Richmond ducks

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Ducks. Always so attractive to children. Often used as an emblem of good parenting. The obvious connection made between duckling and the mother duck bring smiles to everyone.

I think this comes from our own need to belong. To be recognised as a part of something bigger.

The difficulties for humans come when we make our belonging a small group thing. If we are able to stretch our recognition of belonging to all our brothers and sisters there would be no us and them. No one to gossip about or war with.

Find connections.

Tasmanian adrenaline ride

Tasmanian Sea Cave

Raw beauty

This was definitely one of the adrenalin experiences in Tasmania. During a big swell the boat entered the cave and came through the other side. A rare thing apparently.

The rock remains the same

 

Lake Mackenzie sand patterns

The picture of a rock shelf peaking through the sand at Lake Mackenzie, Fraser Island makes me think of all the influences acting on me. The play of light and reflection on the currents in the water make the rock appear different each second, but underneath the rock remains the same. the reflections and light patterns are only cosmetic.

 

Not far from Barcelona is a chapel – its amazing

Faith

Can you spot the chapel on the side of the hill? Can you imagine what it must have taken to get the materials for this chapel to this site and the work it must have taken to build it? The amazing faith and perseverance started in 880 when a small group of shepherd children saw a bright light descending from the sky in the Montserrat mountains. They heard angels singing and music filled their hearts with a radiant joy.

Overwhelmed by the experience the children ran home to tell their parents. The parents were skeptical but they went to where the children had experienced the visions to see if they could see what all the fuss was about. For the whole month following the first visitation the parents were also witness to the same experiences and were left with only one conclusion. The visions were a sign from God.

A local priest was brought to the scene and had the same experiences as the children and parents. The visions occurred in a cave on the side of Montserrat mountain. The story goes that when this cave was explored by the religious elders of the community they found an image of the Virgin Mary. And from that moment on the cave became a holy sanctuary for religious pilgrims.

Today you can walk to the Capella de la Santa Cova and experience the phenomena for yourself.

 

Byron Bay Sunrise

Byron Bay morning warning

Dawn at Cape Byron is such a wonderful way to start the day. Clean air and delicate colours surround you with the tang of the sea and the sounds of birds awakening.  Runners are huffing up and down the tracks and around the point to complete their cardio for the day even before it begins.  The warning light of the lighthouse is fading as its job is completed for one more night. A still point to enjoy before the day’s adventure begins.

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Maybe not fish in a barrel, but close to it in Cadiz

I can’t say that I’m the fishing type. Apart from being vegan, I just don’t get the Aussie tradition of getting a bag of smelly bait and hanging out at the beach or on the jetty in the hot sun trying to tempt a fish to your hook. These little beauties almost came to a whistle. Well all it took was a  few crumbs of bread and I had the attention of a few. Then their mates got wind of it and it was every fish for himself. I quite like Goldy there – he was a bit of a show off.

It was a mutual appreciation society. I loved throwing crumbs and they loved eating them. This mob was gathered off the dock in Cadiz while we were waiting for the ferry back to Del Puerto Santa Maria and they entertained us for quite a while.

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A light experiment in Abu Dhabi

From a dark night to a light filled frame, through a slow shutter. One of the reasons I love photography is all about what a slow shutter can show. The red brake lights show as a red river as they come to stop at the traffic light. The sky has gone from jet black gray showing all the stray light pollution.

Wish I had time to stay longer to explore this modern convergence of crossroads.

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I landed at this international airport in Queensland

International what?

Now this is a what I call delusions of grandeur! Very cute though, and we were met by a van to be driven to the restaurant. It’s the opposite of the “BIG” things really. No big pineapple or big prawn and giant earthworm, just a small sign proclaiming the landing strip as an international airport. I wonder how often Customs gets a call to come out?

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Cool and inviting courtyard in Jerez, Spain

Tio Pepe, a Sherry manufacturer , was a cool relief after the warm streets of Jerez de la Frontera in Southern Spain. A short walk from the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art they offer a really interesting tour and lots of sherry tasting.

Peak Hour Warraber Island, Torres Strait

The main street of Warraber Island

Such a lush place to live and such beautiful people. Here it is still possible to walk out to the reef and pick up a crayfish. They have a very active darts competition, which I failed at badly. You can walk around the island in less than two hours and not see anyone – maybe because I did it in the middle of the afternoon when most people are sitting somewhere cool. A big Esso (thank you) to the Ailan people for making me feel so comfortable.