Humpback Whale Calendar 2008

With 2008 upon us, now is an opportune time to purchase a premium quality calendar.

This calendar features the magnificent creatures of the deep - humpback whales.

All these images were taken by Darren from onboard the 'Spirit' of Hervey Bay in Queensland, Australia.

Darren was invited by his sales agent, RedBubble, to write a comprehensive review of the calendar for the RedBubble community.

Calendar review - with photographs is here.

Please browse each page of the calendar and see below for purchasing details and pricing.

Cover

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

The calendar is available for direct purchase from Darren Stones and you're invited to contact him by email or telephone to arrange your purchase. Contact details are here.

Cost per calendar is AUD$35.00 + postage. Payment via PayPal is preferred.

The calendar is a premium product like you would expect to find in a quality store and gallery.

Some more of my work has been included in the RedBubble Video Montage courtesy of MuscularTeeth at YouTube.

Good reason to go bananas

By Darren Stones

There are plenty of ‘Big Things’ to see in Australia, and they’re not all hidden in pyjamas.

The Big Banana in Coffs Harbour, New South Wales is the first and best known ‘Big Thing’ in Australia.

Icon built in 1964: The Big Banana measures 13m long, 5m high and 2.4m wide.

Picture: Darren Stones

At The Big Banana complex, the World Of Bananas Experience is displayed in two specially designed theatres. The attraction incorporates a state-of-the-art presentation detailing the discovery of bananas and advancing through to the present day. Upon completion of the show, patrons are guided through an informative plantation tour and into the Packing Shed to view a short video presentation.

There’s a huge gift and souvenir shop, and the Going Bananas Café provides light meals and delicious treats. It’s a whole bunch of fun and located at 351 Pacific Highway, Coffs Harbour. Phone: 02 6652 4355.

Parkside Motor Inn: Property features include a licensed restaurant and swimming pool.

Picture: Darren Stones

For accommodation, the 3.5 star Best Western Parkside Motor Inn is situated at 14-16 Elizabeth Street, Coffs Harbour. It’s popular amongst corporate and tourist travellers. Phone: 02 6652 4655. http://parkside.bestwestern.com.au/

Red Poppy Appeal

Volunteer collects big time

By Darren Stones

NOVEMBER 11 is Remembrance Day, and each year the Victorian Branch of the Returned & Services League of Australia conducts its annual Red Poppy Appeal.

Collecting for a cause: R.S.L. volunteer Bronwyn Galofaro rattling the tin.

Picture: Darren Stones

Voluntary helper, Bronwyn Galofaro has single-handedly raised AU$588.65 in donations from the public due to selling red poppies outside the Safeway supermarket in Hadfield, Victoria, Australia.

In combining her employment as a carer with Migrant Resources in Preston, Bronwyn is a respected member of the Pascoe Vale R.S.L. Ladies Auxiliary and assists in co-ordinating bingo at the Pascoe Vale R.S.L. Sub-Branch in Pascoe Vale each Wednesday and Saturday.

Public donations to the Red Poppy Appeal continue to provide welfare support for Ex-Service Men and Women, and their dependants who are in need.

Money raised from the appeal assists the R.S.L. in relieving hardship of Ex-Service Men and Women, and their families through a wide range of activities including;

• Food vouchers
• Hospital and home visits
• Household utilities accounts
• Wheelchairs
• Walking frames
• Scooters
• Providing transport
• Pension and entitlement advice
• Home maintenance
• Aged care advice and facilitation

Lest we forget.

Capturing the bark at Dog Rocks

Would a dog even bother to cock its leg against THAT tree? It’s a crappy old specimen with a few rocks around it. Who gives a rat’s orifice about a place called Dog Rocks at Batesford?

For those in the know, Dog Rocks is an icon. Yes, a photographic icon of Victoria, Australia. Don’t tell anyone though – this is a secret between you and me.

Numerous camera-toting tourists depart each day on buses from Melbourne to visit the world-famous Twelve Apostles. They seek to capture treasured memories in a day. Guess what? The bus drivers don’t deviate off the Princes Highway to show you one of Victoria’s photographic icons. Remember - it’s only a crappy old tree with a few rocks around it. Huh!

Oh, you’re from overseas and you want to photograph THAT tree. What for? You can head for The Great Ocean Road and grab 100’s of quick snapshots in middle-of-the-day lighting. Sounds promising eh?

Go on, buy your daily ticket and head for the remaining apostles that will eventually collapse into the sea. You’ll snap a few keepers and fondly remember your trip. I don’t blame you for coughing up your hard-earned cash.

Hey, what about THAT tree! It’s on a bit of a lean don’t you think? Is it going to be standing forever? You want to take a photo of it, too? Don’t bother asking the bus driver to take a detour – he probably doesn’t know where it is.

So what’s the solution if you’re departing from Melbourne? I suggest you hire a car, grab a Melway street directory, and lookup Map 440 A1. It’s as simple as that. But, do it before the termites send THAT tree to god.

Remember to keep it a secret, okay? I don’t want to arrive at Dog Rocks one day and see four busloads of tourists taking photos at sunset!

© Darren Stones 2007.