The Creative Exchange: Wellington Point

On the way home from an appointment this afternoon, I drove to one of my favourite places by the bay near where I raised my children. I had packed my camera and the plan was to stop at Wellington Point Reserve, on Moreton Bay, to take some photos around the jetty, the bay and also to stay and capture the sunset over the water. All photos are SOOC.

On the weekends and in school holidays, Wellington Point is a haven for fishing, boating and various water sports.

I spotted a Brahminy Kite soaring in the sky, as they typically do. I was very happy with this capture as I am quite partial to photographing birds.

On the weekends, the jetty is full of fishermen & kids. It was rather deserted this afternoon.

A lone sail boat out on the beautiful clear water with North Stradbroke Island in the background.

Massive Moreton Bay Fig trees provide a fantastic natural playgound for children who like to climb.

A perfect day to be paddling in the water as the tide comes in.

At low tide you can walk out on the sand spit to nearby tiny King Island to investigate this unique conservation area, or visit Wellington Point Conservation Wetland. Though the tide was on the way in by this stage.

As the tide came in, the sun began to set over the clear, calm waters of the bay.

 A man & his "best friend" enjoy the beautiful sunset.

There is something so beautiful & amazing about a sunset! What a beautiful way to enjoy the end of a lovely warm Spring day.
(Yes, it's Spring in Australia!)

 

"When I admire the wonder of a sunset or the beauty of the moon, my soul expands in worship of the Creator." ~ Mahatma Ghandi

I am grateful today for beautiful weather and another opportunity to appreciate God's creation.

I plan to go back later this week with my youngest daughter for some more photography.

Linking with Lisa Gordon Photography: The Creative Exchange Oct 10-14th

Thanks Lisa! This is one of my favourite link-ups.

Scripture & A Snapshot #1

Today I went out for a short walk armed with my camera, of course. I wish I could walk for longer but, since my car accident almost 2 years ago, my walks are dictated by pain levels and doctors orders. The sole reason for my walk today was to get some new bird shots to go with my chosen scripture. I was a little disappointed as the birds were not as cooperative as I would have liked. However, I managed to snap a few.

Bird Watching

While out yesterday at one of my weekly doctors appointments, I saw this cute little "Noisy Miner" sitting on a tree branch. It has become a habit of mine to always take my camera with me when I leave home, "just in case". You never know what photography opportunity may arise.

I thought this photo was especially good for "Texture Thursday" with the fluffy little bird, his sharp pointed beak and the roughness of the bark.

Sharing with:

Take Heart: The Practice of Hope

"Be strong and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for and hope for and expect the Lord!"
Psalm 31:24 (AMP)

When I was raising my 4 children alone for so many years, God was my rock, my constant source of comfort, peace, strength, courage, faith, hope, love, joy and grace.

Every day, I am reminded to place my trust in Him, to hold on to hope and take courage again.

Each day, I am reminded to look for things to be grateful for - amongst the struggles of living with chronic illness, wondering how (and where) my prodigal son is  & worrying about my youngest daughter who is consumed by an incidious disease.

I thank God that my two other children, my oldest daughter & youngest son, are healthy, happy and reasonably settled.

Each day, I find the strength to look beyond the things that could so easily consume my life, my thoughts and steal my joy.

I constantly have to come back to the knowledge that God has walked beside me for all these years and that he has continually blessed me.

Some days I am easily discouraged, and I often listen to the song “Take Heart” by Hillsong. The bridge says:
 
“All our troubles, And all our tears, God our hope, He has overcome.

All our failure, And all our fear, God our love, He has overcome.

All our heartache, And all our pain, God our healer, He has overcome.

All our burdens, And all our shame, God our freedom, He has overcome.

God our justice, God our grace, God our freedom, He has overcome.

God our refuge, God our strength, God is with us, He has overcome.”

 
No matter what our circumstances, no matter how impossible things seem, no matter how discouraged we may become, He has overcome & He is our hope.

But I will hope continually, and will praise You yet more and more.
Psalm 71:14 (AMP)

Wordless Wednesday: "When words fail, music speaks."

Linking up with Faith Hope & a whole lotta Love (Wordless Wednesday),

My Little Drummer Boys (Aussie Wordless Wednesday) & Create With Joy

Touch Up Tuesday

This is my first entry in "Touch Up Tuesday". I am not one to touch up or edit photos, other than cropping. So this is a little bit out of my comfort zone. Here goes...
I don't have a proper editing program, so I used an online free program called "Picnik" using the Focal B&W and Focal Soften effects to make the subject jump out more.

Here is the original:



Here's the edited version:



Well there you have my first submission & "brave" attempt at editing. I hope this suitable for the challenge?

Linking up with:

I Heart Macro

The beauty of flowers - different perspectives but still beautiful...

 

Also sharing at Macro Monday



The Hours of Darkness

The other night, I had my first REAL attempt at night photography - I used a tripod for the first time and used the Auto Landscape setting. It was quite a windy night (the daytime winds were up to 52km/h) and I took many shots with little satisfaction. Then I tried it with the timer on with a little more success.

I have so much to learn about composition, exposure, light, aperture etc. These are SOOC - no editing at all. What do you think?