H Is For Highway

Gee, Dad Found His Own Way In The Outback

Photographs copyright: DAVID McMAHON

See, it’s perfectly logical. I used to get lost. Not because I am a bad driver, but simply because my aptitude for navigation does not always, ahem, match my driving skills.

So when Mrs Authorblog presented me with a GPS last year, the gods in every religious pantheon breathed a sigh of relief and said: "Right, we don’t need to worry about him getting lost – ever again. "

The GPS was great fun. I hooked it up even if we were driving to the shops, just for the novelty of hearing a disembodied voice actually telling me when to turn, which direction to turn, and how long it would be before my next cross-street. I reckoned I had found Nirvana.

When we flew interstate in January this year, it was the first thing I packed. As soon as we stepped off the plane in Perth, capital of Western Australia, I proudly marched up to the rental car desk, claimed my big Camry, opened the driver’s door in the sweltering heat and even before I turned the aircon on, I connected the GPS and put in the co-ordinates for the Sheraton.

Piece of cake. Never been to Perth before, but I drove with as much confidence as locals who had spent all their lives there.

But a couple of weeks later, I blotted my copybook. Just when the family figured I would never get lost again, I did. Yes, the GPS was operating and I turned left when it told me to turn right. You could just about hear the GPS clicking its imaginary tongue and intoning gravely: "This bloke’s a moron. "

But I recently drove a 1200-kilometre round trip up the bush, into neighbouring New South Wales, to the beautiful little Riverina town of Temora. I was on my own, without the family for the first time in clan history, because it was just a quick in-and-out trip for research purposes. But I reckon Mrs Authorblog and the Authorbloglets were placing wagers on how soon it would take me to get lost.

I left on schedule, arrived at my destination on schedule, drove around the town without any dramas and then drove back to Melbourne on schedule. No big deal?

Mate, I did it all without the GPS. Yes, I had it with me in the car, but I never once turned it on.

Just one word of warning. Next time you see me, don’t tell me "Get lost" – because I probably will, literally and metaphorically.


For the home of ABC Wednesday, go to Mrs Nesbitt's Place.

Hilltop Homage

In Silent Memory Of Those We Never Knew

Photographs copyright: DAVID McMAHON

One of the things that has always amazed me is how different and distinct each Australian state capital is from its counterparts. In the first week of this year, we were in Perth, Western Australia and despite a hectic three-day schedule that included a wedding, we still managed to savour some of the most famous sights.

I’d heard that the 400-hectare Kings Park is actually larger in area than New York’s Central Park and I enjoyed my first fleeting visit to the beautiful setting, situated high above the Swan River.

It was a scorching Sunday morning under a flawless blue sky and the symmetry of the State War Memorial was perfect against the tranquil backdrop.


Because it’s set on a hill, the design of the monument allows for a crypt, although this is not immediately apparent when looking downhill at the memorial.

The Cenotaph was unveiled in 1929 while the Queen inaugurated the pool of reflection and the flame of remembrance in 2000. In the crypt, along with a display of regimental colours, there are names of every serviceman and woman from Western Australia who were killed in the Boer War, the two World Wars, Malaya, Borneo, Korea and Vietnam.


When I first composed this shot of the eternal flame, I included the reflection in the water as well. Then I suddenly noticed that the intense heat of ignition was causing a mirage-like shimmer, just left of centre. In this shot above, you can actually glimpse the heat-induced distortion, even though this is a low-resolution copy.

Having seen several cenotaphs around the world, I didn’t realise the significance of this design until I flew back to Melbourne and began researching the background of the monument. The obelisk, I learned later, is based on the design of Australian Imperial Force memorials erected in France and Belgium.


This young visitor (see last photo, below) was walking across a narrow plinth in the shadow of the crypt, with the strap of his bicycle helmet in his mouth. He was in shadow and I was outside in the sunlight, about twenty metres away, when I realised what a great image it would make, because it is so different from a run-of-the-mill shot.

I only had time for one frame before he disappeared, but it's interesting to note that the position of his foot does not obliterate the word "name" in the engraved letters.

It’s fitting, I guess, that the names of those who lost their lives should be etched forever in an area of such beauty and silent contemplation.


Visit TNChick's Photo Hunt. Today's theme: "In Memory''.

Tree’s Company

Must Be Time For The Mardi Grass

Photograph copyright: DAVID McMAHON

This shot was taken in the first week of January, while we were on the west coast for a family wedding. Kings Park in Perth is a place I had first read about as a child, and as this was my first visit to the west, I was determined to spend some time there.

It was a scorcher of a Sunday and even though I sweltered, I shot about 100 images during our brief stay in the 400-hectare park that is named after King Edward VII. We were actually on our way back to the car when I spotted this shadow of a huge palm tree.

Even as I marvelled at the fresh green grass that was so different from our scorched earth here in Victoria, this sight caught my eye.

Emblazoned on the billiard-table green parkland was the perfect shadow of a towering palm tree whose fronds were being caressed by the breeze. Because it looked as if it had been stencilled onto the grass, I had to pause for a few seconds while I lined up this shot.

I guess it might seem like an easy image, but I had to position myself very precisely to compose the shot so that it did not include any of the many people soaking up the sun while they lay on the grass.

Judging by this photograph, you might think the park was deserted, but believe me, it never is. The official website of the West Australian government shows that it attracts more than five million visitors a year. That might not seem like a lot to North Americans – but five million is a quarter of our national population.

In retrospect, the clarity of the shadow worked so well not just because of the quality of the light, but also because of the long, graceful shape of the fronds.

Visit MamaGeek and Cecily, creators of Photo Story Friday.

Wall Mounted

Splash Of Colour Near A Perth Beach

Photographs copyright: DAVID McMAHON

Many flowers remind me of my father. This year makes it a quarter-century since he died, but I suspect that he and his brothers must have grown up in a home with beautiful garden beds.

When my brother and I were children, our Dumayne Avenue home was bordered by a huge L-shaped garden that always had splashes of colour, with cannas, dahlias, sweetpeas and bougainvillea among the many varieties that bloomed in the Calcutta sun.

Every time I see dahlias and bougainvillea, I think of my Dad. I remember, too, how he used to be enchanted by his favourite variety of bougainvillea – the pink-and-white Mary Palmer.


During a long road trip from New Delhi to Dehra Dun in northern India in December 2007, we saw many bungalows with mature bougainvillea providing vivid colour against their walls.

While we were in Western Australia this month, I was (understandably) drawn to this beautiful variety in the back yard of a friend’s beachside Sorrento home.

The blooms were a perfect foil for the muted colours of the exterior walls and even though this wasn’t a Mary Palmer, it would have got my father’s seal of approval.


Visit Luiz Santilli Jr for the home of Today's Flowers.

Parrot Fashion

No Oscar, But He's Pollywood’s Leading Man

Photograph copyright: DAVID McMAHON

So there I was, on a hot afternoon in Perth a few days ago, looking for a polygon - but I had to make do with a "polly gone" instead. The brilliant hues of this macaw’s plumage caught my attention, so I had to get a shot of him, just to capture the great colours.

Fans of the peerless TV comedy troupe Monty Python would remember the famous Dead Parrot Sketch, but there were no such worries here. This bloke wasn’t dead. He wasn’t stuffed. He hadn’t even been to a taxidermist.

He’s simply a toy parrot. Yup, flip a switch and he’ll greet you with a marvellously authentic voice. So, yes, you can get really close to him – and he’ll never get his (or your) feathers ruffled.

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

21-Gum Salute

Lucky It Wasn’t A Sting Operation

Photographs copyright: DAVID McMAHON

There were plenty of bees buzzing industriously around these blooms on a tall, shady gum tree in Kings Park, Perth, last Sunday.

I should not have gone in close, but throwing caution to the winds, I stuck my head in between the branches in the interest of art.

I have a very strong memory of the pain (and the shame) of being stung on the butt in my childhood, when I took the advice of an older friend (who should have known better) and threw stones at a beehive in the garden of our home at 3 Dumayne Avenue.

Yes, that was on my mind when I went against my better judgement in Perth to take this shot. So I’m thinking – do I opt for safety and walk away from this one or do I tempt the worker bees and go for the shot?

No question about what my decision was going to be. Pink bearded blossoms around beautifully formed Australian gumnuts, framed against a graceful arc of the olive-green leaves won me over completely. A bee sting lasts for a few hours, but a splendid range of colour captured on camera lasts forever.

Right, honey?


Visit Luiz Santilli Jr for the home of Today's Flowers.

Beam Me Up, Scotty

It Ain't Star Trek, But It Sure Is Private Enterprise

Photograph copyright: DAVID McMAHON

Just before I stepped on a Qantas jet to Perth recently, for a family wedding, I received an interesting query from Baino. She wanted to know if I've ever been guilty of taking a lousy picture.

Yes, of course, Baino. There are some shots – not too many, thank goodness – where I think the result could have been a lot better.

But here’s the analytical reply to the question. I have never had second thoughts about composition, because I think that is instinctive. In other areas, yes, there are times when I definitely think I could have done better.

Occasionally I’ll look at a shot and think I could have produced a different result by trying a different shutter speed or selecting a different aperture.

For instance, I took this shot just before Christmas. I was in the city, in a hurry and the light was fading fast as it was close to nine o’clock at night. That’s when I spotted this bloke, looking like a cross between a Mercury astronaut and a Roswell alien. He was standing on an elevated platform, speaking through an amplified synthesiser and treating passers-by to some pretty interesting dance moves.

He was about fifty metres away from me, but since I was heading to the Bourke Street Mall, I crossed the street to get a bit closer. I fired off two quick shots without using my flash, but as you can see, I should have opted for a quicker shutter speed.

However, I never delete shots that are NQR (Not Quite Right). I leave them, like imperfect paintings, to remind myself that photography, like painting (one of my other major hobbies) is a constant learning curve.

You can always get better – and that is the bottom line for any form of creativity. In keeping with the theme of this bloke’s costume, never let improvement become an alien concept.

(The Odd Shots concept came from Katney. Say "G'day" to her.)

Hop To It

Mate, There's A Kangaroo On Ya Runway

Photographs copyright: DAVID McMAHON

As most of you would know, we've been away on the west coast for a family wedding - which is why I haven't been able to visit your blogs and collate the normal Post Of The Day nominations. But we're back home at Casa Authorblog now and life is (slowly) returning to normal.

This shot was taken as our flight was about to leave Perth airport. As usual I was craning my neck to look for interesting sights when I spotted this other Boeing 767 through a window. You can guess what happened next.

Yes, I had to jump up, get my camera out of the overhead locker and take this shot, specifically for Camera Critters. Mrs Authorblog, she just pretended she didn't know who I was.

The flying kangaroo, as the recognisable Qantas symbol is called, simply had to be photographed for this post. So there I was, in an aisle seat, twisting and contorting myself so that I could shoot this just to the side of Mrs Authorblog's stunningly beautiful profile as she sat in the window seat.

By the way, here is a trivia question for all of you. The term for a baby kangaroo is exactly the same as a character from Friends. Do you know what it is? If you don't, scroll to the very end of this post for the answer ....


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

ANSWER: A baby roo is called a joey. (Sorry, Ross and Chandler.)

Soldiering On

Commemoration Of A Short But Treasured Life

Photographs copyright: DAVID McMAHON

Making the most of the photo opportunities during a trip to the west coast, I took this shot just as I was leaving Kings Park in Perth, last Sunday. It was a scorching hot day with the mercury hovering close to the 100 Fahrenheit mark and after spending about an hour in the sprawling 400-hectare park (that’s about 1000 acres) I was keen to find some shade when I spotted this sight.

Commemorative trees for soldiers have an interesting history here in Australia. About 20 years ago, while driving from Melbourne to Adelaide, we passed through Ballarat and I noticed little plaques beside a long row of trees on each side of the Western Highway.

The next time we did the trip, I measured the distance and was surprised to discover that the Avenue of Honour, as it is called, stretched for more than 20 kilometres. It is by far the longest of its kind in any Australian city or town.

Each tree was planted in honour of a Ballarat citizen who volunteered for active service, with a plaque bearing a cross for each one killed in action. I did a rough calculation based on the estimated distance between each tree and I have to admit that I was astounded by the result.

I estimated about 3500 trees, but I researched this calculation yesterday and found that the official figure is almost 3800 trees.

This solitary tree, on the other side of the country, is living testament to a much-loved son killed in 1918, in the last months of World War I. He was not just a son of the family whose surname he shared, but a son of this nation as well.

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

Lobby Group

Reflections Can Create A Familiar Composite Image

Photograph copyright: DAVID McMAHON

This shot was taken in the lobby of the Perth Sheraton, earlier this week while we were on the west coast for a family wedding. I was in a hurry as I walked to the car park in the company of Mrs Authorblog, but as we crossed from the reception desk to the doors, this sight caught my eye.

I was concentrating on several other factors, so I couldn't immediately identify what it was that attracted my attention. But I knew that I had to take the shot. I had walked through the lobby of the hotel several times in the previous 48 hours, but the sunlight had never produced this effect before.

Mrs Authorblog, being a good sport, waited for me, although I must admit that I have a faint memory of her rolling her eyes and tapping one foot on the marble floor. Let's put it this way. Some husbands have a wandering eye for, well, eye candy. I have a wandering eye for art, wherever and however unexpectedly it may appear.

As always, I had my camera bag slung across my shoulders, so it only took me a few seconds to take the shot. It was only after we'd flown home to Melbourne and I looked at the solitary image on my computer screen that I realised what had attracted my attention in the first place.

The image, in totality, looks as if it has been shot in some mystical cathedral. Look carefully and you'll see what I mean. The dark shape of the simple wooden crosspiece now appears as a bold crucifix, dominating the middle of the frame.

And, quite in keeping with the spirit of the theme, the striking colours of the painting on the left, when viewed through the doorway, now look for all the world like an ethereal stained-glass window.

Visit MamaGeek and Cecily, creators of Photo Story Friday.

Cloud Controller

Finding A Window Of Opportunity

Photographs copyright: DAVID McMAHON

Sometimes you "see" a shot where you least expect it. And I guess it is just as important to recognise the opportunity as it is to drop everything, pick up a camera and take the shot.

I took this in our room at the Sheraton in Perth a few days ago, when we were on the west coast of this huge country-continent. My Ray-Bans ("sunnies", as we call them here) were on the table and I was just getting a few things organised before my nephew’s wedding when I noticed the clean reflection in one lens of the sunglasses.

The temperature was closing in on 39 Celsius, which is about 100 Fahrenheit, so it wasn’t surprising that the sky was clear, unsullied blue as far as the eye could see. And given that we were on the 17th floor of the Sheraton, my eye could see a very long way across the beautiful Swan River.

I chose to focus on the gold rim of the Ray-Bans, which I thought would draw attention to the reflection of the sky, graced with only a single cloud. Had I waited, the cloud would have changed shape or disappeared entirely.

I didn’t move the sunglasses to get a better view of the reflection, simply because I believe that the true test of a photographer is the ability to shoot any scene in any light at any angle and at any time. On this occasion, I was lucky, because the colours of the electronic room keycard, the hue of the wooden surface of the desk and the golden shapes of the coins were perfect for what I was trying to achieve.

Just for the record, those are two-dollar coins, the second-smallest in Australian currency. In the photograph below, you can also see a few one-dollar coins on the right of the frame. The two-dollar coins are only fractionally larger in circumference than our little five-cent coins. Maybe this was the "money shot" in more ways than one.


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

Glass Vegas

That’s A Real Pint-Sized Subject

Photograph copyright: DAVID McMAHON

If you’re wondering why I haven’t been visiting and commenting on your blogs recently, there’s a simple reason. I haven’t been home. I’ve literally been on the other side of the country for a family wedding.

We boarded a Qantas Boeing 767 for the four-hour flight to sunny Perth, capital city of Western Australia. It’s not quite as far as the flight from Toronto to Vancouver, but I’ll just point out that Perth’s time zone is closer to Singapore than it is to my home city of Melbourne.

This shot was taken in Fremantle on the day of the wedding, literally between the ceremony and the reception. Family and friends alike decided to kill half an hour at a boutique brewery called Little Creatures. I was at the bar when a worker put a metal tray of glasses on the counter.

Immediately I put my drink down and picked up my camera instead. Sometimes the most ordinary sights can produce the most unusually rewarding images.

A couple of drinkers looked askance as I lined up this shot. I guess they just saw empty glasses. Instead, I saw swirls of light, gentle contours of silver-blue, soft colours and several tiny golden sparkles of reflected light.

It’s always a privilege for a non-legal member of the family to be called to the bar.