The eyes have it! by Bron

Posted on 2012-05-25

Robber flies are wonderful hunting flies whose eyesight ensures they eat (they don't know how to build supermarkets yet) Instead it's other flies and spiders on the menu.

About those eyes: They are compound eyes. Instead of one lens they see through two spheres with many lenses. Each lens of the compound eye sees its own image, so what the fly sees is like a mosaic. The more lenses, the higher the resolution. The two large spherical eyes of a fly provide an almost complete 360 degree vision.

Early reflections by : Helen :

Posted on 2018-10-18

Not far from the Grampians Mountain Range in Western Victoria, Australia is Lake Lonsdale is a large, shallow reservoir on the Mt William Creek. This lake has its own catchment and is reliant on natural inflows. Although the catchment can be a substantial producer of water during wet years because of its very large area, it isn't reliable during times of drought. Given its relatively shallow depth, the lake also has high evaporation losses over summer months.

Hutt Lagoon by Darkelf Photography

Posted on 2015-03-21

Hutt Lagoon, near Kalbarri in Western Australia, is also known as the Pink Lake. Like many of its kind in our state, its pink hue is created by bacteria (dunaliella salina), which becomes trapped in the salt granules

there are two types of algae present in the lake that produce a reddish-orange organic pigment called Beta-Carotene, that is used commercially as a coloring pigment in food and medicines. It is the worlds largest system of algae farms dedicated to the production of this pigment

illumination by Darkelf Photography

Posted on 2015-01-10

During the Sydney Vivid Festival of Light...

it was only a short trip and the only day we had there was threatening to be a write off with showers and wind, however when the evening approached the weather cleared and we were able to enjoy the viewing of illuminations around Sydney...

i chose this photo of the Opera House because of the strong light beams that were illuminating the famous "sails"...

Bailon's Crake by rick

Posted on 2014-02-07

A Bailon's Crake is a small bird that is often hidden amongst reeds but can sometimes be seen when out foraging on the muddy edges of wetlands.

Megan Washington by Stephen

Posted on 2014-01-30

Megan Washington performs at Australia Celebrates Live. A crowd of twenty thousand made for an exciting event. Before the bands hit the stage, it all began with a ceremony for the Australian of the Year Award. Later, a very fresh and relevant line up of music acts. Washington topped the bill with Matt Corby.

Megan Washington is a most versatile musician and songwriter; and equally at home with jazz, indie pop and rock.

moving through time and space by Darkelf Photography

Posted on 2014-05-15

A colourful and mystical sunset at my favourite spot - Burns Beach... when i took this photo late last year, the ocean returned almost all the sand it took away during the Winter and most of the rocks were already covered... this prompted me to try a composition without the usual rock elements in the foreground...

Flyball champions - part 1 by Stephen

Posted on 2016-07-04

Excitable owners and their dogs! For my new series I am at the ACT Flyball competition. My head was spinning at the end of this shoot. The noise level was phenomenal with buzzers, whistles and yells to accompany the dog chorus. I hope you can join me in this series for all the excitement!

Wise and proud by Stephen

Posted on 2018-05-07

A portrait of the Powerful Owl, to follow my previous image of the Owl and its keeper at Taronga Zoo.

Dock of the bay by Stephen

Posted on 2016-02-05

In celebration of Australia Day, the National Museum hosted their Continuing Culture festival. One of the highlights of the day was being welcomed aboard the Paddle Steamer Enterprise.

The steam boat is the largest functional object at the Museum. The vessel was launched in 1878 after being built in Echuca on the Murray River. Here, you see Bob, one of the volunteer crew. Perhaps he is dreaming of the good old days when paddle steamers were a common sight on great inland waterways.

Angel Place by Stephen

Posted on 2015-03-23

Street in Sydney with bird cages suspended overhead

Marques in the Park - part 8 by Stephen

Posted on 2014-11-25

Farewell, Surf City! A last look at this very cool 1934 chev. It started life as a bread van before converting to a camper van. As well as all the home comforts the van also has space for an electric piano, electric guitar and Marshall amp. It has two jukeboxes and of course a dance floor! Remember, you're never too old to Rock 'n' Roll!

A few more highlights to show you at Marques in the Park. Up next, a change of pace with a Ford Mustang Shelby GT500.

Difficult catch by : Helen :

Posted on 2021-08-18

Technically not a great shot, I know.
I was set up with my 400mm checking out vegetation for close up wrens, when in the lake .... this Darter bird caught a fish (badly, I dare say)
Sadly, my settings were all wrong. Caught the bird anyway, but .... technically flawed but an interesting shot all the same.
Story of a photographer's life really.

Tekapo Lupines by Darkelf Photography

Posted on 2014-07-03

Continuing with the lovely morning at Lake Tekapo in New Zealand back in the Spring of 2013...

a bonus at that time was that the beautiful lupines just started to bloom and provided colours that complimented the dawn mood and light very nicely... not all of them were blooming just yet and i needed to walk around to find a composition that would work for me...

i hope you like the result...

National Multicultural Festival - part 1 by Stephen

Posted on 2013-02-18

The National Multicultural Festival. In this shot, you see the unique dance moves, colours and rhythms of the Bougainville Bamboo Band from Papua New Guinea.

sandy world by Darkelf Photography

Posted on 2015-03-18

sand dunes stretch as far as the eye can see just south of the Pinnacles Desert in Western Australia... the clouds building over the dunes were the ones that brought heavy rains and hail to Perth back in October 2014...

Brisbane in orange by Darkelf Photography

Posted on 2013-09-14

The lights on the Story Bridge throw a bright orange glow on the Brisbane River with the city hiding behind on a quiet Sunday evening...

Ride the wind by Stephen

Posted on 2014-01-13

Back home from the coast to a heat wave in Canberra. We expect 39 degrees Celsius later in the week.

In this shot, catching the cool breeze and riding across the refreshing ocean is the perfect escape from the heat!

Gift of refuge - part 2 by Stephen

Posted on 2014-05-16

Tri Nguyen steps down to the shore of Lake Burley Griffin after completing his 400 mile walk from Melbourne to Canberra. His pilgrimage was to deliver a model of the boat he and his father and sister fled Vietnam in 1982. Tri and his support team pulled the boat along on a set of wheels. It was an inspiring journey and Gift of Refuge by Tri. His walk was possible because of the hospitality of the people he met along the way.

a dark touch of history by Darkelf Photography

Posted on 2014-03-03

You can see the remains of the main prison building on the left and how it fits with this rather picturesque location...

The dark past of Port Arthur is not only the convict history, it is also where Australia's worst post-colonial mass murder took place on 28 April 1996... the subsequently convicted perpetrator murdered thirty five people and wounded twenty five more before being captured... this event led to a national ban on semi-automatic shotguns and rifles...

Weather in mind by Stephen

Posted on 2014-07-23

With landscapes and urban shots I seek to include movement in the frame with passing figures. Here, the expression on his face and perhaps his thoughts as well suggest weather in mind. The weather is stormy with the approaching line of dark clouds. Soon after I had to run for cover as the rain set in.

burning sky and water by Darkelf Photography

Posted on 2013-11-26

I turned around and witnessed the early stages of a fantastic sunset developing over the Snowy Mountains and the river... the water was trickling very slowly (as it was just after the Summer season) and this allowed for mirror like reflections of the colourful clouds...

Street party - part 2 by Stephen

Posted on 2014-05-21

I hope you have your dancing shoes on! As you can see, the band plays on and people are up and dancing at the Lyneham Party at the Shops.

National Multicultural Festival 2017 - part 3 by Stephen

Posted on 2017-03-06

A dancer who joined Miriam Lieberman on stage for her show at the festival. African dance moves and drumming gave a enthralling World Music style to the band and its performance.

Aggressive display by : Helen :

Posted on 2015-01-24

This Wattlebird (Anthochaera carunculata) making an aggressive display was having an absolute meltdown because a magpie had landed on a branch in its tree. The poor magpie didn't really deserve this treatment as the Wattlebird later stole the magpie's piece of bread. The robbery may be seen here.

Homecoming by Stephen

Posted on 2014-07-18

Patrick Mills and San Antonio Spurs teammate Aron Baynes hold aloft the Larry O’Brien trophy. NBA championship winner Mills was home in Canberra today to accept the keys to the city. He also had photos taken with fans at the reception in Civic Square.

My son was in a class with Patty Mills at College; and my son’s boss coached Mills. It’s a small town!

Pelican Feeding by Mad-Kiwi

Posted on 2013-12-28

Feeding the pelicans and any other sea bird that comes along.

Perth City dusk by Darkelf Photography

Posted on 2013-09-04

This the City of Perth skyline at dusk Anno Domini 2013...

after a long time i finally ventured out to capture the updated skyline with the new BHP Billiton building joining the line up - that's the wide building and the first on the left from the three highest skyscrapers in the middle...

You Am I by Stephen

Posted on 2014-01-02

You Am I with Tim Rogers in full flight. The band was the star attraction at New Year’s Eve 2013 in the City.

Down memory lane by Stephen

Posted on 2014-02-27

Cool street art in a laneway behind the Ainslie Shops. I grew up in this area and currently live not far away. Canberra draws much of its character from its suburban shops. Ainslie has one of the oldest neighbourhood centres. The idea of a local community focus is still crucial to the planning of our suburbs. You will often find shopfronts facing or surrounding a small plaza area with shade trees and public art. Places such as Ainslie typically offer a small supermarket, café, and restaurant.

a little bit of Japan in Tasmania by Darkelf Photography

Posted on 2014-04-27

From my trip to Tasmania in 2013 i present something a little different - the Japanese Garden in the Botanic Gardens in Hobart... i loved this little setting with the abundance of colour and detail... it was Autumn as well so some of the fall colours were also visible...

where souls disappear by Darkelf Photography

Posted on 2014-05-13

This is a 180 second exposure at Burns Beach... the water kept washing over the little canyon between the rocks and the i like the effect that the long exposure has produced... when i first looked at it i thought "this is where souls must disappear"...

Paddy's Castle by Darkelf Photography

Posted on 2018-09-04

Paddy's Castle, a sandstone outcrop in Grampians National Park, has a fantastic 360 view over the entire valley. We literally felt like sitting on top of the world surrounded by nature. Sitting right over the valley, felt indeed like looking out of a castle. It was my favourite location that we discovered in the Grampians. There was no one else around. No sound of any civilisation. If we make it back to this picturesque range, this will definitely be a location we would like to re-visit.

Asian Cup Australia 2015 - part 11 by Stephen

Posted on 2015-02-04

A proud young Socceroos fan at the Asian Cup Final. It was an intense game for supporters with a brave South Korea netting a late equaliser with only seconds to go before full-time. Australia went on to win 2-1 in extra time.

Remarkable Rocks by Darkelf Photography

Posted on 2017-03-05

We spent the New Year in 2017 on Kangaroo Island just off the coast of mainland in South Australia. It was a great place for us to get away from civilisation and we spent most of our time there on the more rugged west end of the island.

The feature that I set out to photograph especially, was a group of boulders called the Remarkable Rocks in Flinders Chase National Park. For three days I drove each morning and evening through a winding road that leads up to the rocks, hoping for some ....

Saskwatch - Celebration time by Stephen

Posted on 2016-01-02

Melbourne six-piece outfit Saskwatch on stage at New Year's Eve in the City. This free event has a track record of great gigs. I've been lucky to get to the front of stage at these celebrations for the last few years.

Lockdown on Bourke by : Helen :

Posted on 2021-08-30

This photo was taken in Melbourne centre city in April 2020.
We thought that the COVID lockdown would be over in that year.
Bourke Street (Centre city) looks exactly the same at the end of August 2021.
Hopefully in 2022, may look somewhat different.

National Multicultural Festival 2017 - part 2 by Stephen

Posted on 2017-03-03

Early autumn is my favourite time of year with so many festivals taking place around Canberra. These events include Enlighten (which begins tonight) and the Balloon Spectacular.

Today I continue my series of performance and parade shots from the Multicultural Festival. Here you see Kate Ceberano, headline act at the opening night concert.

Lost highway - south to Bermagui by Stephen

Posted on 2014-09-03

Decades ago, a storm washed away this road near Bermagui on the South Coast. Long since closed to cars, nature has gradually reclaimed the asphalt. In this shot, you can see one of the few sections where the white lines down the middle of the road are still visible. Although an abandoned highway, it now serves as a walking and mountain bike trail.

Ruach by Sarah

Posted on 2014-01-08

The Holy Spirit, represented as a dove, beautifully depicted in this window of my local church.