHRfDFStSaMoycMxITPE5dxWw/s1000/ROB18675_DxO%20small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrFj17AXtWWez5V7ZXuQQmiH3c8cjfn1Y-7lubwmMva79kTnzD3XlkZK6YQdQGnttK680N59VsxXqlhTzinY8m_P8TFCczPxe1M-uFvmd5pxvj0rScRzz4AIUQVzg_OIfGELaYMcm4dTA6QiyidgRItxjQwK__n8AFBcHRfDFStSaMoycMxITPE5dxWw/s16000/ROB18675_DxO%20small.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Common Bronzewing</b> looking slightly ruffled (and not quite as sharp as I'd hoped it would be). <br />1/500s @ f5.6, ISO3200.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhybBKFaOv-dTyVrHF_uePyqwcf3LPMJ3hILMRqkM8XY2H4S6yHx9M4hZq6BoPrc3zxs_qs2sntawg7v3PmYOPoObCboCX4o9GhaJSn7dF742z5uv0vn1aPucrj43mdCN_R1uSIUZe4lvs8ypyCa_YQ55Q8ADmhFbW0nkupOne2m0c_AvpnVmf6jweNuw/s1000/ROB18697_DxO%20small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhybBKFaOv-dTyVrHF_uePyqwcf3LPMJ3hILMRqkM8XY2H4S6yHx9M4hZq6BoPrc3zxs_qs2sntawg7v3PmYOPoObCboCX4o9GhaJSn7dF742z5uv0vn1aPucrj43mdCN_R1uSIUZe4lvs8ypyCa_YQ55Q8ADmhFbW0nkupOne2m0c_AvpnVmf6jweNuw/s16000/ROB18697_DxO%20small.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Close up of a snoozing <b>Flying Fox<br /></b>Hard to know how these bats can actually snooze with a continuous stream of kids walking through their enclosure. <br />1/320s @ f5.6, ISO3200.<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYU3VqzkXVOrxNRt54K7vQj7hrvjUEh0GS7Kq_dLr4xA6JA_3ly1zXkpKhkPm84KErQVil8IdU6cY4Vr4G7HGSd-XHWs7Gpnj8IAU9hWyGfD4qWOVrlfKDRpQiTA7fYMMMwV1d8lG_N4kOB1IDZYN2YR_vOpDaMi_drmWwqbyux7VCKc4roWTjzQj5Dw/s1000/ROB18771_DxO%20small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYU3VqzkXVOrxNRt54K7vQj7hrvjUEh0GS7Kq_dLr4xA6JA_3ly1zXkpKhkPm84KErQVil8IdU6cY4Vr4G7HGSd-XHWs7Gpnj8IAU9hWyGfD4qWOVrlfKDRpQiTA7fYMMMwV1d8lG_N4kOB1IDZYN2YR_vOpDaMi_drmWwqbyux7VCKc4roWTjzQj5Dw/s16000/ROB18771_DxO%20small.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Australian<b> Green and Golden Tree Frog</b> in the Reptile Park's breeding centre.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOGvJvQTApVoL_6lqVWG6IruSxAUc9z1DNVfp_hHkEsOlujUSWmerkBVD_y56xjH7ysSBLrdSFPJlMt0ft6BxFiK3V5LvNqzKcTWrDbR15NRlq0-6IQMTK-co7kxLafrqRVXh7LT7PaXZ3uwV6NzaH7IfKM4FFHM_MzrNOgjJXdWtJ6q_T7p0gWvaifA/s1000/ROB19228_DxO-1%20small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="663" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOGvJvQTApVoL_6lqVWG6IruSxAUc9z1DNVfp_hHkEsOlujUSWmerkBVD_y56xjH7ysSBLrdSFPJlMt0ft6BxFiK3V5LvNqzKcTWrDbR15NRlq0-6IQMTK-co7kxLafrqRVXh7LT7PaXZ3uwV6NzaH7IfKM4FFHM_MzrNOgjJXdWtJ6q_T7p0gWvaifA/s16000/ROB19228_DxO-1%20small.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>New Caledonian Giant Gecko</b> being shown at the Reptile Park's show and tell display. 1/320s @ f5.6, ISO3200.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxUZBCPC1rfUgp-2AdZ_r8mHQqfVMxnqfTDzaRf2BF1IVkvwFelWklIqzrAQxodwqdTA6Njvh6TcNcb0aaB_klVVmNi0VE1be9i7MfX3_4pcCP0V0qXLWgo2FoIlAJU7Pir2EIn5K5sUiF78r6IcpL5RmEa5ff36YAwhxYgZIX0FgW6hSIArS0dt8Fzw/s1000/ROB19660_DxO%20small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="769" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxUZBCPC1rfUgp-2AdZ_r8mHQqfVMxnqfTDzaRf2BF1IVkvwFelWklIqzrAQxodwqdTA6Njvh6TcNcb0aaB_klVVmNi0VE1be9i7MfX3_4pcCP0V0qXLWgo2FoIlAJU7Pir2EIn5K5sUiF78r6IcpL5RmEa5ff36YAwhxYgZIX0FgW6hSIArS0dt8Fzw/s16000/ROB19660_DxO%20small.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Rainbow Lorikeets - these are wild birds being fed some sort of cereal porridge by one of the park's rangers. 600mm focal length. 1/1250s @ f11, ISO3200.<br /><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQKTMdsKYcELQVAd8NEebWTkLmAy5R8mcS4fEU2jQlsY8idNIwbgQcG9-x4Y_N0h4_KDGb1kgul_xBn1rZ9OxzQhcl5daeSBTzm9Vk-in8MLaSWZrwWXaD_P3vpWUTsnBtRyw68ohwoXvjh1eQXmQX9cAOyNtuYZe_6D4Ely2FamFxDV8-99M8GYaVCA/s1000/ROB19727_DxO%20small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQKTMdsKYcELQVAd8NEebWTkLmAy5R8mcS4fEU2jQlsY8idNIwbgQcG9-x4Y_N0h4_KDGb1kgul_xBn1rZ9OxzQhcl5daeSBTzm9Vk-in8MLaSWZrwWXaD_P3vpWUTsnBtRyw68ohwoXvjh1eQXmQX9cAOyNtuYZe_6D4Ely2FamFxDV8-99M8GYaVCA/s16000/ROB19727_DxO%20small.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Echidna </b>on the prowl <br />1/125s @ f7.1, ISO3200.<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV2UcW32ndzgZpf-Wod2OOUdziQVnZxTTkRJDBgUO_XY8IaSKbe9rRf2Bkvf6ESRtaRxzEI61mlIJSWJPZB3zSaB6MxSCIOBaRnUkjkfLfX_I7UmrJZHbMEoXFtiDKCUmD_rokEMzvfMY4JxQkyebGn_p3651f3ITsCbzx83PhFFQpqAF4n4MkQ41lfw/s1000/ROB19758_DxO%20small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV2UcW32ndzgZpf-Wod2OOUdziQVnZxTTkRJDBgUO_XY8IaSKbe9rRf2Bkvf6ESRtaRxzEI61mlIJSWJPZB3zSaB6MxSCIOBaRnUkjkfLfX_I7UmrJZHbMEoXFtiDKCUmD_rokEMzvfMY4JxQkyebGn_p3651f3ITsCbzx83PhFFQpqAF4n4MkQ41lfw/s16000/ROB19758_DxO%20small.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Two <b>Quokkas </b>caught posing at an interesting angle.<br />1/200s @ f6.3, ISO3200.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6g7sznE5Qxuoy6MuJzMR5kQMYLnLLvXuUn2lSG8YZg0vBHxWKqRU04RCufNB7EzJoXkxQYYkOTcSDaR41e7m0U0XCfPN4F5m1O1H2pos-pK2jNUjnI_cYVY9P2VPfI3pdRZZBzKHE2qNKD4B17taD-xclkLy2uQpgDdCUtJtU7DLca_Z6prHpC3Lt_A/s1000/ROB19015_DxO-2%20small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6g7sznE5Qxuoy6MuJzMR5kQMYLnLLvXuUn2lSG8YZg0vBHxWKqRU04RCufNB7EzJoXkxQYYkOTcSDaR41e7m0U0XCfPN4F5m1O1H2pos-pK2jNUjnI_cYVY9P2VPfI3pdRZZBzKHE2qNKD4B17taD-xclkLy2uQpgDdCUtJtU7DLca_Z6prHpC3Lt_A/s16000/ROB19015_DxO-2%20small.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Fat-tailed Dunnert </b>- another tiny, incredibly active nocturnal mouse-like animal from WA. I was amazed to get a snap of this hyper-active little critter. Apparently the males only live about 15 months, the females last about 18 months. Because this is in the nocturnal house, the lighting is red - a colour that these creatures can't see well and so they behave as if it is dark. Perfect for the animals, not so good for the photographer. 1/50s @ f4, ISO10000.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9qWtm6H-XMes8BaCtTVNdTtL2XT2zraY4a8_bh2pAGW9MXSCCWiz20RH8uT74R774IQAqI9yN1LHQYMsSayoNwPPaGqUzH6GJHKdpn4pDNPM9avBSsEJO1rk2DcjXy_nsM-9dWOCA1t2UXbVCMmXELG8CHYKViGXN3U8cX6Ax2iwtD0Avt4l8HPduYw/s1000/ROB19008_DxO%20small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9qWtm6H-XMes8BaCtTVNdTtL2XT2zraY4a8_bh2pAGW9MXSCCWiz20RH8uT74R774IQAqI9yN1LHQYMsSayoNwPPaGqUzH6GJHKdpn4pDNPM9avBSsEJO1rk2DcjXy_nsM-9dWOCA1t2UXbVCMmXELG8CHYKViGXN3U8cX6Ax2iwtD0Avt4l8HPduYw/s320/ROB19008_DxO%20small.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">This is what the RAW file looked like - as if red cellophane is draped across the lens. It took a lot of tweaking to get the colour as you see in the file above.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibIXL7v7w0Lp7qwI0uBJwAYfhkNTlbKoYHR9LdEM8NjlFhCEbHMfL1oLOoCrbyk8_fSK48bTfR3gkr7taQ8bXXSfTlmzLjSU9C7O2y93AnlPRwjrPJ_hyIMQ31M-qu5580FjN6q4USqe3DPW-eU97nHMsa1xDL2F_dhcqUVV7T-901PZbDGXUgS633gQ/s1000/NAT10066%20small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="670" data-original-width="1000" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibIXL7v7w0Lp7qwI0uBJwAYfhkNTlbKoYHR9LdEM8NjlFhCEbHMfL1oLOoCrbyk8_fSK48bTfR3gkr7taQ8bXXSfTlmzLjSU9C7O2y93AnlPRwjrPJ_hyIMQ31M-qu5580FjN6q4USqe3DPW-eU97nHMsa1xDL2F_dhcqUVV7T-901PZbDGXUgS633gQ/w640-h428/NAT10066%20small.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-weight: 700;">Lace Monitor</span><br style="font-family: verdana; font-weight: 700;" /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Pic by Natalie Hitchens. 1/250s @ f2.8, ISO2000.<br /><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Robin Nicholshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03650101386350865476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-263800359958569028.post-3082009749916345962022-08-06T14:27:01.157+10:002022-08-13T18:37:58.438+10:00Olympus System OM1 Second Look<p><span style="font-family: verdana;">We've played around with the new Olympus Systems <b>OM1 </b>for about a month and are having great fun shooting with the cameras in several wildlife parks around Sydney. It's also been fun exploring some of the many features that this camera has (many are new to us coming from a Canon DSLR background) all the while trying to decide which are useful and which are not so. It's going to be a while before we get our heads round everything because there's so much new stuff packed into such a tiny form factor. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLoeWtK0tLXbB60cB94VUf1LOFgrQXFc92dfy1CWkhfvnxwBXUb0jsLmsSx-Jb87d46hzaTqbGH014jmF64R2wfX6M6DmP3MHT3MKK6aC79nQGPrul0bzkP1CqZpFmAwy1Qx_1JCLoQapgg55RkC5T6AI_jWXaoMbiJzFauS2vHI8H-TN3TlthmRIqwA/s1332/OM1.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="988" data-original-width="1332" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLoeWtK0tLXbB60cB94VUf1LOFgrQXFc92dfy1CWkhfvnxwBXUb0jsLmsSx-Jb87d46hzaTqbGH014jmF64R2wfX6M6DmP3MHT3MKK6aC79nQGPrul0bzkP1CqZpFmAwy1Qx_1JCLoQapgg55RkC5T6AI_jWXaoMbiJzFauS2vHI8H-TN3TlthmRIqwA/w400-h296/OM1.png" width="400" /></a></p><p><b style="font-family: verdana;">Drive Modes</b></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">My ten year old Canon EOS 5D MkIII has three drive modes: </span><b style="font-family: verdana;">Single</b><span style="font-family: verdana;">, </span><b style="font-family: verdana;">Continuous Low</b><span style="font-family: verdana;"> and </span><b style="font-family: verdana;">Continuous High</b><span style="font-family: verdana;">, the latter being six frames per second (fps)</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">In comparison, the OM1 has eight drive modes: single shot plus a range of sequential drive modes with speeds of 20, 50 and even <b>120fps,</b> thanks to its electronic shutter and (effective) new onboard processor. 120fps - that's 20 times faster than the 5D MkIII.</span></p><p></p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />Three things have come to mind while using such drive modes:</span><p></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">Choosing the fastest setting sounds like fun but it also means you can run out of memory card space quickly.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">Secondly</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">, though recording such an avalanche of images might just get you the 'perfect moment', it also means a considerable amount of time spent shuffling through the day's shoot. First time I tried shooting at 120fps I ended up with 3000+ images in less than half a day. That's a lot of post processing. However, if you are an avid bird, wildlife or sports action photographer, this mode will help you capture moments that you'd never see with the naked eye.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">Lastly, as you might not want, or indeed need, to shoot so quickly, it was good to discover that drive modes can be set to <b>lower frame rates</b>. Most Olympus ambassadors I have read tend to recommend saving the your 'best' features (i.e. Drive/White Balance/ISO/Exposure Mode.) and saving them into one of the four <b>custom settings</b> available on the camera's <b>Mode Dial</b> (i.e. <b>C1</b>, <b>C2</b>, <b>C3</b> and <b>C4</b>), that way you can recall your favourite settings immediately as a custom preset - something I have yet to explore.</span></li></ul><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMSnG90rOCoaXr49-IvmpmV4-TQqKYsDouQKsMHfmcxQdSYUBJfqcJSLBy-7bJvqw5CKQWa99CaaNRhUF3xls7L-sxjI9yyCTRm2as-IS9gL-XPjkO9XTY3-K3jo_Cw6RpO9au62DulyhUfbHr0KYw70BeimSj3EjzHgPEvLqoHmoyy4kjNgBTI0xHAA/s1000/Drive%20Mode.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="523" data-original-width="1000" height="334" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMSnG90rOCoaXr49-IvmpmV4-TQqKYsDouQKsMHfmcxQdSYUBJfqcJSLBy-7bJvqw5CKQWa99CaaNRhUF3xls7L-sxjI9yyCTRm2as-IS9gL-XPjkO9XTY3-K3jo_Cw6RpO9au62DulyhUfbHr0KYw70BeimSj3EjzHgPEvLqoHmoyy4kjNgBTI0xHAA/w640-h334/Drive%20Mode.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">One disadvantage of using the super fast 120fps drive mode is the time required to sort through the gigabytes of files that can be generated in a few seconds.</span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />General Handling</span></b></div><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">You can't beat the obvious weight savings this camera offers compared to a full frame DSLR. Though the OM1 is one of the larger Olympus bodies, its diminutive form factor and ergonomic design make it a pleasure to hold and use.</span></p><p></p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxIzsYHXBvfQvL5CnwPLOV42hN-DtOInZzd-TNpO6FsFi2y6-GsL2HEcOhBBZjbO-ln7lD7Z8obrlEE0qOz9Y-ed_mgSvx52-OfWpr3pmhcOn3k_bnEu5X8p94JX44Xzut6uVWrK4xO4YNzM07XrbMj1CqDSq1bgTG294fpqFToJxj_QOu-J95W4TUTA/s1000/Olympus-40-150mm.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="708" data-original-width="1000" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxIzsYHXBvfQvL5CnwPLOV42hN-DtOInZzd-TNpO6FsFi2y6-GsL2HEcOhBBZjbO-ln7lD7Z8obrlEE0qOz9Y-ed_mgSvx52-OfWpr3pmhcOn3k_bnEu5X8p94JX44Xzut6uVWrK4xO4YNzM07XrbMj1CqDSq1bgTG294fpqFToJxj_QOu-J95W4TUTA/w640-h454/Olympus-40-150mm.png" width="640" /></a></div>In wanting to capture wildlife, I bought what turns out to be the second heaviest Zuiko lens - the <b>M.Zuiko 300mm f4</b> lens which weighs around 1200g. Even so, I was delighted to discover that carrying the lens for a day is no hardship - I used to carry a 5D MkIII body + EF300mm f2.8 lens all day (Weighing 3.5kg, that was really beginning to be a drag). <br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOSixYey693tU8UgQdEkd5yCLjoS_JsSWcIzLsPDEDH9hCjYMku8msg5K8iC8HvLWTerCbTAmz3-uLp0IHDELO3H356S2X0Vd784WdBrDlEhg6vas1u4VW9xMvBwW5nlHjnEU7Is3UZhZntMeNA__qkX4gDIwvHc2LE84afob0tc2qAvmT3PtEoJ9n5A/s2043/Comparison.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="711" data-original-width="2043" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOSixYey693tU8UgQdEkd5yCLjoS_JsSWcIzLsPDEDH9hCjYMku8msg5K8iC8HvLWTerCbTAmz3-uLp0IHDELO3H356S2X0Vd784WdBrDlEhg6vas1u4VW9xMvBwW5nlHjnEU7Is3UZhZntMeNA__qkX4gDIwvHc2LE84afob0tc2qAvmT3PtEoJ9n5A/w640-h222/Comparison.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Comparison between a <b>Canon EOS5D MkIII</b>, Olympus Systems <b>OM1</b> and the diminutive <b>OMD-EM10</b>.</td></tr></tbody></table></span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">As this is still a big lens I decided to buy the </span><b style="font-family: verdana;">Olympus HLD-10 Power Battery Grip</b><span style="font-family: verdana;"> which holds a single battery, but more to the point, it makes it significantly easier to hold any big, heavy lens steady horizontally or vertically. Expensive at $500+, but it does make handling easier. Using any other lens is a lightweight luxury.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi60uuVtyfnJOELow_eFHFTy-2CuvpXCh6CdPsVn3NYwvNP5SXFnvWTrlW4RmE2TPZHPC5f7hhxvZeK94hQ35qCGXCTs3kIutvMAEinO3TMn9IwndEAwxzgK2KBEdn5_U3L1NHUSyDcrnVdvs6lIsTQGCWPo3Iy73MSA_FjexTVmitwwovuPjp10j6Pjg/s1426/grip.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1426" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi60uuVtyfnJOELow_eFHFTy-2CuvpXCh6CdPsVn3NYwvNP5SXFnvWTrlW4RmE2TPZHPC5f7hhxvZeK94hQ35qCGXCTs3kIutvMAEinO3TMn9IwndEAwxzgK2KBEdn5_U3L1NHUSyDcrnVdvs6lIsTQGCWPo3Iy73MSA_FjexTVmitwwovuPjp10j6Pjg/w400-h216/grip.png" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Sensor Noise </b>(+ how to deal with it)<br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">One big fear when shifting to the 4/3 system was that the smaller sensor would produce excessive noise in all but the most best lighting conditions. In previous (4/3) experiences I'd noted a lot of noise when the ISO was pushed above 800, noise that, on the Canon 5D MkIII, would be invisible - the clear advantage of a full frame sensor and its larger pixels. <br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />Happily I discovered that much has changed in terms of sensor technology. In researching this camera I read a lot of opinion about the camera's newly developed </span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: #333333;"><b>20M Stacked BSI Live MOS sensor</b> and its new <b>TruePic X</b> engine, a processor/sensor combination designed, according to Olympus, to extract a far greater level of quality than previous iterations.</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: #333333;">All camera companies tend to say a similar thing - s</span></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">everal reviewers even described the new sensor as 'ground breaking'. Not sure if that's quite the right term but certainly, from these unashamedly non-scientific tests, my results were, for me, very satisfying.</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgaDBU3dugkbJEmwuL8xY-EllDqBHnY_2l_oOTkA218_CkkvKwSkftjtTbJkRez4AUNiY2n5mltGwSLM1xcD7ay0Kk-HfHwIhSnvOXhL7W565gcYJbUo5jGlLLzwTAnKfNCEe5NvcXr01l-BEDvCo5jPdD0YgfcAy8WEqr6KA2DCnQfzFCtYPs9Z-yog/s3617/ISO%20example%201%201600.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1732" data-original-width="3617" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgaDBU3dugkbJEmwuL8xY-EllDqBHnY_2l_oOTkA218_CkkvKwSkftjtTbJkRez4AUNiY2n5mltGwSLM1xcD7ay0Kk-HfHwIhSnvOXhL7W565gcYJbUo5jGlLLzwTAnKfNCEe5NvcXr01l-BEDvCo5jPdD0YgfcAy8WEqr6KA2DCnQfzFCtYPs9Z-yog/w640-h306/ISO%20example%201%201600.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Here's a comparison between the <b>Canon 5D MkIIII + 50mm f1.8</b> lens at left, and the <b>OM1 + 14-40mm f2.8 PRO </b>lens (set to 25mm) at <b>ISO 1600</b>. The Canon exhibits little or no discernible noise - but noise is noticeable in the OM1 example. (Note my setup was nothing special: Daylight, on a table, Aperture mode, AWB, f11, tripod and 2 second self-timer. I used a bit of <b>Levels</b> in Photoshop Elements just to even out the brightness differences between the two cameras - I know that if I'd have illuminated the setup better I'd have had less noise, but I thought a real world setup was better).<br /><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTN7ErTR3KseKaaximI4v2p3t_leiDpSHGaVM0oClKMKTB8iUsPdXUHCGXVGPjRD4fwfKDUyrLQnHLjGapMGNp-HLWA86wj7-7KqmE3AId7J0_jRj5OVAYdutpSDewivcOZNe3TzzDEPiiAcMJsen33olwmf7u4zE5adwYI5iGwYyftS1UYBvXUT0Gzw/s3620/ISO%201600%20DXO%20fixed.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1736" data-original-width="3620" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTN7ErTR3KseKaaximI4v2p3t_leiDpSHGaVM0oClKMKTB8iUsPdXUHCGXVGPjRD4fwfKDUyrLQnHLjGapMGNp-HLWA86wj7-7KqmE3AId7J0_jRj5OVAYdutpSDewivcOZNe3TzzDEPiiAcMJsen33olwmf7u4zE5adwYI5iGwYyftS1UYBvXUT0Gzw/w640-h306/ISO%201600%20DXO%20fixed.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana;">The left hand frame is straight out of the camera, the right hand frame has been processed using <b>DXO Photolab 5</b> using only its <b>PRIME</b> denoising technology, producing a <b>significant reduction</b> in visible noise.</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnD6Sv0D-TWLWvnWLLYTpBPIaJIAOJX8p9VYSEQFbwUOnHgsujizl1mUkPmHBkGxzQCZU17UYwFvZqAh8a-0SUA5jaau3hTahzwRiFyJKv7mqUUV8Z3qb0sonoKq41g79T3phKLBzA_f1CZ99R8W2q_WEOzqG-JWiys3YqpmJTmIvMpYURFlYIVKrCrA/s3629/ISO%20example%204%203200.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1733" data-original-width="3629" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnD6Sv0D-TWLWvnWLLYTpBPIaJIAOJX8p9VYSEQFbwUOnHgsujizl1mUkPmHBkGxzQCZU17UYwFvZqAh8a-0SUA5jaau3hTahzwRiFyJKv7mqUUV8Z3qb0sonoKq41g79T3phKLBzA_f1CZ99R8W2q_WEOzqG-JWiys3YqpmJTmIvMpYURFlYIVKrCrA/w640-h306/ISO%20example%204%203200.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span>Canon vs. OM1, at ISO 3200. The Canon file at left remains pretty clean while noise is clearly visible in the shadow areas in the OM1 RAW file. </span><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKtDcyPsENZo87HfCMLEKHfblxmyRDhL5HVpHNfjTkcU8kHi1ZLaGGyvA-j_scBqzsOHfSyGOYq5ThZTt7YmJ7ztXfmMWygkyVzoA-4PnqIVi6VkGGID91j0rp7q8F2P9jZumFxjWfYsl7XBtFqXgtE0ernOIcS7_jp5IRTIaxIUqL8NjPq8I2h_Qi0A/s3628/ISO3200%20DXO%20processed.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1729" data-original-width="3628" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKtDcyPsENZo87HfCMLEKHfblxmyRDhL5HVpHNfjTkcU8kHi1ZLaGGyvA-j_scBqzsOHfSyGOYq5ThZTt7YmJ7ztXfmMWygkyVzoA-4PnqIVi6VkGGID91j0rp7q8F2P9jZumFxjWfYsl7XBtFqXgtE0ernOIcS7_jp5IRTIaxIUqL8NjPq8I2h_Qi0A/w640-h306/ISO3200%20DXO%20processed.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Here's the same OM1 frame, at left (IS0 3200) and the DXO improved version on the right. All I have added to the image is DXO's default denoise filter - this produces an exceptionally clean result.</span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDz7ny1GhoNv46DHCTlZw4_pPvU-wG34Lj1LLSSCVjODVmLfk4vMY8s2FVL2Kyb4TiTemfZpgGwSVU8mbphGhIgv9CvWCAWpXoFwIUXWEWeJEgoA5zt9wL-tI2vNSUaJ5YanhvUD6gDYCLFXjK0GmDKyWjOxIpUyV30mdIpXxprQUXay-FIcnQ66kVyw/s3618/ISO%20example%202%206400.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1730" data-original-width="3618" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDz7ny1GhoNv46DHCTlZw4_pPvU-wG34Lj1LLSSCVjODVmLfk4vMY8s2FVL2Kyb4TiTemfZpgGwSVU8mbphGhIgv9CvWCAWpXoFwIUXWEWeJEgoA5zt9wL-tI2vNSUaJ5YanhvUD6gDYCLFXjK0GmDKyWjOxIpUyV30mdIpXxprQUXay-FIcnQ66kVyw/w640-h306/ISO%20example%202%206400.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Both camera files get a bit noisy/rough at ISO 6400 - although I thought that the contrast and sharpness in the OM1 files was slightly better (not surprisingly the Canon's in-camera image processing is getting a bit long in the tooth).</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitA3g5Q2eVs3E4o9KoO9TkzpepPuPlysFj7hPD_Z6FREpmhVIh8Y_gjatbMG2O-gL2UQx3kEhuWuGEsU-FTZjWqLoG27cwOshr5jJG9ap5h8k52WbaYXNBCRJhExwR680RjzyZOcXbgn1KK11ryeM_FzYeyLULL-JKpWQwPvGHvEPCHDAIRp0TEa2u0g/s3619/ISO6400%20DXO%20FIxed.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1724" data-original-width="3619" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitA3g5Q2eVs3E4o9KoO9TkzpepPuPlysFj7hPD_Z6FREpmhVIh8Y_gjatbMG2O-gL2UQx3kEhuWuGEsU-FTZjWqLoG27cwOshr5jJG9ap5h8k52WbaYXNBCRJhExwR680RjzyZOcXbgn1KK11ryeM_FzYeyLULL-JKpWQwPvGHvEPCHDAIRp0TEa2u0g/w640-h304/ISO6400%20DXO%20FIxed.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Here's the 'fixed' version, at right, looking significantly better for being processed using <b>DXO Photolab 5</b>. (DXO also markets a product called <b>PureRAW2</b> - all this does is clean up noise in the raw file, using the same process that's in Photolab, then it outputs the result as a DNG file ready for editing in whatever your fave software might be). </span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-zRxeSbDilhu0N5IoDRZMLSrOnzO8660GeEEwZcQZl5BYj7G0KSWHQHz_HvxblVDkTt1ujXo7nEd0_9lwg5Du8T_OrlnShLv1M-HYqRZdeYhEpBw9w2Cj8_A_9eEginUXU-GsRNLs3YLzJSJXNGxji-1sBeCNow63X9y2wd-hrLVeAYAzKURbnLOiOA/s3629/ISO%20example%203%2012800.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1733" data-original-width="3629" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-zRxeSbDilhu0N5IoDRZMLSrOnzO8660GeEEwZcQZl5BYj7G0KSWHQHz_HvxblVDkTt1ujXo7nEd0_9lwg5Du8T_OrlnShLv1M-HYqRZdeYhEpBw9w2Cj8_A_9eEginUXU-GsRNLs3YLzJSJXNGxji-1sBeCNow63X9y2wd-hrLVeAYAzKURbnLOiOA/w640-h306/ISO%20example%203%2012800.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">ISO 12,800 - this was the highest ISO comparison I tried. Again, I think the OM1 produced a slightly clearer looking result straight out of the camera than the Canon version possibly due to far more up to date in-camera processing. Comparing a 10-year old DSLR with a brand new 4/3 camera is hardly fair, but it is interesting.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr9XGYrY1QeZuxn75PpgTwEpB6k_96qG_3GaSLJAOthdJwHBuy0n32zrglDLxm8SbwVrJ8ilzARKGlMNTbiY6txwrUyJxf18F3d_--L_7_THnMXPe1WVbbS4ul2xz1hJL7MUxsRKDdxGcbU-Q7GygarFKPXgBJ32LlJK7FULDy2qrsQdB59U79xUeufw/s3622/ISO12800%20DXO%20fixed.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1735" data-original-width="3622" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr9XGYrY1QeZuxn75PpgTwEpB6k_96qG_3GaSLJAOthdJwHBuy0n32zrglDLxm8SbwVrJ8ilzARKGlMNTbiY6txwrUyJxf18F3d_--L_7_THnMXPe1WVbbS4ul2xz1hJL7MUxsRKDdxGcbU-Q7GygarFKPXgBJ32LlJK7FULDy2qrsQdB59U79xUeufw/w640-h306/ISO12800%20DXO%20fixed.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The <b>DXO</b> processed version (right) is a superb result when compared with the gritty original (ISO12,800). Critics might argue that there's a loss of definition in the software processed result - I'd agree, but it's so small, especially compared to the rough original, as to be insignificant.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Superlatives aside, I find that this is an exceptional quality sensor producing visible noise only at higher levels than past experiences had shown. That's the march of technology of course, and to be fair, since buying a Canon 5D MkIII, I'd spent very little time looking at (noise) developments among competitors - I was very happy with the 5D at the time, and that was that. <br /><br />I read on one of the many blogs on the subject that the new sensor produced two stops of improvement in terms of noise - which I take to mean an image shot at ISO 3200 looks as though it was shot using ISO 800, and so on. In practice the ISO characteristics of the OM1 are pretty good - although, if you look at the non-scientific examples I have posted here, the 5D still produces less noise in its files, as you'd expect from such a large sensor.<br /><br />I'm aware that despite the new tech, the OM1 is still noisier than a larger size sensor so decided to experiment with different levels of <b>noise reduction</b> software (note: all examples here were shot with both camera's noise reduction filters turned off). Photoshop <b>Elements Camera RAW utility</b> works OK, but lacks fine control, as does <b>Luminar Neo</b>, but the best noise removal results were from <b>Topaz</b> <b>Denoise </b>and <b>DXO Photolab 5</b> - as you can see in these examples above, the DXO results were impressive. Below area couple of interesting examples of even higher noise reduction.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPbcalIm9zr9Xdx6ol7Gpx9wBd2iMd3URrbhiitp-dyNNF9Ww34Ztpg2gNpCQh1FFNGe4qG-gIitg3PnvokDOcI2-Efbo63TT2M3P_LmcCyOfdtLfL4DJGNaaLfaN97r6_oAYBGvdCtJcDmg8buSVzPxxEybed-1Tih_BRS-lFocW75gzhnWV5iSAJ0w/s3383/Topaz%2025000.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1817" data-original-width="3383" height="344" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPbcalIm9zr9Xdx6ol7Gpx9wBd2iMd3URrbhiitp-dyNNF9Ww34Ztpg2gNpCQh1FFNGe4qG-gIitg3PnvokDOcI2-Efbo63TT2M3P_LmcCyOfdtLfL4DJGNaaLfaN97r6_oAYBGvdCtJcDmg8buSVzPxxEybed-1Tih_BRS-lFocW75gzhnWV5iSAJ0w/w640-h344/Topaz%2025000.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I have no idea if the files produced by the new sensor are easier to process with noise reduction software, or if it's just in the software, but as you can see in this <b>ISO 25,600</b> example, <b>DXO Photolab 5</b> cleans up an otherwise disastrously noisy file to produce an image that looks great - and is almost noise free. Yes, it does look a little 'processed' but so what, it's a 100% usable file.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlb3Vo0l77mPK5lIswPolGwy03IJZCG-N_ouD-x3RmzJNKzgS0apiTpzIaR5a1UmbIgOisJje6t96jkIj4JvNZVQeL-J6AOs2XY2fly6D2Jhh-w0-K6ZJiVAhdpJa9K5dK8mS1c8hYfzU_VaQI3f9-dj6835LEXI4tuAKfN49sS-xi4u7zGdMWbfU72g/s3326/DXO%2025000%20example.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1726" data-original-width="3326" height="332" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlb3Vo0l77mPK5lIswPolGwy03IJZCG-N_ouD-x3RmzJNKzgS0apiTpzIaR5a1UmbIgOisJje6t96jkIj4JvNZVQeL-J6AOs2XY2fly6D2Jhh-w0-K6ZJiVAhdpJa9K5dK8mS1c8hYfzU_VaQI3f9-dj6835LEXI4tuAKfN49sS-xi4u7zGdMWbfU72g/w640-h332/DXO%2025000%20example.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">For the sake of balance, here's that same <b>ISO 25,600 </b>file processed using <b>Topaz Denoise</b> - also producing an amazingly-clear result. I think that this software is on a par with the DXO software, maybe it's even slightly better - it's hard to tell just from a few test shots. Either way, sophisticated software such as this can not only transform any noisy picture, it also gives a smaller sensor file the 'look' of a camera with much larger pixels.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><b style="font-family: verdana;">Lens thoughts<br /><br /></b></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">One of the oft-asked questions about lenses is 'are they sharp?' We have to ask that awkward question because you only have to read a few lens reviews to appreciate that some lenses are brilliantly sharp while others, usually inexpensive zooms, can be soft at specific focal lengths and apertures. The reason some lenses outperform others usually comes down to design and to money. Quality lenses - ones that are sharp though the whole focal range and at all or most aperture settings, are expensive because, to achieve such quality, they employ complex design, and have to use expensive glass. <br /><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Are Olympus PRO lenses sharp? Silly question really. So far I have used four: the <b>M.Zuiko 300mm f4 PRO</b>, the <b>M.Zuiko 14-40mm f2.8 II PRO</b>, the <b>M.Zuiko 40-150mm f2.8 PRO </b>and the <b>M.Zuiko 14-100mm f4 PRO</b> lenses. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">As far as my experience goes, all produce exceptionally sharp results (when used correctly of course), they present little or no chromatic aberration, minimal vignetting, and a whole load of great handling. As I said, these are just hands-on comments, there's nothing scientific about my research.<br /><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy_Xj4nPtx1YmepxO8RDfVpBRYrNZSI-xBaijN6O4vrbfDFUlkFthAymXDIytashmrqhLwFbPWOQ2RaZWNjtTr-1Nfym-T8ULN5DXfcKoURwaoVHGnXNm6fpetQAfQLyDK-dl0MR7bIOC3KjFyHisPciz138PPBGJ12VThwNeU23lwP5K2oitf8UADhQ/s1000/Lens%20hood%20copy.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="470" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy_Xj4nPtx1YmepxO8RDfVpBRYrNZSI-xBaijN6O4vrbfDFUlkFthAymXDIytashmrqhLwFbPWOQ2RaZWNjtTr-1Nfym-T8ULN5DXfcKoURwaoVHGnXNm6fpetQAfQLyDK-dl0MR7bIOC3KjFyHisPciz138PPBGJ12VThwNeU23lwP5K2oitf8UADhQ/s16000/Lens%20hood%20copy.png" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">Even though PRO lenses are, for the most part, heavier and bulkier than their standard lens counterparts, they are a dream to use. With the exception of my 300mm prime lens and the 40-150mm zoom lens, most PRO lenses are very well balanced, even if they are a bit on the heavy side when compared with non-PRO equivalents. </span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">I also like the <b>lens hoods</b> - this sounds trivial but both long lens hoods are stored on the lens so, to engage the hood, you simply twist the locking ring and pull the hood out to extend it, or push it backwards/inward to store it. Lens hoods for my full frame telephoto lenses are big, don't pack snugly around the end of the lens and inevitably have to be packed separately, which is very annoying.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">Other lens hoods (for the 12-40mm and the 12-100mm lenses are just well made and bayonet onto the lens perfectly. This may changes once wear and tear sets in but at the moment, they are a dream to use.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">Manual focus clutch. Another neat feature about these lenses is the ease at which you can switch from AF to manual focussing simply by pushing or pulling the focus ring to engage AF or MF. It's a really nice design feature of PRO lenses.</span></li></ul></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">More to come...</span></div>Robin Nicholshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03650101386350865476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-263800359958569028.post-17582388407544690252022-07-31T15:58:00.089+10:002022-07-31T18:50:12.200+10:00A Day out at Symbio Zoo<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGnhEU3XAvzCc2fedmRCtkghQgRqDDfrq7hloFw9FJIZn2aYZecZRAWklab_btzUostaljajzn-SV5j1MXkhQcAqIbVqfdqbBH6cNqCVAMb14P7kl1DJgPmE12vAcLqWxBbao0wWaJ5cW9XFMOenUgTfaKAN3ElHVzPLJxYT7weiSK7W5xwXxHoZRgZw/s1000/NAT10545_DxO%20small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGnhEU3XAvzCc2fedmRCtkghQgRqDDfrq7hloFw9FJIZn2aYZecZRAWklab_btzUostaljajzn-SV5j1MXkhQcAqIbVqfdqbBH6cNqCVAMb14P7kl1DJgPmE12vAcLqWxBbao0wWaJ5cW9XFMOenUgTfaKAN3ElHVzPLJxYT7weiSK7W5xwXxHoZRgZw/s16000/NAT10545_DxO%20small.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Lovely shot of a tiny <b>Green Tree Frog</b>. <br />Focal length 180mm - as the ISO is set to <b>10k</b>, the result was very noisy. To minimise the damage, the file was processed using <b>DXO Photo Lab 5</b> which I think produces unbelievably good noise-free results. See for yourself. Pic by Natalie Hitchens. 1/80s @ f4, ISO10000.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitWkaV2aCsKMdbpv88J7gY5fKr9yij3-ALr6v3hYyqXoDd0HpakR7QSUXFiR-oZUfjD8ACq1GWpCpZ91MaMIlnToJ37OiTKF7qi5YwQ0cfSYq9OTkVU8JTDHXYZ8fzjcekv2B0IdUo6CZkI8M9yFeISy4ayyiTOV4gqqFtD-PI-v9eimAxu50hCCNqPw/s1000/NAT10545%20small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitWkaV2aCsKMdbpv88J7gY5fKr9yij3-ALr6v3hYyqXoDd0HpakR7QSUXFiR-oZUfjD8ACq1GWpCpZ91MaMIlnToJ37OiTKF7qi5YwQ0cfSYq9OTkVU8JTDHXYZ8fzjcekv2B0IdUo6CZkI8M9yFeISy4ayyiTOV4gqqFtD-PI-v9eimAxu50hCCNqPw/s16000/NAT10545%20small.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">This is the same file just processed using <b>Luminar Neo</b>'s noise reduction filter - not nearly as effective as the DXO product.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjckzmkKo04LT8kcQVvVQfYXmS2hV3PrdCc3LPLIe4uhV-BFHh1zVS4ilbuYgk5-Dn71OZcrjq-es-4WGvTevCVExC4xZImgQAvOOOyhmZsdniY1tUIf9ttSZcws0vAXg4YOpV_ThO7Ii7tMz8a4AQMjNHIcJnI32XE_mXllhRA2MF6KXn6rmfltEQCtQ/s1000/NAT10407%20small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="831" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjckzmkKo04LT8kcQVvVQfYXmS2hV3PrdCc3LPLIe4uhV-BFHh1zVS4ilbuYgk5-Dn71OZcrjq-es-4WGvTevCVExC4xZImgQAvOOOyhmZsdniY1tUIf9ttSZcws0vAXg4YOpV_ThO7Ii7tMz8a4AQMjNHIcJnI32XE_mXllhRA2MF6KXn6rmfltEQCtQ/s16000/NAT10407%20small.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Firetail Finch</b>. <br />Tricky to snap in its small enclosure - dark at the back section, dappled and overexposed light at the front and constant movement!<br /> 1/320s @ f4, ISO1250. Pic by Natalie Hitchens.</span><br style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;" /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitcq88LgoBFE5LH9wqIah2Ewm4YNQrzibeWKqGvuGJLxDJIs1bxTqUvAq76mIsb-sAsoNhWGAEtPFjVKOWAn_nnHGF4ToWhIFNhhD5vOagAY9dnAfFlFzZPqQiyMT94ThXzY3W2EBRKGUm4L7qJOOilemwUojUr03TPvoK3xUPeymFSgccnPH8GnJZyw/s1000/NAT10276%20small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="701" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitcq88LgoBFE5LH9wqIah2Ewm4YNQrzibeWKqGvuGJLxDJIs1bxTqUvAq76mIsb-sAsoNhWGAEtPFjVKOWAn_nnHGF4ToWhIFNhhD5vOagAY9dnAfFlFzZPqQiyMT94ThXzY3W2EBRKGUm4L7qJOOilemwUojUr03TPvoK3xUPeymFSgccnPH8GnJZyw/s16000/NAT10276%20small.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">We were afraid that the <b>Tassie Devil</b> was going to stay out of sight under his (her?) rock but that wasn't the case. This devil spent quite some time prowling the enclosure, giving us all great opportunities for some action photography! 1/50s @ f4, ISO640. Pic by Natalie Hitchens.</span><br style="font-family: verdana;" /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZt7Whl_uZTcdKDXiSmuNgBZo03lqCRlQpn8H7i3xwWFnCqY6mov83JwAvcMGpABQslcYljJErUegYp3VFVds1M_fP0Yl8a-r7kahS3DRRe_o5q_Rrrb2o2GNjM9ox-9hFDHjhRiGRegAh_Z8b-DCSkIEoLO6sMKSoxh7WFO9O-rLpbNtS3q7T6B2LCw/s1000/ROB15253_DxO%20small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZt7Whl_uZTcdKDXiSmuNgBZo03lqCRlQpn8H7i3xwWFnCqY6mov83JwAvcMGpABQslcYljJErUegYp3VFVds1M_fP0Yl8a-r7kahS3DRRe_o5q_Rrrb2o2GNjM9ox-9hFDHjhRiGRegAh_Z8b-DCSkIEoLO6sMKSoxh7WFO9O-rLpbNtS3q7T6B2LCw/s16000/ROB15253_DxO%20small.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span>Male </span><b>Eclectus Parrot</b><span>, a native from far north Queensland and overseas - a unique bird in that the male is predominantly green, while the female is bright red (Symbio didn't have a female). Unfortunately, even using a 600mm equivalent lens, the bars on the back of the cage still show up<br />M.Zuiko 300mm f4 lens, 1/160s @ f4, ISO250, -1 f-stop. </span></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> <br /></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibGJOF-n65B2x112GpItULA1d8FDKU9nVa-IMwCZOmCw2Y4M29qijIsBEu_fve7h8A1xNO42Li0KzpsA6twB2wxC6VO9l3iLDLKW3ld9WVSEs7270lH6KA2CInjWix-VE4-1TLgrTOT_a48windWlDIi15WwyQTWbMeuFSqT4DCS4L_sb94JZ46Dgczg/s1000/Cage%20difference.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="666" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibGJOF-n65B2x112GpItULA1d8FDKU9nVa-IMwCZOmCw2Y4M29qijIsBEu_fve7h8A1xNO42Li0KzpsA6twB2wxC6VO9l3iLDLKW3ld9WVSEs7270lH6KA2CInjWix-VE4-1TLgrTOT_a48windWlDIi15WwyQTWbMeuFSqT4DCS4L_sb94JZ46Dgczg/s16000/Cage%20difference.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Technique</b>: FYI Here's a good example (at left) of how sunlight falling on the cage mesh can ruin any attempt to get a sharp, clear image. Shifting the lens to the shoot through an <b>unlit</b> part of the cage (at right) produces far more satisfactory (and editable) results.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ8zp0kPLvGEeKgRAL9xbiIBHcJ9zNiked-HfVhX7zixgZ6tlJB9OLtAwKoOnFvfYbgsru32_V9D8es0WO1cNCDISxm1_r0hQ-MnEtktTilZj-LzDKcnP0S__tdZb4iG6qr56mNImsRiN7aLVO_Soe68zuQl6BxDsPU0tF1v839PGsN9ssr-VPd0B5rQ/s1000/ROB16824_DxO%20small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="714" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ8zp0kPLvGEeKgRAL9xbiIBHcJ9zNiked-HfVhX7zixgZ6tlJB9OLtAwKoOnFvfYbgsru32_V9D8es0WO1cNCDISxm1_r0hQ-MnEtktTilZj-LzDKcnP0S__tdZb4iG6qr56mNImsRiN7aLVO_Soe68zuQl6BxDsPU0tF1v839PGsN9ssr-VPd0B5rQ/s16000/ROB16824_DxO%20small.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Close up of the front leg of a <b>monitor lizard</b>. The M.Zuiko 300mm f4 lens has an extraordinary close focussing feature (down to 1.4m) which allows you to get really near to (relatively) small subjects like this. The Canon equivalent, its hefty EF600mm f4 lens only focusses to 4.5metres<br />M.Zuiko 300mm f4 lens, 1/400s @ f4, ISO200, -1 f-stop.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmkzNwMaVNBuSsyNNjpW-7XTi3jb0zWaTOJgt_DFDxFIsc5h5jUD5ebeeskQ_pntqVstKVIUtChX9f682P3NVy0Us-z1FItlKCRN80ahCANWreKOVYj3sMLQ9BaURnEp2JQbYGHOj0pPG27NVY0qTX3nReV5Es5gpdWiyeiz1wOgwbLfZE2MTIJwtFHg/s1000/ROB17008_DxO%20small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmkzNwMaVNBuSsyNNjpW-7XTi3jb0zWaTOJgt_DFDxFIsc5h5jUD5ebeeskQ_pntqVstKVIUtChX9f682P3NVy0Us-z1FItlKCRN80ahCANWreKOVYj3sMLQ9BaURnEp2JQbYGHOj0pPG27NVY0qTX3nReV5Es5gpdWiyeiz1wOgwbLfZE2MTIJwtFHg/s16000/ROB17008_DxO%20small.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Gouldian Finch</b><br />These amazingly colourful birds are endangered - although I read recently that numbers are increasing. This was snapped in a small enclosure so, although I was able to defocus the front mesh, the DOF was not shallow enough to make the mesh at the back of the cage invisible.<br />Focal length: 600mm, 1/3200s @ f4, ISO3200.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOwiy6GJ2JRsT28beFvFXYq0cY4BRVI3zBPD5MYe06NyEBJNgSMJbdyMEQKTb5yw6bbNq7mwfL8FFVaWEVT8Z9u-TQ73rfOqkGc4efT7XY3WiM5EGNYo0Y9uJqC0EMujTyHm5LSAXwkMWraaGnkUTztzJUWvhukiWYSu79Hniigptoy5vYgYR68UxFMA/s1000/ROB17433_DxO%20small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOwiy6GJ2JRsT28beFvFXYq0cY4BRVI3zBPD5MYe06NyEBJNgSMJbdyMEQKTb5yw6bbNq7mwfL8FFVaWEVT8Z9u-TQ73rfOqkGc4efT7XY3WiM5EGNYo0Y9uJqC0EMujTyHm5LSAXwkMWraaGnkUTztzJUWvhukiWYSu79Hniigptoy5vYgYR68UxFMA/s16000/ROB17433_DxO%20small.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">An immature (<b>Gouldian</b> <b>finch?)</b> photographed against a dark background - which effectively removes any tell-tale signs of wire mesh.<br />1/1250s @ f4, ISO2500, -0.7 f-stop.</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_fofs7lb9CtRVQZbPOxXavL6lejOZqnfbwoDRzCbW8-M_GAcgCfbXU_49KJIVo1oGbTn1zCkpshB1G5LlIL8FPjM6s08TlwQqFWhImqzt0Pb2I9ljSYw1wb-r1-Jn0xBDTaRpyWo3T1LmBbwc6ihNmHLUnfqTnr2YDGb9GLVXxTp_LMUgqS3R8a_PFg/s1000/ROB15968_DxO%20small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="766" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_fofs7lb9CtRVQZbPOxXavL6lejOZqnfbwoDRzCbW8-M_GAcgCfbXU_49KJIVo1oGbTn1zCkpshB1G5LlIL8FPjM6s08TlwQqFWhImqzt0Pb2I9ljSYw1wb-r1-Jn0xBDTaRpyWo3T1LmBbwc6ihNmHLUnfqTnr2YDGb9GLVXxTp_LMUgqS3R8a_PFg/s16000/ROB15968_DxO%20small.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Rare albino <b>Echidna.</b> <br />What struck us about many of the exhibits at Symbio was how well the enclosures were designed - the echidnas had a small stream running through the exhibit which was a nice touch. Catching an echidna in a good pose was tricky as they spend a lot of time snuffling in the dirt!<br />Focal length - 600mm, 1/1000s @ f4, ISO</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">800.</span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjECPmRzZEBGjwljawpDlQUWVA4URkcyjD5UsEGv1cFmNpvhrA6Z9F4wV9HxcOX4-NqNfAfMxb4t2fQ8ohoFglDV7W_ZXKnwTmHbouwbfrK0ZfMC1po3wrfk7VGFDUbkvrmpIP3gSI2r_oKNkM5bWBIlTZIbw0L_TZOPfvmarbLz-Hnz1K-Ocb6amxj3g/s1000/ROB15879_DxO%20small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjECPmRzZEBGjwljawpDlQUWVA4URkcyjD5UsEGv1cFmNpvhrA6Z9F4wV9HxcOX4-NqNfAfMxb4t2fQ8ohoFglDV7W_ZXKnwTmHbouwbfrK0ZfMC1po3wrfk7VGFDUbkvrmpIP3gSI2r_oKNkM5bWBIlTZIbw0L_TZOPfvmarbLz-Hnz1K-Ocb6amxj3g/s16000/ROB15879_DxO%20small.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><h2><span style="font-size: medium;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Wedge-tailed Eagle</b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-weight: normal;"> - another very tricky portrait as this huge bird was at the rear of the cage, perched in dappled sun with a slatted timber background. Focal length 600mm. 1/8000s f4, ISO1600.</span></span></h2></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuyZXxhq1OReUVE6Mv5gLUcmczfpLwXbvOFub1bgxe1ykdu1OcSEp0oMpCmm3yK8GoG7ycp7KXa7fyzN-Yvi2PNZumuwzmPIN9jnlH8oJMFm-smXESpLV12t6fXvAxMtzTFQhFR8OQZyJY0oVMbi8yiiTmDrHg_xK8zgafQ2adbovkaGfqwBWbB_8tfw/s1000/Graham%2001%20small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuyZXxhq1OReUVE6Mv5gLUcmczfpLwXbvOFub1bgxe1ykdu1OcSEp0oMpCmm3yK8GoG7ycp7KXa7fyzN-Yvi2PNZumuwzmPIN9jnlH8oJMFm-smXESpLV12t6fXvAxMtzTFQhFR8OQZyJY0oVMbi8yiiTmDrHg_xK8zgafQ2adbovkaGfqwBWbB_8tfw/s16000/Graham%2001%20small.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Koala and Joey<br /></b></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Normally koalas are seen at rest unless you coincide your visit with feeding time. At Symbio we were very lucky to see this mother and joey - something that I have never seen before. (Pic by Graham Robinson, 1/800s @ f5, ISO200, -1/3 stop).</span></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3YQ_IZbnU7FMvVou79IpIGuUbNl3WyaIvKoehIF2JBkvX2YcfzbNOrZwO3Ej7vjFRjlZH-xiTE1n8U5NCHZb4LgXllsYiUi1UF2U4Cd49PXNrrG_ltyppOdShwfOR158IWVqPeJ3pAdWxD4M6r5Iwd1xi8emOzMt0WJ_bmaq4Oj55t-KQzIJ-H2drLg/s1000/Graham%2002%20small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3YQ_IZbnU7FMvVou79IpIGuUbNl3WyaIvKoehIF2JBkvX2YcfzbNOrZwO3Ej7vjFRjlZH-xiTE1n8U5NCHZb4LgXllsYiUi1UF2U4Cd49PXNrrG_ltyppOdShwfOR158IWVqPeJ3pAdWxD4M6r5Iwd1xi8emOzMt0WJ_bmaq4Oj55t-KQzIJ-H2drLg/s16000/Graham%2002%20small.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Indian Star Tortoise</b><br />Endangered species from India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka<br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">1/100s @ f5.6, ISO10000 (Pic by Graham Robinson).</span><b style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></b></span><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBWEMVuD3wfsb7X8gvffHFL43WL7zIeAcj4UfRIzBrXK15RTMaNPodCLja5KIx8IP7NZ9BcjRdUxvs54e5lsuwGJvvM4Nh3DD6T-dClWdAl7nOProL9pZ2XijVeTQDIGLfPIwSZz-mi5wuqbFy3wTCLUBUyz5Hx3mtfjVTu0mqV506neA97dJFr8jl6Q/s1000/graham.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="751" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBWEMVuD3wfsb7X8gvffHFL43WL7zIeAcj4UfRIzBrXK15RTMaNPodCLja5KIx8IP7NZ9BcjRdUxvs54e5lsuwGJvvM4Nh3DD6T-dClWdAl7nOProL9pZ2XijVeTQDIGLfPIwSZz-mi5wuqbFy3wTCLUBUyz5Hx3mtfjVTu0mqV506neA97dJFr8jl6Q/s16000/graham.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Another Australian mammal that's hard to capture with a camera - <b>Tassie Devils</b> are often asleep in their dens or pacing at speed around their enclosures. This one has been caught on the prowl - the long 300mm lens produces a shot that makes it look as though you are almost on the same level as the devil. 1/640s @ f5.6, ISO200, -1/3 f-stop. Pic by Graham Robinson.<br /><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6iR0tPRYusgoRpBtHFvIQtfPUJ2KyTdbxfX8IKbU-2qfsmVtmE2QuuIO9LoXbOWLQM45Itv8Xh76WcfAt3dlfT6qaypaya2ukWvmW_JOO4KwXm27VaKWEUUws6yfHoPNgnStnyfLyB5cikGcSKQ7ByO4lDHlB7fM3WX6TkK7i5E1U9JSzgtHfUtHAHg/s1000/NAT10117%20small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6iR0tPRYusgoRpBtHFvIQtfPUJ2KyTdbxfX8IKbU-2qfsmVtmE2QuuIO9LoXbOWLQM45Itv8Xh76WcfAt3dlfT6qaypaya2ukWvmW_JOO4KwXm27VaKWEUUws6yfHoPNgnStnyfLyB5cikGcSKQ7ByO4lDHlB7fM3WX6TkK7i5E1U9JSzgtHfUtHAHg/s16000/NAT10117%20small.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">A great shot of a <b>Gang Gang Parrot</b>. Shooting with a 300mm lens really helps minimise the distractions of enclosure wire - it's never going to get rid of it entirely, but the wide aperture and long focal length certainly helps. 1/400s @ f4, ISO400. Pic</span><b style="font-family: verdana;"> </b><span style="font-family: verdana;">by Natalie Hitchens.</span><br style="font-family: verdana;" /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0PpHtSVQmivDOHCqSzmSxIgzlXs7OGIroiBUTWD38Krtwr93gEyZ_NiHnlSS6CYkLHNMotOzHw5He_OsTVEo_eRbTKl3W-x9f48gD0RYP-H0jP41phNTsxCw5zp8DHSt0VDFVXEAH04KXs_tIPIJW2HyxUaGK_BYtDLiMQRE59AHqqwdAbe6mfrpEJw/s1000/Graham%2003%20small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0PpHtSVQmivDOHCqSzmSxIgzlXs7OGIroiBUTWD38Krtwr93gEyZ_NiHnlSS6CYkLHNMotOzHw5He_OsTVEo_eRbTKl3W-x9f48gD0RYP-H0jP41phNTsxCw5zp8DHSt0VDFVXEAH04KXs_tIPIJW2HyxUaGK_BYtDLiMQRE59AHqqwdAbe6mfrpEJw/s16000/Graham%2003%20small.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">A pair of <b>Marmosets</b> - tiny little critters smaller than a cat - very active and hard to capture in camera.</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> <br />1/250s @ f5.6, ISO640. Pic by Graham Robinson. <br /></span></span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTzbZ7TTjqUPz1qgwhigsEiW0h88ZaNHC_bAJp1SQraaz2EixNz5M1w8DTPP10aA5aXtw45ctKYwBaXmUBcZ2snS4fhSQhnl6Eopr8atwjdzvaCLZAItfezKxxZ77AWlvx2Q8gpYuU7ainCU4lZtzSqHpQMLyHYDpKC-JmQTTn9crEvqaeBZ_OGp7ucA/s1000/NAT10398%20small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTzbZ7TTjqUPz1qgwhigsEiW0h88ZaNHC_bAJp1SQraaz2EixNz5M1w8DTPP10aA5aXtw45ctKYwBaXmUBcZ2snS4fhSQhnl6Eopr8atwjdzvaCLZAItfezKxxZ77AWlvx2Q8gpYuU7ainCU4lZtzSqHpQMLyHYDpKC-JmQTTn9crEvqaeBZ_OGp7ucA/s16000/NAT10398%20small.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Gouldian Finch</b> in all of its colourful glory - these birds have to be seen to be believed. Pic by Natalie Hitchens.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl_dkbpL12oHnxjzZAh88th5xFL4UzCdokl7Vm7J2-Bo-F4WO24GgeGffVA-L4aBOhR5xhiYMP6S-ZazF7lCOjOa-hI38aJ9xax03kMzNpchS0-Tm6efb09q8kr2JCsJWJ7QkAhIxx12XicRWIXn9wRDLJDUFb7sOFTsZcmCgwMcyx-ZYqbSX4GS3fOw/s1000/NAT10284%20small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl_dkbpL12oHnxjzZAh88th5xFL4UzCdokl7Vm7J2-Bo-F4WO24GgeGffVA-L4aBOhR5xhiYMP6S-ZazF7lCOjOa-hI38aJ9xax03kMzNpchS0-Tm6efb09q8kr2JCsJWJ7QkAhIxx12XicRWIXn9wRDLJDUFb7sOFTsZcmCgwMcyx-ZYqbSX4GS3fOw/s16000/NAT10284%20small.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">A <b>Tasmanian Devil</b> doing what it does best - sniffing the air for food - like Graham's version above, this image gives you a really good idea of what its eating habits might be like. In the wild devils feed off carrion - and that includes dealing with all the bones - so I wouldn't pat one! Pic by Natalie Hitchens.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVW0n2suAeYVV0iWyNImunBPz4NzPrm7jJxHSZe1bvZ64EZQorAot7dHMPTQEV_eXJVdq4zhQYryO4ObSUpERsMtNmWSHXYsX-eUryFT9MZl84qDD7TSPAQzAcioXGHN0l507xTXIzkOJbrBNSaqN1wZTfgRwefTy6pxXwSY20Zv2kwzF3jXFq7LjVXA/s1000/NAT10270%20small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVW0n2suAeYVV0iWyNImunBPz4NzPrm7jJxHSZe1bvZ64EZQorAot7dHMPTQEV_eXJVdq4zhQYryO4ObSUpERsMtNmWSHXYsX-eUryFT9MZl84qDD7TSPAQzAcioXGHN0l507xTXIzkOJbrBNSaqN1wZTfgRwefTy6pxXwSY20Zv2kwzF3jXFq7LjVXA/s16000/NAT10270%20small.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Another shot of the unusual albino <b>Echidna</b>, better than my version as this, shot on a lens with half the magnification (300mm equiv), provides a far more realistic environmental context.<b> </b></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Pic by Natalie Hitchens.</span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxygwuoNllqXWt75hFKqrMGqwosrGcxqY2O3sj6C-hHik-aVKlWa3W3mt9KVeXR-MGPDAg_utUfDQy9Ok9DCVKlkFEqhGA6DO_TAZtRj9yZpUF7310y1jWESR89E6e6JQ_lmh79smGbAgcjYFX_tc-u4tTwTwIiXLqCG8BwUqygMzGrqHWWbXwqV4YGw/s1000/NAT10183%20small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="666" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxygwuoNllqXWt75hFKqrMGqwosrGcxqY2O3sj6C-hHik-aVKlWa3W3mt9KVeXR-MGPDAg_utUfDQy9Ok9DCVKlkFEqhGA6DO_TAZtRj9yZpUF7310y1jWESR89E6e6JQ_lmh79smGbAgcjYFX_tc-u4tTwTwIiXLqCG8BwUqygMzGrqHWWbXwqV4YGw/s16000/NAT10183%20small.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I never even saw this fancy <b>cockerel</b> among the exhibits - captured here in 'mid-crow'. Symbio has a popular farm animals section which is fun to visit; alpacas, goats, chooks, ducks, quail and more.<br />Pic by Natalie Hitchens.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU0j-eBvvIzVFoVAgtrbWIANdn_ycoBeMif_yqG2rRI9qcjVXF_ndR7YJuHCU9ChRxmzF9DefwnanNZbkaYKpsAgP2vIw_1igwoGxFwg4ZEu8NmXwDjZ3brUrQbVBdSC4nDSXjFqlFvIDb8SOu_wM5OUDf6n-WaEsGuYLfjTOTQTUKkua5LZNAmhfKRg/s1000/NAT10542%20small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU0j-eBvvIzVFoVAgtrbWIANdn_ycoBeMif_yqG2rRI9qcjVXF_ndR7YJuHCU9ChRxmzF9DefwnanNZbkaYKpsAgP2vIw_1igwoGxFwg4ZEu8NmXwDjZ3brUrQbVBdSC4nDSXjFqlFvIDb8SOu_wM5OUDf6n-WaEsGuYLfjTOTQTUKkua5LZNAmhfKRg/s16000/NAT10542%20small.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Another shy <b>tree frog</b> hiding up at the top of the cage. 1/320s @ f4, ISO1000. Pic by Natalie Hitchens</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Fq21mEVxg9IELRpuT75pe9zYP_1T-5CvK7Wp_96zkSJoRWJTF5eAD4F0HLEhSVSmkcjrixBJoCcuFDWI7MdXPCGL-46i8wHHDZPEYu0AZnsNgJnJao3emfAZoyredWmI-6ecXrAHfxtAD4rddetLAZfz2awu0I1MAK2vQ71sqJ7SNHeXuIMQP1fQkA/s1000/NAT10375%20small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="809" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Fq21mEVxg9IELRpuT75pe9zYP_1T-5CvK7Wp_96zkSJoRWJTF5eAD4F0HLEhSVSmkcjrixBJoCcuFDWI7MdXPCGL-46i8wHHDZPEYu0AZnsNgJnJao3emfAZoyredWmI-6ecXrAHfxtAD4rddetLAZfz2awu0I1MAK2vQ71sqJ7SNHeXuIMQP1fQkA/s16000/NAT10375%20small.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Meerkat </b>doing what meerkats do best - be on constant lookout for danger, not from the human visitors that they mostly ignore, but aerial predators like birds of prey. Pic by Natalie Hitchens.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgFPNwyZrWwemBTzIuDiddQm0hzLPVLGA-z8Y3smcgdKDRN2uDrIYTsubZvPF1SjntVEUY3jv3EeJ18bu2ouc1oW0HC0WhmGF6o9WG_6m1vB5ORTMDncOHrfOvUiJ_K1XcKZ5xFCfCNgZ6MIU_ZseuHBhJj_YIi5nJrCDCxiM3fBwtz76LBCE5tz9jgQ/s1000/NAT10530_DxO%20small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgFPNwyZrWwemBTzIuDiddQm0hzLPVLGA-z8Y3smcgdKDRN2uDrIYTsubZvPF1SjntVEUY3jv3EeJ18bu2ouc1oW0HC0WhmGF6o9WG_6m1vB5ORTMDncOHrfOvUiJ_K1XcKZ5xFCfCNgZ6MIU_ZseuHBhJj_YIi5nJrCDCxiM3fBwtz76LBCE5tz9jgQ/s16000/NAT10530_DxO%20small.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">A tricky shot of a <b>Bearded Dragon</b> (?) up a fake tree. Most of the exhibits in the reptile house are heavily illuminated with different colour temperature lamps - making it hard to control the White Balance and therefore the final colour. 1/60s @ f4, ISO10000. Processed using DXO Photo Lab 5. Pic by Natalie Hitchens.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlgGCTtWTDFb88nGV0Re97vfP9YDtJQ_BPso3og3Oophk6j5CQVVZ5ICkOOuEZCYfqB3LQGACTCt0N8wX683xJeyBItPUlQT8FpgkQaUoRArHeHDnB2KbUX_VZpdM9JjXUmUumhXxrocJv80EkKYMWVecT73ZJDHTPaAUx37tHDnTeEtx0AvTUVkrMmQ/s1000/NAT10208%20small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlgGCTtWTDFb88nGV0Re97vfP9YDtJQ_BPso3og3Oophk6j5CQVVZ5ICkOOuEZCYfqB3LQGACTCt0N8wX683xJeyBItPUlQT8FpgkQaUoRArHeHDnB2KbUX_VZpdM9JjXUmUumhXxrocJv80EkKYMWVecT73ZJDHTPaAUx37tHDnTeEtx0AvTUVkrMmQ/s16000/NAT10208%20small.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Shaggy <b>billy goat</b> in the kid's farm section of the zoo. Pic by Natalie Hitchens.</span></td></tr></tbody></table>.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho25UQlbnc1OGnkFatL-CSmN0QS2aNt5lOj8Y35a3k60LPvqyQ45MvxmnHueHM7h3vpuxQtnY3ppHuByygKOuKHBZDpmlXBsrNNnMzuL8f4Yr429yG0kvLBVmp-z7ZknV6tUNcB-MOIF-WqSGlkQHYZk3XZPdC4-_krLKHlz4FAt-WyxKosI7yCAq37w/s1000/NAT10027%20small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="742" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho25UQlbnc1OGnkFatL-CSmN0QS2aNt5lOj8Y35a3k60LPvqyQ45MvxmnHueHM7h3vpuxQtnY3ppHuByygKOuKHBZDpmlXBsrNNnMzuL8f4Yr429yG0kvLBVmp-z7ZknV6tUNcB-MOIF-WqSGlkQHYZk3XZPdC4-_krLKHlz4FAt-WyxKosI7yCAq37w/w297-h400/NAT10027%20small.jpg" width="297" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br />Another shot of the male <b>Eclectus parrot</b> - by Natalie Hitchens.<br />Focal length: 300mm. 1/400s @ f4, ISO400. Below: Everyone loves a Red Panda. Like many animals in captivity, these two prowled through their spacious enclosure, only stopping for a snooze high up in a tree, nicely obscured by leaves and branches. Pic also by Natalie Hitchens. <br /><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg62CVOLcBX9Mb--AnEp0f-1KRL0P9wRQh2b2MO8zKQgFCCgSeO-HSpwwo6-qxMvVk-peuQEPjYIRrO3NcRDu_Pbh4sWLLxBlXgLq_y8sRWkmv9x7s96qh53-0jTz7E2te_boGXHKV5o37JhdWQc7PwV9BqDl4H2hifnqUAu5YV8sx8DbmR8TfQLR7SA/s1000/NAT10619%20small.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="739" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg62CVOLcBX9Mb--AnEp0f-1KRL0P9wRQh2b2MO8zKQgFCCgSeO-HSpwwo6-qxMvVk-peuQEPjYIRrO3NcRDu_Pbh4sWLLxBlXgLq_y8sRWkmv9x7s96qh53-0jTz7E2te_boGXHKV5o37JhdWQc7PwV9BqDl4H2hifnqUAu5YV8sx8DbmR8TfQLR7SA/s16000/NAT10619%20small.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>Robin Nicholshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03650101386350865476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-263800359958569028.post-47394114229448714012022-07-30T11:44:00.001+10:002022-07-30T18:47:56.745+10:00OM1 Day Out at Featherdale: Mammals and Reptiles<div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd5xXh7DK15hRPhIbnSBrU2jScXyp3LQaENUZncE4CkaJEWWWH8911rjKrHeAu6KwxdTipSZS2VLgF5k7gyE04aEruUIkq5s4Qucn91lye1OlcFNQThxUymJ3dcPM5ByyRQmDAjw2PeSGuc5OBg9He7srRSQZRo6SlwSTPtzywzGIASQiJDQRNeE4gYQ/s1000/featherdale%208.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd5xXh7DK15hRPhIbnSBrU2jScXyp3LQaENUZncE4CkaJEWWWH8911rjKrHeAu6KwxdTipSZS2VLgF5k7gyE04aEruUIkq5s4Qucn91lye1OlcFNQThxUymJ3dcPM5ByyRQmDAjw2PeSGuc5OBg9He7srRSQZRo6SlwSTPtzywzGIASQiJDQRNeE4gYQ/s16000/featherdale%208.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">A cheeky-looking </span><b style="font-family: verdana;">Quokka</b><span style="font-family: verdana;"> at feeding time in an open enclosure. I used my new </span><b style="font-family: verdana;">MC-14 Converter</b><span style="font-family: verdana;"> for this result to test a: how easy it was to use (easy) and b: to check the clarity of the result (excellent). I was 100% happy on both counts. Because this is the 4/3 system the converter is tiny so physically it's as if it's not there at all (it adds 14.7mm to the length of the lens and weighs 105g). The quokka shots were pin sharp, albeit with a fairly shallow depth of field (focal length = 840mm, 1/500s @ f5.6, ISO 400).<br /></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnEn-IOGmLJC7PjDJwzbpN8h6fO3vRBnKoPGs85lgbmlKrrB79rLJuvfFSc3ioSXczp_2rVGrcF3XZQEjliSz3RZnkQy-NIFJt4wK6IC9BgalHKgA9AFdNfuT4CkT9S3bGXpOgaStZMrq0j6SuKjVVCpFYsW2pfGSiSB4p_Rtw305axfXg1NR0y5mnHQ/s1000/blog%201.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnEn-IOGmLJC7PjDJwzbpN8h6fO3vRBnKoPGs85lgbmlKrrB79rLJuvfFSc3ioSXczp_2rVGrcF3XZQEjliSz3RZnkQy-NIFJt4wK6IC9BgalHKgA9AFdNfuT4CkT9S3bGXpOgaStZMrq0j6SuKjVVCpFYsW2pfGSiSB4p_Rtw305axfXg1NR0y5mnHQ/s16000/blog%201.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Lace Monitor</b><span style="font-family: verdana;"> inside the reptile house - always a bit of a White Balance dilemma as most enclosures like this feature some kind of general illumination - as well as a heat lamp that burns at a completely different (colour) temperature. This was a reasonable result all things considered. 600mm focal length - 1/500s @ f4, ISO3200.</span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCd48NRKTj4h4pa9z4FRUdlTulooIjfCSPirxHx3Z_4d7bJS6fIa0GSNFEbZseerTi8r8Lc02gp331RC58bjLcX24y52wkgMToRPV1QwE5up0G3KWg5-AOfiwjxRfItnKQ7E_d8MJJY4Zc4YoCi-95-38OYj80Zism5XD7Vi7NOIWDMJDtClewrwrZpQ/s1000/blog%202.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCd48NRKTj4h4pa9z4FRUdlTulooIjfCSPirxHx3Z_4d7bJS6fIa0GSNFEbZseerTi8r8Lc02gp331RC58bjLcX24y52wkgMToRPV1QwE5up0G3KWg5-AOfiwjxRfItnKQ7E_d8MJJY4Zc4YoCi-95-38OYj80Zism5XD7Vi7NOIWDMJDtClewrwrZpQ/s16000/blog%202.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Lace Monitor<br /></b>A change of lens to get a bit more context in the photo - a 600mm lens is nice but it often produces a result with little or no geographical context. In many ways my new M.Zuiko 24-80mm f2.8 II lens produced a better, more contextual result. (1/320s @ f5, ISO1600).</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUXA_4sIcb7ThxzGuX19wG4z607bCP3Myr4xWyRhaONQF9Tvy3mefZv9vuZkhH12HXncOi0NWpFGx1AYZTg5Arn7a6S-GxnI3kzySteYJiZURD3YGJdnO88mHI07lvAhuWvKCuy910Fl9u9-TgxNJNUz7eDpeHV3KRz6Etrpz0rsJbmChCbrzSvQCpeA/s1000/blog%203.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUXA_4sIcb7ThxzGuX19wG4z607bCP3Myr4xWyRhaONQF9Tvy3mefZv9vuZkhH12HXncOi0NWpFGx1AYZTg5Arn7a6S-GxnI3kzySteYJiZURD3YGJdnO88mHI07lvAhuWvKCuy910Fl9u9-TgxNJNUz7eDpeHV3KRz6Etrpz0rsJbmChCbrzSvQCpeA/s16000/blog%203.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Echidnas</b><span style="font-family: verdana;"> on the move. Very hard to photograph - their enclosure is a slightly sunken pit which is good for viewing - but not so good for photography as the results are always going to be a 'view from above'. Still, nice to see these unique animals on the move. Most of the time they are hiding in their burrows so to see them in the open was great (Pic Natalie Hitchens, 1/50s @ f4, ISO 1000).</span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiER3VLxEmrqaW5cPUYE7r_Z-k-q4SVKOfRb2b8z5aQdiiWe6YbMg0kH-SHqeqyuYW8duAsLwHPQpyoSoVy3eObMAUn0WfxgRVjg7rot8qM14skQ7zLI-zW7Ce-rcLklGGLWjQUxKESCSf1-d4YvVCb-3IpteWPmjl93GZmvEFmeyd5DWZwpgrg4X71ZQ/s1000/blog%205.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiER3VLxEmrqaW5cPUYE7r_Z-k-q4SVKOfRb2b8z5aQdiiWe6YbMg0kH-SHqeqyuYW8duAsLwHPQpyoSoVy3eObMAUn0WfxgRVjg7rot8qM14skQ7zLI-zW7Ce-rcLklGGLWjQUxKESCSf1-d4YvVCb-3IpteWPmjl93GZmvEFmeyd5DWZwpgrg4X71ZQ/s16000/blog%205.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">A <b>wombat</b> between meals. We had just missed seeing him eat his breakfast so he was in a cave sleeping it off. Not much you can do photographically in this case. Pic Natalie Hitchens.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJxyzHNO08hE0DfTGcECPiBNCvxeCvGZtTv_yEXeGqRTvFC8PY-TUM8Vk8_WjHM4asjsRvfOEkGqxZGs9jVXPEb2O4CEtffOjss2f0KW_DJEwUD0lcsx9DGfV44UUtXZexq_yJPu2_ADLocd65t55llmD2TxBckiX3Kd-mTe76EJqn4rcO8x_BQTiIPA/s1000/blog%206.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJxyzHNO08hE0DfTGcECPiBNCvxeCvGZtTv_yEXeGqRTvFC8PY-TUM8Vk8_WjHM4asjsRvfOEkGqxZGs9jVXPEb2O4CEtffOjss2f0KW_DJEwUD0lcsx9DGfV44UUtXZexq_yJPu2_ADLocd65t55llmD2TxBckiX3Kd-mTe76EJqn4rcO8x_BQTiIPA/s16000/blog%206.jpg" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">In the <b>reptile house</b>. I find that snakes are usually very hard to photograph - usually they are wound round a (fake) tree branch hiding at the top of the cage so you basically can't see much. This one unusually, was on the move. Pic by Natalie Hitchens, 80-300mm f2.8 PRO lens, 1/80s @ F2.8, ISO1600</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmjJ6NzeyEV9dpT78YPI4M1kclaghetvB3_TulZHspvMaa4tnZVMUDzHzsO58QUD1GOP7iJEFSTIj174Zk29F-9UsuBupbEJ5ZQJ2oqPFomObqMFUoEW-kE5Pqo8HCemqcYLKyOr5COAsa-tGU9OuW7J2ZoS-6mk73BVD2qFtYkmuVqIG1wAajYYzklQ/s1000/blog%207.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmjJ6NzeyEV9dpT78YPI4M1kclaghetvB3_TulZHspvMaa4tnZVMUDzHzsO58QUD1GOP7iJEFSTIj174Zk29F-9UsuBupbEJ5ZQJ2oqPFomObqMFUoEW-kE5Pqo8HCemqcYLKyOr5COAsa-tGU9OuW7J2ZoS-6mk73BVD2qFtYkmuVqIG1wAajYYzklQ/s16000/blog%207.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">If you need an easy subject to practice on, kangaroos, wallabies (and everything in between) make for excellent, static and calm subjects in this park!</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYFxzFHC3orV7dwp136xYeEQz5_brziBzd60npx9tYXt4PyIMeHik73c0qzIgWLorJ3u9923Q7N4y2CMXvqbtRAFl3AHOXuixP3RCE5kpb4w08Vnj03a8qondFRyMPDkeZmMqXlHYq9YzcsrMLHq_4aJOCCwfgn72g6R1GhnyC562FupPVaekyPCSwEQ/s1000/blog%208.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYFxzFHC3orV7dwp136xYeEQz5_brziBzd60npx9tYXt4PyIMeHik73c0qzIgWLorJ3u9923Q7N4y2CMXvqbtRAFl3AHOXuixP3RCE5kpb4w08Vnj03a8qondFRyMPDkeZmMqXlHYq9YzcsrMLHq_4aJOCCwfgn72g6R1GhnyC562FupPVaekyPCSwEQ/s16000/blog%208.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Close-up of a giant <b>lace monitor</b>. Using a 600mm (35mm equivalent) lens for smaller wildlife - that's only 5 foot away has its advantages (fantastic, detailed close-ups) and its disadvantages (can't possibly fit the whole critter in the frame). M.Zuiko 300mm f4 lens, 1/500s @ f4, ISO3200.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglBTo1RdoG5bHjemqhDu5y49VQiE0wOkOymbLVpsMlkaPkpIDIBOThZsf-sN2npgqUehhA0ntN6n4rhIEsRJOSro8kggWeqLv86k6PLB-jNdt0Q3RpTBHV307607QWe7JnNO78krovG2nJHN1K0qXmxzCjgVDvC_IjbCHF-q7Ok8G-IFFoMEJVXJuBqg/s1000/blog%209.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="541" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglBTo1RdoG5bHjemqhDu5y49VQiE0wOkOymbLVpsMlkaPkpIDIBOThZsf-sN2npgqUehhA0ntN6n4rhIEsRJOSro8kggWeqLv86k6PLB-jNdt0Q3RpTBHV307607QWe7JnNO78krovG2nJHN1K0qXmxzCjgVDvC_IjbCHF-q7Ok8G-IFFoMEJVXJuBqg/s16000/blog%209.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Spotted quolls</b> - technically nocturnal animals but we were lucky to see a couple emerge from their dens - although by mid morning the lighting was terrible - patchy sun - that no amount of editing was going to fix (Pics Natalie Hitchens).</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdOlIR5EgRPJUlsIwNwSfl0N9sreU_kYKIYrUCjAmaHPHuQcHAXv-ee8d4kH2qX72t5WlYx6eSPAgio_2v-g_6ammO_PDpZUOc6fsNSMdGCE8Q0ieDDf5Ry-agPHMbH4vEgqcVzuR1_KfyEG1sZPbygDUO4YEmEl6954oif1lby6WM8Fg1DKQiryJLxA/s1000/blog%2011.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdOlIR5EgRPJUlsIwNwSfl0N9sreU_kYKIYrUCjAmaHPHuQcHAXv-ee8d4kH2qX72t5WlYx6eSPAgio_2v-g_6ammO_PDpZUOc6fsNSMdGCE8Q0ieDDf5Ry-agPHMbH4vEgqcVzuR1_KfyEG1sZPbygDUO4YEmEl6954oif1lby6WM8Fg1DKQiryJLxA/w480-h640/blog%2011.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Having seen <b>koalas</b> on Raymond Island on a recent road trip, seeing more curled up in a tight ball atop a tall tree was not that exciting - koalas do little but sleep for 20 hours a day - but it was nice to spot one alert and eating, albeit as part of a commercial 'have your picture taken with a koala' setup for the zoo. 1/250s @ f4.5, ISO3200</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4XG1jJADXv4GNOO7GPvgv0m6Br1oM0gBYSdts_h8-6fu81rW11k6AE_mGgcnLMqrbF9fZioPAdUiPpHpkUv_BuQYrIvLq-hJf4wFlKVpyDbzoETFmRUPH-uw_XgFIHO9AoYOovr2c5QCF285tKLsktvCj5ib83bzFXNtAtgMo7QaD20YK-jgjqG7o0g/s1000/blog%2014.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4XG1jJADXv4GNOO7GPvgv0m6Br1oM0gBYSdts_h8-6fu81rW11k6AE_mGgcnLMqrbF9fZioPAdUiPpHpkUv_BuQYrIvLq-hJf4wFlKVpyDbzoETFmRUPH-uw_XgFIHO9AoYOovr2c5QCF285tKLsktvCj5ib83bzFXNtAtgMo7QaD20YK-jgjqG7o0g/w480-h640/blog%2014.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Cat-sized <b>Wallaby</b> soaking up the sun in the park. I find that this sort of lighting is the trickiest to capture subjects with. The contrast between shade and highlight is just too much for most camera sensors - best way to deal with this is to always shoot RAW files and to underexpose by 2/3 or one f-stop to preserve highlight detail. You can always lighten the black shadows and dim the highlights where necessary in post. M.Zuiko 80-300mm f2.8 lens, 1/500s @ f5.6, ISO800. (Pic by Natalie Hitchens)</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnPzmbAgFdC-P_TYRDMbMG_zH5K3HqNB5p5dboEJUwWPfkOCPS4GGcBsPh0fDk4snbEzSJ-mN9m8XT1vGi4Nf4pInIseGWcFMUFFtoUgPebgmADiq1JkJS-8-R0jb-2SFto_4BquLgE6eR4hM9MQKMV1RygHGxKxCyxAbXrLc7N5hZfcrLdPQYX4rojg/s1000/featherdale%2021.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnPzmbAgFdC-P_TYRDMbMG_zH5K3HqNB5p5dboEJUwWPfkOCPS4GGcBsPh0fDk4snbEzSJ-mN9m8XT1vGi4Nf4pInIseGWcFMUFFtoUgPebgmADiq1JkJS-8-R0jb-2SFto_4BquLgE6eR4hM9MQKMV1RygHGxKxCyxAbXrLc7N5hZfcrLdPQYX4rojg/s16000/featherdale%2021.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Bearded Dragon</b><br />Another inmate in the reptile house. M.Zuiko 12-40mm f2.8 II lens. 1/80s @ f2.8, ISO1600.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvWJlniGGFH92Y0eQ3Avf0qaf__JIX2oePrreRzfw7Zmiioy5oBPsPnJESu_zIQbCYYgOEc2b0kH9loIeY_9VkBpFWNRKz1UsQ0shFKEbbE8TlNjtIFRJzSmB6R01MCvtnCSurvKpyJDnw-IfL6OMvw20G9RdVbg_oPSFvldlOFDTxUjirusPvRpoXFA/s1000/featherdale%2023.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvWJlniGGFH92Y0eQ3Avf0qaf__JIX2oePrreRzfw7Zmiioy5oBPsPnJESu_zIQbCYYgOEc2b0kH9loIeY_9VkBpFWNRKz1UsQ0shFKEbbE8TlNjtIFRJzSmB6R01MCvtnCSurvKpyJDnw-IfL6OMvw20G9RdVbg_oPSFvldlOFDTxUjirusPvRpoXFA/s16000/featherdale%2023.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Spotted quoll</b> - if you saw the ABC documentary <b>Quoll Farm</b> you'll know how social, charismatic and fascinating these energetic little critters are. It's hard to sum up an animal like this in one image. They don't stay still for more than a few seconds at a time so, when they do appear in the cage, it's a real challenge to get them in the frame! 1/640s @ f5, ISO1600.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div>Robin Nicholshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03650101386350865476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-263800359958569028.post-24244637566505789792022-07-23T14:44:00.001+10:002022-08-03T12:34:28.651+10:00OM1 Day Out at Featherdale: The Birds<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Part One: Flying Subjects</b> <br /></span><br />Having made the slightly nervous leap from Canon to <b>Olympus</b> <b>cameras </b>last month, it was time to take a trip to <b>Featherdale Wildlife Park</b> to test the camera's performance using three new M.Zuiko lenses we'd bought to compliment the OM1 bodies - the <b>M.Zuiko 12-100mm f4 PRO</b>, the </span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>M.Zuiko </b></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>40-150mm f2.8 PRO</b> </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">and the </span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>M.Zuiko </b></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>300mm f4 PRO</b> lens.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I'd forgotten that, although the park has an impressive range of bird and animal species on display, most of the avian inhabitants are, of course, behind bars or wire mesh, making photography of the inmates particularly difficult, if not impossible.<br /><br />I discovered that the best technique to get a good clear shot through the bars/mesh was to use a <b>telephoto lens</b> in combination with a <b>wide open aperture </b>(i.e. shallow depth of field). In fact, the longer the lens (i.e. 300mm+) the less likely you are to see any bars at all. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Other tips for getting clean results in this situation is to:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">Position yourself <b>close to the cage</b></span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">Choose a subject that's active at least four or five feet away from you. Following this technique seems to be the best way to get clean, natural looking avian photos. </span></li></ul></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Aside from the obvious weight, cost and size factor, a driving reason to choose the 4/3 system is the effect the </span><b style="font-family: verdana;">crop factor</b><span style="font-family: verdana;"> has on lens magnification - a 4/3 sensor doubles any lens' magnification, effectively making if financially possible to own a </span><b style="font-family: verdana;">super telephoto lens</b><span style="font-family: verdana;"> (i.e. 300mm +) without having to sell the house (note: all focal lengths mentioned here are the 35mm equivalent). </span></div></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1EwqyAmY_aGQBct794-DnT3nS4d-WyPHKexOvct3lMd4Oys1dZsCji7AlTeyH8i6KWtCsf3-o8OnGM1Jji2cNvQk0f5wJ3mHlPRCC6-T600Dj4fqqit4Ta99MNBsW9I-5nEpZHFlMhe3vVKuR8Ek4h98vVVtDl_I9UoskdOByWqDlbmDWXJfKoLkN9A/s1000/nat%20rob%204.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="477" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1EwqyAmY_aGQBct794-DnT3nS4d-WyPHKexOvct3lMd4Oys1dZsCji7AlTeyH8i6KWtCsf3-o8OnGM1Jji2cNvQk0f5wJ3mHlPRCC6-T600Dj4fqqit4Ta99MNBsW9I-5nEpZHFlMhe3vVKuR8Ek4h98vVVtDl_I9UoskdOByWqDlbmDWXJfKoLkN9A/s16000/nat%20rob%204.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I remembered from a previous visit that Featherdale had a few of these surreal-looking <b>Tawny Frogmouths</b> - we found them sitting under a log in a small unenclosed space near the entrance to the park. I assume that their wings were either clipped or the birds so tame that they didn't need to move, making for perfect first 'test' subjects. Pic at left by RN (600mm, 1/50s @ f10, ISO640) and at right by NH (300mm, 1/125s @ f5.6, ISO800).</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje7t_plpHp9DG8Giyh5W1LpgQSY9mHbGJRYgcsNmT446XwnExW4IB-Wu0lYNvsgpTgMORkcXxTvuvf6lxkqhEnQQoQkCoqa02U0Va7fYstgo2GK-Ga9LjNvJb6h-wAWw7h2u9VRFCa3YORGQ86jEeiXJ5MimZrN4Gk-iPi1yVbc28Trl_UjWAqtnRxpg/s1000/featherdale%2010.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje7t_plpHp9DG8Giyh5W1LpgQSY9mHbGJRYgcsNmT446XwnExW4IB-Wu0lYNvsgpTgMORkcXxTvuvf6lxkqhEnQQoQkCoqa02U0Va7fYstgo2GK-Ga9LjNvJb6h-wAWw7h2u9VRFCa3YORGQ86jEeiXJ5MimZrN4Gk-iPi1yVbc28Trl_UjWAqtnRxpg/s16000/featherdale%2010.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">My first real 'through the mesh' photo challenge was of this magnificent <b>Black-breasted Buzzard</b>. Snapped with my new 300mm f4 lens (which is really a 600mm telephoto, 35mm equivalent), with a wide open f4 aperture at 1/500s, ISO 800. The bird was perched 12 foot away at the back of its cage - and the whole structure was in shade. If the sun is on the bars/mesh of the cage it shows up as a light and soft haze over the image that's near impossible to edit or remove. Besides the lens magnification, wide aperture and dark mesh, the close focussing characteristic of this lens (1.4m) really forces the foreground mesh completely out of focus, rendering it, in this example, almost invisible. </span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfcxm938zPjdxnmkfNZ5avCfA34k9VMtAlX1jgPC-DiwqUZrWbVa0mNhVMvGpzjiUW6wkr0OokmWYp0yrmIDyJdsXmGckXR-BKCTSHSWzlwgfLY-1PpeEjE2kB3z_mYs4co9BLW8fIXDIQBxgA_HORQOCLOo5paMzMCqZQ2-JQ4h_tIVmHZ9GFc9t_vA/s1000/nat%20rob%201.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="658" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfcxm938zPjdxnmkfNZ5avCfA34k9VMtAlX1jgPC-DiwqUZrWbVa0mNhVMvGpzjiUW6wkr0OokmWYp0yrmIDyJdsXmGckXR-BKCTSHSWzlwgfLY-1PpeEjE2kB3z_mYs4co9BLW8fIXDIQBxgA_HORQOCLOo5paMzMCqZQ2-JQ4h_tIVmHZ9GFc9t_vA/s16000/nat%20rob%201.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Another focal length comparison - this time snapped in an open enclosure with no wire: At left, pic by NH, (200mm, 1/1250s @ f5.6, ISO800, at right, RN, 600mm, 1/2500s @ f7.1, ISO640, -1 ExpComp.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQRidAj8U_NGZsO1R1wb2SwoirWRX7n4nYEeeUijLA358_t1M3GaXtjTWEHwKp8olU6J95Ci0_5rt0-zHv4YwEZhu951KN16mNlF_X17XnGn3Kg7q_yTG3zJ5Ra1qFQBHiguzIK-sdePG7fvmW6sGdC8pBKGPulb4x6E-M9oaxIqzGKtmpRt1rNvi8Zw/s1000/featherdsale%206.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQRidAj8U_NGZsO1R1wb2SwoirWRX7n4nYEeeUijLA358_t1M3GaXtjTWEHwKp8olU6J95Ci0_5rt0-zHv4YwEZhu951KN16mNlF_X17XnGn3Kg7q_yTG3zJ5Ra1qFQBHiguzIK-sdePG7fvmW6sGdC8pBKGPulb4x6E-M9oaxIqzGKtmpRt1rNvi8Zw/s16000/featherdsale%206.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Another cage-free shot, this time of a <b>White Heron</b> pottering about in the penguin pool. No mesh to worry about. (RN, 600mm, 1/1250s @ f9, ISO200).</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC1dcmE-2yjZrgWuy9_a19D-KKMz7cA1XFNRbAav0A5K-Mk7Oegf3vALcfIOyV8qmIJeV-g-sbpJiufaeoeBRx6YiVFWevz6Cc4rnewCUB1TexFFQE4VmemWqMm9YX9OLFwGyKZx7xBlOweNZrN_xwq5F6fRnXa_a7nCOxTv08c7imd4lDe_zXZkcH0w/s1000/featherdale%2011.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC1dcmE-2yjZrgWuy9_a19D-KKMz7cA1XFNRbAav0A5K-Mk7Oegf3vALcfIOyV8qmIJeV-g-sbpJiufaeoeBRx6YiVFWevz6Cc4rnewCUB1TexFFQE4VmemWqMm9YX9OLFwGyKZx7xBlOweNZrN_xwq5F6fRnXa_a7nCOxTv08c7imd4lDe_zXZkcH0w/s16000/featherdale%2011.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I considered this to be one of my best bird shots from the day. This is a <b>Double-barred Finch</b> - a tiny little bird incapable of sitting still for more than a couple of seconds at a time - making a good shot more of a waiting game than any shutter-pressing skill on my part. That said, birds tend to flit back and forth to the same perch (especially in a small cage) so I prefocussed on this spot and eventually got a nice result. Most shots of this subject were captured using the camera's 10fps sequential shooting mode. Wire netting was quite fine, bird perched about 5 feet from lens. Again the magnification of the 600mm lens, plus its close focussing nature, produced an almost perfect result providing very little evidence that this was shot through the side of a wire cage (600mm, 1/800s @ f4, ISO200, -1 ExpComp).</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrseg4LCH53f-RIWmZR0r9sFzbJCg3oDjxATg-140047-enuYR8BpWZ8r-cnIYn4jLiTiCpMBnPX_rhWQU7wfkFZtKKJdepMxXrSsYpl1kN05UCBGnYqgS63_rIBINiwTC6v27ZzZug_oziOnlAm65ktvnrQPCIyRS5g5_iztW3UAWvGqV5Tw1fNGw4w/s1000/featherdale%207.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrseg4LCH53f-RIWmZR0r9sFzbJCg3oDjxATg-140047-enuYR8BpWZ8r-cnIYn4jLiTiCpMBnPX_rhWQU7wfkFZtKKJdepMxXrSsYpl1kN05UCBGnYqgS63_rIBINiwTC6v27ZzZug_oziOnlAm65ktvnrQPCIyRS5g5_iztW3UAWvGqV5Tw1fNGw4w/s16000/featherdale%207.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">It was only once I started to edit this picture of a <b>Rainbow Bee-eater</b> that I realised that it had a damaged wing (probably beaten up by the other birds in the cage as it was the only bee eater there?). Anyway, as the subject was tiny I tried shooting at f11 to get more of the bird sharp - as it was closer to me (probably only 1/2 metre) the smaller aperture meant that the back mesh became slightly more visible - though not enough to be annoying (I don't think). Focal length: 600mm, 1/60s @ f11, ISO200.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnIoRT5PSjDy8iESMYVp7QKWWX9HUHX9QCArwo6VSF-3JFw_xcn04Dz_En_eAUUqe2JRXss2CWBRo0KxcabgrEkjlG9j1DBL-ZzkoC0ZiDPcSkjxsTwb1Sg6g9-6wPysDCa6Oh6azZg68VGgXvGMQyNQ4RfM9afx1PZmddsJqBLpgSpL5pALIRdGCoKQ/s1266/featherdale%206.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1266" data-original-width="1000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnIoRT5PSjDy8iESMYVp7QKWWX9HUHX9QCArwo6VSF-3JFw_xcn04Dz_En_eAUUqe2JRXss2CWBRo0KxcabgrEkjlG9j1DBL-ZzkoC0ZiDPcSkjxsTwb1Sg6g9-6wPysDCa6Oh6azZg68VGgXvGMQyNQ4RfM9afx1PZmddsJqBLpgSpL5pALIRdGCoKQ/w506-h640/featherdale%206.jpg" width="506" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Australasian (Purple) Swamphen<br /></b>(No cage, 600mm, 1/2500s @ f4, ISO800,-1 ExpComp).</span></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWPAjaLrMb61E-XOaLE_oOh05kO7grAq-Y6J__mblxdV85JpQEBsiUVgrNK3TAqs9sXEsA1-IOV6Tsi6OALYDEcXmmM8YalyJIegf_gbaUszWVghKVOHO6mix_jSG67Hjdwbxw-tGBhse82HsUPc7OWxIDrjDVCeLBS7MhXuc86R_EKQuSsxOaRLzY7Q/s1000/featherdale%201.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWPAjaLrMb61E-XOaLE_oOh05kO7grAq-Y6J__mblxdV85JpQEBsiUVgrNK3TAqs9sXEsA1-IOV6Tsi6OALYDEcXmmM8YalyJIegf_gbaUszWVghKVOHO6mix_jSG67Hjdwbxw-tGBhse82HsUPc7OWxIDrjDVCeLBS7MhXuc86R_EKQuSsxOaRLzY7Q/s16000/featherdale%201.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Black-necked Stork</b>. <br />Sometimes having a big magnification telephoto can be too good - I had to step back quite a way to get this large bird in the frame! <br />Caged, 600mm,1/2500s @ f4, ISO800, (-1.7 ExpComp).</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhetTIWgkquNoS868jn767HBuiY98-vn6rgOuOnnfERyFSvhGNt2CBItggbwYGm2kNXpk-wz7_6tCWuLoAelksZ-DH6cRSrJOf_vIAS_qb-y-2H0KhdggFAg1XnIl9ZA-Ynxqp_sUBcNZBg4Y8PJzqm7ESgiXDdGCdJvWZCivIVIRXs0LKx5k4CjAOXWQ/s1000/featherdale%2014.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhetTIWgkquNoS868jn767HBuiY98-vn6rgOuOnnfERyFSvhGNt2CBItggbwYGm2kNXpk-wz7_6tCWuLoAelksZ-DH6cRSrJOf_vIAS_qb-y-2H0KhdggFAg1XnIl9ZA-Ynxqp_sUBcNZBg4Y8PJzqm7ESgiXDdGCdJvWZCivIVIRXs0LKx5k4CjAOXWQ/s16000/featherdale%2014.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">A <b>Peaceful Dove</b> - I think this fella had been picked on by some of the (non-peaceful) inmates - his head feathers had seen better days - but the rim lighting was nice. 300mm, 1/500s @ f5.6, ISO1600 (-1 ExpComp).</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN3LWMX85kXubdNkKu4qXm5QdGqugV9LESI66ChdNpV8-xzTiFMfDIeits_uPHWh01Mxjt5kbX-7rBPSqTO3t88g6mftaFSAuwrtHxkbNtQqNmLfKk2jfWPtg9hbPvERe6s7sn_lXZqTTNuBtepnjaeosk8dgxx4IoD3cVXD9BbKJAg3HolfhW0YvPLw/s1000/featherdale%2015.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN3LWMX85kXubdNkKu4qXm5QdGqugV9LESI66ChdNpV8-xzTiFMfDIeits_uPHWh01Mxjt5kbX-7rBPSqTO3t88g6mftaFSAuwrtHxkbNtQqNmLfKk2jfWPtg9hbPvERe6s7sn_lXZqTTNuBtepnjaeosk8dgxx4IoD3cVXD9BbKJAg3HolfhW0YvPLw/s16000/featherdale%2015.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">An <b>Elegant Parrot</b> (inelegantly photographed). Here's a clear example of what can go wrong when shooting through bars - I'm too close to the bird, it's too close to the mesh, and f8 makes the wire slightly clearer - even though it's all very unfocussed. Not a good, clear result. 1/200s @ f8, ISO1600, (-1 ExpComp).</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2WB9g-aa7Hm4emmibDQL1qb7s6JZux3ZyTeI-d8fGymWuvRjWgGPgfventYi4H7dKKtF2YXKDbZYqhMiNX_dlMuMeZiBB0fVHHuZT5dSD79g_paG4XiaOWJdT8WAzPBpuj2W8BHPXKrHQn_yVP0p5JjBfIYLgGmxw161I7T1e2ILzz2_wRmg-lKYq2Q/s1000/featherdale%2016.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="713" data-original-width="1000" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2WB9g-aa7Hm4emmibDQL1qb7s6JZux3ZyTeI-d8fGymWuvRjWgGPgfventYi4H7dKKtF2YXKDbZYqhMiNX_dlMuMeZiBB0fVHHuZT5dSD79g_paG4XiaOWJdT8WAzPBpuj2W8BHPXKrHQn_yVP0p5JjBfIYLgGmxw161I7T1e2ILzz2_wRmg-lKYq2Q/w640-h456/featherdale%2016.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Female <b>Superb Fairy Wren. <br /></b>Another tiny little bird that never seems to want to sit still! <br />1/2500s @ f6.3, ISO1600</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhanOo49n7UKBeEXA-jsYxGleWilRlBXV_x4t0e2jJ4TWLmzPLtW3aSosIxFFatHQoWiU6jK-DDiFGoCyE_QriOBUWBKLpsqphDFEDaEWD_Fg_F0geAhK3CMUlF1OjkMoaYKlmZBYAtKeL5w2-QrjW1tudR7VNcsqTGRcoNz-b7MUQ8MHLPcUo1P-kN9A/s1000/featherdale%2017.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="734" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhanOo49n7UKBeEXA-jsYxGleWilRlBXV_x4t0e2jJ4TWLmzPLtW3aSosIxFFatHQoWiU6jK-DDiFGoCyE_QriOBUWBKLpsqphDFEDaEWD_Fg_F0geAhK3CMUlF1OjkMoaYKlmZBYAtKeL5w2-QrjW1tudR7VNcsqTGRcoNz-b7MUQ8MHLPcUo1P-kN9A/s16000/featherdale%2017.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Male <b>Superb Fairy Wren</b><br />Like the female, this is also a busy little bird, constantly flitting about amongst the foliage around the bottom of the enclosure so I tried a fast shutter speed to help freeze the motion a bit. Unfortunately no light in the eye. 1/3200s @ f6.3, ISO1600 (-1 ExpComp)</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSgkHdrAY4RswEvScoOhm09j2oLOUPY_NowRYJuzpf5oh6SPWGdsRT76aZHDnQPbAqVBOEPaoI4Su2Nwx9exKGj8kszODM9dzSMmLT1jEbdIgjx97SgNquY_jsktkituizAx2BMk5iNvAatVac7ZYfJtc0Td6nUdGSfVr7RNVzJGSJr8cn_tEaMl_hjg/s1000/featherdale%2018.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSgkHdrAY4RswEvScoOhm09j2oLOUPY_NowRYJuzpf5oh6SPWGdsRT76aZHDnQPbAqVBOEPaoI4Su2Nwx9exKGj8kszODM9dzSMmLT1jEbdIgjx97SgNquY_jsktkituizAx2BMk5iNvAatVac7ZYfJtc0Td6nUdGSfVr7RNVzJGSJr8cn_tEaMl_hjg/s16000/featherdale%2018.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Wonga Pigeon</b>. <br />This was an easy shot - the pigeon was not in a cage and sat quietly against a contrasting dark background - so there was no cage to contend with. As with most of my shots on the day, a one stop underexposure produced the best tonal range, especially when including sunny highlights. <br />1/250s @ f7.1, ISO1600, -1 ExpComp.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOfDmyF3DVtFuSGg_Fuob8jWjRHoDKoKUfjXE7NAie_xsbiT6LR6kE1tPfbtz5PmJwpxRiIRjRQ4rnvlLX82aEroPRZMXjKQ0zSMFdKneCS6XbooukjI-8xWzCfdhl_BEgiGkBaAb_qHNZ4W9E5zbCYaW3mWlCUdyH2l59ONBYGoK9Ah1IlsXZtvZz_g/s1000/featherdale%2019.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOfDmyF3DVtFuSGg_Fuob8jWjRHoDKoKUfjXE7NAie_xsbiT6LR6kE1tPfbtz5PmJwpxRiIRjRQ4rnvlLX82aEroPRZMXjKQ0zSMFdKneCS6XbooukjI-8xWzCfdhl_BEgiGkBaAb_qHNZ4W9E5zbCYaW3mWlCUdyH2l59ONBYGoK9Ah1IlsXZtvZz_g/s16000/featherdale%2019.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Rock Dove</b> (?) <br />1/2500s @ f4, ISO1600, -1 ExpComp.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Ad-Ej0u-k3J9_KYcOaecw0a7VhNacyF8mBJc1I9iAje2YpnDR8TQDxyLHrY1XIsGliUYDjqlksPR-UrCoWtCiVFY_UwVKEkEFPJxrb0Tf2-MVvRsgleKbsHcsdnf69REMG02JryhGN2OvPu1sWsvnON8E3obRKIt5vPIMzMSRhy86mA_q1_yKgccJQ/s1000/nat%202.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="893" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Ad-Ej0u-k3J9_KYcOaecw0a7VhNacyF8mBJc1I9iAje2YpnDR8TQDxyLHrY1XIsGliUYDjqlksPR-UrCoWtCiVFY_UwVKEkEFPJxrb0Tf2-MVvRsgleKbsHcsdnf69REMG02JryhGN2OvPu1sWsvnON8E3obRKIt5vPIMzMSRhy86mA_q1_yKgccJQ/s16000/nat%202.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Tiny <b>Star Finch </b>- another great result from shooting thru wire mesh. By positioning the camera very close to the wire and focussing into the enclosure you can effectively lose all signs of the cage. <br />(Pic by Natalie Hitchens, 200mm, 1/40s @ f4, ISO 800)</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP5fplb1wutCCBtIvK5Z3Bil0Tqh-3Q2SX3XAgkFCcLZ0cVS0apCaKKah93IgA5blHw6NXu_F-ZEpLaZ2QC-D2E-YsWQGO_F0a4vgb9CKe0byU_H7TsDOKmw6p7kLypuyFWHVUkg5m99uVp2GNRZ-F1ooqpBCbQpJkH4knf8gbCWn3iZxZlz6ViDz6nA/s1000/nat%204.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="601" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP5fplb1wutCCBtIvK5Z3Bil0Tqh-3Q2SX3XAgkFCcLZ0cVS0apCaKKah93IgA5blHw6NXu_F-ZEpLaZ2QC-D2E-YsWQGO_F0a4vgb9CKe0byU_H7TsDOKmw6p7kLypuyFWHVUkg5m99uVp2GNRZ-F1ooqpBCbQpJkH4knf8gbCWn3iZxZlz6ViDz6nA/w384-h640/nat%204.jpg" width="384" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The aptly-named <b>Ghost Bat</b>. This is about as tricky a shot as you can get. Featherdale has a night exhibit featuring <b>Bilbies</b> and ghost bats. Didn't see a bilby unfortunately (night off?) but there were a few of these bad boys hanging about. Very hard to focus, very low light and a subject that, despite supposedly 'resting', continuously moved, twitched and trembled. Luckily the OM1 can push its ISO settings to 16k, and beyond - Natalie kept it to 16000 and processed/reduced the unavoidable noise using <b>Topaz Denoise</b>. Not perfect but a good exercise nevertheless (NH, 1/15s @ f4, ISO 16k).</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM-y51zLRuGQ0CyqYAE6_zvL6rGD9ZZh7eN6LbTymuXXER9yYZGiUByNF6AW-drOrrZZJxPeOgrCCsXgTRifFHMvyQ7xdpiuUfZs_wdKyiiAlbvmboJ91oVAVU29_1QU2kbdU_u7u_pTr9JdtK9x-ja9polqFpr9MrIJA6UOPoaAvsF2hw5ynqctDS1A/s1000/nat%206.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="740" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM-y51zLRuGQ0CyqYAE6_zvL6rGD9ZZh7eN6LbTymuXXER9yYZGiUByNF6AW-drOrrZZJxPeOgrCCsXgTRifFHMvyQ7xdpiuUfZs_wdKyiiAlbvmboJ91oVAVU29_1QU2kbdU_u7u_pTr9JdtK9x-ja9polqFpr9MrIJA6UOPoaAvsF2hw5ynqctDS1A/s16000/nat%206.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>White-faced Heron</b>, pic by Natalie Hitchens. <br />(200mm, 1/100s @ f4, ISO 800)</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3oqusIenYqsPYOYcvNBruUyrwjhRPoYHuqouQW1A6O4nRS1bG43B5jYTH3zSh24S6QVe7uPEU794UuoF70JCF5m-FUNFsAENRxnaVvCv_FlH_vkV6wItmO6VjNfgtn0V3BaEWYsaxCXMLep36UmO0jKZZ1Obi77vr9draGHBBjNo9MuP_Z4kPR5DeNA/s1000/nat%209.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3oqusIenYqsPYOYcvNBruUyrwjhRPoYHuqouQW1A6O4nRS1bG43B5jYTH3zSh24S6QVe7uPEU794UuoF70JCF5m-FUNFsAENRxnaVvCv_FlH_vkV6wItmO6VjNfgtn0V3BaEWYsaxCXMLep36UmO0jKZZ1Obi77vr9draGHBBjNo9MuP_Z4kPR5DeNA/s16000/nat%209.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Another cracking shot of an <b>Osprey</b> taken thru the fence. As with the pic of the black-chested buzzard, this bird was sitting still and positioned way to the back of the enclosure so even though this 40-150mm f2.8 lens is only half the magnification of my 300mm lens, its 260mm magnification and f5.6 aperture was sufficient to make the ugly fence almost invisible. (NH, 2.8 1/125s @ f5.6, ISO 1600).</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguP9CUBqX58MMZKX_GSqSWsqNqrY6j9VELBRjKAwtgQrQBBfMMXd-_9P94i6W-c09GRN8iv--G2TxqC8iECL9mHgUvhr0qNXwgqNotSV03AO9JCyjKbzQcdo91oIRX1xbaNkvz5R_B3KVwOW7RfPYr8LUJdMzkBryE9xOgFyzgkVX5NGNenTxWrbrY2g/s935/nat%2010.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="613" data-original-width="935" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguP9CUBqX58MMZKX_GSqSWsqNqrY6j9VELBRjKAwtgQrQBBfMMXd-_9P94i6W-c09GRN8iv--G2TxqC8iECL9mHgUvhr0qNXwgqNotSV03AO9JCyjKbzQcdo91oIRX1xbaNkvz5R_B3KVwOW7RfPYr8LUJdMzkBryE9xOgFyzgkVX5NGNenTxWrbrY2g/s16000/nat%2010.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Blue-winged Kookaburra</b> perched. <br />While I don't always clock what's going on when I take pictures, I always find it important and very useful to check the metadata afterwards as it can explain why any image looks the way it does (unfortunately metadata doesn't help with identifying species!). This bird was perched very close to the front of its enclosure so shooting through it reduced the mesh to a very vague haze which almost disappears with a little contrast adjustment. Unfortunately though, at this angle, you can clearly see the side of the cage behind the bird. Moving to the left and shooting more to the right hand side of the cage might have lessened its visibility. NH, 300MM, 1/80s @ F5.6, ISO 1600.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVqchnPmWvZPz9DerDgafZPr1gcavH9Eam6qMumCr5YBBMC_EeyW1TikAVXNjZXe6yYSVq_4wCPjgsL4tmwLSRbLUxLCQNOPpFjYGRmeax7CZvqXH90iP0WJcuTZdWXq8K9XS3VrN77RLS1ZFXxAGpfcYJW99-iF79QU6sRSrOcRyRDF0kiMrjIlmWNQ/s1000/nat%2014.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="843" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVqchnPmWvZPz9DerDgafZPr1gcavH9Eam6qMumCr5YBBMC_EeyW1TikAVXNjZXe6yYSVq_4wCPjgsL4tmwLSRbLUxLCQNOPpFjYGRmeax7CZvqXH90iP0WJcuTZdWXq8K9XS3VrN77RLS1ZFXxAGpfcYJW99-iF79QU6sRSrOcRyRDF0kiMrjIlmWNQ/s16000/nat%2014.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Gouldian Finch - </b>I read that these birds were endangered - but that flocks of them had recently been discovered around Katherine and further north in the NT which is good news. The background is not as defocussed as I'd like it to be - f2.8 would have produced a more diffuse result.<br />(Pic by NH, 1/80s @ f4, ISO1000).</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div>(Pt. 2, <b>Mammals,</b> coming soon)</span><br style="font-family: verdana;" />Robin Nicholshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03650101386350865476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-263800359958569028.post-71809474190479091832022-07-13T17:59:00.001+10:002022-07-13T17:59:39.708+10:00Olympus System OM1 Camera - First Look<p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I've been meaning to change my DSLR cameras for a couple of years - not because I'm unhappy with the picture quality produced by my current Canon gear, but because (I'm finding) it's getting <b><i>too heavy</i></b>.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">For me an obvious replacement is a four thirds system camera - these cameras epitomise exactly what a digital camera should be - much smaller, considerably lighter and cheaper than DSLRs (in particular, the current rash of full frame mirrorless cameras produced by Canon/Nikon/Sony). </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">When it comes to the full frame mirrorless market, I just don't get it. Most of the cameras are in the $4k+ price range, and some of the lenses are more expensive than regular DSLR lenses. The majority of photographers these days never print anything and just post stuff on <b>social media</b>, so paying such a very high price seems to be a big folly.</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnhdx9PsdyoT6xGOJifkfquo4ph9fGNP6lge57Ca_yLpv5bqp0DnRFdsdT4E6Yojf7fnqbj2ZUZKSuNs3qeEoU9Jn4D49yPsF0oOxAFQpWPhSXQzlkBNTJCF3Zo-VhtL11mg_SryQwFzkPXU_028NIxdwb8oFjHtSMuZRfCEF_ENQ6G2gRnHGALbXVKg/s1000/OM1%20small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="685" data-original-width="1000" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnhdx9PsdyoT6xGOJifkfquo4ph9fGNP6lge57Ca_yLpv5bqp0DnRFdsdT4E6Yojf7fnqbj2ZUZKSuNs3qeEoU9Jn4D49yPsF0oOxAFQpWPhSXQzlkBNTJCF3Zo-VhtL11mg_SryQwFzkPXU_028NIxdwb8oFjHtSMuZRfCEF_ENQ6G2gRnHGALbXVKg/w400-h274/OM1%20small.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The <b>Olympus OM1 body</b> costs about what I paid for my <b>Canon EOS 5D MkIII</b> - eight years ago. And though it has a significantly smaller sensor than the 5D, everything else about it leaves the MkIII specs for dead.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />Here are some of the good bits that I've discovered about the OM1 after a couple of weeks play:</span><p></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">As expected, it's a <b>very compact body</b> (compared to the 5D MkIII). Almost too small for my hands (I have the <b>Olympus Battery Grip</b> on order which should make it easier to hand-hold longer lenses).</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">It's really <b>light in weight </b></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">(511g vs. 950g for the 5D MkIII).<br /></span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">It's <b>feature-packed</b> - too many incredible features to even begin listing here.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">There's an impressive <b>hi-res mode</b> - producing (if you use a tripod) 240Mb RGB files (against 60Mb RGB files from the 5D MkIII). It's not a new feature - you'll find HiRes mode in other Olympus bodies but are the resulting files good? Yes, they are very impressive if and when I need to print a billboard.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Very fast AF</b> - apparently this model has AF sensors arranged across the entire screen/frame area (I've not really tested this, but it seems to be considerably more comprehensive than Canon/Nikon/Sony equivalents).</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Focus stacking</b>. OMG. I used to teach how to do this using Photoshop. But Olympus cameras can master this action in-camera, producing normally impossible to achieve <b>depth of field results</b>. You can choose how many frames to use (up to 15), the space between shots (according to the lens' field of view) and the delay between shots (in case a flash needs to recharge). Of course there are some limitations to the mode/lens/settings used, but in practice, it works brilliantly. (recently used when taking product pictures of my Canon gear before posting it for sale on Gumtree).</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">I read that the OM1 has excellent <b>weather sealing</b> against rain, snow and dust (not tested as yet).</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Olympus <b>Menu</b>, which has been a source of great <b>frustration</b> for me for many years, has, in this new model, seen a <b>significant redesign</b> - so much so that it now looks similar to a Canon/Nikon hybrid. Brilliant move!</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">I'll get to Olympus lens options in another post, but have to say that its Zuiko 12-40mm f2.8 Pro lens (24-80mm 35mm equiv) doesn't appear to display any <b>chromatic aberration</b> or colour fringing! Pity I can't say about some Canon lenses I have used. Zuiko Pro lenses appear to be very well received by every review I have read (and I read a lot).</span></li></ul><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Anything niggles with the camera as such? Not that I found in this first look - here are a few: </span></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">Doh! The <b>camera strap</b> is not long enough for me (anyway, I usually replace the maker's strap with a better padded strap bought at Yodabashi Camera)</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">A separate <b>battery charger</b> isn't included in the box - an Olympus twin battery charger, offered separately, costs about $150. Currently the only third party batteries and chargers I could find are from <b>Wasabi Power</b> (US$30 for a BLX-1 battery and US$15 for a small USB charger).</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">Supplied charge cable is </span><b style="font-family: verdana;">USB-C to USB-C</b><span style="font-family: verdana;">, and is fine for connecting camera to computer for a firmware upgrade - providing you have a newish Mac or PC with USB-C ports. I suspect that most don't have this newer port, including myself. It's trivial but it would have been nice to see a $5 cable included in the box (next to a charger) - now its just something else I have to order on eBay.</span></li></ul><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNeFrNfQ4MafthbNmFrLFbodNI1DhyKqktxxrOomWvKdcH4rjI0ymzJoRFy_zKqrEmMU6GrxRXeiTmbWkgERAhLWZ9VwUWD6C_wOHg4l_4_5etwiUOAkeUDGUgFkMRW5VI71C01f9B3v3OhfeGoOq1r89RO7VBC1DCBvvwsFG2Sl9vMktu6ayqj59KQA/s1113/comparison%201%20small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1113" data-original-width="1000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNeFrNfQ4MafthbNmFrLFbodNI1DhyKqktxxrOomWvKdcH4rjI0ymzJoRFy_zKqrEmMU6GrxRXeiTmbWkgERAhLWZ9VwUWD6C_wOHg4l_4_5etwiUOAkeUDGUgFkMRW5VI71C01f9B3v3OhfeGoOq1r89RO7VBC1DCBvvwsFG2Sl9vMktu6ayqj59KQA/w360-h400/comparison%201%20small.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Quick side by side comparison between the <b>Olympus OM1</b> and my 8-year old <b>Canon EOS5D MkIII</b> body (511g versus 950g).</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_DwzYim8zuw2hSwfONn584MB2-Y64cd9XS_gpVINWQACzqO9BP_HHzhUSNSiAaX4arh7qWc6BYltdO_rlIqrimxyLvLMOv8hvhTzP_gw8M23EaLbGMtJAUT_Sksasz3PrEPlB_7ADz8At21XVewldhNYXfkJy9OxUOn5MeWRLVPHnwPLxr5pUNIxKig/s1000/Lens%20comp.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="861" data-original-width="1000" height="552" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_DwzYim8zuw2hSwfONn584MB2-Y64cd9XS_gpVINWQACzqO9BP_HHzhUSNSiAaX4arh7qWc6BYltdO_rlIqrimxyLvLMOv8hvhTzP_gw8M23EaLbGMtJAUT_Sksasz3PrEPlB_7ADz8At21XVewldhNYXfkJy9OxUOn5MeWRLVPHnwPLxr5pUNIxKig/w640-h552/Lens%20comp.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Where photographers <b>really benefit</b> with 4/3 cameras is with the <b>Crop Factor</b> and its affect on lens <b>focal length</b>. Above: Here's a rough comparison between three lenses: the Olympus 300mm f4 lens, a Canon EF 300mm f2.8 lens and the Canon 600mm f4 lens. Because of this crop factor, the Olympus 300mm lens has the same magnification as the 600mm lens, but it's 2.5kg lighter, more than half the size and is around $15,000 cheaper. For my experience, this is one of the most compelling reasons to buy into the 4/3 camera market - considerably more bangs for your buck.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Robin Nicholshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03650101386350865476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-263800359958569028.post-17692387783187550642022-07-03T17:47:00.003+10:002022-07-03T17:47:50.619+10:00Long or Short Lens, to Crop or Not to Crop?<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">A few years ago I got chatting with a serious bird photographer in a hide in the middle of <b>Pilanesberg National Park</b> (2 hours from J'burg). I write 'serious' because his DSLR was groaning under one of the largest lenses I'd ever seen - a <b>Canon EF 800mm f5.6 L IS USM</b> superzoom. Half a metre long and weighing 3.5kg and, as I Googled later, costing around $30k!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCHYDFgJ5guD2oOkM96ycTgcJCkK51Rtq-AnrG-rYBdOnxsRtXLK-xlSAFwcNBr0ByQ_avc1oPO8kypCFRhLkfBfbjEAy-1MRB3HKV17z0rWHP5qNj1Zo83TvbSGS4YtFQgCyT8EAwV_8Azxe8TI3i16NDYD2wY67JPCooFR7BtP1Vib1Ihho6rPcuRA/s995/Canon800.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="457" data-original-width="995" height="147" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCHYDFgJ5guD2oOkM96ycTgcJCkK51Rtq-AnrG-rYBdOnxsRtXLK-xlSAFwcNBr0ByQ_avc1oPO8kypCFRhLkfBfbjEAy-1MRB3HKV17z0rWHP5qNj1Zo83TvbSGS4YtFQgCyT8EAwV_8Azxe8TI3i16NDYD2wY67JPCooFR7BtP1Vib1Ihho6rPcuRA/s320/Canon800.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></span><br /></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Not something that you'd hand hold for more </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">than a few minutes at best. As my own</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span><b style="font-family: verdana;">EF300mm f2.8 </b><span style="font-family: verdana;">lens pales into insignificance size wise, I jokingly asked 'if he'd sold his house to buy the gear'. He said he had...</span></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></span></div><p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRCdc3fZpE--poXQJMNbmwvyPv-7varu7hdWsKDa14L7YxdIjF4ZuntJc5AFF7lG5nSjA_IL_mc6iIfh2B1Ppvz58CzlMbme0BolPL8v1MoAkWOuNRyU9LLIziCIw1il-zWF8v4FroHuIo8IsObQWaExI3xBIiX8vm5JkQKUgeZ7xcEmaO1WX3NWY_Aw/s1000/ROBL4962.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRCdc3fZpE--poXQJMNbmwvyPv-7varu7hdWsKDa14L7YxdIjF4ZuntJc5AFF7lG5nSjA_IL_mc6iIfh2B1Ppvz58CzlMbme0BolPL8v1MoAkWOuNRyU9LLIziCIw1il-zWF8v4FroHuIo8IsObQWaExI3xBIiX8vm5JkQKUgeZ7xcEmaO1WX3NWY_Aw/w640-h426/ROBL4962.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Here's one occasion where the lens I used provided the perfect magnification but the lighting was, well, rubbish. Cropping does not help, only some very careful selecting and dodging might make a better shot. Not everyone is happy to spend time messing with software to make a bad shot into little more than an 'OK' shot...</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">My point is that to get the best wildlife shots, you need patience, luck, good technique and the right gear - and that generally involves a super telephoto lens, or something close to it. By their very nature, most birds are small targets - no one wants to look at tiny dark specks sitting in distant branches.</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxmux0DCD44FILBLJx4wQklZbAkjFbkvYK2ciDiEg0H_MHlB6rLfY-GU1UsdyHWtEI9snYIlY2eXMajE1HLNItziZlRWVk_59ky9dkD9k9lzGZrj4tPSo9HMOraShjTgyrECnfqoxJWJ1UgNd8WsDpn1A0Rueu5uhys7lfzIVxJ5AoRy5v91eQkQuTeg/s1000/carmine%20bee%20eaters%20small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxmux0DCD44FILBLJx4wQklZbAkjFbkvYK2ciDiEg0H_MHlB6rLfY-GU1UsdyHWtEI9snYIlY2eXMajE1HLNItziZlRWVk_59ky9dkD9k9lzGZrj4tPSo9HMOraShjTgyrECnfqoxJWJ1UgNd8WsDpn1A0Rueu5uhys7lfzIVxJ5AoRy5v91eQkQuTeg/w640-h427/carmine%20bee%20eaters%20small.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Carmine Bee-eaters in a tree, Botswana</b>. Canon 420mm lens (equiv). This is a classic example where my lens + a 1.4 Extender clearly was not powerful enough to single out any of these colourful African birds. Cropping into the frame in post is one answer although this reduces quality if it is going to be printed...</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Nature/wildlife photographers are rarely 100% happy with their gear, unless you are making a motza from your craft (or are just well off), you are unlikely to fritter away a fortune on such top-of-the-range equipment. Like most of us, you are probably in the position where your gear has to be rationalised with other expenses - such as the cost of living and familial responsibilities.</span><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"> </span></span></span><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />So our go-to lenses are often a bit of a quality compromise - cost versus practicality, profit versus usage. That's why most camera/lens companies produce not one, but often two lens tiers: the most affordable </span><b style="font-family: verdana;">kit lenses</b><span style="font-family: verdana;"> with a complete range of focal lengths while producing, in the most part, acceptable results, and </span><b style="font-family: verdana;">pro lenses</b><span style="font-family: verdana;"> that use the best glass and build quality thus producing excellent resolution, sharpness and performance. </span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Some manufacturers go further, producing what I call <b>extreme lenses</b> - these are usually in the superzoom (>400mm) or ultra-wide angle class (>10mm), but also encompass lenses that have the fastest maximum apertures on the planet (i.e. Voightlander Nocton 25mm f0.95 lens). </span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxa0uXxaENiI3nYd-jtBrPjk4j5qAEnqY78HuD0EUrrvq4hwG4SfHa0MMmlRK_cCsggykFQAdRzpdRNHjGDInmTbM5rkiw-YeJZ7XNBLjOXEeK7edZFa0QMlretwpRraqhdkrFxc5DqN6GaLHrpQXMUIBSxKhL7l-O_PxbsIjnUVlpSl9yjzUTWPZodA/s1000/carmine%20bee%20eater%20003%20small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="673" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxa0uXxaENiI3nYd-jtBrPjk4j5qAEnqY78HuD0EUrrvq4hwG4SfHa0MMmlRK_cCsggykFQAdRzpdRNHjGDInmTbM5rkiw-YeJZ7XNBLjOXEeK7edZFa0QMlretwpRraqhdkrFxc5DqN6GaLHrpQXMUIBSxKhL7l-O_PxbsIjnUVlpSl9yjzUTWPZodA/s16000/carmine%20bee%20eater%20003%20small.jpg" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Carmine Bee-eater</b>, closer to the subjects and cropped for effect (300mm lens + 2x Extender). Cropped in post for effect.<br /><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">While pro lenses are within reach of most working photographers and well heeled enthusiasts, extreme lenses come with a luxury price tag and only appeal to photographers that are not burdened with a budget.</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">So, if you can't afford 30k for a big lens, you are going to have to <b>compromise</b> - probably on the focal length, but certainly on the optical quality, maximum aperture and user experience. </span><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">That said there are plenty of excellent telephoto lenses in the $1k - $3k range that produce excellent results for keen wildlife photographers.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">If a big magnification lens is still out of the question (ie. too bulky/costly), the next best thing would be to <b>crop for effect</b>. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I do this a lot with files shot with my Canon 300mm lens - producing images with half, or even 1/4 the original 20mp resolution. The resulting crops look as though they have been shot using a 450mm, 600mm or even 800mm lens. But, the downside with this technique is that <b>cropping loses pixels</b> and when you remove pixels from a photo, quality inevitably follows.</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyDWLjf2SBDs3o2X5RwMX-qQAIyDSK7rKrOsoPxV1FKAJc1otiC7b4E_DgePCGEXDasyJ3F-N7MjSpx-tTH_vHPXoRMDIhaXfgLkitoGPLXQetD1F6fa3Cgr7t-jNYE3lWIGW91J5l9n41GvXOvB97eUSSIlSdmoXWoBNCgGXerImKVKy4NVOWEztpGw/s16000/drongo.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Heavily cropped images can look good providing they are not viewed or printed above their recommended proportions. However, if the shot requires a lot of editing, as this bird silhouette probably does, it's going to be significantly harder to get a good result with an image file that's missing most of its pixels. In this example I liked the silhouettes - the two birds are easily identifiable because of their unique shapes: the large <b>Hammerkop </b>(its name means 'hammerhead'),<b> </b>and a <b>Drongo</b> on the right-hand side, with its distinctive forked tail. </span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyDWLjf2SBDs3o2X5RwMX-qQAIyDSK7rKrOsoPxV1FKAJc1otiC7b4E_DgePCGEXDasyJ3F-N7MjSpx-tTH_vHPXoRMDIhaXfgLkitoGPLXQetD1F6fa3Cgr7t-jNYE3lWIGW91J5l9n41GvXOvB97eUSSIlSdmoXWoBNCgGXerImKVKy4NVOWEztpGw/s1000/drongo.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"></span></a></div><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Another solution to the problem of expensive lenses might be to add an </span><b style="font-family: verdana;">Extender</b><span style="font-family: verdana;"> to the lens. This gizmo fits between camera and lens and effectively magnifies the focal length: typically by <b>1.4x</b>, or <b>2x</b>. An Extender can save you a lot of money. For $700, my <b>Canon EF 2x Extender</b> effectively converts my EF300mm f2.8 lens into a 600mm f5.6 lens. A 'real' Canon 600mm f4 lens, on the other hand, costs nearly $20k. That's a lot of loose change.</span></span><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Image quality suffers a bit with an Extender - it's hard to get pin sharp results and you lose some light, which is why it's an f5.6 lens, while the $20k Canon 600mm lens has the faster f4 aperture. But, as I don't have a spare 20k, any subsequent (slight) loss of quality I find quite acceptable. Note also that Extenders don't work on all lenses, so check before you buy one.</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiri2TUqydxiVePVHrZoGr9-AyIhAS7eNPYevCBCXem9w_jihR3prYCbutS7lx0YQff-14dYzWj_Rh-KYBhr67mW8X9rgQzDkaDF9fsUXDDrlS2HRjEGBdPqP-s6wLAFGtMwFsDAkpSBJvIdBbL3LCAgixeDmu453aUgDbuHNqjkzPCcuAIghx2knW0lA/s1000/Antelope.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiri2TUqydxiVePVHrZoGr9-AyIhAS7eNPYevCBCXem9w_jihR3prYCbutS7lx0YQff-14dYzWj_Rh-KYBhr67mW8X9rgQzDkaDF9fsUXDDrlS2HRjEGBdPqP-s6wLAFGtMwFsDAkpSBJvIdBbL3LCAgixeDmu453aUgDbuHNqjkzPCcuAIghx2knW0lA/s16000/Antelope.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Antelope anyone</b>? Another problem wildlife photographers might face is in knowing when to stop shooting! I have often found myself snapping away even when it's clear no lens on earth is going to make the picture look good - the subject might be 'in range' of your lens, as these antelope were, but the light, angle, colour and environment were all wrong - resulting in a 'fail'.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">From my own experience, I note that most amateur photographers mostly post their work on <b>social media</b> so only really require a resolution of about 1024 x 1024 pixels - the resolution favoured by <b>Instagram. </b>This is tiny considering the new mirrorless cameras sport resolutions of 30, 45 and even 50 megapixels, enough pixels to print posters.</span><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">I could crop as much as 80% off of my (20mp) images and still experience reasonable quality when the photos are posted to Instagram or Facebook.</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipA_ewQH6ELXD_TQiJi9FsD3QWu3wrwnkc7OOyYaj1HBSPji8L8WXUBRKzYS2Ug4NCAm5GALb-dt_yFPy3FoWpyNGCcepcFnVolcHbt7py68gV00vU8XLHBTBITzK3HNZDXHnBCfFJulXJeaEnmVI9JoKqOu0859XDhTg-gMc7CMvTFCLLH4_z0ZhkPw/s1000/cropped.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="588" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipA_ewQH6ELXD_TQiJi9FsD3QWu3wrwnkc7OOyYaj1HBSPji8L8WXUBRKzYS2Ug4NCAm5GALb-dt_yFPy3FoWpyNGCcepcFnVolcHbt7py68gV00vU8XLHBTBITzK3HNZDXHnBCfFJulXJeaEnmVI9JoKqOu0859XDhTg-gMc7CMvTFCLLH4_z0ZhkPw/s16000/cropped.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Giraffe Necked Weevil, Madagascar. <br /></b>While cropping is frequently used to supplement telephoto shortcomings, it can also be used effectively to re-compose an image - in this case from vertical to horizontal.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7j0AzxkNysP9VqRAsGmQN0nNHvHT6KQvxac0c36NQsSPBginCmxuXXQu1Dc95UPBYo75Kuu0nax7YtwxwZLWPBh7L8_bzhw_rgw2IBIphI5JXdeZd7UWS6iuwOV_zfHXUaHWfphbE_4LqpQfufPn36Ty1ff54OAwW4oFL_kklNMMGQo0ECeI4kBFz6Q/s1000/903A8456.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="632" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7j0AzxkNysP9VqRAsGmQN0nNHvHT6KQvxac0c36NQsSPBginCmxuXXQu1Dc95UPBYo75Kuu0nax7YtwxwZLWPBh7L8_bzhw_rgw2IBIphI5JXdeZd7UWS6iuwOV_zfHXUaHWfphbE_4LqpQfufPn36Ty1ff54OAwW4oFL_kklNMMGQo0ECeI4kBFz6Q/s16000/903A8456.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Final thought</b>. Aside from being able to use cropping as a means to 'fake' the look of a telephoto lens, cropping can also help when you forgot to pack that macro lens. This was a tiny marsh frog clinging to a reed in the Okavango Delta. It was only an inch long and I was not about to start changing lenses while sitting in a wobbly wooden canoe. Cropping produces the 'look' of a macro lens (i.e. extreme close up) and while this looks really good online, there's not enough pixels in the cropped version to print anything larger than a postcard</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>Robin Nicholshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03650101386350865476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-263800359958569028.post-53230839470650758032022-06-13T18:38:00.001+10:002022-06-13T18:38:27.552+10:00Cruden Farm <span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">We'd seen this place, <b>Cruden Farm</b>, featured one time on <b>Gardening Australia</b> and at the time thought it a place worthy of a visit if we were ever in the vicinity of the Mornington Peninsula. As it happened the route from Phillip Island to Mornington, our destination on a recent road trip, pretty much ran past the front gates of the property so it seemed a perfect stopover point. <br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv7AFaEe50lbbI4Tm-F-IRqPHf3ZbNbtg2FhOIekCkSOJBdFrJVUI3jXzFghJ5aUYYrD-yloIja6aNIiZDQN6ZLO-MNjsQVvb92Cfw-tOW4z-HqhOl5Km7q_5mN1nRSpqbrgFWuhc0cxFM3T6SU8ijYXGlavbSnMdklViPxrA0-qCsDl9YIu1gddRuQg/s1000/Cruden%2004%20small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="671" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv7AFaEe50lbbI4Tm-F-IRqPHf3ZbNbtg2FhOIekCkSOJBdFrJVUI3jXzFghJ5aUYYrD-yloIja6aNIiZDQN6ZLO-MNjsQVvb92Cfw-tOW4z-HqhOl5Km7q_5mN1nRSpqbrgFWuhc0cxFM3T6SU8ijYXGlavbSnMdklViPxrA0-qCsDl9YIu1gddRuQg/s16000/Cruden%2004%20small.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">One of its many highlights was the main entranceway- a fabulous stand of lemon-scented gum trees curving off the the road. </span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0DC-wnVxqLP6Lc0WltXp2DvWEaoOlXP2n7pUavUb1lkaikpn6BwBxdDzPfNO04I-CpU_u17VUVvKYL8iWQF1ZDOiVJdb8T2VncTCeBO2YKTqgY4XiOXPaY_TahnWGctsqM5b2k3SWB5S4mv8hT6cNZR6KTGqAFMkPq1ZVFm9QrwX7kj-7XzlvyNVgwQ/s1000/Cruden%2001.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0DC-wnVxqLP6Lc0WltXp2DvWEaoOlXP2n7pUavUb1lkaikpn6BwBxdDzPfNO04I-CpU_u17VUVvKYL8iWQF1ZDOiVJdb8T2VncTCeBO2YKTqgY4XiOXPaY_TahnWGctsqM5b2k3SWB5S4mv8hT6cNZR6KTGqAFMkPq1ZVFm9QrwX7kj-7XzlvyNVgwQ/w640-h427/Cruden%2001.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Cute Koala fountain in the sunken garden at Cruden Farm. <br />Photo by Natalie Hitchens</span><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRPPyUgg-tA9atRcLNq6GRRSF_m4lC7UGmwPMJbHfnTNSAB1kjypiKHrLWwOlBLpOPRYw9Ev-lS5ZU20rA6phWPGGwSXTMq6N_j0isc_pvBk7UaPpvllNE8sgyR6jS8DjtbdyOne9ikPP2BxXsDKGR571yV8HFuYtTJ8VUJ6ZT5gO5tmjgNVGJE04HbQ/s1000/NATY1572%20small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="667" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRPPyUgg-tA9atRcLNq6GRRSF_m4lC7UGmwPMJbHfnTNSAB1kjypiKHrLWwOlBLpOPRYw9Ev-lS5ZU20rA6phWPGGwSXTMq6N_j0isc_pvBk7UaPpvllNE8sgyR6jS8DjtbdyOne9ikPP2BxXsDKGR571yV8HFuYtTJ8VUJ6ZT5gO5tmjgNVGJE04HbQ/w266-h400/NATY1572%20small.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Autumn<br />Photo by Natalie Hitchens<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqqbQwYxIOMdNvUGuRs3tsAkwNXqlFJ_sJYSG72k_FSVFu3Yq9N1rqUTR_tLQIKcesTykys8wMROsNwLWYrXJ29ARLuusjQsoFw-letYRy-qBC-j3kVyriGYMTnJJPNqu0_M5UztpVJDkUvWgjgjmW8rd_o79Zppt7sg27UU63x7e0_pIC7OeuiRUNUQ/s1000/NATY1654-Edit%20small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="584" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqqbQwYxIOMdNvUGuRs3tsAkwNXqlFJ_sJYSG72k_FSVFu3Yq9N1rqUTR_tLQIKcesTykys8wMROsNwLWYrXJ29ARLuusjQsoFw-letYRy-qBC-j3kVyriGYMTnJJPNqu0_M5UztpVJDkUvWgjgjmW8rd_o79Zppt7sg27UU63x7e0_pIC7OeuiRUNUQ/s16000/NATY1654-Edit%20small.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Willows surrounding the Farm's large lake<br />Photo by Natalie Hitchens<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiri6lh6o6iVR_aZtKCtYYFY1Z0lXvXPxJAvHMbTLXCpEVW8bwqf51bxJROL_U-U-sxci4tRqCKFeLrOJfNLoch4EgFJJO2vO-cd5CYrb_419k32SjVN1DNMoB96p7zB6nJ7tOZI2-aOt34knB9Tp5EsAdDWeh7tB32jUSl24SU4ThbD3fspaee2UX4Q/s1000/Flowers.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiri6lh6o6iVR_aZtKCtYYFY1Z0lXvXPxJAvHMbTLXCpEVW8bwqf51bxJROL_U-U-sxci4tRqCKFeLrOJfNLoch4EgFJJO2vO-cd5CYrb_419k32SjVN1DNMoB96p7zB6nJ7tOZI2-aOt34knB9Tp5EsAdDWeh7tB32jUSl24SU4ThbD3fspaee2UX4Q/s16000/Flowers.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Photos by Natalie Hitchens<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC0nqTTCS5h-D3omde32EzZAsmOMcDkfglOiSwFtiiPyhP57iILjyTs1yEZcSve4TuJA8uxdz-lhkxCGUQXEbql2uFUTx8EXVZiZFc5fPKqgu0mNYd-Ce_8PBwU6_UgBUYKnCe-W29V3-zRuLEnrF04enIyGJ9H5AIRhnoLcmGN8ct-S2YK2u3dnfeLQ/s1000/NATY1380%20small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="629" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC0nqTTCS5h-D3omde32EzZAsmOMcDkfglOiSwFtiiPyhP57iILjyTs1yEZcSve4TuJA8uxdz-lhkxCGUQXEbql2uFUTx8EXVZiZFc5fPKqgu0mNYd-Ce_8PBwU6_UgBUYKnCe-W29V3-zRuLEnrF04enIyGJ9H5AIRhnoLcmGN8ct-S2YK2u3dnfeLQ/s16000/NATY1380%20small.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Photo by Natalie Hitchens<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgbq_eIoD1cgvAltH1SdkPRfDp798HS07y1Tu9jXq1mcqwENgr8-S8pPkt4ycrkUzhru3Ixi02MeHl7xmL7C-6uXJP4R0yNVy35nrNabrxEzupJO2VK9qLwMP-l3RRVSVw_I60xxkTt-sii_egy2S2Uj3T_Ok6XGHmSjsyHdizn2850l08n_pCa3KKyQ/s1000/NATY1658%20small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="678" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgbq_eIoD1cgvAltH1SdkPRfDp798HS07y1Tu9jXq1mcqwENgr8-S8pPkt4ycrkUzhru3Ixi02MeHl7xmL7C-6uXJP4R0yNVy35nrNabrxEzupJO2VK9qLwMP-l3RRVSVw_I60xxkTt-sii_egy2S2Uj3T_Ok6XGHmSjsyHdizn2850l08n_pCa3KKyQ/w434-h640/NATY1658%20small.jpg" width="434" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Photo by Natalie Hitchens<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDubLIjmcxMv50UmCMVSYhq73oRVO8T-b-WlL5WVGp2vw6w839cqKGxDmDqfJm7nux1zI-2BR7JpzE7zPME0nX-OGKZF41NcroNv_0ErTRMDhT1tyJQJV69iBtRBZfIoKnJMBJQ8XExqqCkrrUuQKBCrRd8N8LM7hjS90P3DUW_X5PJgscdbxd2wmQLg/s1000/NATY1667%20small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="538" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDubLIjmcxMv50UmCMVSYhq73oRVO8T-b-WlL5WVGp2vw6w839cqKGxDmDqfJm7nux1zI-2BR7JpzE7zPME0nX-OGKZF41NcroNv_0ErTRMDhT1tyJQJV69iBtRBZfIoKnJMBJQ8XExqqCkrrUuQKBCrRd8N8LM7hjS90P3DUW_X5PJgscdbxd2wmQLg/s16000/NATY1667%20small.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Photo by Natalie Hitchens<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaWsnbqmauA6x3Xr7TOjbPp1KvpKUMfysq7Ar-E7HpiWgRAr5sHX60Gt2zIbC8Mn7QPxcd6HXuepZ2Fyqgor4-e6JvDxyNWN5HyG7yKUJ3aJAI1BUKGOrEjJcXjY_xUqPBk-s4qYi2fnKMeoZvqJybu08trs1u8hfZf0bHJaBpta1OjirpL4IKvu_ehg/s1000/NATY1669%20small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="593" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaWsnbqmauA6x3Xr7TOjbPp1KvpKUMfysq7Ar-E7HpiWgRAr5sHX60Gt2zIbC8Mn7QPxcd6HXuepZ2Fyqgor4-e6JvDxyNWN5HyG7yKUJ3aJAI1BUKGOrEjJcXjY_xUqPBk-s4qYi2fnKMeoZvqJybu08trs1u8hfZf0bHJaBpta1OjirpL4IKvu_ehg/s16000/NATY1669%20small.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Photo by Natalie Hitchens</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt3WyfpeFrE1DWlaEjtIp7XcWz_wkW6HW-dhjRzsY634wTVFeuQk14v3JhUjg21TvJJTeYSQltRgCQ0G6jDOgru0eXoRD8aNFNFVUABK0yGi8Ww82VO69iXkgMSuCBFwAo91wDhChWiNti39V8jZk35FNsUUpYy3wocmd1fIPLIOeLHRGuUqedbAHbfg/s1000/NATY1676%20small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt3WyfpeFrE1DWlaEjtIp7XcWz_wkW6HW-dhjRzsY634wTVFeuQk14v3JhUjg21TvJJTeYSQltRgCQ0G6jDOgru0eXoRD8aNFNFVUABK0yGi8Ww82VO69iXkgMSuCBFwAo91wDhChWiNti39V8jZk35FNsUUpYy3wocmd1fIPLIOeLHRGuUqedbAHbfg/w640-h427/NATY1676%20small.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Photo by Natalie Hitchens</span><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9HYdjkesyPtHXpqy9s2YGqzk_FeuTUBJPcmo7Xg9mUZ9CIBFT4V-m2llAquW1jpqDNqxQjJ0O8uJFilgn-UomgZeuEsTyV_eOMmThDDm9z_bNeg1WHq3kZiWw6zSheM0IRtJmIr1MHxqa-uISQH3tQR1-B6HCMI-svwi6vTLM03MMGvBtTOfte8mzQA/s1000/Cruden%2006.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="733" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9HYdjkesyPtHXpqy9s2YGqzk_FeuTUBJPcmo7Xg9mUZ9CIBFT4V-m2llAquW1jpqDNqxQjJ0O8uJFilgn-UomgZeuEsTyV_eOMmThDDm9z_bNeg1WHq3kZiWw6zSheM0IRtJmIr1MHxqa-uISQH3tQR1-B6HCMI-svwi6vTLM03MMGvBtTOfte8mzQA/s16000/Cruden%2006.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Two more (HDR) shots of the lake area in the quite extensive Cruden Farm gardens. A nice autumnal scene with loads of ducks and some nice colour. (I processed these using Luminar NEO).</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh96QnuBUAdT2uWOLLamxza0_g-IHkFQEu3gQiAISVNRHlJW3vTtkC3cWCkC3Vt6BtpoAWwkRvZnXQL8g5Ipe24grn-8lis1lg5KH6Erh6qcJQNPIjM6VmENrIv5_dQXLsRa0rJoEp7TYFL8KPko-VUpAjjWxLB1LNRdgxhkjnjifASCofw7fNzp2ZoyA/s1000/Cruden%20House%202%20new.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="666" data-original-width="1000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh96QnuBUAdT2uWOLLamxza0_g-IHkFQEu3gQiAISVNRHlJW3vTtkC3cWCkC3Vt6BtpoAWwkRvZnXQL8g5Ipe24grn-8lis1lg5KH6Erh6qcJQNPIjM6VmENrIv5_dQXLsRa0rJoEp7TYFL8KPko-VUpAjjWxLB1LNRdgxhkjnjifASCofw7fNzp2ZoyA/w640-h426/Cruden%20House%202%20new.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Tough at the top - an HDR shot of the stables at the back of the main house.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: right;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAr4aey1ki-nqNDIHXRE4F2Lgc7FyrSpfqGc01kGkSIei3nmsnDQU-u8BVHYdHgWBhJmahZ7TgrTPfxH4Y-EXlDPL_vfaLfpXWP8Ui0UwhqJon4xlK2vScn_9V2NACc_f0cV9dhVFqSluIOePkdKKJzcWoM7hkHeTqze_dwGcef7MR8dmGYvXZQvAt1A/s1000/Cruden%20house%20small.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="666" data-original-width="1000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAr4aey1ki-nqNDIHXRE4F2Lgc7FyrSpfqGc01kGkSIei3nmsnDQU-u8BVHYdHgWBhJmahZ7TgrTPfxH4Y-EXlDPL_vfaLfpXWP8Ui0UwhqJon4xlK2vScn_9V2NACc_f0cV9dhVFqSluIOePkdKKJzcWoM7hkHeTqze_dwGcef7MR8dmGYvXZQvAt1A/w640-h426/Cruden%20house%20small.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">A frontal shot of the house which is kind of modelled on one of those typical Louisiana Plantation houses (re: Gone with the Wind) but I don't think it works. The gardens were far more interesting (and it's not open to the public anyway). <br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">The farm was given to Dame Elizabeth Murdoch as a wedding present by her husband Keith Murdoch in 1928. The original cottage that was on the property was subsequently (hea</span><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">vily) modified by noted architect <span style="text-align: center;">Harold Desbrowe-Annear, including the addition of tall pillars at the front (see the last image in this post) and it is said that Dame Elizabeth didn't like the modifications at all so she spent the next half century or so trying to "<i>bury the house in the garden</i>", which she did quite successfully.</span></span></td></tr></tbody></table>Robin Nicholshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03650101386350865476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-263800359958569028.post-69424571104564511102022-06-02T13:16:00.000+10:002022-06-02T13:16:07.070+10:00Road Trip Bird Photography <span style="font-family: verdana;">I've shot quite a lot of images in the past two (COVID lockdown) years. Most have been using just an iPhone. Lazy? Probably, but it's also because most serious travel has been off the menu and, unless it's a 'big' trip, I just couldn't be bothered carrying a heavy bag when an iPhone seems to do the job. </span><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ngcTX7h9ErutJt-e2plInQtO_NToubWytD_ZlAlioaPHdXSIIQoFvN3upj1sSCCQwkkNO00pj_-X3gi-eQfA5q22ODD8cSf9BhfLxKoA5Lb9tYXNFeaXN07j3ji7HwpSzW33iIk2I2tCVb3nFAMo_vre0ZfJtUJNOho6azCU6vzhuM1byDqpShw2Mw/s1000/Pelican%20Nat.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="610" data-original-width="1000" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ngcTX7h9ErutJt-e2plInQtO_NToubWytD_ZlAlioaPHdXSIIQoFvN3upj1sSCCQwkkNO00pj_-X3gi-eQfA5q22ODD8cSf9BhfLxKoA5Lb9tYXNFeaXN07j3ji7HwpSzW33iIk2I2tCVb3nFAMo_vre0ZfJtUJNOho6azCU6vzhuM1byDqpShw2Mw/w640-h390/Pelican%20Nat.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Pic Natalie Hitchens (Canon EF100-400mm lens)</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><span><span style="font-family: verdana;">I've even produced a couple of annual garden photo books recording our lockdown veggie garden progress - for fun, and as a record of what survived, and what didn't. Using an iPhone has been a boon because it's so easy - but I've noticed that, even under the best shooting conditions, under close scrutiny, my phone snaps are never that clear - 12 million (tiny) pixels crammed into a very small chip. So, on a recent road trip to Phillip Island, it was a pleasure to get back into the habit of using a large sensor with its big pixels, RAW file capture and expensive glass once again. What I had forgotten was the effort required to lug a chunky DSLR + long telephoto lens around.</span></span><span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> My phone weighs 172g (iPhone 6 Plus) while my Canon EOS 5D MkIII + EF300mm f2.8 lens weighs nearly 3.5kg, a massive difference. </span></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvGpGLdrDaRBKSRTNpxu6fX5535sQ8SdMmEfXoxHm66FwHe9xEnE6pvUfqaACPowdWybIoXXP_Z_YyqbHwG-WX6BfJHhpQme30hHNx8YgeysghZyoLoHT5OnRybiopNBMJWv3Cq0EOqW-YXflAAQP7KV4Iszqf-hm_kDXNCzionI4B__fzNNGqrnyZ5g/s1000/Pelican%20New%202%20small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="644" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvGpGLdrDaRBKSRTNpxu6fX5535sQ8SdMmEfXoxHm66FwHe9xEnE6pvUfqaACPowdWybIoXXP_Z_YyqbHwG-WX6BfJHhpQme30hHNx8YgeysghZyoLoHT5OnRybiopNBMJWv3Cq0EOqW-YXflAAQP7KV4Iszqf-hm_kDXNCzionI4B__fzNNGqrnyZ5g/s16000/Pelican%20New%202%20small.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Pic Natalie Hitchens (Canon EF100-400mm lens)</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioLHT1DOxKomRSr-iIoJ4UAlCT9Vny-OHp5389VeNSf-LOWryVUB_8pREYdHBkPp-PqirrHHlTQrJnduQrE0sf87vXCJROTRV7myFCp-dmCEKtgIFiryZemyuUabZg1gUvEJogPWHIS7iKfJVEaT5BNW_n4ny1eWSPQ0tKF6CN65h8NCkxCbBbHm7ziw/s1000/Black%20Ray.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="414" data-original-width="1000" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioLHT1DOxKomRSr-iIoJ4UAlCT9Vny-OHp5389VeNSf-LOWryVUB_8pREYdHBkPp-PqirrHHlTQrJnduQrE0sf87vXCJROTRV7myFCp-dmCEKtgIFiryZemyuUabZg1gUvEJogPWHIS7iKfJVEaT5BNW_n4ny1eWSPQ0tKF6CN65h8NCkxCbBbHm7ziw/w640-h264/Black%20Ray.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Black stingray stooging along the shore in Narooma's Mill Bay<br />Pic Natalie Hitchens (Canon EF100-400mm lens)</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0hroFP_H3Kgaqb6_s1SiqoNnsmyUdbnonFNhqwznNKEfuCCUTQKbTqzrDqhY71u_PYI4NJJoEPJ5vAJbVsRwrhkW40Mx_VtUJcO1ninysU82RZachU3gIiJD9tWgGuJutPgrWzaTJEe9cTXOX5dB41advbhCTysPrOa23nkgcs4CmgtTirN31tc7t8g/s998/Mallacoota%20magpie%20sml.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="560" data-original-width="998" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0hroFP_H3Kgaqb6_s1SiqoNnsmyUdbnonFNhqwznNKEfuCCUTQKbTqzrDqhY71u_PYI4NJJoEPJ5vAJbVsRwrhkW40Mx_VtUJcO1ninysU82RZachU3gIiJD9tWgGuJutPgrWzaTJEe9cTXOX5dB41advbhCTysPrOa23nkgcs4CmgtTirN31tc7t8g/w640-h360/Mallacoota%20magpie%20sml.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The majestic Australian Magpie up close, Mallacoota. Canon EOS 5D MkIII + EF 300mm f2.8 lens.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipPYm9pXL4juypmPMSgT14VOLKtGNkzT_mpYcJsZaCKn0tiAR3umHXHr3JFDXgXh_SX8BXTaeydnlTeQv9v4xTjdCEqgTE3DAzS56Ib7WE-mJNEsfUOW0ehWy5aiBRMSkhre_Qo0mbTxAXNEr6VMXsi8tjXdkTVZPJqvB7NY2M8qN_aQvGqf3jswI3ZA/s1000/Little%20Wattlebird%20sml%2001.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipPYm9pXL4juypmPMSgT14VOLKtGNkzT_mpYcJsZaCKn0tiAR3umHXHr3JFDXgXh_SX8BXTaeydnlTeQv9v4xTjdCEqgTE3DAzS56Ib7WE-mJNEsfUOW0ehWy5aiBRMSkhre_Qo0mbTxAXNEr6VMXsi8tjXdkTVZPJqvB7NY2M8qN_aQvGqf3jswI3ZA/s16000/Little%20Wattlebird%20sml%2001.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Little Wattlebird up close, Raymond Island, VIC. Canon EOS 5D MkIII + EF 300mm f2.8 lens.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8GSn2Fwcr9kF3-94Fxn_d4grY-g-KZMPSFxy4z3EuOOGHpw0AMZzbNP-ueZq7w1zZ2PlVneWXzDCBBlM2PMtst0ysIgDK_r7paVOQe-bnLGVP11-C6ON_DqLQRkgS9k50l5br5NQRS_9pyHGIfyzEu153Lea0qv5mQPYotT_114DoLzyqm1M78cBkEg/s1000/Bush%20Stone%20Curlew%20sml.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8GSn2Fwcr9kF3-94Fxn_d4grY-g-KZMPSFxy4z3EuOOGHpw0AMZzbNP-ueZq7w1zZ2PlVneWXzDCBBlM2PMtst0ysIgDK_r7paVOQe-bnLGVP11-C6ON_DqLQRkgS9k50l5br5NQRS_9pyHGIfyzEu153Lea0qv5mQPYotT_114DoLzyqm1M78cBkEg/w640-h427/Bush%20Stone%20Curlew%20sml.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A captive Stone Curlew, one of a pair in the Phillip Island Koala Sanctuary as part of a project to breed them in captivity as numbers in the wild are endangered. Canon EOS 5D MkIII + EF 300mm f2.8 lens (at f2.8 to minimise the two layers of cage netting).<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9rMDIOFu0It7AAR2E8WyXvZZnRUDElG-Q-t3LgQXZaEvWNwFG3bAEI7XJbRfiHQB0Vk7lK577WbYcvpe3B7nfcKFNLrWLlSAF7u5O9yJCylgpcWsy2iaq_ZLxywcxT_mjc144SFYU8L5oCgILU41f8n1cOOf_iFiEE6NQEhbrM_sS8gX9n-sCLobbLA/s1000/Cape%20Barren%20Goose%20sml.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9rMDIOFu0It7AAR2E8WyXvZZnRUDElG-Q-t3LgQXZaEvWNwFG3bAEI7XJbRfiHQB0Vk7lK577WbYcvpe3B7nfcKFNLrWLlSAF7u5O9yJCylgpcWsy2iaq_ZLxywcxT_mjc144SFYU8L5oCgILU41f8n1cOOf_iFiEE6NQEhbrM_sS8gX9n-sCLobbLA/s16000/Cape%20Barren%20Goose%20sml.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The majestic Cape Barron Goose - these were dotted everywhere around Phillip Island. Canon EOS 5D MkIII + EF 300mm f2.8 lens.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjxI2501MrMtk_YIPnmQIP-xNX_J1F71mgpC722wVMF1TAlHkwTyNmvfaTT8rAR45csAHtp3SszQpWZk8JVJGzP8HcITbjaGDiXkMsbDPclq1TygXibKvD71hgqyD2FKmyQ3vy-vbAc7gSMpzShigcLZGta59hQLx-5B7OXLIuU3vtZYgKt1nHU7qt0Q/s1000/Kooka.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="679" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjxI2501MrMtk_YIPnmQIP-xNX_J1F71mgpC722wVMF1TAlHkwTyNmvfaTT8rAR45csAHtp3SszQpWZk8JVJGzP8HcITbjaGDiXkMsbDPclq1TygXibKvD71hgqyD2FKmyQ3vy-vbAc7gSMpzShigcLZGta59hQLx-5B7OXLIuU3vtZYgKt1nHU7qt0Q/s16000/Kooka.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Kookaburra, Phillip Island. Pic Natalie Hitchens (Canon EF100-400mm lens)</span><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4xkL95SrhGSs3JYtwlqlSL4Ze8xqq0tKwq_iMA8IjjBtQN8g9yM7MSAh4-3wNmy3rZn6aRC5RSSvdXg0aCCQHa4GCUQ5Fp0DtzsVRxR-bEJwXUlfel5zVplnY0zZ-lOvJKylVd4e5zg1JrxuVfzzQ5Gv1eCoYW7MhMqmWimU1fnaj3WXHdC7Cu_irXA/s1000/Black%20Swan%20sml%2004.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="624" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4xkL95SrhGSs3JYtwlqlSL4Ze8xqq0tKwq_iMA8IjjBtQN8g9yM7MSAh4-3wNmy3rZn6aRC5RSSvdXg0aCCQHa4GCUQ5Fp0DtzsVRxR-bEJwXUlfel5zVplnY0zZ-lOvJKylVd4e5zg1JrxuVfzzQ5Gv1eCoYW7MhMqmWimU1fnaj3WXHdC7Cu_irXA/s16000/Black%20Swan%20sml%2004.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The majestic Black swan ruffling its feathers at the suitably named Swan Lake, hide - next door to the Penguin Parade on Phillip Island. Canon EOS 5D MkIII + EF 300mm f2.8 lens + 2X EF Extender<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfk9cD9_6t0JdKLQB6gqAl-_KfIQr7c-a0gUPQZL6Nywi6c_eSlBXI8Gwm_ORsZOTI78IQxvjeOY5xu-XW1PqpZ3Dy9gHPC-5NeWLMV2azaWfPEY2E7v8xH_puZDnEavKIqV_YX8NYXf-skW6BT2iR-T4In06sJvkxEFVt1CDO6F4O83leSqf0Yx-jCw/s1000/WillyWagtail%20sml.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="671" data-original-width="1000" height="429" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfk9cD9_6t0JdKLQB6gqAl-_KfIQr7c-a0gUPQZL6Nywi6c_eSlBXI8Gwm_ORsZOTI78IQxvjeOY5xu-XW1PqpZ3Dy9gHPC-5NeWLMV2azaWfPEY2E7v8xH_puZDnEavKIqV_YX8NYXf-skW6BT2iR-T4In06sJvkxEFVt1CDO6F4O83leSqf0Yx-jCw/w640-h429/WillyWagtail%20sml.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Australian Willie Wagtail. Canon EOS 5D MkIII + EF 300mm f2.8 lens.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj967pr1EF5VWPMuaLWjCOhRi0VR6VxewuRuYgp-0T0eRKi4E23wY5qWq61yQheVs2zr7hhN-d7lXeA__X94JCz6xv8IjhT1Of_-rAxvbsdYZYcsnC0mn8IFH8hbXcpLcBqp3HTC-nbs2mbBTyZFWsmEqpIHf2tGkcLuUvXJR2FLmmJlXfW5WKVobd9Fg/s1000/WelcomeSwallow%20sml.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="691" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj967pr1EF5VWPMuaLWjCOhRi0VR6VxewuRuYgp-0T0eRKi4E23wY5qWq61yQheVs2zr7hhN-d7lXeA__X94JCz6xv8IjhT1Of_-rAxvbsdYZYcsnC0mn8IFH8hbXcpLcBqp3HTC-nbs2mbBTyZFWsmEqpIHf2tGkcLuUvXJR2FLmmJlXfW5WKVobd9Fg/s16000/WelcomeSwallow%20sml.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A pair of resting Welcome Swallows up close, Mallacoota. Canon EOS 5D MkIII + EF 300mm f2.8 lens.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIHCG1aJAZw9kfD6ZRVh5Le2gVzvDcMdMg1iIiiu8ceorfMX0Ch_MbN90xkuXe_v3TtyR_E9n_eqEzfaGSvG8CE33afZ3qGBweLSfkxC46M4tUEcTi_arc8p0Sgyc2QBmL3yZ8GSYddGKgO9_CZhOhPpALtUkOVx4d3jwRourS-wQlleYiuhqhD3QUhQ/s1000/Seagulls%20sml.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="645" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIHCG1aJAZw9kfD6ZRVh5Le2gVzvDcMdMg1iIiiu8ceorfMX0Ch_MbN90xkuXe_v3TtyR_E9n_eqEzfaGSvG8CE33afZ3qGBweLSfkxC46M4tUEcTi_arc8p0Sgyc2QBmL3yZ8GSYddGKgO9_CZhOhPpALtUkOVx4d3jwRourS-wQlleYiuhqhD3QUhQ/s16000/Seagulls%20sml.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Silver Gulls, Narooma. Canon EOS 5D MkIII + EF 300mm f2.8 lens.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2qoPLM4GIFPSIVsb09G1wmY6YnHF5ZVFLj7IVVNbdId1v3ZaGB873qyed1M70zPs3_bsaO9VZZuWh7eHQk-pz7oa-zbdVgBLs9SjxtMyQ4Clk5YZn5K0XHWG2JshRWBqtINT8YesItPr09Q9LS6l143unMRWzB74y7zxkMONdLeMJOW6mHM5A63ti3g/s1000/Regent%20honeyeater.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="696" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2qoPLM4GIFPSIVsb09G1wmY6YnHF5ZVFLj7IVVNbdId1v3ZaGB873qyed1M70zPs3_bsaO9VZZuWh7eHQk-pz7oa-zbdVgBLs9SjxtMyQ4Clk5YZn5K0XHWG2JshRWBqtINT8YesItPr09Q9LS6l143unMRWzB74y7zxkMONdLeMJOW6mHM5A63ti3g/s16000/Regent%20honeyeater.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A New Holland Honeyeater among the bottlebrushes in Cranbourne Gardens, VIC. Canon EOS 5D MkIII + EF 100-400mm f4.5-5.6 lens<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihHOvkplXhJUkOa8pA5jHhcq_EnKWWUQjfyHzWijGvl6iAioa4S4es8AsrWti-4enyOau3aPe5zPem3cOCa_LzlGiq4fFjm1luKHc4Zngoalh4FXDeV5NqIZXhB02MvM1d1AMvcm6NK0aullTRvU-5ALrIJhhtN8HKa37zyp6DfjUxXhzTms7yvyCktw/s1000/wren.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihHOvkplXhJUkOa8pA5jHhcq_EnKWWUQjfyHzWijGvl6iAioa4S4es8AsrWti-4enyOau3aPe5zPem3cOCa_LzlGiq4fFjm1luKHc4Zngoalh4FXDeV5NqIZXhB02MvM1d1AMvcm6NK0aullTRvU-5ALrIJhhtN8HKa37zyp6DfjUxXhzTms7yvyCktw/s16000/wren.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A very inquisitive female Superb Fairy Wren, Cranbourne Gardens, VIC. Canon EOS 5D MkIII + EF 100-400 f4.5-5.6 lens.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNRr6jJ30wQk3rDMTSkYADc4tkiUNiyKJJOCFPvzQHbd6hio8CF_n5-ywOqeOh5ZLMs1MPwKkqE8ZpECIU_cv45TJvF3O3jWIj_yhK1b3zwcinHybL_i7aCExkrwlxgR_XvWHcWo6UVzYamD7DNWP9fl1QCDhSzYP1nr1tx3rZvRF9ewMlL_TxI9IaOQ/s1000/Dusky%20Moorhen.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNRr6jJ30wQk3rDMTSkYADc4tkiUNiyKJJOCFPvzQHbd6hio8CF_n5-ywOqeOh5ZLMs1MPwKkqE8ZpECIU_cv45TJvF3O3jWIj_yhK1b3zwcinHybL_i7aCExkrwlxgR_XvWHcWo6UVzYamD7DNWP9fl1QCDhSzYP1nr1tx3rZvRF9ewMlL_TxI9IaOQ/s16000/Dusky%20Moorhen.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dusky Moorhen strutting its stuff in the Swan Lake wetlands, Phillip Island</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjafPbjcYcw9398kLJvU8FIPCA2gUIObaBzPLfMxXUj_wG5_TnVgn1Lv6P6voVfPFD6Z_cnpuLFccROHSLa9T4PlUpZzSTMFaAJBiXiU26lopvn-NRiUYakWmUZbCwfkwpxjJvLEXcx5DJ1G5KZ9J1lmYYyCFhKJSnOUupcDXAuGN6h24SC-Tc_RO1kAg/s1000/Swamp%20Wallaby.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="666" data-original-width="1000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjafPbjcYcw9398kLJvU8FIPCA2gUIObaBzPLfMxXUj_wG5_TnVgn1Lv6P6voVfPFD6Z_cnpuLFccROHSLa9T4PlUpZzSTMFaAJBiXiU26lopvn-NRiUYakWmUZbCwfkwpxjJvLEXcx5DJ1G5KZ9J1lmYYyCFhKJSnOUupcDXAuGN6h24SC-Tc_RO1kAg/w640-h426/Swamp%20Wallaby.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Swamp Wallaby taking a drink, Swan Lake wetlands, Phillip Island</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTvToBauP-iae4KitFeGIhtgNwyCAFvMSACHwERLlpzIAJGVu5GCgYJHlxky7GgyvLd8Q77miZA3V5PQIXOHdRAgguSieD-ynHDELhEq1jwSjzUnN7iG_9HQA5N-b2ChN2t3IUZtafNlHqdhFQhvmXUCI1Uq8uyRKy8IUknyfpAuUpMYk-SAu50wneXg/s1000/Spoonbill%20New.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="660" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTvToBauP-iae4KitFeGIhtgNwyCAFvMSACHwERLlpzIAJGVu5GCgYJHlxky7GgyvLd8Q77miZA3V5PQIXOHdRAgguSieD-ynHDELhEq1jwSjzUnN7iG_9HQA5N-b2ChN2t3IUZtafNlHqdhFQhvmXUCI1Uq8uyRKy8IUknyfpAuUpMYk-SAu50wneXg/s16000/Spoonbill%20New.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spoonbill working the shallows, Swan Lake wetlands, Phillip Island<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwLfEnN8RrlxGFgBnSv4dnPbC2QYSY02xy0HTW85INM4Do8X0EavJzYeHPtpEIHa82JeAoiqA7jfBq4HIH-6iUrVp5rjoGVmi3oG4-pUoZmY--Y5qKbeszvtddQ8nxjBacLtU53CO1MrB1tjsT2aMAxJ_7OFbEUZ72Q_xOKtvJPgfinMd4hKXwPFZvcA/s1000/Duck.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwLfEnN8RrlxGFgBnSv4dnPbC2QYSY02xy0HTW85INM4Do8X0EavJzYeHPtpEIHa82JeAoiqA7jfBq4HIH-6iUrVp5rjoGVmi3oG4-pUoZmY--Y5qKbeszvtddQ8nxjBacLtU53CO1MrB1tjsT2aMAxJ_7OFbEUZ72Q_xOKtvJPgfinMd4hKXwPFZvcA/w640-h426/Duck.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cute, but as yet unidentified duck, Swan Lake wetlands, Phillip Island</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjflq5gzl-5mMjQZTnHpxFWWEZbp7_qafukJ8sz4TPfpqaiYZ9D4ZCv9eVL9uY4BiLbK4dDIrbDuX_As942tjhoCLYTvd6FRELgLP_JG1yQXm3yvvlKmWIEP8Qy6codNbyyvQtlgQ7oRuWH3TiPEbEqoHAaHO6sNipwQ_vbRdLb2wpQh4am7x4RyyT_QA/s1000/Chesnut%20Teal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjflq5gzl-5mMjQZTnHpxFWWEZbp7_qafukJ8sz4TPfpqaiYZ9D4ZCv9eVL9uY4BiLbK4dDIrbDuX_As942tjhoCLYTvd6FRELgLP_JG1yQXm3yvvlKmWIEP8Qy6codNbyyvQtlgQ7oRuWH3TiPEbEqoHAaHO6sNipwQ_vbRdLb2wpQh4am7x4RyyT_QA/s16000/Chesnut%20Teal.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Female Chestnut Teal, Swan Lake wetlands</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVpKXC3LZbK62Y7wVmiBEc6bd6i3PTrWQCAZN9EZtXXZ-59tyUZT-mcRXwXbHKMSfyszWntGpIm5ascjEh8b16c8ORCbh3p4zLg8fX_rUzG-nsRTsCg-hVv8LZxPAW8jcedSLYK8py6ZqOVCT1JxYEFzoo8jIGnL2-Fyablxfxeocd1laH6nJalqHdKw/s1000/Cowes%20Swan%20Lake%20Walk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVpKXC3LZbK62Y7wVmiBEc6bd6i3PTrWQCAZN9EZtXXZ-59tyUZT-mcRXwXbHKMSfyszWntGpIm5ascjEh8b16c8ORCbh3p4zLg8fX_rUzG-nsRTsCg-hVv8LZxPAW8jcedSLYK8py6ZqOVCT1JxYEFzoo8jIGnL2-Fyablxfxeocd1laH6nJalqHdKw/w640-h426/Cowes%20Swan%20Lake%20Walk.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A nice bit of forest walk approaching Swan Lake wetland</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div></div>Robin Nicholshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03650101386350865476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-263800359958569028.post-37209737213067627912022-05-29T18:34:00.003+10:002022-05-29T18:41:03.329+10:00All Koala'd Up on Raymond Island<p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">One of the things we really wanted to see on a recent road trip down the coast to Eden, Bairnsdale and Phillip Island was a koala or two. Not those in zoos, but koalas in the 'wild'. To this end we headed for <b>Paynesville</b> and <b>Raymond Island,</b> a 20 minute drive from Bairnsdale, in the <b>Gippsland Lakes</b> area. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Getting to the island was fun - just find a parking spot somewhere along the shoreline strip in Paynesville, then hop on the ferry that crosses every 20 mins or so to the island - it's free for foot traffic. The island has a good population of koalas - most of whom have been translocated from other places (such as Phillip Island), due to over-population, loss of habitat and over-development. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Apart from the short but peaceful ride across the straights on the punt (it's like a giant version of the <b>Putney punt</b> here in Sydney), spotting koalas is not as hard as I expected it might be. For a start, the local council has set up a koala trail, making it easy to take a walking tour around the best koala viewing spots. I guess the trail is around a kilometre or two of easy sandy paths among the manna gums favoured by the little bears (not actually bears). Another bonus is that these trees are not really high - we were expecting to be craning our necks looking for koalas in 50-foot trees. Most are around 15 - 25 foot high - a 300m lens was more than enough to fill the frame with pictures of these somnolent marsupials.</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjngSVolyOB_3edQ0jAtx3yVNuJ4DNrcEVTsOf9uuOvJbkQ2d8lZfLXcJxs2X2BvKbYkjcZbU2pQlw3f3dwoHzXiU5dIbmnQwrx8hibyEYediMkMrcPwaWdCQlluFAa3-nbSDkUq1kYvWs_mTQZvjT4nmir8TsAFhoMmBpXXPNM5Zb0DZgXLHgtsZaeDA/s1000/Koalas%2001.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="741" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjngSVolyOB_3edQ0jAtx3yVNuJ4DNrcEVTsOf9uuOvJbkQ2d8lZfLXcJxs2X2BvKbYkjcZbU2pQlw3f3dwoHzXiU5dIbmnQwrx8hibyEYediMkMrcPwaWdCQlluFAa3-nbSDkUq1kYvWs_mTQZvjT4nmir8TsAFhoMmBpXXPNM5Zb0DZgXLHgtsZaeDA/s16000/Koalas%2001.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Pics by Natalie Hitchens</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixEBeS2jQ8_iIPcB43F18LW05l4OVNUpNRNyFxwAsciZBxbw6Jgn4ofGKqBIxlSwg2vLSP2xSISrP3jZNqh3txW9hINqtWEFwfYuUse61fSyvxAZuzDQm63_AK3yAXQk6RfTrdy0djR7ncr1I4ptZk1mvi_wNGTBeRfKHjSp6lUrq2I6q0bmSLxp_P-w/s1000/Koalas%2002.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="714" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixEBeS2jQ8_iIPcB43F18LW05l4OVNUpNRNyFxwAsciZBxbw6Jgn4ofGKqBIxlSwg2vLSP2xSISrP3jZNqh3txW9hINqtWEFwfYuUse61fSyvxAZuzDQm63_AK3yAXQk6RfTrdy0djR7ncr1I4ptZk1mvi_wNGTBeRfKHjSp6lUrq2I6q0bmSLxp_P-w/s16000/Koalas%2002.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">(Pic by Natalie Hitchens)</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;">We counted 17 koalas along our 90 minute walk - I later read that there are a lot more dotted around the island. And while most of the ones we spotted were in a food coma snoozing, a few lifted their heads as we jostled to get the best angle - while trying to avoid the usual 'black blob' against an overexposed sky type of result I see a lot on the 'net. If I were to revisit this place, I'd probably use a flash to add a little <b>fill light</b> but as you can see here, the light wasn't contrasty so we were able to capture a lot of facial detail without losing features or much of the background colour.</div></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: justify;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqDLLrRj2XqjS8rYOvcGfOWOPivgdB4GZH-MDFlRCx5DanFG7ZjJax_Sz9Or_jNaAVlGoDC_JaNQW98fbj8GdcaPIO4MGRFrDe2ZJgEb3mLP90dqVauxPGBTNOsgZR9TqTn-R63w_XRVdJcu5pP5cvDNsT4w9_5fG2dcEdK5IRk-f6-u6lyaze760lYw/s1000/Koalas%2003.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="741" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqDLLrRj2XqjS8rYOvcGfOWOPivgdB4GZH-MDFlRCx5DanFG7ZjJax_Sz9Or_jNaAVlGoDC_JaNQW98fbj8GdcaPIO4MGRFrDe2ZJgEb3mLP90dqVauxPGBTNOsgZR9TqTn-R63w_XRVdJcu5pP5cvDNsT4w9_5fG2dcEdK5IRk-f6-u6lyaze760lYw/s16000/Koalas%2003.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Above left by Natalie Hitchens (right by Robin Nichols).<br /></span><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Besides koalas, Raymond Island is also host to a wide range of other mammals and bird species. We walked for a couple of hours and saw no kangaroos or wallabies but there were a lot of birds messing about in the dense shrubbery. You know the sort - LBJs (little brown jobs) that are very active and noisy - but only ever sit on the opposite side of a bush so, though you know they are there, you rarely get a glimpse of anything other than a sense of movement and a few bird calls. <br />However, one that I did recognise was a <b>butcher bird</b> - these birds are relatively common all over but what was special about this one was it was deconstructing a mouse that it had just caught. Like the proverbial leopard up a tree, this bird had the unfortunate mouse wedged in a fork of the bush and was feeding off it.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP3BXaM98t8Ba3JNFyDY-rhM3oA6mjh1u1mPlUJyvK_bu1R1fovfEZVwTg7k2lxcVClZKwzQoox4maZlR9pBSJMqnHOxryt90B2fFJC8INfuVWeNxjGR-3-MfaBpYwtil61u1phQdAO_AeTwRvCCM7TAYW1hC-8xnq7vSjYDJmDGiCbvv8HnSwthrGRA/s1000/Raymond%20Butcher%20Mouse%20NEW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP3BXaM98t8Ba3JNFyDY-rhM3oA6mjh1u1mPlUJyvK_bu1R1fovfEZVwTg7k2lxcVClZKwzQoox4maZlR9pBSJMqnHOxryt90B2fFJC8INfuVWeNxjGR-3-MfaBpYwtil61u1phQdAO_AeTwRvCCM7TAYW1hC-8xnq7vSjYDJmDGiCbvv8HnSwthrGRA/s16000/Raymond%20Butcher%20Mouse%20NEW.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Tricky to capture in any photo because of the dense foliage, I was forced to use manual focus (MF) because, with so many branches between camera and the subject, my poor old Canon 5D MkIII didn't know where to focus! <b>Tip for avid photographers:</b> Most cameras, even relatively inexpensive models, have a feature called a <b>variable focus point </b>(or something similar). What this means is that you can set the camera to use different areas of the viewfinder with which to focus. For this very tricky subject I set my Canon to use single point focus - this is a single point measuring about 5% of the total area (it can be moved around the viewfinder, depending on where in the frame the subject sits) - even then it had great difficulty in determining which part of the scene to focus on - so I set it to MF mode and relied on my eyesight to focus on the right 'bit'. 10 pictures later, I got this, best of the bunch.</span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq3cj8Ydi31xgDAD7a20MWTpDVDQTo0NOkZPQOKNNq_Xh6oAEJkD7QNzhHAz8cU1g7odfyaiwFtKjpgS9bhre030DB9vEFkVwYub-uiykdcg4p3fjOLkEtLUEFirW_gAyjCLHolZgz--aV1CBOJkViD5WsQKeAMuCxl7qSFEIcN3UjdoLDyJzFMQadiQ/s1000/Walas.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="734" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq3cj8Ydi31xgDAD7a20MWTpDVDQTo0NOkZPQOKNNq_Xh6oAEJkD7QNzhHAz8cU1g7odfyaiwFtKjpgS9bhre030DB9vEFkVwYub-uiykdcg4p3fjOLkEtLUEFirW_gAyjCLHolZgz--aV1CBOJkViD5WsQKeAMuCxl7qSFEIcN3UjdoLDyJzFMQadiQ/s16000/Walas.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pics by Natalie Hitchens.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>Robin Nicholshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03650101386350865476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-263800359958569028.post-57026001859944593732022-05-29T17:23:00.002+10:002022-05-29T17:55:13.619+10:00A Visit to Churchill Island<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpxLLmbhbiZ-Zo0Q8xm218GRblFxgnKCd4iBuopxlv2qzKlBYcNgcSymdahyM51KYcIoFReWyle8MyNVNcDPp6qJEeAjruQw5sQ1YNqm8S3fkk5wEbVtC-gSizb_HqUCYn09yoydH1X4luEayqmam7HVsnmSv48XmQSZjtQjphbEfxnAfbYWgz_CXIbg/s1000/NATY1198-Edit%20sml.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="510" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpxLLmbhbiZ-Zo0Q8xm218GRblFxgnKCd4iBuopxlv2qzKlBYcNgcSymdahyM51KYcIoFReWyle8MyNVNcDPp6qJEeAjruQw5sQ1YNqm8S3fkk5wEbVtC-gSizb_HqUCYn09yoydH1X4luEayqmam7HVsnmSv48XmQSZjtQjphbEfxnAfbYWgz_CXIbg/s16000/NATY1198-Edit%20sml.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Looking over to Phillip Island. Highland cattle are a big drawcard on Churchill Island <br />(Pic by Natalie Hitchens).</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana; text-align: left;">It's been a while since I last posted anything on this blog - November last year, in fact. Far too long. But without engaging much in the way of serious travel over the past few months, I've genuinely found it hard to pick up my cameras and get inspired. <br />Th</span><span style="font-family: verdana; text-align: left;">is mood changed on a recent road trip to Victoria. With multiple overnight stopovers on the way down the coast (Princes Hwy), nine days of great weather and being surrounded by gorgeous East and South coast scenery in both States, it was not long before I was back in the groove with my camera again</span><span style="font-family: verdana; text-align: left;">. </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana; text-align: left;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnkMSKvCI0qhh4oje2rF_d-rdTutsrp6RlzuonJMQsV20V7FLCYt22nfB_UL1DsVziZbVNoDx645aj-suB-OyLgvVoR8Swd2foInwguqLY3Bh3bsG1I4Mie8gU6bbt4jwjTuYBVbWgcpvP1FaMDobmuioCzMtXL2A6i4U6vqYS3cWfnNeeZqSgXgqt4g/s1000/NATY1214%20sml.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="632" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnkMSKvCI0qhh4oje2rF_d-rdTutsrp6RlzuonJMQsV20V7FLCYt22nfB_UL1DsVziZbVNoDx645aj-suB-OyLgvVoR8Swd2foInwguqLY3Bh3bsG1I4Mie8gU6bbt4jwjTuYBVbWgcpvP1FaMDobmuioCzMtXL2A6i4U6vqYS3cWfnNeeZqSgXgqt4g/s16000/NATY1214%20sml.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Highland cow (Pic by Natalie Hitchens).</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"></span><div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiupDeP4KJMv_h8CPfY9_R56jz-qrfxysnJBHihocu0d7q8bLpIwxTz99XF4QESzp211DbugaRP0PCc37Mn8KA87KtEeEEtm9TOSXFUWoG6v8tGz8GdNUXrwL4qVUdqLkGTtmXaVHxyZ7XJZJWjEeubxqMFkYI-xWlkgwZhSbdePXFcgiEGbE84cO3kdg/s800/Churchill.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiupDeP4KJMv_h8CPfY9_R56jz-qrfxysnJBHihocu0d7q8bLpIwxTz99XF4QESzp211DbugaRP0PCc37Mn8KA87KtEeEEtm9TOSXFUWoG6v8tGz8GdNUXrwL4qVUdqLkGTtmXaVHxyZ7XJZJWjEeubxqMFkYI-xWlkgwZhSbdePXFcgiEGbE84cO3kdg/w400-h231/Churchill.jpg" /></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Tiny Churchill Island lies just off the coast of Phillip Island and is part of the Phillip Island Nature Parks that maintains the Penguin Parade attraction as well as several other attractions.</span></div></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhfoSzbO6TH1who1n-fQ9QGXdG5yjBno6fRs2pxPAabejPwsFC6NoEIo3hbm5fQQGR4IDCjAybkBGRFM6UrKrJFRmvD2dgSwbdySvpTWPEGyroxqU4smyb-Q46UTMcaUthqSqHKh_trFtyQeEoWBQpERjRp4-8xlHDEVzd1ufcTeZjivkPFionnQj-Rw/s1000/Churchill%201%20new.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="329" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhfoSzbO6TH1who1n-fQ9QGXdG5yjBno6fRs2pxPAabejPwsFC6NoEIo3hbm5fQQGR4IDCjAybkBGRFM6UrKrJFRmvD2dgSwbdySvpTWPEGyroxqU4smyb-Q46UTMcaUthqSqHKh_trFtyQeEoWBQpERjRp4-8xlHDEVzd1ufcTeZjivkPFionnQj-Rw/s16000/Churchill%201%20new.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">The site includes a magnificent swathe of farmland stretching down to the mangroves that separate Churchill from Phillip Island and the original farm and homestead (built on the highest point on the island). Each room is furnished by the National Trust in the style of the period. The island was originally purchased by a former mayor of Melbourne, Samuel Amess in 1857. <br /><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3intjfopcPH5mDRB1ATw41nIHoXVqEQ5tGctwWV3gb6Hg8FbyGjbodKUBlltY1GZWJ5mQgVyCW8w0WBgPL6iSb6SBML-thimrZ8VvthA-z9jyThPorZV1qDvjIQN3JTQgAzd3k68XWOiAYOyVDWlRcwS5dUEISBufdrd6Xrnv5OHfjy8oqKJzZvaZtA/s1000/Churchill%202%20sml.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="329" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3intjfopcPH5mDRB1ATw41nIHoXVqEQ5tGctwWV3gb6Hg8FbyGjbodKUBlltY1GZWJ5mQgVyCW8w0WBgPL6iSb6SBML-thimrZ8VvthA-z9jyThPorZV1qDvjIQN3JTQgAzd3k68XWOiAYOyVDWlRcwS5dUEISBufdrd6Xrnv5OHfjy8oqKJzZvaZtA/s16000/Churchill%202%20sml.jpg" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8FNS1zik33760itonFyK8tkSmW6H2NpaKu7y7beIdnM8h_hn_rB7jUeYEhYfpFRni2wv8eIupWMu3MbgZvB_XJsLpMlkRntypHrDI6SuOc2dlJSBBt23mEqS4k-T25yi3nmnc9Bp_ZEfkoF4lk4mA0mq33TaMAy2n1GO4yGA9nM0TwiZZl-NlvU84Xg/s1000/Churchill%203%20sml.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="329" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8FNS1zik33760itonFyK8tkSmW6H2NpaKu7y7beIdnM8h_hn_rB7jUeYEhYfpFRni2wv8eIupWMu3MbgZvB_XJsLpMlkRntypHrDI6SuOc2dlJSBBt23mEqS4k-T25yi3nmnc9Bp_ZEfkoF4lk4mA0mq33TaMAy2n1GO4yGA9nM0TwiZZl-NlvU84Xg/s16000/Churchill%203%20sml.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">As the rooms were quite dingy - possibly both to recreate the feel of a past century (but also to prevent the furnishings from fading drastically?), we shot everything using a one stop bracket, then assembled the resulting RAW files using my favourite HDR software Aurora. Doing this enables you to reveal details in the darkest corners of the rooms while making the result look quite natural.<br /></span><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7otm6of391f8EfMgisIhNZ3EiTrIqEMGvFd0J36APnXCkA9UrPAol7eZmrXyJXrcfFLPYIpLruTrMl2i-_jBhxond0dOw-hKeHl2RyUGgFAFVdLmzn8ngwBqFi0kLuEsHB-97L-tZ0_dBkGdUWXkhWoddK0U3oxXbHGJPMY1msroQcF8_39BTbr7EkA/s1000/Churchill%204%20sml.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="329" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7otm6of391f8EfMgisIhNZ3EiTrIqEMGvFd0J36APnXCkA9UrPAol7eZmrXyJXrcfFLPYIpLruTrMl2i-_jBhxond0dOw-hKeHl2RyUGgFAFVdLmzn8ngwBqFi0kLuEsHB-97L-tZ0_dBkGdUWXkhWoddK0U3oxXbHGJPMY1msroQcF8_39BTbr7EkA/s16000/Churchill%204%20sml.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Vjlktv_qlaqzPhExkWE1qIncb8CmB65oVo7o761fiIgFJQsEt7EkWtgu-mi5WHQVDLYUGzpDdeFOGWKs6LQK5gOYKrYFfvB-e8DMnG6RULhO1QIymluE9dOWOxiq5zD1qAtNi1fN9H9oFzdCfAl51ioWh_lfCzgPWN2QXhcuGwK2E-TU6S-zGyBwHQ/s1000/NATY1311%20sml.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="665" data-original-width="1000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Vjlktv_qlaqzPhExkWE1qIncb8CmB65oVo7o761fiIgFJQsEt7EkWtgu-mi5WHQVDLYUGzpDdeFOGWKs6LQK5gOYKrYFfvB-e8DMnG6RULhO1QIymluE9dOWOxiq5zD1qAtNi1fN9H9oFzdCfAl51ioWh_lfCzgPWN2QXhcuGwK2E-TU6S-zGyBwHQ/w640-h426/NATY1311%20sml.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Chook doing what free range chooks do best - clean up the grubs and bugs in the garden beds (Pic by Natalie Hitchens).</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM7zaZ0C36wOudx7DTVLswgHrKIKQz8luzoZfHlDjVYHMSjKgfGxhQqWbBukIf9YRr6MSMILuWSV3rr96Txt7TxG_KdNXClAIBdn8Cb-LVV9lmcNr1juKwJe1SdOS_vWCzt7fezQf5zx6iu04rjZsPT9_51o5ykDIPAwJfgPqt0fnv1qNwZ_fEXXpj4Q/s1000/Churchill%205%20new.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="329" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM7zaZ0C36wOudx7DTVLswgHrKIKQz8luzoZfHlDjVYHMSjKgfGxhQqWbBukIf9YRr6MSMILuWSV3rr96Txt7TxG_KdNXClAIBdn8Cb-LVV9lmcNr1juKwJe1SdOS_vWCzt7fezQf5zx6iu04rjZsPT9_51o5ykDIPAwJfgPqt0fnv1qNwZ_fEXXpj4Q/s16000/Churchill%205%20new.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE2URLuUFZXqaBxufRi8VHxvAShKg_mJ9JIMQI3C1cMdDyUR5q7Y6suIyHkkh0LSrwOk1sk1OJD5xvhzaDeLs93ys3MdNgxhWVHjh-Kxi43YTMsrevUBvzR7xFnVaBD2Gc2O8pPJQcNx5zibsTH7EMFD1cR3K0axK2yRObWfmJs85gwXCRoAZQDoJV7g/s1000/NATY1278%20sml.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE2URLuUFZXqaBxufRi8VHxvAShKg_mJ9JIMQI3C1cMdDyUR5q7Y6suIyHkkh0LSrwOk1sk1OJD5xvhzaDeLs93ys3MdNgxhWVHjh-Kxi43YTMsrevUBvzR7xFnVaBD2Gc2O8pPJQcNx5zibsTH7EMFD1cR3K0axK2yRObWfmJs85gwXCRoAZQDoJV7g/w400-h266/NATY1278%20sml.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Yours truly posing by a striking mural in one of Churchill Island's shearing sheds (Pic by Natalie Hitchens).</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Robin Nicholshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03650101386350865476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-263800359958569028.post-70079967186501571352021-11-02T12:13:00.002+11:002021-11-02T12:18:01.196+11:00Photoshop Elements releases its 2022 version<p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Adobe has released a new version of its incredibly effective image and graphics editor - <b>Adobe Photoshop Elements 2022</b>.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">As expected there's not a lot of amazing new tools or features in this release because it is already just about full of everything you might ever need to create great work - from existing images or from the ground up. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjCCTNMvHIpgWowoIWj99IKom7Kerlbtp7eI_xwiQ5X1nxddYT3YNyJCR99HZ0fWHQsLGEoc4trS-cEE1dKZVTkco8Px6uFlj6YkuFFoXZcugAyOyIX9DKLwW4XqLUqQ3s8wENg3x5OoX-oTxgdIZxcuK5I1GpnmeSk_aTek-pRignSVTNVayCPoUjvgw=s1689" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="228" data-original-width="1689" height="86" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjCCTNMvHIpgWowoIWj99IKom7Kerlbtp7eI_xwiQ5X1nxddYT3YNyJCR99HZ0fWHQsLGEoc4trS-cEE1dKZVTkco8Px6uFlj6YkuFFoXZcugAyOyIX9DKLwW4XqLUqQ3s8wENg3x5OoX-oTxgdIZxcuK5I1GpnmeSk_aTek-pRignSVTNVayCPoUjvgw=w640-h86" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />That said, Adobe has been working hard to develop its AI or artificial intelligence features that started several years ago with things like its excellent Photomerge Panorama maker - in this latest version you'll spot 30 new painterly 'looks' (some of which are visible above) that can add an instant WOW effect to almost any image, an automatic background extender for recomposing your images, a Perfect Pet Guided Edit mode, a new Transform command called Warp (which has filtered through from Photoshop CC) plus a slightly simpler GUI layout and some new animated effects designed expressly for social media.<br /><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgGw6YCKgDC6wjYkXe-2gLhFw8_SOYj4NM57QgIOSK6ITULgeySdOzdDMKYrRSVgGsH9rCGYkUCESEpMol3xjVdSo3uJMZEP0L2IzU28EIjigtq8uHL0pmyj7E1NrB-h4n3_5na1H-ZfokLc1TsPcZ31Mn16hONAkOq2kogXE8bxKHHCdaclWJps21lfw=s1352" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1352" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgGw6YCKgDC6wjYkXe-2gLhFw8_SOYj4NM57QgIOSK6ITULgeySdOzdDMKYrRSVgGsH9rCGYkUCESEpMol3xjVdSo3uJMZEP0L2IzU28EIjigtq8uHL0pmyj7E1NrB-h4n3_5na1H-ZfokLc1TsPcZ31Mn16hONAkOq2kogXE8bxKHHCdaclWJps21lfw=w426-h640" width="426" /></a></div></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">I was particularly pleased to see that the <b>Warp Transform</b> function, available previously only in the text mode, can now by applied to images. I use this a lot as it is great for creating 3D effects with images, shadows, faces and much more. No need to upgrade to Photoshop any more as you'll find it under the Ctrl/Cmd + T function (or Image>Transform>Warp).</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgKJDVDgSnIx7YGN-A-btxQVAqK90rXAd6eOhvmOkuqPOGNj1A23Q7goRzTLsq5vRc1inCVMof3-x951OcaSg9vCSsR311zu_-2sYdrVKGm6yJXGAwEovKfc61qkEcv0odshTN7W-kLK91V3xFlTS4EWFvtpupTlSKPpMwlSXe5POBDSrVMcv-YGOKWGw=s1000" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="402" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgKJDVDgSnIx7YGN-A-btxQVAqK90rXAd6eOhvmOkuqPOGNj1A23Q7goRzTLsq5vRc1inCVMof3-x951OcaSg9vCSsR311zu_-2sYdrVKGm6yJXGAwEovKfc61qkEcv0odshTN7W-kLK91V3xFlTS4EWFvtpupTlSKPpMwlSXe5POBDSrVMcv-YGOKWGw=s16000" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">While you could always apply the sort of text warp you see below in Elements, applying it to an image only became possible in this new 2022 version! At left is the original image and although the Warp Transform command is manually operated, there are a few warp presets which include: Twist, Inflate and Squeeze. </td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhH5kAis_Kz97W1hCC7rhafcSMXYbIsaV3aKmemZAg90PUcO683IwEsd7h9XD6EnW5Y3hJ38uxuD5bx2c6Ezqz5aLSpKYNjOlVhxU2NVI8jBmusYpLeijPUK-JOYBuo80pPdbZaJ-TnW3KTbbhDPDckDuSELduMVbKy7aT2Snq_vTeEPyvpgFgGGh3jvg=s1000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="584" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhH5kAis_Kz97W1hCC7rhafcSMXYbIsaV3aKmemZAg90PUcO683IwEsd7h9XD6EnW5Y3hJ38uxuD5bx2c6Ezqz5aLSpKYNjOlVhxU2NVI8jBmusYpLeijPUK-JOYBuo80pPdbZaJ-TnW3KTbbhDPDckDuSELduMVbKy7aT2Snq_vTeEPyvpgFgGGh3jvg=s16000" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhepfxK0YWXymn1cL74wG4Ns-inLG2rqk5zkIwTeIrcN1sMcLPx41te93BGPhR1-1gmvGFBJw6XrLq_0iG6Gw3KE4MADv9Z36hAymrke2UJjSHYVenjEmD9t2TB8f4FSdWgPvv63XHOdIfWMas76teklZFzoFmJPmPPGZCG9Wmjcg8rCUvmJB34VRrgdw=s1000" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="701" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhepfxK0YWXymn1cL74wG4Ns-inLG2rqk5zkIwTeIrcN1sMcLPx41te93BGPhR1-1gmvGFBJw6XrLq_0iG6Gw3KE4MADv9Z36hAymrke2UJjSHYVenjEmD9t2TB8f4FSdWgPvv63XHOdIfWMas76teklZFzoFmJPmPPGZCG9Wmjcg8rCUvmJB34VRrgdw=s16000" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I use the Warp Transform function to produce 3D effects like this offset and warped drop shadow...</td></tr></tbody></table><br />All in all it's a good update, making a range of high value effects almost too easy while pushing some of its functionality firmly in the direction of social media - watch out for my updated book "<b>Mastering Adobe Photoshop Elements 2022</b>" due out, hopefully by the end of the year....</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p>Robin Nicholshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03650101386350865476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-263800359958569028.post-14725649416026054962021-08-05T18:48:00.007+10:002021-08-06T15:40:29.955+10:00Hand Colouring Photos <p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVYx-yI3f8J1hoDnLbcPpj5Sy-XsxEFtghQGQI2GgKH5qUCJFrP1cQCx80fHOBOCRg7nsZN2wXNECcWVxaac-uqHpahOqz_B4UidQq_Hpn19GFdSnCz-3dBuLZTHg6lnEhFQqX00Jnsz2_/s1000/painting+9+smaller.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="668" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVYx-yI3f8J1hoDnLbcPpj5Sy-XsxEFtghQGQI2GgKH5qUCJFrP1cQCx80fHOBOCRg7nsZN2wXNECcWVxaac-uqHpahOqz_B4UidQq_Hpn19GFdSnCz-3dBuLZTHg6lnEhFQqX00Jnsz2_/s16000/painting+9+smaller.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>Original image, Kasuga Shrine, Nara, Japan</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Some years back I spent a lot of time hand-colouring black-and-white prints and (trying to) sell them as framed prints.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">It's a wonderful process that can be done using almost any type of water-based inks, dyes and crayons - although transparent oil paint is probably the most traditional of all colouring medium. <br /><br />Of course the introduction of colour photography was a big nail in the coffin for all those black-and-white colourists. And then along came digital which more or less finished it off - although there are still a few diehard enthusiasts pursuing the technique.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVIXXoUMESwEQT29H7Tk26eJA9GYglDJQ3kfbH1DgSmsa3Kx43BRfnCqkkw8QEUut2dH2IU18zR80E17Q-rz3Zr5L_Dm_86EfOkPm_eUAvZL_PgCTphkqWbsgid2KrABxy2rOidm2yk_zc/s1000/Kasuga+01+small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="705" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVIXXoUMESwEQT29H7Tk26eJA9GYglDJQ3kfbH1DgSmsa3Kx43BRfnCqkkw8QEUut2dH2IU18zR80E17Q-rz3Zr5L_Dm_86EfOkPm_eUAvZL_PgCTphkqWbsgid2KrABxy2rOidm2yk_zc/s16000/Kasuga+01+small.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><p class="p1" style="font-family: Verdana; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: start;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;">This is a heavily desaturated file, printed onto <b>Arches </b>textured watercolour inkjet paper. To reduce the amount of ink going onto the paper, I processed the file using JixiPix's excellent <b>Moku Hanga</b> (woodblock) software, before it was desaturated using Photoshop Elements.</span></span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisRNKXwVfznpIId7dZ1fTKT0xjz4l1R65x1aH6j4lIyk5LPuvO5nbCb0F-m6ttv1Eg5C-4EojCve5dElJ-GoniN9f5s6HA10T466mul1SNAZRkG_IKah3CQuORTrCjbFG1JI50TKyTIMzo/s1000/Kasuga+2+small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="708" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisRNKXwVfznpIId7dZ1fTKT0xjz4l1R65x1aH6j4lIyk5LPuvO5nbCb0F-m6ttv1Eg5C-4EojCve5dElJ-GoniN9f5s6HA10T466mul1SNAZRkG_IKah3CQuORTrCjbFG1JI50TKyTIMzo/s16000/Kasuga+2+small.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><p class="p1" style="font-family: Verdana; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: start;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none; font-size: medium;">I quickly realised that the inkjet printer ink, although not exactly waterproof, acted as a reasonably effective barrier to my watercolour paint - you can see the uneven flow of colour most noticeably in the trees. Because this is a coated watercolour paper it needs a bit of wetting before any colour goes onto the paper - this dramatically helps you achieve a more even and smooth ink application.</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: Verdana; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: start;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none; font-size: medium;">As you can see below.</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYxx6gnji5Q5MkZJRsjX-2mN4NcxWkobYwOzfDb7ThXQezqCOm21pf3gQhSahhuZ3JdEvNL9EC3uaepdq9Dvr1Fw-l-b5soiVzKvZtW3goQvM0yT6M3KBAr4Dvu0bXGQDMRokXmcGZ5Ey0/s1000/Kasuga+3.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="704" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYxx6gnji5Q5MkZJRsjX-2mN4NcxWkobYwOzfDb7ThXQezqCOm21pf3gQhSahhuZ3JdEvNL9EC3uaepdq9Dvr1Fw-l-b5soiVzKvZtW3goQvM0yT6M3KBAr4Dvu0bXGQDMRokXmcGZ5Ey0/s16000/Kasuga+3.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><p class="p1" style="font-family: Verdana; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: start;"><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none; font-size: medium;">Here's another attempt (done on a slightly lighter and more contrasty print original). The tones were easier to reproduce because there was less ink on the paper - it's worked far better than the initial attempt.</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI029J9EbVMz0U_zE2PtZb5CMSOf-iVp5mxoXJ3uuII6UZ62PEv-3Eha97OZYm80ewWRJWaMEbHtmYnquU2LBjt9YCnX-HGUkJ7Ht_5y-wbc6Qd0EghtIKPTQnpp161jldPlfPDGe41CJP/s1000/Kasuga+New+small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI029J9EbVMz0U_zE2PtZb5CMSOf-iVp5mxoXJ3uuII6UZ62PEv-3Eha97OZYm80ewWRJWaMEbHtmYnquU2LBjt9YCnX-HGUkJ7Ht_5y-wbc6Qd0EghtIKPTQnpp161jldPlfPDGe41CJP/s16000/Kasuga+New+small.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: another version - and below: the original painting... <br /></span><br /></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUj_jgtTcBgRWQ3z02QBlelLVpi1tt7SKOCJ4xaQlCVPWVRGfv566q-AEFS5x-vKtNKcx9wRqy74WAFLweqaJeXqQiBaiODPxWAo-p9OW4dBkgVt_hlkQlqKyeZwNKYzOCXRzABsXbPv0w/s1000/Japan+Kasuga+small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="651" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUj_jgtTcBgRWQ3z02QBlelLVpi1tt7SKOCJ4xaQlCVPWVRGfv566q-AEFS5x-vKtNKcx9wRqy74WAFLweqaJeXqQiBaiODPxWAo-p9OW4dBkgVt_hlkQlqKyeZwNKYzOCXRzABsXbPv0w/s16000/Japan+Kasuga+small.jpg" /></a></div><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Robin Nicholshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03650101386350865476noreply@blogger.com1