Next shot - your season in close up

Petroselinum crispum

There are many, many close ups in my files from which to choose - this was the first I came across, chosen because it feels nice just to look at, restful, healing to tired eyes and I breathe deeper just at the sight of all that green. It also conserves time and energy searching through my disorganised photo files for a photo to present. I just think it beautiful to look at, as well as soothing to the eyes, when so close to a good crop of parsely. The approaching autumn is noticable by the seeding and flowering stages of the summer herbs and other flora and this parsely represents the change from summer to autumn that is happening now!

For information on benefits of parsely go to
http://www.nutrition-and-you.com/parsley.html

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This post is for the new photography group 'Next Shot' created by Baz ( oceankinguk2003). This is the first theme to kick start the group and other members posts can be found below in the comments from other participants! If you would like to join the Members only group just let me know and I will send an invitation.

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The Hombres - Let It Out (Let It All Hang Out)

something from way bac that I can still listen to!!

Picture Perfect Winter Competition #5 - Austere

The Empty Cross



When I look at a protestant style cross I see it has no adornments or ornamentation. It conjures up
 images of stoicism, severe or stern dispositions, sombre, grave, and disciplined faces - a severely
simple and plain life. All these images are definitions of Austere. This is, however, not how I see God
but more the manner, in which I see, the early protestants lived in accordance to their interpretaions
of the Scriptures.

Please note.
As Marianne reminded me - the Cross is the symbol of our Faith. As she says, it brings us much comfort and Hope - our very Salvation.

   "Come to Me, all you who are weary (tired) and burdened (carrying a load), and I will give you rest."
                                                                                                                                                                              Matt 11 : 28


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Immediately, I read the theme for this weeks Picture Perfect, the above photo came to mind. I had not ever taken a photo anything like my mind had envisaged, so I ventured off to find a church with such a Cross. I live in a small coastal region with a very limited selection of Churches and, as is the case the world over, most churches lock their doors making access, for my shot, even more limiting. My intution and the fact that I was passing anyway, led me to the local Baptist Church where the Pastor was sitting in his office with his doors, open and welcoming. He too is a bit of a keen photographer so was more than happy for me to photograph the Cross on the small pulpit at the front of the church. Like most of us his time is limited for such hobbies so I thought when I send him a link to the Photo that I might invite him to join PPF - it may just suit him and give an avenue for him to enjoy his photography.

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For the rules of the competition 

http://fotofriday.multiply.com/

To enter the competition
http://fotofriday.multiply.com/journal/item/506/PPF_Winter_Competition_Week_Five_Austere_

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Backyard Photograhy - The Harvest

Early Morning Feeding Frenzy

Early this morning about 30 Lorrikeets went into a deafening feeding frenzy
in the flowering palms just  outside the bedroom  balcony door.  Nothing else
to do about the unexpected early alarm than to get out of bed and shoot them.

They were mostly hidden in among the flower sprays and I would not have
known their numbers had they not taken fright at something I did not see
and all flew off in every direction before returning to to feast some more.

They seemed to have some sort of order as to who was eating what but
there were occasional vicious spats between them when one crossed an unmarked
feeding boundry.

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Photo for today February 21st 2012

Rainbow Beach - looking North

The beauty of the unconscious is that it knows a great deal — whether personal
or collective—but it always knows that it does not know, cannot say, and dare
not try to prove or assert too strongly; because what it does know is that there
 is always more—and all words will fall short.
                                                                                       Fr Richard Rohr

The sea had been quite large during the morning and night before so there was still a mist drifting off the sea creating a soft feel to the light. It is a popular beach for a good long walk at a steady pace or for locals to walk their dogs. This beach runs for about 15km north of my hometown of Bonny Hills to the outskirts of the nearest large town of Port Macquarie. I have walked the whole 15 km and back a few times - is beautiful and always find something interesting along the way but man you sleep well when you get to bed that night!!

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Picture Perfect Winter Competition #4_ Far from Home

One day I will reach the Moon.

This photo may disqualify me from the competition - but that's ok!!! I was going to enter the photo of the just the moon but I thought that this Photoshop creation, made with the Moon photo plus the addition of the Galah on the branch, highlights better the theme 'far from home'. They are both my photos and all I have done is lay the bird over the photo of the moon and then cropped them into the panorama to give what I think is the best effect to achieve the perspective and feel of distance. I had created this photo a month and a bit ago when I was feeling creative and presented it in another personal blog in my series of Backyard Photography posts.

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For the rules of the competition 

http://fotofriday.multiply.com/

To enter the competition
http://fotofriday.multiply.com/journal/item/502/Picture_Perfect_4_Far_from_Home_


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In the neighbourhood

Local  Headland - Grants Head

“Our idea of God tells us more about ourselves than about Him.”
                                                                                    ― Thomas Merton

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Picture Perfect Winter Competition #3 _ Face

Stone Face

This very unusual looking face (measuring about 4ft x 3ft) was unearthed after big seas a month or so back. There it was, looking up at me as I negotiated the rocky shoreline, with that look as if it had just been sucking on a lemon. Next day, returning with the thought to bring it home for the garden, it was nowhere to be found  - buried again under sand and rocks on the next tide. Makes me wonder who will be the next to see this face - or wo saw it last?

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Welcome to week three of the Picture 'Perfect Winter Competition' .
 The competition is open to everyone so feel free to join in the fun.
If so look below for details on what to do and where to start.

For the rules of the competition 

http://fotofriday.multiply.com/

To enter the competition
http://fotofriday.multiply.com/journal/item/498/Picture_Perfect_Winter_Competition_Week_Three_Faces_Theme




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Bits and pieces from the Camera the last week or so

A Fish Blowing Smoke Rings

This is a sort of gateway to an album of bits and pieces from the shots I took over the last weeks. I have had no real project in mind and just took photos of whatever took my eye at the time. The above photo is of some fish I captured down by the river at Port Macquarie, the nearest large town. It is nothing really specialbut I oike the colour and the relected light on the surface of the water that looks so much like smoke. Made me think if fish blowing smoke rings. Anyway have a look at the albumand hopefully you will enjoy.

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Click here to view the Photo Album


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from the camera last week or so

Images and words no 144 - So Long, Farewell

Adieu




'To learn the magic of light, get up before sunrise ... and watch!'
Ted Grant



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Joel - I just wanted to come and say farewell and post once again. I was here 144 themes ago when it all started and wow what a symbolic time to hand over the reins - on the 144th theme. The above quote is you Joel - to me anyway. I remember well all those early morning shots you posted, having gotten up no matter the weather, no matter the temperature because you wanted to share what you saw in that specific light.

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Picture Perfect Winter Competition #2 - BOLD

Bold is.....

....when you are afraid to look, but look anyway!

Welcome to the second week of the Picture Perfect Winter Competition. 
The competition is open to everyone so feel free to join in the fun.
If so look below for details on what to do and where to start

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For the rules of the competition 

http://fotofriday.multiply.com/

To enter the competition
http://fotofriday.multiply.com/journal/item/495/Picture_Perfect_Competition_Week_Two_BOLD




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