Images from recent days in Apollo Bay doing stuff that requires only time – all within walking distance of home.
The New Holland Honeyeater and the House Sparrow
These birds literally flew between my camera lens and the surf break I was trying to focus on. They landed on cliff-top scrub that was just below my line of sight to the reef. As there were lengthy breaks between sets of waves, I wound the telephoto lens right back and took a few shots of these feathery little photo bombers from close quarters.
The New Holland honeyeater seems constantly on the move. It flits and darts at high speed, and only alights on a plant for a very brief time. They are a very difficult photographic subject. The sky was overcast when this photo was taken.The clouds parted temporarily providing blue skies as the background for a few shots. The beak on this female house sparrow was discoloured from feasting on the crimson berries on the branches all around it. This bird is not native to Australia. It was introduced from India and England in the 1860s. The species has thrived right across Australia, except in W.A. where they have not become established because of prevention measures taken by the W.A. state government.
Ocean scenery & ocean swims
The view to the north from Apollo Bay beach. There was a moderate swell this day. Friends of mine live in the low house on the cleared land in centre frame. The view from there is even better than you might think.The stone wall on the right is at the entrance to Apollo Bay harbour. The ship was much further away than it appears here (due the foreshortening effect of the telephoto lens) as it headed west from Bass Strait. This photo was taken from Apollo Bay beach – the breakwater shown was about 600m from where I was standing.
The first two swims were done in the conditions and at the times and locations shown in the photos with the sunrise and the steps. The third swim was done in calm water – I just love the photo (which showed the conditions about two kms south of where I swam).
Surf & Surfers
Unrideable Waves
Around Anzac Day (25 April) there was a reasonable swell for a couple of days. There was a light offshore wind, and the sea was generally glassy. There was a long interval between sets, but when they arrived they were solid. This was a sneaker wave (surprisingly bigger than average on the day). The photo shows it breaking over the southern side of the Marengo outer reef. This shot was taken near dusk under overcast skies. I had the aperture wide open, I was constantly reducing the speed and increasing the ISO as the light rapidly faded. I was about to give it away and pack up when I saw this wave building out to sea. It was a short wait, and well worth it. This was one of the last photos I took for the day. The poor light washed out virtually all colour, except the vivid aqua sections as shown. The soft white manes of spray were the product of the light nor’ westerly wind.
I have had this photo printed and enlarged, and it hangs on the wall of my house at Apollo Bay.
Smaller wave breaking over the same reef (as shown in the preceding photo) but earlier in the day with much better light and a bit of sunshine. The unrideable barrel. The dark areas directly in front of it are exposed reef.Under overcast skies and with only a light wind, the swell was moody, glassy and grey.
Seamus
Seamus looking for speed as the lip started to throw out overhead. The other photo shows the end of the ride on this wave, with Australian fur seals relaxing on the reef in the background.
Tommy
Tommy can certainly lay claim to paddling out and over an unbroken section of this interesting and unrideable wave. But the wave he was heading out to ride was on the break to his right as he paddled out (as shown top right), which while not quite as spectacular, was eminently rideable.
The third photo was taken as the wave was closing out, the ride was over, and Tommy decided to bail out over the back of the wave. The photo captured the moment when it appeared he was levitating from the deck of his board to achieve this exit.
Leroy
Leroy is over 60 and surfs like a young bloke.
Angus
Angus is a young bloke who was giving it a red hot go on this day. Those are his feet in the air on the left as he decided against a duck dive on the board, and simply dived for depth relying on the leg rope to bring his surfboard with him. It was a solid wall of white water. The timing of his dive looked pretty good to me.
This is Angus completing a long ride by pulling on a bit of speed then shooting up the face of the fading wave and through the crest of white water for an exuberant airborne exit over the back.
Waiting for waves
This shot reflects the tacit cooperation of these surfers, who all knew each other, in taking their turn on the waves in accordance with the clear but unwritten rules of the surf. The next wave in the distance had grabbed their attention at the moment this was taken. This cray boat was checking pots which to my eye looked reasonably close to where some of the larger waves were starting to peak. The wave in the foreground is the wave the surfers ride here.
Happy 15th Birthday Minnie
Minnie our little pugalier, turned 15 a couple of days ago. She is showing her age in her movement and sleep habits, but remains alert and still runs up the stairs. She’s a bit deaf, and the eyesight is fading. This photo shows her either in deep reflection on 15 years well lived, or just about to have her eyelids slowly close for yet another nap. I suspect it was the latter. She has lived the dream for every day of her 15 years.
Personal best loaf of bread
I baked a loaf of bread in Queensland in 1975. It was not successful, and was used as an effective doorstop for some months. I had a bit of a break, and then baked this loaf last week. It was every bit as tasty as it looked. I have never baked a better loaf of bread. It was great to eat fresh with butter and honey, and it also toasted very well for the few days it lasted. I plan to produce a third loaf after a shorter break than last time. I understand I am not the only non-baker who is experimenting during lockdown with the bread making art.
2 thoughts on “Native birds, big surf, surfers, Minnie Turns 15, pandemic lockdown Bread”
John, you are the only person I know who takes photographs of sparrows. As usual you’ve excelled – a house sparrow with lipstick. Dressing up for the occasion.
Are those young firebrands on boards aware of your presence? If so, do they up their game for the camera? Regardless, it’s hard to image a free sport that provides as much exhilaration to participant and viewer alike.
Baked “a” loaf of bread in 1975. Saved yourself 24 cents. Less the cost of flour. I’d pay many times more for your reprise. This century, don’t hang up the peel so quickly.
Sparrows are OK.
These surfers were all performing for themselves, not the camera.
Still working on the bread making. I’ll let you know when it’s time for you to sample a slice of my warm bread with butter and honey.
South 
John, you are the only person I know who takes photographs of sparrows. As usual you’ve excelled – a house sparrow with lipstick. Dressing up for the occasion.
Are those young firebrands on boards aware of your presence? If so, do they up their game for the camera? Regardless, it’s hard to image a free sport that provides as much exhilaration to participant and viewer alike.
Baked “a” loaf of bread in 1975. Saved yourself 24 cents. Less the cost of flour. I’d pay many times more for your reprise. This century, don’t hang up the peel so quickly.
Hunto
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Sparrows are OK.
These surfers were all performing for themselves, not the camera.
Still working on the bread making. I’ll let you know when it’s time for you to sample a slice of my warm bread with butter and honey.
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