Last evening in Umhlanga Rocks ...

Last evening in Umhlanga Rocks, near Durban.

Lots of walking today - even got as far as 126 Ridge Road, where we lived for a couple of months in early 2003.  Spied a small family of monkeys along the way.  Despite the high fences & razor wire, this agile family scaled the street light posts before leaping over the fences into the gardens below.

Tomorrow we leave Umhlanga Rocks and move a couple of hours north to Hluhluwe (staying at  another Protea Hotel),  for the next conference.

Not sure when my next post will be - hopefully I'll have lots of photos of KwaZulu-Natal with at least a sprinkling of african animals - maybe even the Big 5!

In the mean-time I've included a smattering of photos taken in Umhlanga.

Lunch time!
Umhlanga Rocks

I'm watching you ... You're watching me!
Umhlanga Rocks

Fishing
Umhlanga Rocks style

Umhlanga Rocks towards the Port of Durban

Umhlanga Rocks after an evening storm
towards Durban City

Thought I'd finish this part of our trip with a burst of colour ...

Burst of colour
Sydney Botanical Gardens

Check back in a day or so ...  Bye for now

Cheers Jen

Four weeks left ... Free Delivery on orders from my Etsy Shop

Four weeks left ...

While I'm on my African Adventure, you can enjoy FREE DELIVERY  on any order placed in my Etsy Shop until 22 September 2014 - Minimum order $10.00   

Use Code    FREESHIP10MINIMUM

Orders will be shipped in the week of 22 September.

Tulip
Sydney Botanical Gardens
Experimenting with Macro Lens :-)

I know that things will be a little quiet in my Etsy Shop for a few weeks.  But I will be checking in whenever I have internet access & any orders placed up to 22 September will receive FREE DELIVERY -   Minimum order $10.00   

Check out my Etsy Shop ...

https://www.etsy.com/au/shop/JenWatsonPhotography

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jennifer-Watson-Photography/325217734281008

Discovering Pop Up Shops in Sydney

Pop Up Shops - A new experience for me!
Everywhere we explored, there was a new one to be checked out, whether it be on the footpath, in an empty shop at The Rocks  or a new shopping centre in Ultimo, under an umbrella, or at the Sydney Powerhouse Museum.

The Sydney Powerhouse Museum, which was just a short walk from our accommodation, was hosting the Sydney Mini Maker Faire over the weekend.  The Pop Up Shops were family-friendly & showcasing invention, creativity and resourcefulness.   I found the 3D Printing Makers, particularly entertaining & informative.

A 3D Printed wind powered walking machine,
 complete with many moving parts.

  www.sydneydesign.com.au/2014/event/sydney-mini-maker-faire 

  

www.powerhousemuseum.com

On another floor, "The Oopsatoreum: inventions of Henry A. Mintox", was a collection of inventions arranged to tickle your funny bone & whet your appetite!

Certainly a humorous and offbeat collection of inventions fashioned from whimsical and strangely significant objects from the Powerhouse Museum's collection.

A poster showing some of the whimsical inventions
of the imaginery  Henry A Mintox.  This "Oops"
exhibition is a selection of quirky museum objects
& some made-up stories to explain their invention & use.

We also spent a little time visiting the Black Arrow Rocket Collection which is on display in the Space Exhibition at the Powerhouse Discovery Centre.  Laurie's father,  Maurice Watson as part of Britain's  rocket satellite launch program, was the Chief Rocket Development Engineer working on the project during the 1950's & 1960's at Woomera Rocket Range and the Needles Testing Facility, Isle of Wight, England.

For more information about the Black Arrow program & the Powerhouse collection -
  www.powerhousemuseum.com/insidethecollection/2010/11/rocketing-away/

Photos today taken with the phone! ...  

Time to pack the suitcases - off to Africa tomorrow :-)

Bye for now

Cheers

Jen

Riding the waves

Enjoyed a delicious Flat White at Barcelona's Cafe & Wine Bar at Abell Point Marina whilst waiting for the Ferry to Hamilton Island.

Horizon on slight tilt ...    In a bit of a rush
Coffee arrives just in time to rush off to the ferry

Bit choppy on the waves, but had a chance to glimpse the entire fleet competing in Thursday races of Airlie Beach Race Week - Pioneer Bay.  Just a few of the 135 boats in view here.

Been trying a different photographic genre - think I'll call it photo painting in rough seas .... i.e. stay in the cabin and take photos through the window (even though feeling a little green).  Have lots more like this one - love the effect :-)

Getting ready to board the plane now.  Next stop Sydney.

Bye for now.

Cheers Jen

Counting down ... to an African Safari

Yes ... It's so long since I wrote on my blog that I've had to start again!!!  Now I'm trying to get back into the swing of things & remembering how to go about it.

So ...  Welcome to my very first post of my new blog  zoomfocusshootphotos.blogspot.com.au

First, I'll practise inserting photos & adding captions  :-)

This Cairns Birdwing Butterfly (Male)  

was visiting my citrus fruit trees.

Now it's time to play with text etc. &  let you know what's happening ... 

Yes ... I'm Counting Down to our African Safari.  

Flights, Accommodation, Transport & Safari are booked!    Packing is underway and we leave home tomorrow on our adventure.

The first leg is Airlie Beach to Hamilton Island, then off to Sydney.  We have a few meetings scheduled in Sydney as well as checking out some other camera equipment.  Hope to get time for some photo opportunities at Taronga Zoo, before we leave Oz on Monday.

Bye for now.

Cheers  Jen