Sunday 7 March 2010

Monochrome Weekend - Stepping into the unknown


Matthew Flinders was a remarkable explorer of the unknown great southern land for which he championed the name Australia. Standing outside the Mitchell Wing of the State Library in Macquarie Street, sextant in hand, this imposing statue of Flinders is a testament to an adventurous spirit who was dead at 40. Behind the statue, on a window-ledge, is a statue of Trim, his cat who sailed with him.

A member of the Monochrome Weekend community.

20 comments:

Dina said...

An unknown to me: what is he stepping on?

Dave-CostaRicaDailyPhoto.com said...

I never knew who was the namesake of the Flinders Street Railway Station in Melbourne until I read your post today. They did not tell us about Flinders during our tour of Australia.

I must confess that my education in the USA included the history of exploration by the Portuguese, Spanish, French and British explorers of North and South America, but my school curriculum in the USA did not include the exploration of Australia, other than we were told that England sent prisoners there.

I apologize for my Euro-centric and Western Hemisphere-centric education. Thank you for broadening my horizons.

Virginia said...

Your POV is perfect. I'm showing this one to my class!
V

Virginia said...

Julie,
Could you email me through the address on my blog? I have something to share with you! :)
V

Piyush Garyali said...

Wow, beautiful highlights and shadows. Very nicely framed.

Tash said...

Apropos detail and magical lighting. I will have to read up on Flinders.
One of my favorite books is "Cooper's Creek: the opening of Australia" by Alan Moorehead...I own a nice Traveler paperbook edition. He mentions Flinders River up north. Time for a re-read.

brattcat said...

So many excellent choices made for this composition. May we see the cat?

TheChieftess said...

Dina...Looks a little like a cigar poking out from under a hat that he's stepping on!!!

Unknown said...

I would like to see the whole statue (and the cat).

Julie said...

Me, being me, I have a range of shots of the entire scene. I will see what I can do (without upsetting the rules for Monochrome Weekend!).

I grinned at Chieftess' guess at cap and cigar. However, no cigar. Flinders is stepping onto a coiled rope.

Joan Elizabeth said...

Amuses me, your selection of just his foot. As always, arty and interesting. Funny thing is I don't think I've ever registered it was a statue of Flinders but I have noticed Trim.

Ann said...

I would absolutely not have thought of shooting him this way but it definitely works. The statue of Trim is an old favourite of mine.

Bill said...

Another interesting shot. Now just what is he stepping into, onto?

Peter said...

love the focus on the foot - powerful!

Marka said...

Great perspective, it really fits the title of the post.

Serendipity said...

Great shot. I like the perspective :)

Anonymous said...

Hi Julie,
With this picture I mean that the firemen aren't as well known as football players but they play everyday with their lives helping people...
Nice Monochrome!
Bye,
Serge

Jim said...

Good timing. The library celebrates its centenary this week.

Dina said...

A coiled rope, aha. Thanks.

AB said...

Great detail