Wednesday, 23 February 2011

Queens paint the town

Spare a moment to think of our friends in New Zealand combatting all that nature can throw at them.


Stretched to the limit: F5.6, ISO=800, 250mm, and <1/50 and without a tripod. All these were taken between 5:30am and 6:30am yesterday morning as the two liners rendez-vous(d) outside the heads, then entered in royal procession.

The Queen Mary 2 is by far the bigger of the two liners, with the Queen Elizabeth being sleeker and more elegant. Even half-way down the meandering harbour, they dwarf the poor old coat-hanger.


Taken from either Gap Park on South Head, or hanging over a railing at the intersection of Hopetoun Ave and Salisbury Street, Watsons Bay. The early start was exhilarating but the crowds nothing like the original sashay of the queens early in 2008.

During Wednesday me and my gals will be aboard a Maritime Museum ferry farwelling QE as she embarks on her round-the-world tour. More tomorrow.

10 comments:

brattcat said...

Night shots seem quite right for this dark day in Christchurch.

jabblog said...

Great shots - all those wonderful lights!
My son and daughter-in-law were living in New York when the Queens met there. Their apartment overlooked the Hudson so they had a splendid view.

Luis Gomez said...

Beautiful shots Julie!

Genie -- Paris and Beyond said...

Beautiful night shots of two stately queens... I would love to see them but your photos have brought us all close to the scene... Thinking about our friends in/from NZ

Bises,
Genie

Amanda said...

Wouldn't mind a trip on this ship!

Dianne said...

You were up early Julie! but what a great site with these 2 regal ladies entering your beautiful harbour.

Jim said...

They were quite a sight, side by side. I only managed to see the Queen Elizabeth at Circular Quay yesterday.

Ann said...

Not bad for hand held. Didn't think you were going out that early. I thought about it but was too tired. Got the QM at lunchtime and the QE after work. Thought the QM would be a good chance to try the superwide lens.

Peter said...

Great work getting up and in the dark shots.

Joan Elizabeth said...

Ugh 5:30 am. From next week I have to get up at 5:15 to catch a 5:45 train to work. Nothing like as much fun as seeing these grand dames ... just an occasional pretty sunrise if my eyes are not already glued to my computer catching up on work.