Pandani and the Tarn Shelf, Mt Field

The Tarn Shelf is, as it’s name implies a narrow “shelf” with a number of small tarns along it. The backdrop to the tarns is the Rodway Range with its covering of fagus, which in the photo above you can see is mostly grey and bare, with only a few very small patches of orangey yellow still to be seen. These pandanis just near the entrance to the Shelf caught our attention and provided a great subject in the foreground with the Tarn Shelf in the background.

The last leaves of Autumn

Once we made it to the tarns we were rewarded with small patches of coloured leaves, and in fact the starkness of the grey autumn clouds and pale sunlight really created a nice scene as the bare branches reached out forlornly to the cold sky.

Fagus leaves, Macro Detail

Finally, as it became apparent that sweeping landscapes full of colour and life were not going to be ours, the macro lens came out and it was time to get up close and personal with the delightful detail of the tiny leaves and branchlets of the fagus. The changing colour of the autumn leaves is a beautiful time to bushwalk in Tasmania, and an endlessly fascinating subject for landscape and macro photography. Each year I make at least one journey in the autumn months, and there are still plenty of places I am looking forward to seeing and photographing in their autumn hues. For now, winter is not far away which has it’s own unique beauty in its harshness.

Wedge Tailed Eagle Release, Richmond, May 2012

This eagle was taken to Craig after receiving a seriously injured wing after being intentionally shot. His recovery with Craig took around 14 months, but after some great signs of fitness recently Craig decided the time had come to set him free again.

Wedge Tailed Eagle Release, Richmond, May 2012

The young eagle is now free to in his new home around the Coal Valley, and Craig deserves a big pat on the back for his efforts – good on you Craig.

Wedge Tailed Eagle Release, Richmond, May 2012

Cradle Mountain - Tasmanian Photography Workshop & Tour

Michael is a regularly published photographer, and his work has featured at Tasmania’s own Wilderness Gallery at the Cradle Mt Chateau as well as magazines such as Australian Photographer (check out his cover shot from the Bay of Fires on the April 2012 edition!). He has also featured in calenders, diaries and has produced his own photographic book on Australia’s wonderful wildlife.

Tasmanian Photography Workshop & Tour

Michael is an Accredited AIPP (Australian Institute of Professional Photography) photographer and owns and operates, with business partner Mark Rayner, Trekabout Photography Workshops. Their workshops are conducted “in-the-field” in stunning natural settings, including Lamington National Park in the Gold Coast hinterland, the Red Centre, Lord Howe Island, Norfolk Island, Fraser Island and Girraween National Park – and later this year for the first time, Tasmania.

Freycinet National Park - Photography Workshop & Tour

More detailed information will be coming soon, but to register your interest please get in touch directly – and quickly!

info@lukeobrien.com.au

Ph: (03) 6231 9964

Fagus & Mist, Mt Murchison

The clouds were skimming across the top of the mountain for most of my stay, but luckilly rain stayed away for most of my shoot, in fact just as I was lining up the shot above the first drops started to fall signalling an end to the days shoot.

Red fagus leaves, Mt Murchison

Just as I thought the red leaves were going to elude me this year I found the above little branchlet on a rockface. The yellow leaves are most common with the fagus, so I am always on the lookout for splashes of red. The bright autumn hues contrast strikingly with the grey tones of the twisted trunk and branches of the fagus, which at this altitude grow prostrate on the rocks.

The last leaves of Autumn 2012 - Mt Murchison

The hike to Mt Murchison starts on the Anthony Link Road (B28) not far out of Tullah. The start of the track is clearly signed. The walk to the peak takes around 2.5 hours of steady uphill climbing, first through dark forest, then through banksia and scoparia scrub before getting into the really rocky section where the fagus and King Billy pines appear. I wouldn’t class it as a difficult walk but it is strenuous. Take plenty of water, and care should be taken to keep your eyes on the tags and cairns that mark the trail at higher elevations, particularly when the weather is not cooperating.

Mt Murchison Summit Hike Tasmania

You will be rewarded with views of the peaks of the Overland Track, including Cradle Mountain, to the east once you leave the tall forest, and the view at the top of the hollowed out core of Mt Murchison with a couple of lakes and steep cliff walls is spectacular.

Feel free to take advantage of the sales at the Hiking Gear shops on Elizabeth St or to relax with a coffee at one of the many nearby cafes while waiting for your chance at a browse through some top-notch Tasmanian landscape photography (even if I do say so myself ) here at 46 Melville St.

A mist-shrouded Meredith Range - Tarkine

The highlight of Corinna has to be the secluded waterfall “Lover’s Falls”. It is not a fall that is easilly accessed by large tour groups so you can have some time to yourself in the deep green rainforest. We kayaked to these falls and had the place to ourselves for an hour or two before another small group appeared. Taking photos of these falls was not without it’s challenges, namely avoiding the spray off the waterfall. The ferns surrounding the waterfall, however, made for beautiful framing and composition opportunities. The ferns were a brilliant green, and the red tannin stained water was quite an eyecatching contrast.

Lovers Falls, Tarkine

The weather was surprisingly still while we visited the falls considering the wind, rain and hail that hit at other times during our few days in the region. We even experienced snow in the rainforest near Waratah on the way to Philosophers Falls, which is another must-see Tarkine rainforest walk, especially in wet weather.

The lush green rainforest of Tasmania's Tarkine

The evening rewarded too with a full moon lighting up the misty Pieman River. Below is a 2 minute long exposure photograph of the Pieman at night.

Pieman River at Corinna, Night Scene

Access to Corinna is quite straightforward, and the only unsealed section of road is the final 25 kms once you pass the mining town of Savage River. Don’t underestimate the driving times however, the road is quite narrow and windy, so you will need to allow the best part of 90 minutes to drive the 70km from Waratah to Corinna. There is accommodation & activity information on the Corinna Wilderness Experience website.

Fagus on Mt Murchison, Western Tasmania

There is still plenty of green but anyone hoping to see this unique display of colourful autumn leaves should plan a trip in the next few weeks – or perhaps even join my photography tour to Mt Field on April 29!

Sunset over Hobart, from Bellerive

There have been some stunning sunrises & sunsets lately – make sure you make the most of it, sunrise and sunset times are not unreasonable at this time of year – sunrise is approx 6:30am and the sunset really got colourful right on 6:00pm tonight, so grab your gear and get shooting!

Saturday May 12: Mt Field & Styx Valley – Photograph the exquisite detail within Tasmania’s stunning tall eucalypt & rainforest.

Tasmanian Photography Tours - Mt Field & Styx Valley

Tours are not limited to these dates only, please contact us directly if you would like to discuss other dates/destinations. More information and itineraries: Tasmanian Photography Tours

Luke O’Brien Photography

46 Melville St, Hobart

Ph: (03) 6231 9964

info@lukeobrien.com.au