Sentenced To Twenty Lashes

You Can’t Tell Me These Lashes Are For Real

Photograph copyright: DAVID McMAHON

You’ll never see larger artificial eyelashes than these. This is the giant face that forms the façade of Sydney’s Luna Park, the famous tourist attraction at Milsons Point, on the opposite side of the harbour from the Opera House.

We spent a balmy afternoon at the park in April this year and I shot this image as we walked away to wait for a ferry to take us across the harbour. I had initially hoped to be able to capture a great sunset with the famous symbols of Sydney as a backdrop, but that was not to be. It was grey and overcast and we didn’t even see the sun as it disappeared, nor was there any reflection on the clouds.

That’s probably why I concentrated on manmade structures instead, as the light faded and the illuminations were switched on at Luna Park. I guess you could say I had eyes for nothing else.

Visit TNChick's Photo Hunt. Today's theme: "Artificial''.

My Personal Learning Curve

In A Roundabout Sort Of Way

Photograph copyright: DAVID McMAHON

How do we know the world is round? For most of humanity, we’ll never get the chance to go up on a NASA mission to see Mother Earth from outer space. But if you have a wide enough vista of clear sky, just watch a commercial jet and you’ll actually see that while it maintains a straight, undeviating course, the earth’s curvature actually makes it look as if the jet is turning.

This shot was taken on the Easter weekend this year. The Authorbloglets and their friends were out and about near the sea – and a couple of camera buffs were shooting the coastline and other familiar scenes.

At one stage, I walked over to a nearby bench to change lenses. Unable to resist watching the condensation trail of an airliner high overhead, I happened to notice the contrail beginning to form an arc.

I instantly forgot all about changing my lens to the zoom I had in my camera bag. Instead, I stuck with my normal lens and shot this second image (below) while practically lying on my back.


For other participants in Dot’s concept, go to Sky Watch HQ.

Do You Sea What I See?

Okay, Sly, Cue The Theme Music From "Rocky"

Photographs copyright: DAVID McMAHON

I thought about posting images of rocky outcrops at Kluane National Park in the Yukon. I thought about posting images of lichen-covered rocks from different parts of the world. I thought (yes, naturally) about posting images from the periphery of rock music.

But then I remembered this simple series of images and I figured I would post these instead, to remind us of the power of Nature and how objects around us that we take for granted have been there (and will continue to be there) for millennia.

These rocks with eddying sea water foaming around them and emphasising their colour and shape are on Sydney's famous North Shore. We were there on a beautiful autumn day on the Easter weekend and as you can see from the shot below, of the same scene but composed horizontally, there was so much to admire.


Visit TNChick's Photo Hunt. Today's theme: "Rock(s)''.

Roll Up, Roll Up

For All The Fun Of The Fair

Photographs copyright: DAVID McMAHON

No, there's no chance of making a grand entrance here - simply because, as the sign says, it's an exit! I shot these two images on Easter Saturday at Luna Park, during our holiday in Sydney this year. We've made several visits to Sydney over the years, but it's the first time we've actually been to Luna Park.

Let's just say a good time was had by all. Three Authorbloglets and three of their closest friends. Two fathers, both having a good time as well - ah, okay, so one of them had a camera around his neck and kept finding lots of quirky images to shoot.

Like this one. I remember thinking at the time, as soon as I saw this sign, that it would be perfect for my regular Thursday post. And just to bring you up to speed, yes, I've had a few queries over the past few weeks about whether I intend to turn "The Doors" into a fully-fledged meme. There is a simple answer. I just don't have enough time to launch and administer a meme.

I do this weekly post because it's fun. But if there's anyone out there who wants to adopt the idea and launch the meme, just let me know.


For earlier posts in this series, check out The Doors Archive.

Verse And Worse

Random Wit, Errant Rhyme. Not A Literary Crime

In the Sydney suburb of Pymble
They’ve never seen a thimble
The local seamstress is so skilled
That all the housewives are just thrilled

In Lockdown Mode

Forgive Him, He's A Bit Rusty

Photographs copyright: DAVID McMAHON

Sometimes you see the most ordinary of sights and you reach immediately for your camera. This was one of those days. I was with Mrs Authorblog and the Authorbloglets at world-renowned Bondi Beach in Sydney over the Easter weekend this year. I was surrounded by endless sand, a beautiful crescent beach, and a great sky.

But what did I photograph first? A rusty bolt and lock. Yep, that's a fact.

I'm guessing this was once used as a storage area on the way from the car park to the beach. But, judging by the state of the rotten timber, the big hole and the orange coating of rust on the metal, whatever's in there behind the lock hasn't been used in a while.

But I'm glad it's locked. Why am I glad about something so utterly incongruous? Because if it was worth protecting years ago, it probably is worth protecting still. And doesn't that apply to all areas of life?


Visit TNChick's Photo Hunt. Today's theme: "Lock''.

Happy Feathers Day

Pretty Fly For A White Guy

Photograph copyright: DAVID McMAHON

I was on the wooden pier at Milsons Point in Sydney a few weeks ago, shooting some frames of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, when this gull swooped in. He was probably wondering if I would toss him some bread crumbs, but I was busy with my camera.

It was a few seconds before I realised that he was in a perfect position for a wry shot that included the bird as well as the prominent sign.

I guess telling a gull not to go fishing would be akin to telling a fish not to go swimming. But not this gull. He wasn’t going anywhere near the surface of the water to find his lunch. I could have gone and bought him a doughnut, but it might have left him a bit green around the gills, er, gulls.


Check out the rules at Camera Critters or go to Misty Dawn.

A View Of Paradise

I Guess It Depends On What You See

Photographs copyright: DAVID McMAHON

The beautiful flower known as the bird of paradise has always fascinated me, not just because of its graceful structure and height, but also because of the striking dark blue, orange and white spanned on a single bloom.

When we were in Sydney last month, it was really interesting to see that the warmer climate in the New South Wales capital city brings a totally different growth cycle to plants that are no longer flowering here in Victoria.

This particular bloom was in a rather interesting spot. I was delighted to see it on a crowded holiday morning in a major tourist precinct. I framed the first shot very deliberately, so that the shape and colour of the flower would dominate the composition of the shot.

Then I took a second shot, in the same place, but this time with the focus reversed. Now the flower is completely out of focus and the famous, much-photographed building in the background dominated the shot.

Ladies and gentlemen, allow me to present the Sydney Opera House.


Visit MamaGeek and Cecily, creators of Photo Story Friday.

Stiff Challenge

I Guess It Must Have Been Dead Reckoning

Photograph copyright: DAVID McMAHON

We were driving past Paddington Market in Sydney last week when I had to stop at a traffic light. As always, my camera was within easy reach. My attention was first caught by the iron trellis on this wall, about twenty metres to my left.

Not only was the craftsmanship redolent of the colonial era, it also reminded me of my own childhood in India, where this sort of work was extremely common.

I wanted to compose the shot based around the various shades of grey, but I worked the focal plane quickly, to include the lowest portion of a tree branch nearby, just to provide a splash of colour. It was only at this point that I noticed the "No Parking" street sign that said "Wedding or funeral vehicles excepted".

I had to react very quickly, because the lights were about to change. So I focused on the iron trellis, leaving the street sign in softer focus, but still apparent.

So tell me, did you notice the street sign immediately?

Visit MamaGeek and Cecily, creators of Photo Story Friday.

Dry Humour

Surfers Never Throw In The Towel

Photographs copyright: DAVID McMAHON

Warm afternoon. Perfect autumn weather. Low cloud. Plenty of sunshine. One of the world's most famous beaches. Surf's good, without being spectacular. That's every surfer's late-autumn prayer, isn't it?

We were just leaving Bondi Beach in Sydney, walking through the main car park to our vehicle, when I saw this. You've got to give this person a big thumbs-up for clear thinking.

He or she had obviously finished surfing for the day (evidence: surfboard strapped to the roof rack) and had decided to go in search of something to eat or drink.

No point leaving a wet towel on the back seat, is there? So it's been draped carefully through the rear passenger door and then the car's been locked.


For earlier posts in this series, check out The Doors Archive.

Bending Over Backwards For Me

Taking Time Out At The Branch Office

Photographs copyright: DAVID McMAHON

There is a theory among my family members that I can spot a mosquito at thirty paces when I have a camera in my hand. But if I'm looking for something at Casa Authorblog, I am pretty much useless.

Like I said, it's only a theory. I ain't buying into the debate.

But here's one sight I definitely did not spot. We were at a park in Sydney during the Easter break when one of the Authorbloglets noticed this caterpillar camouflaged on a branch. As I studied the best angle to capture the view, the caterpillar also decided it would be best to bend over backwards to check me out.

Or maybe he was just completing his early-morning fitness regimen. Bendin'. Stretchin'. Surveyin' the scene.


Check out the rules at Camera Critters or go to Misty Dawn.

Thank You For Giving Me A Heads-Up

A Ferry-Tale Ending

Photograph copyright: DAVID McMAHON

Sometimes you get thrown a curve ball and it turns out to be an unexpected bonus, rather than a hindrance. During our trip to Sydney a few days ago, I was with the Authorbloglets and close friends on the ferry from Milsons Point to Circular Quay.

It was dusk. The light was fading fast on a cloudy evening. I had my camera around my neck, but the ferry was very crowded with locals and Easter tourists and we had to take separate, far-flung seats under cover. I was in the middle of the main deck, with three or four people on my left.

In addition, there were others standing outside to get a better view of the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House.

Just before the ferry docked, I could see the distinctive shape of the Opera House through the rectangular ferry porthole. Half-heartedly, I removed my lens cap and picked up my Pentax. Always on the lookout for an unusual perspective on a familiar sight, I realised I could shoot one aspect of the Opera House through the window frame of the ferry.

I lined up the shot, knowing the Opera House would slide out of view in about fifteen seconds. As I adjusted the focus ring, a woman sitting a couple of seats away suddenly leaned forward to speak to a friend.

With her head in the bottom-left quadrant of my frame, she obscured almost a quarter of my view. I hesitated for a split second. Then I hit the shutter anyway. Had I waited for her to move back out of the way, it would have still been an interesting rendition of the great Australian landmark through the thick glass of the porthole.

But by recognising the fact that this was a great opportunity, I was able to capture a frame that is not perfect, but one that certainly is a highly unusual view of a familiar and often-photographed symbol of the country I live in.

Visit MamaGeek and Cecily, creators of Photo Story Friday.

Bin There, Done That

Painted Figures Guard This Doorway

Photographs copyright: DAVID McMAHON

While the Authorblog clan kicked up our collective heels in Sydney last week, we took the time to visit Bondi beach with friends. And just to prove that a camera is a perfect accessory to any sartorial tastes, yes, I had my Pentax slung around my neck while we re-acquainted ourselves with the perfect sand and shoreline.

This doorway must have once been a storage area. It is recessed into a concrete wall that is the last manmade structure before your feet kiss the endless sand on the crescent-shaped beach. I was really interested in the expressions on the faces of the two painted sprites that seemed to be tasked with guarding the doorway.

The green object with a red lid is a garbage bin (or a "trash can", depending on which part of the world you live in) . It is one of many in the vicinity, ensuring that no rubbish gets onto the sand or into the water.

Just before I walked away, I shot a second frame to include a second garbage bin (the colour-coded lids dictate what sort of garbage, be it rubbish or recycling objects, goes into each).

If you look closely at the frame below, you'll see evidence that there is a set of steps leading to the main car park. Let me know if you spotted the railing and the person walking up the stairs, or if your eye was drawn to the second bin instead.


For earlier posts in this series, check out The Doors Archive.

Verse And Worse

Random Wit, Errant Rhyme. Not A Literary Crime

My neighbour Calvin Querkus
Said he'd run away to the circus
But the circus moved to Sydney
So he scrapped his plans, didn' 'e?

Head Out On The Highway

Just Follow The Signs On The Hume

If you were wondering where there've been no posts for several hours on this blog, it's because we're interstate. We set out before dawn this morning, just to beat the long weekend rush and a thousand kilometres later, here we are in Sydney. The drive down the Hume Highway was beautiful as always, and it was interesting to note the difference between the scenery in Victoria and New South Wales. Even though the whole country's been hit by drought, New South Wales is lush and green after recent rain. Must stop and take lots of pictures on the way back. Stay tuned.