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Mad Aussie
12-13-2010, 03:06 AM
Leanne and I went for a nice long cruise again this weekend just gone, so instead of creating lots of separate threads for all the photos, I thought I'd take you on a drive with me :)

My wife doesn't recommend it for some reason :headslap:

However, I do ;)

We left home at 5.30am and got back about 4.45 pm after a nice drive through Sth East Queensland and over the border to New South Wales via the Scenic Rim which is a long expanse of ancient volcanic remnants and rainforest.

So, as I check out the photos and try to remember where the hell I took them (we covered about 6 hours driving I think?) I'll keep adding them to this thread for those interested.

LIZARD
The first thing that caught my eye was this sign seeing as I'd recently posted up photos here of a little Bearded Dragon who came visiting our home ...
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5288/5256497645_db81a62cdb_o.jpg

SADDLES & RUGS
Further along the road I saw this horse and decided it was worthy
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5250/5256497865_e559396174_o.jpg

LOSS OF TRACTION
As we crested a small hill I saw this ... thing ... which I think is an old Traction Engine of some sort sitting in a farmers field
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5010/5257108122_a47fd924db_o.jpg

PARKING LESSONS
You see some strange sights in farmers fields sometimes ... like how NOT to park your car!
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5087/5256498225_c64d01b526_o.jpg

MOOO-VE ALONG - Nothing to see here!
Not sure if this appeals to anyone but I like the vista of the cows and fields with the backdrop of the Scenic Rim mountains under cloud.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5242/5257108452_d7cfc57eae_o.jpg

Donna
12-13-2010, 03:41 AM
Great thread! ...I'm enjoying the cruise :) and I like to see the animals in the feilds too .. love the old tractor shot!
I sheepishly have to admit that I was given my first few driving lessons in farmers feilds before I was turned loose on the roads ... although I didn't do quite that bad of a job with the parking :) LOL

Mad Aussie
12-13-2010, 03:46 AM
although I didn't do quite that bad of a job with the parking :) LOL
Are you sure? I found an old handbag with 'Donna' stencilled on it on the floor! ;)

Glad you like the start of the thread :) Mountains, birds, waterfalls and more to come :)

Mad Aussie
12-13-2010, 03:57 AM
Getting closer to the New South Wales border, I noticed a road called Mt Barney View Rd. I knew Mt Barney existed but didn't know there was a road from which to go and view it from so I ripped on the handbrake in the car, ignored the screaming of the tyres and the 'handbrake' I'm married to, and we headed off up the road for a wee look :)

Ok ... I lie ... Leanne didn't scream ... because I didn't really yank on the handbrake ... but she would have if I had've! She does accuse me of being a maniac in the tight, windy sections but only when we are hitting 6-7000 revs driving through the turns ;)

Here's what I found up here ...

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5163/5256610907_e03b0c5169_o.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5081/5256611309_e9fe77c9b8_o.jpg

A view down the valley where were heading ...
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5047/5256611097_636a4e9dc5_o.jpg

Donna
12-13-2010, 04:01 AM
ha,ha,ha! ... I was wondering what happened to that old bag :(

Sounds good , I'll be sure to check back in and see the sights! :)

Donna
12-13-2010, 04:11 AM
Ah! more already ... Beautiful shots , love the old shack!

I can relate to your wife :) my husband is always giving me heck , when he catches me leaning to compensate for the corners when he's flying down the winding roads :)

Mad Aussie
12-13-2010, 05:00 AM
Yeh mine always thinks we are out of control and the tyres aren't even squeeling yet :)

Mad Aussie
12-13-2010, 05:57 AM
MT LINDESAY ROAD
Back down on Mt Lindesay Rd and heading towards New South Wales again we saw this volcanic plug ...
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5284/5257399012_135864b17c_o.jpg

ROAD KILL
Upon seeing a vista I wanted to shoot I pulled over on the crest of a hill ... sadly our roads and wildlife don't mix well.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5207/5256788885_c345c627b6_o.jpg

TEASING ME
It was 8.30am by now and we weren't over the border yet but I saw this glimpse of Mt Lindesay with her top hidden in cloud and had to stop ...
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5202/5256788577_4bd2bcee16_o.jpg

Fortytwo
12-13-2010, 07:16 AM
Lovely serie! :)

edG
12-13-2010, 07:24 AM
excellent series MA, enjoying them all - thanks for taking us along on the ride

Iguanasan
12-13-2010, 09:12 AM
What a great series, MA. The car on the tree is hilarious and the scenic vistas are beautiful. As for the roadkill, some say it's proof of bigfoot's non-existence since no one has ever seen a bigfoot dead on the side of the road.

Wicked Dark
12-13-2010, 09:22 AM
ahhh, the road trip. thanks for taking us along. spectacular shots as always.

aubintbay
12-13-2010, 01:43 PM
Nice series of pics all around. Nice to see there are still people out there who can shoot a landscape that is not mostly "white" *sigh*

Mad Aussie
12-13-2010, 03:08 PM
Thank you all ... glad you are enjoying our day out. Lots more to come.

Yep ... no snow around here aubintbay :)

Mad Aussie
12-13-2010, 03:40 PM
10 mins later we were on the winding climb next to the border and Mt Lindesay was now doing her lap dance full frontal ...

STILL TEASING
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5081/5258706750_05f42c024d_o.jpg

THE SUMMIT REVEALED
Like a belly dancers veil, the cloud tantalizingly showed glimpses of her goodies
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5246/5258692828_2174d1d1f1_o.jpg


WHAT THE??
It wasn't a letter box ... but I have no idea!
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5247/5258693696_ba0ff7f327_o.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5050/5258693406_5771e91695_o.jpg

Bambi
12-13-2010, 04:26 PM
awesome series MA. And humourous. Should I say that my first car was that colour????

Marko
12-13-2010, 06:03 PM
This is a totally FUN set MA!
I love the banana head farmer's car on the tree!

Mad Aussie
12-14-2010, 02:14 AM
Thanks Bambi and Marko. :)

That old car has been up that tree as long as I can remember. A Datsun 200B I think it is. We used to joke that when Datsun (Nissan) made them they had 20 more mistakes than the it's predessor the 180B :)

Mad Aussie
12-14-2010, 03:19 AM
STOP AND SMELL THE ROSES
Couldn't find any but I did find these wildflowers :)
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5285/5260309612_2daf0da038_o.jpg

FARMYARD PLAYGROUND
This front yard had some character in the form of this metal sculpture and several small farm machinery samples
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5288/5260309806_35d3bddb9a_o.jpg

TOOLOOM FALLS
The Tooloom Falls in flood. The Aboriginals of this area used to tell their kids it was full of lice because too many of their children were dying after falling in.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5167/5259701789_007afea8c1_o.jpg

DEFIANT
Normally the falls go over this cliff in two very separate falls. However, with so much rain lately the small tree now fights for life against the very thing that gives it life ... the water ...
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5084/5259702011_41b875cab4_o.jpg

Mad Aussie
12-14-2010, 05:47 AM
THE SHACK AND THE OBELISK
As we left the Tooloom Falls we found this old barn/shed with North Obelisk Mountain in the background, which features in the following shots ...
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5003/5260512700_fdefc80f9e_o.jpg

HORSES AND THE OBELISK
I thought these horses (and that cow) looked good in front of the mountain
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5041/5259904951_33acc72c93_o.jpg

SILOS
As we turned back out onto the main road I saw these silos
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5043/5259905103_a76e52fbe4_o.jpg

From here we were heading to 'The Falls' back in Qld (just) and the home of some beautiful parrots and several waterfalls. ;)

Iguanasan
12-14-2010, 08:28 AM
More cool shots - nice! I love "Farmyard Playground".

Marko
12-14-2010, 10:21 AM
Love the new additions - farmyard playground for me please.

Rinkdaddy
12-14-2010, 02:19 PM
I'm lovin the trip so far

Mad Aussie
12-14-2010, 03:14 PM
Thanks guys :)

casil403
12-14-2010, 09:13 PM
Very sweet shots here MA...Enjoying the ride. :)

Mad Aussie
12-15-2010, 02:28 AM
Very sweet shots here MA...Enjoying the ride. :)

Good to hear. See??? I'm not THAT crazy behind the wheel ;)

Bambi
12-15-2010, 08:26 AM
Good to hear. See??? I'm not THAT crazy behind the wheel ;)

ha! that's not proof. Casil is a real daredevil. Not at all conservative and safety concious like me ;)

Mad Aussie
12-15-2010, 03:17 PM
Well I haven't had a crash :)

Sorry no more photos today ... maybe when I get home after work. Was a busy day yesterday/night.

Donna
12-15-2010, 07:55 PM
Great shots! ... Beautiful scenery and all of the metal farm art is cool! .... A very interesting drive in the country :)

Mad Aussie
12-16-2010, 05:30 AM
Thanks Donna :)

JAS_Photo
12-16-2010, 05:59 AM
Lovely series of shots, M.A!

Mad Aussie
12-16-2010, 03:18 PM
Thanks JAS. Been too busy the past couple of days to put anymore up but the 'cruise' will continue after work today and the weekend I hope :)

Mad Aussie
12-17-2010, 04:50 PM
Big storm last night knocked out power out so I went night nights instead of continuing the cruise. But I'm awake now :) ...

So ... where were we? In NSW looking at North Oberlisk Mountain. From there we cruised on up the road and up through the Koreelah State Forest towards the Queensland border. Part way up we saw a tiny picnic area with a small walk so I yanked on the handbrake, got slapped, ran over two small furry creatures, over a patch of wildflowers and parked on the nearest BBQ. Or I just pulled over and we went for a walk. One or the other. ;)

FOREST GROWTH
As we entered the walk we were confronted by trees with all manner of stuff growing off them
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5244/5269631600_38a8c4f4aa_o.jpg

TINY WILDFLOWERS
Further up the walk were these tiny, teenie, weenie wildflowers ... and a bee!
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5242/5269020821_339380a29d_o.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5007/5269631906_897fd0cbc7_o.jpg


DAGG FALLS
Around lunchtime, just over the border and back in Queensland, we headed up Spring Creek Rd to a place we knew well ... The Falls. This is a place we've stayed at before ... and loved it. You would too, but only if several types of colourful parrots, an array of other colourful forest birds, at least 3 decent waterfalls, a lovely little cafe/restaurant, one of Australia's biggest gorges, lizards, and possums sitting down next to you while you enjoy a campfire, appeal to you as well.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5122/5269021291_359a9ea2d7_o.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5123/5269632492_e23bf485ed_o.jpg

Mad Aussie
12-17-2010, 05:33 PM
Leanne was inside the cafe ordering a Works Burger for me so I thought I'd have a quick look outside and here's a quick study of a few Australian King Parrots I found right outside.

We get these birds very occasionally in a patch of bush only about 5 mins walk from home, but here, where people feed them, they are easy shooting. Only 5 mins in a microwave and they are ready to eat too ;)


EXPRESSIONS
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5128/5269725850_aa63c28a6a_o.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5087/5269726040_63d343388c_o.jpg

MAKING SURE THE MISSUS IS STILL THERE
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5123/5269726284_38ab25a2f6_o.jpg

LOVE THE BLUE
I just love the bright blue!
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5283/5269117199_186df1a1b2_o.jpg

IN THE PINES
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5206/5269726698_e0f860a83e_o.jpg

Disclaimer: I was kidding about the microwave thing!

Iguanasan
12-18-2010, 12:24 AM
Wow! More wonderful images, MA. I really love the Parrots and the tiny flowers.

Mad Aussie
12-18-2010, 03:18 AM
Wow! More wonderful images, MA. I really love the Parrots and the tiny flowers.

Thanks Iggy :)

Only 2 more posts to go for this cruise :)


So ... after tucking into that big works burger we crossed the road and went for the short walk to the top of the Queen Mary Falls. The rain and flooding had washed away some of the trails so we weren't allowed to descend down to the bottom of the falls unfortunately. You can see the walk bridge and trails in these shots ...

QUEEN MARY FALLS
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5086/5270084899_0cbeed0387_o.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5243/5270692894_96ac923aae_o.jpg


CARNATION
This was sitting in a pot next to where the birds were feeding, outside the cafe ...
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5042/5270692684_b24d59eeae_o.jpg

ORCHARD BUTTERFLY
And this flitted in shortly after ...
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5087/5270084471_bb02ca8c4d_o.jpg


Next, we'll go for a walk up a rainforest creek line to the base of a decent waterfall ;)

Hillbillygirl
12-18-2010, 07:49 AM
WOW! Lovin' this whole series MA. Really likin' the scenery on the drive, and so many roadside attractions/phot-ops to be had. Thanks for takin' us along.
And btw, I trust your drivin' :rolleyes:

Bambi
12-18-2010, 08:42 AM
wow some really awesome shots in this- the parrots, the waterfall. I love the one where I am looking down. you really captured the height here. I think the 'carnation' is a 'dianthus' but I think those are related, not sure. either way I love the way the light is on it.

Mad Aussie
12-18-2010, 03:04 PM
Thanks HBG and Bambi :)

Don't worry HBG ... I have a good driving record ... no crashes and only two tickets (one was caused from a faulty speedo and the other a faulty cop!) in over 25 years.

Bambi ... my mum said she thought it might be a Dianthus and also said it was a type of Carnation :)

Bambi
12-18-2010, 05:02 PM
Thanks HBG and Bambi :)

Don't worry HBG ... I have a good driving record ... no crashes and only two tickets (one was caused from a faulty speedo and the other a faulty cop!) in over 25 years.

Bambi ... my mum said she thought it might be a Dianthus and also said it was a type of Carnation :)

okay first of all when you said 'faulty' speedo I thought of the bathing suit and was picturing all sorts of ways wearing one while driving could go terribly wrong :laughing::laugh:

and glad to hear that your mom and I agree

Donna
12-18-2010, 10:21 PM
:laughing: :laughing: Bambi :thumbup:.. I was picturing him trying to out run the cops in his faulty Speedos too!!! :evil2: :laughing: :laughing:

More Great shots!!... What lovely waterfalls!... Love the bee on the tiny flowers ... We have that little wild flower here too .... the Parrots are beautiful , nice work! :thumbup:

Mad Aussie
12-19-2010, 12:04 AM
Thanks Donna :)

And nice to know the ladies around here like to picture me in lycra swimwear!!!

Speedo = Speedometer (also the Speedo swim brand as well of course)

Mad Aussie
12-19-2010, 12:59 AM
Final shots from this cruise ...

BROWN FALLS WALK
This was a tough walk. The water level was high due to the rain we've been having so much of the trail was in the creek now. This meant a lot of scrambling around the banks, slippery rocks and all but swinging from the vines!
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5247/5273195408_7d385afdf1_o.jpg

A small fall along the way
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5123/5273195136_c227901496_o.jpg

Scrambling up the banks had it's advantages, like finding this sight ...
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5128/5272586491_69a9b2e922_o.jpg

At last we found the main falls ...
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5289/5273195794_6a140cd6e0_o.jpg


And that's it folks. Cruise over ;)

Bambi
12-19-2010, 09:00 AM
Thanks Donna :)

And nice to know the ladies around here like to picture me in lycra swimwear!!!

Speedo = Speedometer (also the Speedo swim brand as well of course)

I take my fun where I can find it :angel:

this whole set is stunning MA and would make a great book. Those fungi are practically glowing. Can I ask about your settings and PP?

Mad Aussie
12-19-2010, 03:16 PM
Those fungi are practically glowing. Can I ask about your settings and PP?
You could ... but I'd have to fire up the server to find the exif data and that will have to wait until later after work :)
It wasn't anything special though, dark section of rainforest, log lying at the right angle for the sunlight to hit the fungi just right, spot metering, single AF point, then a high fstop (f8-f16 most likely) and a fast enough shutter speed to darken the rest of the image down.

edG
12-19-2010, 03:54 PM
more gorgeous shots - thanks for sharing MA

Mad Aussie
12-20-2010, 02:35 AM
more gorgeous shots - thanks for sharing MA

Cheers Ed ... glad you like :)

Richard
02-06-2011, 04:36 AM
loving the fungus shot, excellent work as always.

Mad Aussie
02-06-2011, 05:32 AM
loving the fungus shot, excellent work as always.

Thanks Richard & Lusid

asnow
02-06-2011, 08:06 PM
What a great trip. Thanks for taking us along for the ride.

Mad Aussie
02-07-2011, 04:04 AM
What a great trip. Thanks for taking us along for the ride.

Glad you enjoyed the journey ;)

I'll have to do some more when I know the flooded districts and roads are back up to it.