Sunshine Coast Daily Photo: maleny

Monday, 15 March 2010

We're two!

Unless I'm mistaken, and I know I'm not, today marks the second anniversary of this blog, and what better way to do it than with a picture of sunset on a hill near Maleny.

This is a popular spot for paragliders, and yes in the late afternoon sun the sky had faded to almost white, the rest was the result of a slight overexposure!

The next twelve months will almost certainly bring a number of changes in our situation, including the relocation of the place we call home, but with just a little luck and a bit of energy to be expended, we'll be able to continue with a photo each day, just as we have done thus far! It's all pretty much downhill after the first couple of years I understand.

Thank you to all who drop by and comment, your comments are greatly appreciated. As those who follow my other blogs will realise, we are often on the road with limited internet access, which does make regular reciprocal visits quite challenging, so thank you for your patience as well!

Here's to another year, three to go and I've caught up with Eric! ;-)

Glasshouse Mountains Revisited

At first glance this shot is almost the same as yesterday, but it's taken from quite a bit further round the range and it provides a perfect spot for a bit of revision while the sun is still high in the sky. From left to right (heights are in metres, and because we are located pretty much at sea level, the height above sea level is pretty much the height above ground:

Coochin - 230 and 235m high respectively

Ngungun - 253m (the flatter hills in the background)

Tibrogargan - 364m (the first prominant square top)

Beerburrum - 278m (the dome shape)

Tibberoowuccum - 220m

Coonowrin (Crookneck) - 377m

Tunbubudla Twins - 338m, 294m

Miketeebumulgrai - 202m (just visible in the haze)

Beerwah - 556m

For those who are new to this blog, the full story was published back here. Or to see all the previous shots, visit our September 2009 Archive.

Glasshouses Revisited

Well it's time to have another go at capturing my old adversaries, the Glasshouse Mountains. I thought I'd take a spin into the hills late one afternoon to see what I could see. This is the view heading up towards Maleny from Landsborough. I rather like the khaki in the green at this time of day, it says "you are in Australia."

Australia Day

Today is Australia Day, and although I've been keeping my eye out for suitable photo opportunities, they just haven't come along, or at least the ones with heaps of flags and that sort of thing haven't.

So here is a windmill, and icon of Australia's rural life. Used for pumping water they appear at every isolated bore or just about anywhere one wants to move water from one place to the next. With blades of pressed iron and corrugated vanes, many have been in service for a century.

This one at Maleny.

On another note, we'll be spending all of today at a ceremony to induct new Australian Citizens as some Canadian friends take the plunge, I'm sure there'll be a photo or two over coming days, but later in the evening I plan to post a report on my Fading Memories Blog for those interested.

ANZAC Day Skywatch

ANZAC Day, tomorrow, is probably Australia's most important national occasion. It marks the anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during the First World War. ANZAC stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. The soldiers in those forces quickly became known as ANZACs, and the pride they soon took in that name endures to this day.

Australians and New Zealanders recognise 25 April as an occasion of national commemoration. Commemorative services are held at dawn – the time of the original landing – across the nation. Later in the day, ex-servicemen and women meet and join in marches through the major cities and many smaller centres. Commemorative ceremonies are held at war memorials around the country. It is a day when we reflect on the many different meanings of war.

More information may be found at the Australian War Memorial website here.

This photograph was taken almost a year ago, outside the Maleny RSL - The Returned Servicemen's League.

The vibrant sky and the blazing red of the hibiscus in flower needs little further comment.

Don't forget, there links to lots more Skywatch images from around the world on the Skywatch Portal!

Maleny.

Sunshine Coast Daily Photo - Australia

Sprocket

What you are seeing is actually a mobile musical instrument called "Sprocket". Sprocket can't easily be explained nor photographed as the musicians are always in a position where their backs are to the audience.

Inventor and Musician, Steve Langton has created (with a little help from friends) this amazing 4 wheeled tuned percussion machine incorporating Marimbas, Tuned Wheel Rims, Tuned Pistons!, A Drumkit played on high, Pedals that 2 people can use to move Sprocket around, and the world first "Thongaphone".

For more pics see my Flickr Sprocket Gallery and to hear it in action there's even a clip on YouTube.

Maleny

Purple Hair

I have no idea why I became fascinated with these mannequins, perhaps it's because they don't hide their faces when they see me with the camera.

Maleny

Obi Obi Creek

Resting on the bank of Obi Obi Creek in the heart of downtown Maleny. The creek is actually a habitat for Platypus so perhaps the black outfit was to try to blend in.

Maleny.

Bloke from Maleny

The population of Maleny comprises a wide cross section of people including farmers, artists, musicians, and of course people who wear straw hats.

Maleny

Hottie

Ooh oh ohm she's on fire!

Maleny

Mooloola Valley

From the top of the hill, looking back to the coast from a distance of about 20 kilometres, one begins to understand how sparsely populated our city really is.

Maleny

Maleny Library

The library is designed to mimic the older style of building, and sits on the sensitive Obi Obi Creek banks. The community is obviously accepting of this development, unlike the supermarket on the opposite bank.

I'm not sure if that's hypocrisy at work, or some sort of grand vision.

(EDIT - see comment below for a perhaps more informed view)

Maleny

Coffee in Maleny

The bakery doesn't have a fancy floor, but the shadows of the lattice cheer it up. Oh, and there's not much of a view but the coffee's good and the sky is usually a rather pleasant colour.

Maleny

Maleny

Most of the Commercial buildings in Maleny were originally constructed in the early 20th century. The colours and sophisticated landscaping don't particularly reflect historical accuracy, but it's a pleasant place to be.

Maleny

Lost Hat

Either someone has found this hat, and left it in an obvious spot so its owner can find it, or the post is very sensitive and afraid of getting its top sunburnt.

Maleny

Australia Fair

This stylised globe sits on top of the Maleny Returned Servicemen's League (RSL) monument to the fallen. There's not much else to say about it really except that the sky is typically devoid of anything that looks as though it could deliver rain!

Maleny