Snapping my way

I sometimes list Photography as one of my Hobbies  but that's not really accurate. It's just an activity that, since smartphones came into my life, is a part of my everyday life. 

A photo is an aide-memoire to assist my flagging memory - it may be a photograph, a business card, a memorable meal, a book for the reading list, treasured time with family, the changing moods on our Lake, an offer in a Facebook ad, an idea for a blog post.

For the reading list

A meal to remember - not just for the food

A sensational day out

All of these images or snaps are reviewed regularly and either consigned to the trash (not many) or transferred to my image archive, an external hard disk drive, where I religiously catalogue add metadata: the who, what, why, when and where of the images.

When we are travelling my snapping activity goes into overdrive. I add a small digital camera with a long zoom and several batteries to my arsenal so that I have plenty of juice to get through the day. I try to process these each evening before I forget where they were taken. When I forget this task I create a nightmare for my return home

The result is that I have an external hard drive (and another for backup) with several terabytes of images. Whenever a family member needs a photo of a particular event or a selection to show at family event I can quickly search my collection and come up with the goods.  

Recently I came across and joined a local photography group, Lake Macquarie Area in Photos,  on Facebook that issues a weekly challenge or two to its members. I love a challenge so I very quickly entered some, it is an opportunity to share some of my better snaps. As I am mostly sharing photos of Carey Bay the focus of my One Place Study it may help me to connect with people from the local area. 

I have received lots of positive reinforcement from members of the group and even received an honourable mention for my first entry. Since then I've had a few honourable mentions. 

One of last week's themes was "Shimmer", I was overjoyed when my image of the moon's reflection in our Backyard (The Lake) was chosen as photo of the week. As well as gallons of personal satisfaction I was rewarded with my image being posted as the header image for the week on the Facebook Group.

My winning Image "Shimmer at Carey Bay"

I recently discontinued active participation on Twitter and moved my social media activity from that platform to Bluesky (I am @geniaus.bsky.social). While my main focus there is Family History I have been reading unrelated posts. A weekly challenge from a Scottish Lass, Sheena, appealed so I joined her Alphabet Challenge in which one has to post an image related to a them related to the letter of the week. 

Three weeks in I am enjoying this fun activity as it is helping me to meet new and interesting connections who participate. 

Upclose in the Garden

Although I appreciate our lovely, large front garden I don't often walk around and look at the various plants. Between the spring showers today I wandered down from our street frontage to the house with my phone in hand. As I did I took a few Upclose photos.

The camellias, gardenias and magnolia have lost their blooms but the azaleas and wisteria are bursting into bloom.

Looking down from the letterbox

The first row of azaleas

 A corner of cliveas

These azaleas match my hot pink glasses

Dainty groundcover is taking over

An orchis lives on a tree

An old slow coach has a sunny spot

The last of the camellias

Another clump of azaleas

Dainty and white ??

Yellow cliveas

These pretty blue things are coming up all over

The lavender is scraggly but the perfume perfect

No need to buy lettuce this week

Silver beet is doing well

The very first lemon on our tree ever

I think we'll be getting more lemons

Waiting to be planted out

I think this is a pest

Another old duck

Hedge in desperate need of a trim

Looking back up the drive to the letterbox

Welcome back Saracen

One of the delights of living on the water is being able to watch the movements of the boats that are moored in our backyard at Carey Bay in Lake Macquarie.

Boats in the Backyard 9 March 2023

There are only a few boats moored close to our home, some rarely move, some go out regularly and some like the catamaran, Saracen, disappear for months at a time. Saracen was bobbing around in March this year but disappeared some time after that. Each year when she disappears (perhaps for a warmer climate) we wonder if she will return. 

On looking out our window this morning my husband spotted Saracen back at her mooring. I grabbed my phone and snapped a few happy shots to record the occasion. 

Boats in the Backyard 8/11/2023

Disembarking

Land Ahoy

Welcome back Saracen. We've missed you. 

Saracen

Up with the Birds

I'm usually in the land of nod when the sun appears, but this morning due to a severe case of jet lag, I found myself awake well before dawn.

That unusual event deserved recognition so I grabbed my phone, popped out on the deck and snapped the scene in our backyard.

The Backyard at Dawn

Robert and I have just returned from a seven week trip in the UK and Northern Europe. In the coming weeks I will post a few photos from our journey here on this blog. 

Pink Carpets

 As our camellias come to the end of their season they lay pretty pink carpets over our lawn. 

Comfort Food

It's a dismal day here in Carey Bay so we had some comfort food at lunchtime: Aussie Meat Pies, Peas, Carrot and Mash. 

Reflecting on the humble meat pie sent me to my photo archive to see what I could find.

Dubbo Pie

On the Sydney to Newcastle run

A Square Meal at Castle Hill RSL

Home style - Pies, peas and mash

Spreading crumbs in the car as we drive along

Delish find from our drive last month

Little Party Pies at a family celebration

Fredo Pies - on the Sydney to Brisbane Highway

Hide and Seek

The moon was playing hide and seek in the clouds tonight.

Moon at Carey Bay

When I went outside to investigate the bright light I found that the water was shimmering and there were some interesting reflections off the Lake. I was rather pleased with the images I captured on my phone, there was just a smidgin of colour in my snaps.

Nautical Neighbour

When I looked out into the backyard this morning I saw some chaps working on a mooring and another fellow in a kayak chatting with them. I thought they were working on the mooring for a little boat named "Pearl" that has been absent for a while.

Man in kayak having a chat with the mooring workers

I went around my business for the rest of the day and didn't venture outside until the late afternoon light created some nice reflections on the Lake. Phone in hand I started taking a few photos and, when I looked right, spotted something that wasn't there this morning.

Something new in the backyard

I spotted something new in the backyard. I realised that the mooring I saw getting attention this morning was a new one, a bit closer to our home than "Pearl's". Attached to the mooring was a new little sailing boat. Perhaps it belongs to the man I saw in the kayak this morning. 

 

Lovely afternoon reflection of our new nautical neighbour

I love watching the comings and goings in our quiet corner of Lake Macquarie. There is something new that attracts my interest each day.

Skip-Bo

 Paddy loves joining the family for a game of  Skip-Bo. He enjoys teaming up with his big sister. 

Blood Moon

I had forgotten all about the Blood Moon last night until I saw a post on social media. 

I grabbed my phone and ran out on the balcony to grab some images. I didn't stay long as it was a bit chilly outside when only wearing my nightdress!

While I should have grabbed the camera which has a bigger zoom I'm happy with this distant picture that I captured.