Christmas Day flash flooding brings out hoons

By Darren Stones

Local family celebrations came to a sudden halt when a severe thunderstorm storm caused flash flooding in Mikado Street Glenroy on Christmas Day.

A male driving a four-wheel drive sped through the flood water and was heard yelling out to onlookers who were concerned that the wave action could cause water to enter their yards and cause damage.

Heavy rain caused Mikado Street to resemble a river and male drivers took their chances by driving through the water as local residents looked on.

A driver of a red hatchback sped up to enter the flood water and his car stalled in the water. He was able to re-start the car after a few minutes and reversed out of the water. Local residents looked on in amazement and commented on the stupidity of his actions.

Local resident Gordon Stones said it was the third time he has seen flash flooding in Mikado Street Glenroy since 1968.

The street drainage system could not cope with the deluge and the water covered the road, nature strips and footpaths.

Photos: Darren Stones

Cann River Church, Victoria, Australia

Travel Photography - Architecture

By Darren Stones

I have had the pleasure to travel the Princes Highway between Melbourne and Merimbula on numerous occasions since 1987 and have regularly stopped at Cann River for a coffee break. The St John Anglican and Uniting Church at Cann River, Victoria, Australia is an attractive sight during autumn, with a magnificent array of colours on full display. The church is located in the main shopping area and pretty much stands out in a photographic sense as a subject to photograph.

Autumn is probably my favourite season of the year for photography as it presents brilliant landscape photography opportunities no matter what the weather conditions. If it's sunny, wider shots of the landscape are suggested. If it's cloudy, I prefer to get under the canopy of trees and focus on the trunks, branches and leaves - particularly if it is wet.

I photographed the church as I was returning from a longish trip via Bright and Canberra where the full pallette of autumn colours was on display. A magnificent trip, and most fruitful in regards to making a large collection of autumn imagery.

This photograph of the Cann River Church is available for sale in a variety of quality print products. Purchasing is easy via the internet, and each product comes with a money back guarantee. If you are looking for a quality framed print to decorate a feature wall in a living area in your home, or a wall in your office, you will find framing, matting and size options to suit your budget.
Cann River Church by Darren Stones

Cann River Church by Darren Stones

Product range:

• Postcard
• Greeting Card
• Photographic Print
• Matted Print
• Laminated Print
• Mounted Print
• Canvas Print
• Framed Print
• Poster

You are invited to view my portfolio of Australian images and writing at RedBubble.
http://www.redbubble.com/people/dgstones

Framed Print

Greeting Card

Who wants to go on a Holiday ... Holiday ... Holiday? Me, me, me, me

By Darren Stones

Every so often I get the opportunity to get away for a while to take care of my wellbeing and where photography is not the major reason for travelling.

Overlooking the North Arm and township of Lakes Entrance, Victoria, Australia
Photo: Darren Stones

Recently we visited Lakes Entrance for four nights as a result of having a winning bid on a short stay package through Travel Auctions. I bid on a package at the Glenara Motel, which provides basic accommodation for an affordable price right in the heart of town and directly across the road from the town's fishing fleet.

Fishing boats moored at the Cunninghame Arm, Lakes Entrance, Victoria, Australia
Photo: Darren Stones

I bid $165.00 for three nights, but an option of the package was that if we commenced our stay on a Monday we could receive a fourth night free. So, we did that and that meant we paid $41.25 per night - a bargain!

Overlooking the North Arm and township at Lakes Entrance, Victoria, Australia
Photo: Darren Stones

We enjoyed some new sights and the highlight of our trip was a cruise on the Thunderbird, which took us out on the Gippsland lakes for 2.5 hours. The cruise left the jetty at Lakes Entrance and travelled as far as Paynesville via Metung. Lots of beautiful scenery, birdlife, plus cruising past yachts and those wetting a line.

A pelican at the North Arm, Lakes Entrance, Victoria, Australia
Photo: Darren Stones

We dined at the Lakes Entrance RSL one night, the Lakes Entrance Bowling Club twice, and the Pinnochio Inn Italian restaurant once. The bowling club was the pick of the venues, however we enjoyed the Italian restaurant as it was a bit of a change for us as we usually dine at clubs and hotels.

Overlooking the Cunninghame Arm and township at Lakes Entrance, Victoria, Australia
Photo: Darren Stones

On the Thursday we walked over the footbridge and along the surf beach to the entrance and return. About a 6-kilometre walk, which took us four hours as we were taking photos along the way and doing some sightseeing.

The wall of the entrance to the Gippsland Lakes at Lakes Entrance, Victoria, Australia
Photo: Darren Stones

I came back from the trip with some good memories and a new collection of images. A good trip was had.

The Cunninghame Arm at Lakes Entrance, Victoria, Australia
Photo: Darren Stones

Information:

Travel Auctions
http://www.travelauctions.com.au/

Glenara Motel
http://rslglenaramotel.budgetmotelchain.com.au/

Peels Thunderbird Cruise
http://www.lakesentrance.com/cruises/peels-thunderbird-cruise.html

Australian travel photography features prominently at Redbubble

Travel Photography - Advice and Tips

By Darren Stones

Since March 2007, I have displayed my large portfolio of Australian travel photography and writing at Redbubble. One of the things I really enjoy about Redbubble is the opportunity to participate in the mini communities such as themed groups, which are managed by volunteer group hosts.

Themed groups
Australian themed groups are of particular interest to me given my passion for Australian travel photography and writing. Since joining the site, I have had hundreds of travel photographs featured in various groups and have been fortunate to win numerous group competitions.

Develop your skills
If you are interested in further developing your photography skills by viewing high quality images and interacting with like-minded people, check my Redbubble profile for the links to each group I am a member of.

http://www.redbubble.com/people/dgstones

Featured travel photography
Here's a selection of my Australian travel photographs that have been featured in groups at Redbubble between November 15-December 9, 2011.

Point Lonsdale Lighthouse

Jimmy Barnes

Bermagui

Beechworth Post Office

Hay Bale - Cobram

Lightning Ridge

Point Lonsdale

Kite Surfing at Merimbula

Perry Sandhills, Wentworth, New South Wales, Australia

Travel Photography - Landscape

By Darren Stones

Photographing outback areas can be a real challenge due to the extremes of weather and Perry Sandhills is no exception - particularly if it is hot and windy. And when travelling through an area where your time is limited, you really do have to make the most of the opportunities you have.

I photographed this section of the Perry Sandhills at Wentworth in New South Wales during the cooler months whilst touring the Murray River region. Being a photographer who prefers to shoot landscapes during the afternoon, the weather was quite pleasant on this particular day. The green grass caught my eye in amongst the sandhills and I thought this was just begging to be photographed.

Located in outback New South Wales, the sandhills originated after an ice age 40,000 years ago and have been formed by wind erosion over thousands of years.

This photograph of the Perry Sandhills is available for sale in a variety of quality print products. Purchasing is easy via the internet, and each product comes with a money back guarantee. If you are looking for a quality framed print to decorate a feature wall in a living area in your home, or a wall in your office, you will find framing, matting and size options to suit your budget.
Perry Sandhills by Darren Stones

Perry Sandhills by Darren Stones

Product range:

• Postcard
• Greeting Card
• Photographic Print
• Matted Print
• Laminated Print
• Mounted Print
• Canvas Print
• Framed Print
• Poster

You are invited to view my portfolio of Australian images and writing at RedBubble.
http://www.redbubble.com/people/dgstones

Framed Print

Greeting Card

Pelican at Lakes Entrance

Travel Photography - Wildlife

By Darren Stones

Photographing pelicans is always fun, but when you get the opportunity get up close to one in their natural habitat, the experience rises to a whole new level.

I photographed this pelican on the North Arm at Lakes Entrance in Victoria, and I have to admit it was a buzz to be able to get this close. It was getting late in the day, and the light was just perfect for this shot as the detail is amazing.

Each afternoon at Pebbly Beach, the kangaroos emerge from the forest and come down to the grassy mounds adjacent the beach. Fascinating to watch them, and a real thrill to get up close with one.

This photograph of the Pelican at Lakes Entrance is available for sale in a variety of quality print products. Purchasing is easy via the internet, and each product comes with a money back guarantee. If you're looking for a quality framed print to decorate a feature wall in a living area in your home, or a wall in your office, you'll find framing, matting and size options to suit your budget.
Pelican at Lakes Entrance by Darren Stones

Pelican at Lakes Entrance by Darren Stones

Product range:

• Postcard
• Greeting Card
• Photographic Print
• Matted Print
• Laminated Print
• Mounted Print
• Canvas Print
• Framed Print
• Poster

You are invited to view my portfolio of Australian images and writing at RedBubble.
http://www.redbubble.com/people/dgstones

Framed Print

Greeting Card

Published photography in the Australia Photo Atlas by Hema

By Darren Stones

Hema Maps are publishers of high quality maps and travel guidebooks and their new Australia Photo Atlas guidebook is a new addition to their fine collection of publications.

I've had the pleasure to have my Red Bluff photograph selected by Hema for publication in the Australia Photo Atlas, and it is featured on page Map 54.

Hema are good supporters of my photography, having previously published four of my Australian travel photographs in their Victoria The High Country Atlas and Guide.

My thanks to Hema Maps for their continued support of my Australian travel photography.

Australia Photo Atlas by Hema

Red Bluff, Black Rock, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Photo: Darren Stones