270 replies to this topic

[di on the wallaby]

What awesome shots you are posting. Wow! When are you coming to Tassie? Looking forward to seeing what you can do with its beautiful scenery!

[Mystic]

Great shots Natalie, love the grasshopper. Question about the fungus, does that have a sticky kind of skin on top?

[exislegirl]

Thanks Di - glad you are enjoying them. I was in Tassie about 6weeks ago... not sure exactly when I will be back for the next round.

Hi Anna, I'm sure the only reason I was able to get that particular grasshopper was because it has a leg missing! As for the fungus... ummm... I didn't actually touch it. I will go and do so tomorrow and report back.


Natalie

[Mystic]

Thanks Natalie, they do look like a mushroom I knew once that grew in pine forests, yellow spongy underside, sticky skin on top.

[Shane V]

Beautiful shots Natalie. I don't think I've ever seen a hibiscus like that before and that is one very colourful grasshopper. very nice

[exislegirl]

Thanks Natalie, they do look like a mushroom I knew once that grew in pine forests, yellow spongy underside, sticky skin on top.

Hi Anna, it is raining again today, but I still went and checked the fungus... it is not sticky on top - rather a leathery feel to it. Also checked the two red fungi from my Maggie Snaps thread, and they too have the leathery textured tops.


Natalie

[Mystic]

Thanks Natalie.

[bandi]

Great set of shots Natalie. Fantastic colours on that grasshopper... not seen anything like it here! The african yam flower looks quite amazing

[exislegirl]

Hello Anthony, that particular kind of grasshopper was featured on a stamp a while (few years?) back. They can be quite tricky to photograph, as they have this annoying habit of facing any one/thing that approaches them and then jumping right at one's face.

The African yam - as the name suggests, is an introduced pest/weed, but the flower is gorgeous.

Natalie

[exislegirl]

Well, this week I got a lovely surprise... a Pentax K-x with two lenses! I'm still trying to find out how it all works - but happened to spot another, larger version of the Leichardt's Grasshopper, so tested the zoom lens on it, with camera set to Macro:

Now you can really see the gorgeous colours!


And I tried the camera out at night with another shot of the Albino possum:

He has a rather yellowish tinge on one side, because the light on the back patio is an insect repelling yellow light - something of a necessity in the tropics.

Natalie

[Shane V]

So you went the Pentax ? It's a good camera and i think you will enjoy playing with it. beautiful colours in that grasshopper Natalie. And the possum is gorgeous. Nice shots

[exislegirl]

Yep Shane, been looking at and comparing various Pentax and Nikon cameras and lusting after them... then happened to be walking past a camera shop just before Easter and saw the K-x with 2 lenses for under 1K. Came home and did some more looking and lusting, and then a certain someone who shall remain nameless said 'let's go and have a look at that camera'... and next thing I knew this monster was coming home with us!

Now I just have to get used to the weight of it, learn how to use all the bits and pieces, and stop thinking point and shoot. Lol. Any tips you'd like to pass along would be greatly appreciated.

Natalie

[Shane V]

The best tip...go and play The red spot means focussed And just have fun. If you want to use it in auto mode that is fine, you can get good shots that way, but you will find yourself adjusting the dials in no time.

[Mystic]

Nice shots Natalie, and congratulations on the new toy. I was considering the K-x myself when I bought the K20D, mainly because it is supposed to be exceptionally good in low light. A good resource for everything Pentax is the Pentax Forums. Very active community and the lens and accessory databases are invaluable. Also can be a good way to pick up some great deals on used equipment which really helps once you start feeding your soon to be gained lens addiction.

[exislegirl]

Time for the new weekly shots. None of these are particularly good photos, but thought the subject matter might appeal. The first is a shot taken yesterday of a green frog being eaten by a green tree snake on an upstairs windowsill of the house next door. Very high up and an awkward angle to boot - sorry:

The next is another butterfly:

And Hoop Pines silhouetted against the sky:

Natalie

[Mystic]

Great shots there Natalie. Would love to capture a snake having a meal.

[Shane V]

The subject matter is awesome Natalie. Well spotted with the snake, gorgeous butterfly and a lovely landscape scene. Well done

[exislegirl]

Thanks Anna & Shane, thought you might enjoy the snake shot. Of course, I heard the frog and had to go and investigate with camera in hand... as the sound of a frog being eaten by a snake is one you never forget once you've heard it. It is worse when the snake has the frog by the leg... the screams go on and on - and it is quite distressing to have to listen.

Natalie

[exislegirl]

Okay, another week has rolled by. Slipped down to Horseshoe Bay to see if I could catch a nice sunset... but very low black rain clouds descended. Anyway, here's my pick - the photos show the bay from the south/easterly end, through to the north/westerly end:

White Lady Bay

Southern End

Swimming Enclosure

Sunset

Fire in the sky

Natalie

[dave]

paradise Nat and very well shot, well done!!