Dandenong Ranges Nature Photography » Australian landscapes

Sunset at Lysterfield

Kathie Thomas — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 22:49:08 +0000

I talked my husband into taking me to Lysterfield Park on Friday evening. I’d been walking a total of two days, with the aid of a crutch, and I was itching to get outside again. He was a bit reluctant but took me anyway, and watched over me very carefully as I made my way across the beach to a bench seat. I then took photos to my heart’s delight. I’ve seen more spectacular sunsets at the lake but I was happy to be viewing a sunset there again… at long last.

And, once it was gone, the water took on a silvery sheen and there was little colour in our surroundings.

Close up of King Parrot

Kathie Thomas — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 21:42:20 +0000

When you go to Grant’s Picnic Grounds in Kallista you can get up close and personal to the birds. The kiosk sells birdseed to the tourists and visitors. In these shots I’d taken a family member from interstate to visit the grounds and experience getting up close and personal to these beautiful birds. I believe this bird is a juvenile.

Sunset at Lysterfield

Kathie Thomas — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 22:10:05 +0000

A couple more sunset shots – both taken at Lysterfield Lake prior to my accident.

Sunsets

Kathie Thomas — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 22:49:56 +0000

This is my 1,000th post! Can’t believe it. Seems like I should make a celebration of it. I’ll give away a print to a commentor on this post – so you have to be in it for a chance to win it! So please leave a comment relating to sunsets – and the reason why you should win!

In the meantime, here are a couple of shots taken at sunset from or near my home.

This was taken up the road (hill) through a gap between two properties.

Sunrise in my area

Kathie Thomas — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 21:26:37 +0000

Thought I’d share with you some sunrise shots I’ve taken in Selby and Kallista over the past couple of years.

It really is a beautiful time of day that most people miss as they’re in bed – or not looking outside. I can’t wait to be out and witnessing sunrises again.

Holiday Season – Lysterfield Lake Park

Kathie Thomas — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 21:37:32 +0000

One of my favourite places to visit. Literally only 10 mins from where we live but it’s not a long hike from the city of Melbourne either. Lysterfield Lake Park is popular for so many reasons: walkers, runners, mountain bikers, people coming to have a picnic, relax, swim in the warm weather, learn to sail, kayak, bird watching, enjoy the Australian scenery, watch the wildlife and so on. I love to go bush walking as well as do nature photography and there are long walks and short ones. Same with those mountain biking – there’s a pump track, flat tracks, hilly tracks and ones for those who are very experienced in mtb. The Commonwealth Games Track has its home there also.

I particularly like being there early morning when the wildlife is still out roaming, and when there is a mist rising from the lake as the sun begins to rise. But sunset is another great time. Actually any time is, it’s a great park. There is also a cafe and bike shop called Trailmix which is popular with all who visit the park. Main entrance is off Belgrave-Hallam Road onto Horswood Road. There are several car parks available.

The park has a very active MTB club and all are welcome to join.

Holiday Season – more gardens

Kathie Thomas — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 21:33:31 +0000

Cloudehill is another wonderful garden to visit – but it’s more than that. It’s also a nursery and has a cafe where they cook their own produce from their magnificent vegetable garden. A must see all year round really. They also have a couple of books – one very large one with the story of the development of the garden and a smaller one with pictures of the garden all year round.

In the summer they have Shakespeare playing in their beautiful amphitheatre. It’s also a popular place for weddings and for portraits to be shot. If you’ve not been there before, do yourself a favour, and book a date with yourself to go.

Below: The steps up to the cafe – but you can also get to it from the carpark without having to climb steps.

Below: This is the entry to the theatre area. The hedge near the back/bottom is the wall of the theatre.

Below: Entry to their magnificent vegetable garden.

Below – both photos. The gardens in springtime.

Holiday Season – visit some gardens

Kathie Thomas — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 21:07:14 +0000

There’s a lot of gardens to visit in the Dandenong Ranges. You could pick almost any major road and see a sign leading to a garden to visit. Alfred Nicholas gardens is just out of Kallista heading up towards Olinda and is worth visiting. You could come across any number of photographers at one of the ponds or lakes almost any day. I like visiting early in the morning but all times of the day are good. The following gives you a bit of an idea of what you can expect to see. It’s a great place for picnics, walks, and family time together.

Holiday season – Grant’s Picnic Ground

Kathie Thomas — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 21:41:54 +0000

Grant’s picnic ground is in Kallista, and is part of Sherbrooke Forest. To get to it you need to drive through Belgrave up Monbulk Road, or through Monbulk and down Monbulk Road. It’s just near the roundabout in Kallista.

This is a popular tourist spot and every day you’ll see tourist buses there with loads of tourists pouring out of the buses to go for walks, explore the kiosk with its lovely tempting food and many beautiful tourist gift items to buy, plus squealing at the birds as they feed them. The birds scratch! So you really do need to wear long sleeves when planning to visit, especially if you want to feed the birds. It’s a lot of fun, you get up close to them and they are beautiful to see.

The bird seed can only be purchased at the kiosk – you must not bring your own. And it’s important you only feed the birds in the designated areas.

For those who want to go for walks, there are lots of tracks, there are seats to sit on, bbqs to use and beautiful sites to see. Below are examples of what you can expect to see at this lovely place to visit.

Holiday Season – Lilydale Lake Park

Kathie Thomas — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 21:37:42 +0000

Looking further in the Dandenong Ranges and moving towards the Yarra Valley, you’ll find the Lilydale Lake and Park. Lovely place to take your family. Room to play games, to go for walks or runs, to watch the multitude of birdlife there or just enjoy the serenity of the place.