Welcoming 2013 !!

Seeing out 2012 and welcoming 2013. We went to the Broadbeach fireworks display, one of the many fireworks displays on the Gold Coast last night. Not nearly as spectacular as Sydney or Melbourne, but beautiful just the same (and LOT less people and traffic to deal with!).

These are two of the 250-odd shots that I took - I get a little over-excited sometimes :)

Pacific Moon

This is a night shot that I attempted of the moon rising over the pacific ocean, as seen from Surfer's Paradise on the Gold Coast. Even though the moon was almost full it was still quite dark and resulted in a shutter speed of about 10 seconds, so the sea and clouds appear to be a little blurred. I'll try it again at some time with a higher ISO setting, but here is my first attempt in the mean time.

Eureka!

You may have noticed a few pictures that I posted lately that were taken from the Eureka Tower in Melbourne. Here are two pictures of the tower itself, and a few interesting facts below that I got from Wikipedia.

Interestingly enough, the windows on the top ten floors are plated with 24 carat gold, as can be seen in my picture that I posted here.

556 apartments

13 lifts travelling up to 9m/sec

52,000 sq m of windows

3680 stairs

110,000 tonnes of concrete

5000 tonnes of reinforced steel

Building weighs 200,000 tonnes

The Summit Levels (floors 82 to 87) contain only one apartment per floor: each apartment had an original price tag of A$7 million just for the empty space; purchasers were required to fit out the apartment at additional cost.

The highest floors of the tower house an observation deck (level 88), restaurant (level 89), communications room and balcony (90) and water tanks (90 and 91). A system of pumps constantly moves water between the two 300,000  Litre tanks to counteract wind-induced oscillations.

Mr. and Mrs. Roo

I came across a few kangaroos when I dropped my daughter off at work early this morning. She was very nervous with me lurking around (the kangaroo that is, not my daughter). I wanted to get another shot with her in bright sunlight, but she hopped off just as the sun came out, so this one will have to do. :)

After they hopped off into the bush they turned around to take another look at the intruder that interrupted their breakfast. I got the feeling they would have said "WHO GOES THERE?!"

Beautiful Nature

A stunning little flower on the second last day of 2012. To me it speaks of joy and peace.

Enjoy  :)

Dining Amongst The Lights

Lighting The Skies

Green Trees

Two rows of trees beautifully lit up along St Kilda Road in Melbourne

Keep Leet !!

Now really! Is it THAT difficult?

I saw this when I entered the under cover parking area of the Biggera Waters shopping centre.

Ships At Sea

Laying anchored while night enfolds the world...

My Ball !!

Koda was eyeing Herman closely as he approached, knowing all too well that his ball was not safe! :)

Two Thirds Gold

This is one of the views I had from the Eureka Observation Deck. The building has some interesting angles - here I was looking out of one window towards two other window panes window reflecting the sunset behind me, and the sea beyond.

The Rower

Overlooking the Yarra River from the Swan Street bridge...

Bridge Over Quiet Waters

This is the St Kilda Road bridge over the Yarra river in Melbourne, taken from the Capital City Trail in the Royal Botanic Gardens.

Christmas

The festivities of Christmas, as seen in our living room tonight.

The Blue Fountain

Walking back to my hotel room on St Kilda road late one evening I passed this beautiful fountain in the Royal Botanic Gardens.

St Paul's

This photo is a little busy, bus is a nice shot showing the impressive St Paul's Cathedral in Melbourne, also from the Eureka Observation Deck.

Gloomy Melbourne

A dark and gloomy Melbourne as taken from the Eureka Tower observation deck on the 88th floor.

Abstract View

I was walking along St Kinda road when I snapped this picture while crossing Southbank Boulevard  Pictured here is the overhead tram wires with the State Theatre tower and a backdrop of dark clouds. I thought it made a rather nice abstract picture.

Dangerous Driving

No texting while driving!!

Inside The Worm

This is the pedestrian bridge over the railway lines just west of Richmond Station, connecting the Melbourne Cricket Ground with the Rod Laver and Hisense Arenas in Melbourne Park.

Sunset Over Darling Harbour

Earlier this year I had the opportunity to do some work for Lend Lease in Sydney. As the day was drawing to a close I heard someone mention what a stunning sunset there was, and when I looked up I was greeted by the most spectacular colours of gold and yellow and blue. I ran up to the highest floor and took this picture from the office window.

AAMI Stadium From The Air

A while back I took a picture of the AAMI stadium in Melbourne showing the interesting architecture of this structure. Last night I went up the Eureka Tower in Melbourne and photographed the AAMI stadium at night from the 88th floor with 300mm zoom. This is the result.

Approaching Melbourne

I spent the last four days in Melbourne, Took this picture with my iPhone on approach to the Melbourne Airport.

Cow In Tree

The Needle

This is a night shot of the Melbourne State Theatre.

Flying High

I was walking along the Yarra river bank in Melbourne tonight when I notices a flock of seagulls  (I think) circling above the radio masts of one of the skyscrapers. There were a few other  buildings close by, but for some reason they only circles around this one. With these light levels I was never going to get a clear shot of them, but I think it makes for an interesting picture none the less.

Hanging Around

I saw this little possum wile walking in Hyde Park in Sydney the other night. Very cute, but I wouldn't want to get too close to those claws!

Another Day Ends

This is a stunning picture was taken by my dad in Mpumalanga, South Africa, with the sun setting behind the Kriel Power station. This area has very rich coal reserves and is dotted with coal mines and power stations, providing the majority of South Africa's power needs, and exporting power north into the rest of Africa.

Two Lovers On George Street

Christmas in Sydney

Christmas in Sydney

Colour in Burwood

This is one of the many graffiti pieces that I saw on my way to work while I was in Sydney the last few days. I quite like the colours used in this one. Below is a cropped version of the picture. It's actually quite amazing to see what these guys can do, especially if you consider that it is probably done at night with little to no street lighting, and at the risk of being arrested or run over by a train.

All I want for Christmas...

Stop Complaining!

When compared to the problems of other people, our complaints sometimes disappear into insignificance. If we care to look we will constantly be reminded to appreciate that which we have and complain a little less...

Crime Riddled Streets

Some interesting graffiti on the way to Burwood in Sydney. Ironic that the graffiti itself is considered a crime, but not in the eyes of those who commit it. As I mentioned in my Urban Art post, I'm not totally against graffiti. Depending on the location and whether it's done well, I consider it more of an art form than a crime, and why not decorate the bland train tracks with some colour?

Mustard Seed

This is the Mustard Seed Uniting Church in Sydney, with beautiful Christmas decorations on a cool evening.

Smoke Break

Smoke break is almost over, but they are still deep in philosophical conversation.

Gone Sailing

Celebration

I had a lovely dinner with two dear friends in Sydney. As we walked out the restaurant we were greeted by fireworks celebrating the lighting of the Christmas tree in Martin Place.

Pacific Sunrise

I experienced this stunning sunrise with my son, the price to pay: getting up at 4am. I woke him up and immediately he was wide awake and ready for the adventure. We both took our cameras, but the warm water was just too much for him to resist and photography was soon forgotten. The most important thing though was that we both had lots of fun! :)

I just love this image of a flaming ball hanging in the sky

Ominous Warning

I snapped this interesting warning through a dirty train window on my way to the office in Sydney the other morning. I wanted to get a better shot a week later when I was there again, but the wall was repainted since.