Skellig Michael, Ireland

Today I had the pleasure of visiting a world heritage site Skellig Michael. Located 11.6km out to sea it was once a Christian Monastry which dates back to 500AD. The ride out is often choppy and the boats may not be running and can be delayed for several days because of the weather. We got lucky and had a good day with loads of sunshine.
There is some 650 steps to the summit which is steep in some sections and has no handrail. The view from the top is amazing and climbing through the dry-stone beehive huts and chapels which would have sheltered 12 monks at any one time. To think they have been standing for 1300 years out in the Atlantic ocean off the Irish coast. The island is also home to thousands of Puffin Birds between early spring and August.
Sceilg Bheag which is another island next to Skellig Michael is a seabird sanctuary and one of the worlds greatest gannetries. It is home to more than 30,000 pairs of Gannets. This place is magical.

Puffin Bird

Over 600 steps to the top

View from the top of Skellig Michael looking out to Sceilg Bheag

1300 year old Beehive huts at the monastry on top of Skellig Michael

Skellig Michael

Gannets of Sceilg Bheag

Puffin Bird taking cover

South Coast NSW

I've just had a relaxing week down the south coast of NSW, the weather has not been the best with alot of rain the first 2 days but we did end up with a good day or 2.

I've been waking up early for sunrise but unfortunately they haven't been amazing but we did have one amazing sunset!

 I really do love the south cost of NSW it's just amazing and nice and relaxing. We stayed at Gerroa 2 hrs from sydney and if anybody is looking for a rental house i can highly recommend Sea west 

http://www.stayz.com.au/accommodation/nsw/south-coast/gerroa/98020

It's a awesome little 3 bedroom house with open plan living rooms and with a great deck over looking 7 mile beach.

We've been busy doing day trips to Jervis bay, Berry, Kangaroo Valley, Fitzroy Falls and eating out at the local cafe's and restaurants. 

Here are few photos from my sunrise and sunsets around Black head Gerroa.

Vivid Sydney 2013

Vivid Sydney Sydney started a week ago and i've already been twice !! Last Saturday night i took my niece's in to watch it again they love the trip into the city to view vivid . Made the mistake of taking them on the first saturday night of vivid and it was packed, it really does draw the crowds .

This year there is a water and light display at Darling Harbour which is pretty cool plus all the usual spots like the Opera house , The MCA and Customs House.Vivid is on for another week and well worth a look just try to go mid week if you can. 

Elsewhere Retreat , Megalong Valley

Wow , What a weekend !! Just spent the weekend up the Blue mountains Had the best weekend which i did not want to end. It's my Birthday this week and we decided to book a place up the mountains , We found a place on 40 acres called Elsewhere Retreat and it did not disappoint . We arrived on Friday afternoon just before sunset, It was great to find a well presented house with 2 fires stacked with wood ready to go.
After the rest of the group arrived we had a great evening around the fire . On saturday we went for a walk to hanging rock for a lovely picnic, luckily it managed to be clear enough with all the back burning going on to enjoy the view.
On sunday it was very hard for all of us to leave , everyone had a great weekend and nobody wanted to leave it was amazing. I would highly recommend Elsewhere Retreat To anyone , Here is a link for anybody that is interested in a fabulous property for a great weekend.

http://www.elsewhereretreat.com.au

Mt Wilson

Had my first trip out to Mt Wilson on the weekend , This time of the year it is full of colour and well worth the visit. Also managed to pick our own Chestnuts at one of the houses up there.

Lee Big Stopper

Morning All,

Well it hasn't  really been a busy week , Ive managed to get a stomach bug and have had a few days off sick. But on the upside is a recent purchase of mine was a Lee Big Stopper to add to my other Lee Filters i Have. 

It's Basically a black piece of glass which you can not see thru but when added into my Filter holder it allows an extra 10 stops. These shots were taken after sunrise the reading thru my camera without the filter was 25secs @ f8 and with the filter the final exposure was 2mins @ f8 allowing the water to look perfectly smooth and all of the boats on the harbour to not be seen.

I'm gonna have some fun with this once i feel better, and the weather clears up !

Pete

New Zealand Moon Rise

For all of you that haven't seen this on my Facebook page,
 Full moon Silhouettes is a realtime video of the moon rising over the Mount Victoria lookout in Wellington, New Zealand. The photographer is Mark Gee a freelance photographer.
Click the link and Check it out !

http://vimeo.com/58385453