Stay Local!
What a morning! Wow - clear skies, that brilliant crisp autumn air and beautiful lighting that is every photographer's dream! So out we went reminding ourselves how grateful we were to be able to live in such an amazing location. After the last few days of grey dullness, it was a relief to have a sunny morning again - bliss!
Port Otago buzzed with activity, yet the streets remained a ghostly shadow of what they usually are. We headed up to Scotts Memorial. Long walks in our bubble are a win-win cause we all get to exercise and I get to continually search for a new composition to frame up through my camera. I find it helps me slow down and increases my ability to see more as I move through our local landscape.
After capturing Port Otago in early morning action (see cover image) we walked around the track and back down to the infamous Ninteen Fathom Foul anchor. (This anchor was lost by an unknown sailing ship which had to heave to off the Otago Heads. It was the cause of one drowning in 1966. It was finally hauled ashore in 1978 and placed here in 1978 as it had played a significant part in marine history). It was not long to wait for the sun to peek over the hills. What a dream to drink this view up. I busied myself with the camera catching a lovely moment with Jo talking to Molly about her interest in the local chickens.
We started to head home, descending down the track. Near the road, Molly gave out a high squealed yelped and frantically started limping and stoped to lick her foot. Thinking it was a thistle we had a quick look with no result. It persisted and so we managed to hold onto a wiggly squirmy Molly and dug deeper into her paw pad. There Jo discovered a wasp that was imbedded, busy stinging her repeatedly. Ouch!
Jo managed to flick it out. Now the walk turned into a walk a meter, stop and lick the foot, walk a meter and repeating the cycle. We carried her for a bit, however, Molly is 10+kgs of 'wiggly' so that did not seem the best option. It was obvious we were not going to get back in time for work to start. To the rescue, Jo ran home to get the van and pick us up, while I consoled the injured.
The rescue operation was a success and I can confidently report Molly is feeling better. Swelling is subsiding and after seeking advice from the vet, giving an antihistamine, Molly is doing well. I suspect she will be sore for a day though. Be careful this time of year as wasps are seeking their protein to be able to get through the winter. There are many around and consider not giving these introduced pests a chance to carrying on living.
This experience shows why the government is so adamant for you to stay in your local area. Remember you are putting other service rescue people at risk. Staying local enables you to possibly manage your situation. Kiha Kaha.
Cover Image: 'Port Otago'
Canon EOS R, f/11, 1.3sec, 21mm - (16-35mm) , ISO-200
Life goes on at the Port. However, knowing their strict health & safety procedures I am sure it is tighter and tenser behind closed doors.
Canon EOS R, f/16, 1/160sec, 20mm, ISO-250 - 'But what about the Chickens?'
The chickens often congregate in this area, which did create some interest for Molly. We had to have a few chats. Notice the starburst I refer to in my first blog. Another trick is to let the sun peek out from somewhere like, in this case, Jo's leg. This will help you get better flares.
Canon EOS R, f/16, 1/160sec, 20mm, ISO-250 - 'Scotts Memorial'
The ill-fated Scott expedition left Port Chalmers for Antarctica on 19 November 1910. After news of the death of Captain Scott and members of his party reached New Zealand, places as far apart as Warkworth, Christchurch and Queenstown decided to erect memorials in their honour. In March 1913 the Port Chalmers Borough Council, for its part, decided to erect a memorial cairn on Height Rock, overlooking the harbour.
This was paid for largely by public subscriptions. The foundation stone was laid on 13 December 1913. Prime Minister W.F. Massey formally unveiled the monument on 30 May 1914.
The structure, designed by architect Robert Burnside, consisted of a tall and gently tapering column of Port Chalmers stone, surmounted by an anchor. On the landward side was inset a marble tablet inscribed with (inter alia) the names of those who perished: Captain Robert Falcon Scott, Dr Edward Adrian Wilson, Captain Lawrence E.G. Oates, Lieutenant Henry R. Bowers and Petty Officer Edgar Evans.
Reference: https://nzhistory.govt.nz/media/photo/robert-scott-memorial-port-chalmers
Canon EOS R, f/1.8, 1/500sec, 20mm, ISO-100 - 'Stung'
Like one of the teddy bears sitting in people's house windows, we ended up with our very own. Kind of like an Ewok from Star Wars Molly would be hard not to love.
Canon EOS R, f/16, 1/160sec, 20mm, ISO-250 - 'Carried'
Carrying a 10+kg wiggling Cairn Terrier did not seem to be the best option to get home easily this morning. Thank goodness we were local and able to manage the wasp crisis and retrieve a vehicle as Molly's ambulance :)
Andy`s Photography Tip: 'Priceless Moments'
There are times that just will never be repeated. These are the moments you may wish you had a camera ready. Phones are your best camera often as most of us have one in the pocket ready to go. Either way, so you don't miss priceless moments my tip is - always have a camera handy.
Also, consider your camera settings. If you have a larger camera for these I tend to have it on shutter priority - usually, no less than 160th/sec unless I want to create a different effect as these moments often have movement. You will have to consider your other settings too i.e. ISO and if your aperture has enough depth of field?
Please put a comment or emoji below. If you have any questions pop them in the comments box below or send me a video with your questions via Facebook - keep taking photos and get out there!
Andy Thompson