A couple of images from Sorrento Back Beach, Vic, Au, during the peak of Aurora Australis on May 11th.
I’ve never seen or experienced anything like this before. Previously I’ve only ever seen the aurora as a distant tiny colour smudge on the horizon. This night was something special. 🙂
The setting sun at Tenby Point beach, Western Port Bay.
On this occasion the tide was so high that the water’s edge was all the way up to the vegetation line so there wasn’t much opportunity to explore the beach. We could only walk a few short metres to the left of the access stairs and no further.
Fortunately though it was still possible to catch a glimpse of the setting sun from this position.
There are two public walking tracks into Bushrangers Bay that are about the same length. One track starts north-east of the bay at Boneo Road and the other track begins at the Cape Schanck lighthouse carpark, west of the bay.
We chose to walk the track from the Cape Schanck lighthouse carpark because it’s arguably more scenic and there’s a lot more carpark spaces available.
Along the sandy track there’s a couple of opportunities to look back along the coastline towards Pulpit Rock.
Further along the track the native trees enclose the path and form a welcoming tunnel.
After a bit of walking the bush track crosses the Burrabong Creek via a small wooden footbridge. Eventually the bush track opens onto the sandy beach of Bushrangers Bay. Here you’ll encounter Main Creek which cuts through the sandy beach and enters the ocean.
You need to cross the creek. You might get wet feet here depending on how much water is flowing in the creek at the time, and how far you can jump. 🙂
In the photo below, Main Creek cuts through the sandy beach on it’s way to the ocean.
After crossing the creek it’s a short walk to the beautiful rock formations and platforms where at low tide there are lots of small crystal clear rock pools exposed.
At the water’s edge the rock platforms rumble as waves slam into the steep rocky walls.
Looking back from the arch towards Bushrangers Bay, lots of people exploring the platforms and rockpools.
It was a public holiday and very busy.
When we arrived at the arch we found that much of it was in the shade with very bright background elements.
This is problematic from a photography perspective, but anyway you work with what you’re given. 🙂
Photo below – Using a nice wide lens, some ND filtering, and blending 3 exposures I ended up with a keeper that I like.
This image is available to purchase as a print here.
A long exposure image from Pearses Beach in Blairgowrie on the Mornington Peninsula. You can get to Pearses Beach by parking in the carpark at the southern end of Pearse Road in Blairgowrie, and walk a short distance along the sandy walking path to the beach.
A long exposure image from Bridgewater Bay, Blairgowrie, on the Mornington Peninsula.
This photo was taken in harsh daylight conditions, so I opted for a black and white conversion of this one as the prevailing daytime colours added nothing substantial to the image.
Tech stuff – 5 sec, f/13, ISO50, ND500 filter.
As an interesting aside to the image above, if you look carefully you can see two blurry figures on the cliff near top left of frame. The local kids like to jump from this cliff into a rock pool below. Great fun for the brave ones! 🙂
Here’s a zoomed-in view below.
To get to Bridgewater Bay, go to the carpark at the end of St Johns Wood Road, Blairgowrie and follow the sandy walking track south. The best time to visit is at low tide. At high tide all of the rock platforms are submerged and pretty much inaccessible.
Following are a couple of long exposure images from Montforts Beach taken at first light on a cloudy grey dawn. You can access Montforts Beach by parking at the Spray Point Road carpark and following the sandy walking track south. Montforts Beach is signposted along the track. It’s also well worthwhile visiting Spray Point while you’re here.
Tech stuff for the image below- 5 sec, f/11, ISO50.
Technical stuff for the image below – 2.5 secs, f/18, ISO50.
A couple of images from Cat Bay at Phillip Island. It’s a beaut spot for contemplation as you watch the waves roll in around the old jetty remnants. 🙂
A sweeping vista viewed from Woods Point Road, near Reefton in the beautiful Yarra Ranges, Victoria.
With still another 6 weeks of COVID-19 lock-down to endure, it makes me truly appreciate the simple joy of being able to get out and immerse myself in photography.