Day 46 - More Lotus

Its so good when you have days like the Lotus farm and Taipusam. These events have such a great return for effort. So many great shots to choose from and actually keeps me ahead of my target of 365 good quality photos for the year.
I just hope that I can stay ahead of the challenge.

Day 45 - Gentle Petals

I like the shapes of the petals on this lotus flower.
The white leaves are also very subtle and the hint of yellow at the centre makes the viewer want to see more.

Day 44- Fire in a purple bowl

This one was stunning - Close ups seem to be the best way to show the real beauty of these flowers.

Day 43- Lotus Elite

I just love the colours and subtle whites in this one.

Day 42 - Lotus Position

Normally on Sunday mornings I go to a Yoga Class at the gym.
Today the Photoclub went on an excursion to the Blue Lotus Gardens in Warburton.
It was well worth the effort.

Day 41 - Trio of Roos

Three groups of Roos this morning near Melbourne Airport.

Day 40 - Kangaroos near the Airport

Just near Melbourne airport is an area where you can watch the planes as they come in to land.
While most people sit an their cars eating Gelati and watching the planes - there is a large area to the right managed by Park Victoria where you can walk around - see an old homestead and watch the Kangaroos.
This was taken at around 9 AM.

Day 39 - Woodens ships

Today is Saturday and before I went into the office I allowed myself a few hours down at the Docklands and the airport for some much overdue photoography. This is a close up of some of the rope work on one of the old wooden sailing ships. This ship was called the Enterprize.

Day 38 - Geeta's

I know its a photo from last month - but it is a good one and I am happy with it.
This has some HDR treatment to make it look a bit different.

Day 37 - A Quick Chat

These two strappers were enjoying an in depth conversation while training their horses yesterday -

Today is 10% of the year and I am finding it harder than expected to take a good shot every day.
I am cheating a bit by using multiple shots taken on one day ... must work harder on this challenge!

Day 36 - Race Training Yarra Valley Racecourse

This morning I was planning to sleep in , but around 6 Am I woke up and got myself out to the Yarra Valley hoping to take photos of the big Balloons. Too early !, I went looking for Kangaroos but found only cattle... just before turning home I noticed that there was activity at the Yarra Valley Racetrack -
"Strappers" were giving their mounts some exercise. I managed to get up into the race callers tower and snap a few pictures. I need to get out again tomorrow and get a few more in order to keep up with the challenge.

Day 35 Young boy at Taipusam

I like this boy's smile and dark eyes.

Now that I have cropped the picture its a bit better for composition.

the bright white shirt in the background is still annoying me though.

The photo could probably be cropped a bit better for the rule of thirds and to remove the face in the background.

Day 34 Pierced tongue and cheeks

Is this devotion or just crazy?

Day 33 Old Man at Taipusam

I know I am getting ahead of my actuals days here but Taipusam, Indonesia and Philippines were such great photo opportunities allowing me some "credits" so to speak.
I kow I will need to get out agfain this weekend to find some shots cus I cann't live on credit.
Meanwhile this Old man was so quiet and relaxed during the Taipusam festival. Despite the mad crush of bodies he remained relaxed and oblivious to the many cameras around him.

Day 31 - Taipusam devotee

After the long climb uo the steps at the Batu caves this Devotee can relax a little.
I really like the lighting in this photo.

Day 31 - Hands UP !

Keep your hands above your heads - No one seemed to let go of the urns.
I like the close up just showing the hands, urns and colourful yellow fabric.

Day 30 - Not Impressed

This woman was amongst the thousands of  people carrying steel urns on their heads. The urns are filled with milk and I imaginge they must feel very heavy after a few hours of holding your hands above your head.
Clearly this woman was less than impressed.

Day 29 - Devotees crawl

This man literally crawled on hands and knees all the way up the stairs. I dont know how long he had been on his knees already by the time he rerached the bottom of the staircase consisting of 225 steps. Photos of that later. ... Just look at the apin on his face.

Day 28 - More Hooks

What can I say - This was an occasion where photographers just had smiles on their faces all day - So many great shots , and no one complained about a camera in their faces.

Day 27 - Self Abuse or Devotee?

Many of the male devotees pierced themselves through the mouth or had hooks inserted in their backs,

Day 26 -

This is where all the Taipusam devotees were headed. To the statue in the caves - Taken hand held around 6 or 7 AM as the sun was comming up and shining into the cave from behind my shoulder.