Saturday, April 26, 2014

A breathtaking rainy afternoon...

If you read my blog regularly you will know that Mr E and I don't do well cooped up inside for long.
We have cameras and a love of exploring the outdoors, so over a week without a 'photo adventure fix' has been very difficult indeed.
 Though still in recovery mode from our shared flu experience we decided to drive up Mt Stuart in our trusty old 4WD, Luigi, just as the afternoon rain set in. The drive up Mount Stuart is steep but from the lookout you can see our whole town beneath you with the Ross River winding through suburbs and fields, and Magnetic Island framed offshore in the distance.

It was wet, cool, and deserted when we arrived...


...because we were up in a cloud!



While Mr E focused on capturing shots of the town below...


...I marveled at the jeweled beauty of raindrops dangling from trees, berries and flowers.




I love rain, but I especially love photos taken after the rain, when that surreal stillness falls around me.
Look who else I found enjoying this cool wet autumn afternoon?
 

This is an Allied Rock Wallaby, out amongst the rocky mountain side nibbling wet green grasses...


When my little visitor hopped out of sight I turned to see two new faces heading towards me!
Peahens...



About now I am looking heavenward and saying "thank you Lord!" for this almost Noah-like experience.
When we arrived the lookout was deserted, but within 5 minutes we had guests come calling, and they weren't at all camera-shy.

Not to be left out of the photo shoot, this Brush Turkey made himself known to us through the fence that ran around the lookout...
 

He was happily scratching round for bugs in the soft wet soil...


Gradually the cloud lifted...


...and I saw that further around the mountain there was a path, so I followed it, and laughed out loud as I stepped over my own name carved into the rock.


As the afternoon's light dimmed a little more I turned a corner in the path and discovered a narrow and almost ethereal walkway built along the sheer mountain drop...



I was sorely tempted to go exploring further, but Mr E called me back.
Still, I found more to photograph just beside the path...



Time to turn back and head home, but first a few photos of the pretty red banksias...



...and a butterfly holding fast to a branch as the wind whipped around her.

 
What an afternoon to treasure! Isn't it the unexpected adventures that leave you most breathless with surprise?
I've suggested we get up very early one day soon and drive back up Mount Stuart with a thermos of hot coffee, some muffins, and our cameras - just before dawn so we can capture the sunrise over the ocean.
I'll be sure to share the photos with you when we do.

Have a very adventurous Saturday, won't you?

hugs

 
PS: For those who have asked, my camera is a Sony DSC-HX200V and it's amazing!


21 comments:

Susie said...

So beautiful and thank you for sharing. Some amazing things to photo in FNQ. We are heading up from Melb in June and can't wait. We go almost every year and always something new to explore

Christine M said...

Beautiful photos, Jenny. I'm so glad you and Mr E are up an about again. Hopefully, you'll both be feeling 100% soon. Hugs, Christine xx

Lorrie said...

Thank you for sharing your beautiful outing with us. Isn't it wonderful when unexpected and happy things come your way? Hope you'll soon be back to your usual strength.

Kaisievic said...

Thank you so much for sharing those gorgeous photos with us. Glad to hear that you are getting better.

Little Quiltsong said...

Thank you for sharing your beautiful adventure! Glad you're feeling better.

Barb said...

What a lovely adventure!!
Barb :)

Larissa said...

What a lovely time!! So glad that you guys felt up for an adventure!! Feeling unwell can be the pits - but getting to go out into God's creation to see His marvellous hand at work is definitely food for the soul!! Keep feeling better Jen!! xx

Rya, Rotterdam said...

Breathtaking beautiful. Thank you.
Kind regards,
RyaLucas, Rotterdam, Holland

Baa. xxx said...

Your own name - how cool is that! Big smile!

Cheryll said...

Beautiful pic's...no...absolutely gorgeous!

Nita said...

Good morning from Canada! I always enjoy your photography posts...it's nice to pause and remember our trip to Australia through your posts :) thanks for mentioning your camera type. I am starting to look around for a new camera, so will bookmark the review. Do you find this camera is sufficient? You don't yearn for a big DSLR? I want to be able to take great pics of my quilts and projects and also of my garden, close ups of flowers etc. Much as you do. Enjoy your day!

Dagmar said...

so nice Picture, thanks for all !!

Maria said...

Wonderful photos Jenny...

Retalhinho Chic said...

Lovely.....

Createology said...

How nice to get out and enjoy your day together with beautiful Nature. Hope neither of you got chilled or relapsed in your flu recovery. Your photos are amazing and I see lots of inspiration for your Creative Bliss...

Anonymous said...

What a very lovely day, and I imagine very spiritually uplifting, especially after having been sick. Thank you for sharing all the flora and fauna with us.

Christina said...

Thank you for sharing your beautiful pictures. It is great to see them as I have never traveled out of the U.S.

Tammy said...

How Beautiful. Thank you for sharing your adventure. Your wild life is beautiful as well as all the foliage an scenery. I keep saying on day I really really want to see Australia and I know I will most likely never ever get to So thank you so much for your pictures.

Farm Quilter said...

I so enjoy your weekends out with the cameras!! I'm so glad you are both over the crud and able to spend the day out with each other. Thanks for sharing your lovely photos and I'm looking forward to the early morning pictures from up there!

Sew Useful Designs said...

Stunning photography my dear friend!!!!! Xxx

A Bear Mountain Pattern said...

BEAUTIFUL~~~thank you for sharing.
I loved your "Noah" pictures.