Some photos from a morning walk near the Ross River heads a couple of weeks ago.
Tag Archives: backyard photography
Mount Stuart in the Fog
So, I drive past this mountain (yes this passes as a mountain in Australia, everything in Australia may be dangerous but our country is decidedly flat and lacking in mountains, we make do) basically everyday to and from work. I’ve seen it covered in fog on multiple occasions, and I finally got out to get some photos of it. You may remember it being covered in flames in some of my posts. Mt Stuart is somewhat of a landmark in Townsville, particularly given that it is often used as a geographical Southpoint when driving.
I’ve really been enjoying the effect of black and white landscape photography and I’ve been having a look at some famous photographers. I was having a look at Ansel Adams’ photos and his biography, when I realised we actually share a birthday, I don’t believe signs or anything like that but it is a pretty cool coincidence. Anyway, enjoy the photos and let me know what you think in the comments.
Paddling in the Tully River
Kayaking Tully River 16
by
David Cooling
Kayaking Tully River 8
by
David Cooling
The Tully region has the highest rainfall in Australia, so it makes sense that this would be an awesome place to go paddling. The dam at the Tully River is opened daily to increase water flow for the kayakers, rafters and other paddlers who regularly make their way down the rapids.
Over the Australia Day long weekend, we drove up to Tully and camped with some church friends, we had the majority of the Tully Gorge National Park camping area to ourselves. If you’re staying here bring insect repellent for the march flies and wet weather gear because it will rain. Among our friends, Tim and Ben are quite experienced outdoor guides (experience gathered from previous jobs and further general interest) and they shared this experience with us to make an excellent weekend and a safe one.
A quick break halfway down the river
We had to share the river with other rafters and some small groups of paddlers but there was plenty of room for a group of beginners with a couple of experienced guys to look out for us. The water level was a bit low, even though Tully has the highest average rainfall in Australia, it is the end of a very dry wet season. Still it was enough for a great experience that I’d recommend for anyone travelling to Cairns or Townsville in Far North Queensland Australia.
Blue Dragonfly Tully
Tully, like a lot of tropical Queensland has some amazing wildlife. Apparently there’s little call for worry about crocs up the Tully Gorge, but there were dragonflies like these on every second rock along the river, there were Cairns Birdwing butterflies and Ulysses butterflies the size of your hand and of course there was the obligatory brown snake swimming in the river and we saw (killed) quite a few cane toads.
If you’re travelling here and you’re keen to try white water rafting, there were quite a few Raging Thunder rafts making their way down the river as we were, and they do this daily. They’re based out of Cairns. Alternatively, get in touch with me and I’ll try to put you in contact with some locals who were happy to paddle with us and are generally happy with any excuse to go down the river.
Signing out with a gratuitous selfie of my wife and I relaxing after some rapids.
The selfie
Townsville Dawn Shoot
I got up at about 0435 last saturday to try and catch the sunrise on the Strand in Townsville. It was my first experience of actually intentionally going out for a landscape photoshoot and it was a good experience. I was also going with my friend and it was interesting to learn about working with other photographers with conflicting shooting styles and aims for photos (particularly with a time limit). The shot above is a longer exposure with Magnetic Island in the background, I really like the way the water plays around the rocks in the midground with that smooth long exposure feel.
Sadly we never found a particularly good shot to see the sun rising but I did get some great landscape shots which I hope you’ll enjoy.
 Magnetic Island before dawn by David Cooling |
 Townsville Dawn by David Cooling |
With this shot I like the shape of the shoreline curving around to the right and the way the sky lightens as you get closer to the sun behind the cliffs.
 The Jetty 2 by David Cooling |
With this one I really liked the golden tones of the sun rising over the water and the reflection of the top of the structure on the jetty. The industrial silhouette of the port on the horizon in the rear has a really strong profile.If you like any of these shots you can purchase them buy going to the link below or clicking on the photo and going to the buy photo option.
Green Jumping Spider
 Mopsus mormon by David Cooling |
I found this spider the other day in my backyard. He-or more likely she-is a Mopsus Mormon. You may recognise this spider from the misunderstood spider meme and as you can Mopsus Mormon are quite amazing looking spiders with their vivid green and large eyes.
 Mopsus mormon 3 by David Cooling |
I haven’t caught a glimpse of one yet, but there are some Mopsus Mormon which due to their features and colouring are known as baboon face spiders (not to be confused with baboon spiders, especially for the squeamish).
David Cooling Photography 