A DAY AT THE BEACH

Last Monday I went to Currumbin Beach on the Gold Coast to meet up with members from Logan U3A Camera Club.  I found many of the members on the rocks where Currumbin Creek meets the ocean. 

While I was walking along the rocks a whale suddenly appeared.  Although it seemed close it would have been out beyond the shark nets.  At this time of year the whales are heading back south after spending time in the warmer waters up north, having their young or maybe finding a new mate.  Too far for a photo.

The tallest building in the background of the above photo is where I stay for long weekends with my scrap booking friends.  It is a fantastic location and Royal Palms Resort is right on the beach.

Our project for today was beach photography, and it was a glorious winter's day with the temperature in the high 20s, a day more akin to early summer weather and the scenery was like a postcard.  With water, sand and sun it was really glary and as I had only taken the point and shoot camera (with no eye view), I found it difficult to see what I was photographing.  So that's what I did, pointed and clicked and hoped for the best, just like this fisherman.  I don't know if he was successful.



 The group headed to the Beach Shack café for coffee and along the way there was this great sculpture.  I believe that every year there is a competition held for beach sculpture.

 

As I had morning tea I really wasn't ready for lunch so I headed back home, but called into the park at Palm Beach to look back to where I had been.  Palm Beach Playground is an excellent family park and is themed on all things pirate.  There is a lot on offer in this park, and is great for young children to splash around in the creek.   Just like these little water babies.



With such great weather at the moment I could have stayed all week, but am counting down the days until September when I shall return for another long weekend away.

      





CENTRAL PARK PHOTO SHOOT

We headed off to Central Park to meet a photographer to do a photo shoot as we had previously arranged.  When we reached to corner of 6th avenue down from our hotel there were thousands of bike riders, fortunately for us the intersection was controlled by police.
Later that evening we found out what the occasion was.  Every year in May a biking event is held and is the Five Boroughs ride.  The ride takes in five neighbourhoods on Manhattan Island and is a 40 mile or 64 kilometres car free ride.  This year funds raised were going to help the victims from the Boston marathon bombing. 

We walked along 5th ave which was a very upmarket area with nice apartments, shops and very expensive cars parked on the street.
                                                           

My practise shot



We finally reached our location at an entrance to Central Park and met the photographer and other people in our group.  Her name was Zim (zimphotography.com) and after a few questions asking what we wanted to learn we set off.  Zim was very helpful, and spent equal time with everyone in the group, explaining how to get the best photograph as well as showing us how to improve on their shot.

  

The morning was still cool but there were plenty of people out and about enjoying the day.

 My reflections

 

 

Barry learnt how to shoot into the sun and he was quite happy with his photo of  Belvedere Castle.    Zim walks backwards most of the time, explaining how to get the best out of your camera and obviously has her favourite spots to take the group.

  

Zim and the Group

Don't know these people 



By now a few hours had gone by and our final location was The Lake.  This was a favourite place for visitors with a lot of people taking pictures.   

What a pretty spot with a lot of row boats on the Lake.



Here ended our photo walk with Zim and we both learnt a little more of photography and had an enjoyable morning.  Headed back the way we came but took a different path looking for a restroom as well as something to eat. 

 Well we found both and enjoyed a hot dog for lunch as well as an ice cream and sat and watched a little league baseball game.

Time to push on, and found our way out, and as we were just near The Metropolitan Museum of Art we decided to have a look in there.  This is one huge museum, and a magnificent building.  One of the many displays was Greek and Roman Art as well as a photographic display of the Civil War.  This was very interesting and would have been difficult been a war correspondent in 1863.

On our way out we came across some artists drawing this statue.  Wow how good is this gentleman. 



This was our last day in New York before starting our 2 week self drive tour with first destination Gettysburg. 



SPRINGTIME IN NEW YORK

 Saturday 4 May
Another glorious day and as planned we set off to Brooklyn Botanical Gardens.  As it was Saturday and before midday entry was free, but other times entry is a small amount of $10.00.
At the entrance there is a children's touch and smell garden, and a community garden with families tending their small plots.

Spring was late arriving this year, and I was hoping we would see the cherry blossom trees at their peak.  What a spectacular display, with the avenues full of colour not only from the



trees but the people also enjoying the ambience of the morning. 

I had noticed on the map that there was also a Japanese Garden. Another favourite place of mine to visit. 



Japanese gardens are always peaceful to me.



After walking around the Japanese gardens we followed the track as well as the cooking smells only to be surprised by the gardens of colourful tulips. 



Another eye catching display of colours and of course would not see this back in Brisbane.