Trying out my new Camera

I thought it was about time that, as one of the tutors of two camera clubs, I should invest in a DSLR, even though I am extremely happy with my Lumix TZ60 point and shoot camera which shoots in RAW format, the format I use for my photographs.

I looked around and considered buying a Nikkon 3200, but found that even though it shoots in RAW, it can't easily be imported with Adobe Lightroom 6. Then the Blogger suggested I should buy a Canon so I can use her lenses. Great thought. So off I trundled to the local Camera House where I got a very good deal on a mid-range Canon DSLR, the 750D, @24 Mega Pixel. and a 18 - 135mm zoom lens thrown in as well as a tripod. We already have a few other lenses I can now use.

My new Canon 750D

So, as we headed off to Bribe Island for a few days, I had a chance to try out my new toy.

This is a panorama view from our balcony on the 5th floor. Five pictures stitched together in Lightroom 6.

One morning we went for a walk along the beachfront. The Blogger, Mary and myself.

Mary and the Blogger

We had some stunning sunrises and sunsets Mother Nature provided for us.

Sunrise over the Pacific

At one stage, a cruise ship sailed by. I captured it holding the camera on the railing, even though it was way out in the distance. 

A P&O Cruise ship passed by - 1/30 - f:6.4 

Ornament 1/15 - f:5.6

Another day we visited the Bribe Island Art Centre where we found a short walk to an island lagoon.

Island Lagoon - 2/200 - f:3.3

The moon after sunset - 1/125 - f:6.3

And finally on the way home we stopped at Bongaree where I shot this Panorama over the Pumistone Passage.

I am very happy with the Canon 750D.

A Day out with the Boys

A couple of mates from the Camera Club have asked me to go out with them on photo shoots every now and then. The Blogger was out playing tennis this morning, so Will, Michael and and I went into town to walk on the brand new river walk at New Farm. It was a cool morning to begin with but it ended up quite warm.

The river walk was washed away by the big floods a couple of  years ago. At the time is was a floating construction, not able to withstand the strong river flow during a big flood.

The new construction is now solid, so that it can withstand anything the river throws at it. (So they say).

The New Riverwalk from New Farm into the city

Will and Michael prepare their cameras

A City Cat comes by

Heading under the Story Bridge

The City Hopper is a free Ferry Service provided by the Council

The Kookaburra Queen, a restaurant ship

Will at work

Michael at work

 Then it was coffee time. New Farm, a Yuppie suburb is full of decent coffee shops. So we picked the nearest one for a cappuccino.

Then the house pet walked into the place,

You see right. It's a chook.

It's quite used to customers and doesn't mind picking up morsels.

And finally we ended up at the Story Bridge for a panorama

We'll do it again soon, I'm sure.

Model Railway ExpoMy favourite

The All Gauge Model Train Club had an expo in their club house at Carina this weekend. We went to have a look.

My favourite - The Yukon-White Pass Railroad from Skagway in Alaska to the YukonValley in Canada. We've been on it.

There was even a band playing on this station 

I also made a short video of the trains, especially my favourite one, The White Pass and Yukon Railroad from Skagway in Alaska to the Yukon Valley in Canada, which we travelled on a few years ago.

My Grandson - The Entertainer

My grandson is entertaining foreign students (or maybe lecturing them) at UCLA. Or perhaps he is performing a magic trick for them. No matter what, they are enthralled.

You show them, mate!

Or maybe it's his blond hair.

Decisions, Decisions

It can be difficult for a small child to come to a decision. When the Blogger was visiting our family in L.A. recently, she captured this. Grandson No 2 is trying to choose a treat for a road trip. Here is what happened.

A nice Day Out

After a week of fairly cold weather here in Brisbane, today was a beautiful day with a pleasant 25ºC and glorious sunshine.

It was a public holiday here in Queensland, the Queen's Birthday.

It was also the day, the U3A Logan District Camera Club visited New Farm Park for a photo shoot. For overseas visitors, the park is on the Brisbane River, next to the Powerhouse Complex, a disused power station which has been converted into a performing arts venue with three theatres and a couple of restaurants, a perfect place for photographers to visit. Here are some shots I took this morning.

A rather dangerous looking flower

This member was intrigued by this tree

John and Elaine advised me that it's a Kigalia pinnata or Sausage Tree

A shady nook

Unfortunately the Powerhouse was shut

Interesting things could seen even up high

Not sure how safe this is

We took notice of this Notice

The river was very busy

Time to make a decision where to go for lunch

Mothers Day

Today I took the Blogger to our favourite Brisbane Swiss Restaurant "Des Alpes" at Mitchelton. It's also our 46th Wedding Anniversary so two birds etc etc.

The Des Alpes is expertly run by owners Nick and Monika Herbert. (Monika was born in Thun, my home town)

You can eat inside or al fresco

We love eating at the Des Alpes

Diane had Chicken Florentine with Nick's excellent Rösti

I had Atlantic Salmon with Nick's excellent Rösti

The Des Alpes is also famous for its Fondue

Lunch was followed by a lovely Tirami Su

The Des Alpes is the only place in Brisbane that serves
Feldschlösschen Beer.

No dinner for us tonight.