Day 326: Moments various...

Day 326: ...a day in the life of hobbyist musician

Saturday. Rehearsal day for the clarinet group, well, choir really. There's about 30 of us who play. The core of the group has been together for about 15 years. It was a hot day but musical...

After that rehearsal, it was time to get back to the coffee shop for a little afternoon saxophoning...just for fun. I've got a bit of new music I'm playing around with at the moment. The ice, however, expressed it best: 

Just melting, ice ice sculpture

And I didn't have long to take that photo before it melted.

Anyway, later in the day, the backyard had all the cool breezes and all the interesting things. So in no particular order, and for no particular reason here are some of those, just because...

Frangis new leaves

Desert rose, sunset light (no filter, auto flash)

Big ant, baby frangipanis, grammed

[Camera : iPhone 6, 2.38pm, 4.51pm, 4.54pm, 6.19pm]

Day 325: Another day...

Day 325: ...another rally, but more than that

You will know, dear reader, that I have a professional interest in politics and my broad question at present is how do we better engage people in the political system. It is a challenge. But it keeps me going to work. 

So over time, you will have seen a range of pics where my professional (political) interests cross over with my recreational (photographic) interests. Today was another of those days. At very short notice, across the country, the 'Our_ABC' group has sought to organise a number of rallies in support of the ABC following news this week of proposed massive cuts by the federal government. 

Now, while this is not to the blog to dissect the federal government definition of 'efficiency dividends' (aka cuts), the ABC is a very important public institution, one worth fighting for; and I say that not just as a supporter and occasional commentator, not even as a fan; no, this is much more important. 

Reflecting on Our ABC, QPAC (Playhouse end)

Why we were here

Messages

A crowd gathers

It was heartening to see so many people, across the age spectrum; and yes, politicians taking the opportunity to speak out, including my local member Terri Butler as well as Greens senator, Larissa Waters. 

Terri Butler, member for Griffith,
and yes, Susan Hetherington, aka @snoozen of susansnaps.

People came out to voice their view, on a hot Friday afternoon and demonstrated how important the ABC is to all. It truly felt like 'Our ABC'. 

[Camera : iPhone 6, 1.41pm-3.12pm]

Day 324: Morning chorus...

Day 324: ...and soft light

I know a number of people who don't like the early rising. But then, I also know a lot of people who do like the first light. And we have quite a lovely time...

One of the things I like about early mornings is the light, just before sunrise, just as the sky lightens. And especially given the major downpour the night before, there was joy in the light, the raindrops, the frangipani (which survived the rain). 

Soft light and raindrops

The birds are out too and although I generally like a close-up, just occasionally the birds perch on the gum tree in such a way that the silhouette is kind of, how shall I say, archetypically bush-like in the suburbs. 

Dawn chorus

Then the kooka perched, in the old gum tree...and reminded us why we sing about him...

Merry merry king

A lovely start to the morning.

[Camera : iPhone 6, 6.09am; Canon EOS 60D, 75-300mm, 6.57am, 8.27am]

Day 323: Eyes down...

Day 323: ...don't fall through the cracks

No, it's not that bad really. Yes, I was back at work but it wasn't me falling through the cracks. Not today at least (that might be another post...elsewhere).

No, walking between buildings, I've walked across these pavers for many years. And, if you were to view the full range of my Japan photos, you'd understand I might have a bit of an interest in moss and its many forms. 

Bricks : moss (instagrammed)

And, as you know dear reader, this blog is really about taking note of the things we normally ignore. 

Oh, and another desert rose is on the verge of blooming. Light, lines, raindrops...

Lines

Nature in its many forms. Always intrigues. 

[Camera : iPhone 6, 6.23am, 11.20am]

Day 322: A drop or two...

Day 322: ...precipitated matters

There was a little bit of rain overnight, finally. We can tell because...

...out came the centipede-like creature...

Inching its way across the damp expanse

...and a raindrop or two...

A drop or two...

But we know mainly because the loris perched on the handrail and proceeded to groom themselves and each other. It is the usual pair, performing for the camera, to which they've become quite accustomed. 

Wet feathers 1

Wet feathers 2

The difference here today is the low light, longish exposure and high ISO rating which offered a little movement at the station, as the word got around that today there was rain.

Ch~~e~ee~~s~e
(it's not you, it's us...)

Thank you

Even if it was just a little bit. Enough to soak a lorikeet or two though.

[Camera : iPhone 6, 6.26am, 6.28am; Canon EOS 60D, 75-300mm, 7.53am-7.58am]

Day 321: Other lights...

Day 321: ...illuminating

Monday. Back to the office. Yes, of course I'm thrilled. So thrilled I realised I didn't have a pic opportunity during the day. I resolved that if I'm to survive the work day I must remember to find the time. 

Instead, I found myself in a waiting room, waiting to see a friend. The lights, it turned out, reflected in an interesting way. 

Not the spectacular colour and reflection of the day before but a suitable tone for thinking about many things. 

Coffee tones

And coffee. 

[Camera : iPhone 6, 6.53pm]

Day 320: The end of the G20...

Day 320: ...and a concert

The second day of G20 meetings and my orchestra has a concert out at St Lucia, in the building next door to the one the President spoke at yesterday. It was well-signed...

Ah, he was a day early for all the fun though...

The President was a day late...

Brisbane managed to turn on one of its hottest days. And while the venue is air-conditioned, the heat does all sorts of things to the tuning of wooden instruments, not to mention the players under the heat of stage lights. It was a tribute to the Rat Pack, I reckon the G20 people should have been there.

Afterwards, I was determined to finally get to see the lights in the city. It was quite an adventure. The buses were still on shuttle duty; I was going to see a friend in hospital; and it was actually getting hotter as the evening approached. However, tonight was the last night.

Of course, the coloured lights have been on for a while, much of the time while I was away. And so being one of the last people to shoot means that all the good shots have been taken (and posted) by others much better at this long exposure photography than I will ever be. 

Nonetheless, it was still a lot of fun to get out there and experiment with shutter speeds, apertures, lenses and so on. I've picked a couple or three of my faves. 

For starters, from the Goodwill Bridge

Behind the scenes of 'BRISBANE'

The police boat, because we won't see this again for a while

Sometimes just a reflection...

Across the river...

There's some movement on the river...

And there were more colours....

All the colours: buildings and river as lorikeets

Am-bushed

A bridge too far...

Trying to be original...

Yeah, it's still Bris to me...

But let's not forget, we were fenced out...

WHEEL as TRANSFORMER!!!!

Thanks to the ABC, spinning wheels all weekend

Congrats to twitter friend, Jono Perry, @pedrojono, who I understand was behind much of the spectacle. And thanks also to friends at 612ABC all of whom did a phenomenal job over an extended weekend. Well done. I could do it all again...

[Camera : iPhone 6, 11.14am; Canon EOS 60D, 28-80mm, 75-300mm, 7.21pm-8.43pm]