Friday 4 March 2011

Lord Howe Island - an idyll


This morning I returned from five days on Lord Howe Island, which is part of the state of New South Wales but about 750km to the east of the mainland in the Pacific Ocean. Spending the time with a bunch of bird fanatics, the days were jam-packed, the walking continuous, and the sights just wonderful.


These shots were all taken on my very first day on the island. They were taken from the 'boatshed' belonging to the guesthouse at which we stayed, 'Pinetrees'. The island out in the coral fringed lagoon is Blackburn Island. More on LHI over the weekend, followed by a more fulsome report on my travel blog, 'Hither & thither'.


A sometime member of the Skywatch community of blogs.
Just to emphasise - all three images are 'straight out of camera'.

33 comments:

Genie -- Paris and Beyond said...

Oh my!! The colors in that first photo are amazing! The second photo reflects another view of that same soft color palette. What fun you must have had in a paradise of nature... love this!

Bisous,
G

Luis Gomez said...

Absolutely gorgeous images! What a beautiful light Julie.

Rajesh said...

Gorgeous images on the island. First one is too good.

Anonymous said...

Fantabulous capture & what gorgeous skies!

Happy SWF! =)

Kay L. Davies said...

I've been thinking about you and your island idyll, Julie, but my imagination couldn't conjure up such beauty as this. Wonderful photos. Looking forward to more.
-- K

Kay, Alberta, Canada
An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel

EG CameraGirl said...

Wish I had been there! The light in the first two photos is stunning!

Chattahoochee Valley Daily said...

Lovely shots.

Alan said...

Wow, that's some camera (and clearly in very capable hands). The first photo drew me in, but the second is like something you'd see in a (very exclusive) magazine. The kind of photo I would die to be able to call my own:-)

Mark said...

What a lovely place to go, I have always wanted to make the trip to Lord Howe. Look forward to the next few days.

Ann said...

Now you know why everyone calls it Paradise. I love the place, always stay at Pinetrees as well. Thinking I really must get back there with more than a P&S film camera, its been quite a few years.

I'm looking forward to seeing what all the fuss is about Kangaroo Island. Managed to get the 3 day tour that I originally wanted so should get to see most of it, albeit briefly. Also meeting up with Dianne one day.

Dianne said...

Wow Julie! that second pic is stunning - what a fabulous location.
"Adelaide and Beyond"

Jim said...

The colours are quite a marvel.
Sydney - City and Suburbs

Oakland Daily Photo said...

The third shot made me go oooh. Fabulous saturation. Especially like that little sliver of white wave.

Bob Crowe said...

Never heard of these islands. They seem to be spectacular and very isolated.

The idea of presenting a photo straight out of camera is foreign to me. I've never posted a picture that has not been polished in Photoshop. Your approach sure saves a lot of time.

brattcat said...

I think the word I want is "gob-smacked". These are breathtaking.

Indrani said...

Whoa! That red!
I like the reflected light too.

Regina said...

Wow beautiful and amazing!
Thank you for sharing Julie.
Happy weekend.
Regards.
Regina

Raine said...

I like the first pic and the third. It gives that before and after appearance of the area. Beautiful!

Jilly said...

I love that first photo but I'm totally in love with the second. The light on the people, the shadows - the whole things gives a 3-D effect, making them stand out from the background. And of course the light from the setting sun - but where's the wine?

Julie said...

Let me assure you, Jilly, there was plenty of that! And, what's more, it was by an 'honour system'. One noted in an exercise book how much one consumed of what. 'Pinetrees' did a lot of that old-fashioned stuff - honesty.

Stewart M said...

Well, thats next years holiday sorted out! ALl I need to do now is find the cash!

Great pictures - Stewart M - Australia

Joe said...

Oh my gosh! What wonderful photos. I can feel the warmth of the sun, smell the brine in the sea and hear the squawk of the birds ... or is all of that just the bubbly? Thanks Julie.

Pearl Maple said...

How pretty, someplace I'd like to get to see one day. Thanks for sharing with SWF.

Unknown said...

Another reddish sky!!!
It's beautiful!

Arija said...

Glorious! What a superb place to be.

Ms. Becky said...

well they're all lovely, but the second is almost surreal in gorgeous. I absolutely love the warm glow on the people, and the composition. it's a fave, for sure. happy SWF, and have a beautiful weekend!

Joyful said...

What can I say except stunningly beautiful. I think your moniker suits you well. Love your profile pic too ;-)

diane b said...

Fabulous SOC shots. I loved LHI when we visited. The Mutton Birds were amazing.

diane b said...

I can't find a link to Hither & Thither.

Julie said...

Mmm ... both times I put the link to Hither & thither in the post itself. I will put it back into the sidebar.

Joan Elizabeth said...

So that's where you've been. Noticed you were a bit quiet their for a bit. Have never been to Lord Howe or Norfolk Island. It would be nice to do both.

TheChieftess said...

Love that golden light!

rallentanda said...

Stunning photos. I hear it's a magical place.These photos inspire me to visit there.