This simple macro photograph of a Black-margined Glossodoris
Nudibranch is a beginning to a new album in my gallery I hope to grow extensively with time. Nudibranch are very interesting animals and with close to 3000 identified species and new ones found weekly they represent and endless photographic opportunity. Their bodies vary so much from one species to another in colour and shapes it is sometimes hard to say it is still a Nudibranch. Luckily for us in Australia we have a local world renound expert in Neville Coleman, whose NUDIBRANCHS ENCYCLOPEDIA is a must have resource for curious diver or keen marine zoologist.
While I am giving credit to deserving people I have to mention a new name to me: Robert Hamilton of www.Ozbobscuba.com. Bob is a magician where it comes to prescription lenses for dive masks. Today was my first dive with a properly fitted by Bob lenses and it made a world of difference. Seeing is certainly believing in this case. It was much easier to read my Cressi computer, or set and use my underwater camera. If any of you dive and wear glasses contact Bob via his website and discover what you were missing – clear, crisp vision.
Mission Australia has recently conducted an awareness campaign called “Hush for homeless” with a motto “Say nothing and do something for homeless Australians”.
This is a very noble undertaking and Mission Australia has a long track record of helping these in need. However, on this occasion I felt the approach was oxymoronic. In Martin Place a large contingent of people wearing the campaign T-shirts were giving a loud performance, singing and feeling very good about themselves while a homeless man sat 5 meters from the stage totally ignored by the do-gooders. Hush!
Correction: As you can see from the comments below I have received an email from Patrick F. of Mission Australia reassuring me that the man was offered help by Mission Australia staff. Thanks Patrick. Good to know that my observation was just temporary.
I found this discarded bicycle on the beach at Terrigal. I guess people throw out many things but the state of this bicycle indicated some major abuse. Its has malformed frame and handlebars not to mention totally demolished wheel. It looks like a result of some violent, thoughtless act.
And just a reminder yesterday was a Clean Up Australia Day.
As usual for me on Sunday mornings I went to Terrigal. There was a small group of photographers all set up to photograph the sunrise. I have my theory about when to photograph sunrises and today was not the day. However, what is always with me is the people interest and thus I was quite happy with this photograph or a photographer setting up to take a shot. In fact he was taking a set of them to stitch them up later and create a wide panorama.
Beautiful sunrise aside the sun in last few days has made South-East of Australia one of the hottest places on Earth with temperatures reaching 47C and staying above 40C for many days. Victoria is particularly affected with fire claiming not only property and bush but also human lives, children including. Police are reporting 25 confirmed deaths and estimate this count to exceed 40. This is truly tragic. What is worse is the fact there are report the fires were deliberately lit. I seriously think a total fire ban should include prohibition on smoking cigarettes in cases like that. A reporter on morning news was saying kids saw a man throwing a cigarette butt in the bush around the fire epicenter in Victoria. Shocking stupidity. No puff is worth all these human lives.
The national pride, flag wearing and national tattoos are all over the papers today for the all the wrong reasons. Instead of national pride they are associated with racist, bogan and in extreme cases hooligan behaviours.
Is the action of few people actually that newsworthy? Majority of people I have seen enjoyed the Australia Day, wrapped in the flag with fake tattoos and a big smile on their faces. They came from all sorts of backgrounds and celebrated in harmony. Let’s keep things in perspective.
