From 2009 until now, I have posted many series of wide-ranging photo essays. A total of 72 of these essays - surreal and otherwise, and consisting of just over 1,000 photographs - were devoted to Western Australia. Another 58 photo photo essays - surreal and non-surreal, and comprised of some 1,800 images - focused on America.
I reckoned that for a while people have seen enough of my take on slivers of experiencing life in Western Australia and North America. As a complete change, therefore, 18 photo essays - consisting of some 634 images - then engaged in what I somewhat loosely termed the Surreal English & French experience.
A consequence is that it has been quite some time since I have posted anything at all about Western Australia - too, long, perhaps. So methinks it timely to post ten new photo essays, entitled Western Australia Surreal, comprised of 358 photographs. Each image has been altered, mainly accomplished by using Picasa but sometimes by also using Microsoft Paint as well to manipulate the images. Not a single image is as the eye would ordinarily see it.
Do bear with me - my dreadful drivel is almost over and henceforth I promise to do my best to keep my pathetic remarks to the bare minimum. However, I really must point out a few facts. Let's try the following for size. Perth is the capital city of Western Australia, which occupies approximately one-third of the whole of Australia - an island and a continent in the Southern Hemisphere. It is the fabled Land Down Under where the seasons are opposite to those of the Northern Hemisphere and where it is broad daylight when night grips north of the equator.
Here is another fact, according to doddering Professor Wikipedia: Oz is some 7,741,220 square kilometers, whereas the total area of the US is 9,629,630 square kilometers. The good professor also reckons that Kings Park, the destination of our very first excursion, is some 4.06-square-kilometre (1,003-acre) in size,making it arguably the largest inner city park in the world. In comparison, New York's Central Park is only 3.41 square kilometers.
But what the hell! Our outing to Kings Park was followed by a relaxed meandering through parts of the Darling Range of hills that hem in Perth on the coastal plain. What is officially called the Perth Hills is just known as The Hills by locals. Our third outing was an exploration of the urban scene - of Fremantle, located just a very short drive from Perth. This port city fronts the Indian Ocean, and straddles the mouth of the Swan River as it empties into the sea. For many years Fremantle was the gateway of Western Australia, and it still is for much of the shipping.
And since we were already right near the Indian Ocean, on the following excursion we took the opportunity to check out a few of the beaches that attract families residing in the greater Perth metropolitan area. Given that we were already seaside, we also took the opportunity to check out the once per year event, Sculpture by the Sea. It is held at one of Western Australia's long-time favourite beaches: Cottesloe Beach.
After that we decided to give the seaside a miss for a while to go and meander through leafy Hyde Park, located within the inner city. That was followed by an excursion requiring a relaxed ninety minutes or so drive out of the metropolitan area to the Avon Valley. In the first instance we had a look at the historic town of York, the oldest inland town in Western Australia. It was first settled in 1831, a mere two years after Perth, at the time known as the Swan River Settlement. Then we meandered along country roads to Toodyay, another early inland town.
Yet that journey into the countryside was but a curtain raiser for a nine hour road trip to way down south ... and eastwards to the coastal town of Esperance. It is located in what has been romantically dubbed The Bay of Isles, named after the plethora of islands in the area. It is a delight: there are miles and miles of sugar white beaches lapped by brilliant blue seas in pristine condition. And there is a wide diversity of flora and fauna. Let's go check it out!
Image 01
The real and the unreal wildlife together near the middle of town.
Image 02
Got it figured out?
Image 03
Playtime ... with light on the water.
Image 04
Cape Barren geese on dawn patrol.
Image 05
There's something about tug boats that appeal to me. I want one.
Image 06
Fishing for solitude.
Image 07
Sport on the rocks.
Image 08
Traffic jam on the water.
Image 09
Life savers on surf boat patrol - but they are unheeded by Bob strolling by.
Image 10
Fishing by moonlight?
Image 11
Sea lion and friend.
Image 12
A fishing line robber - the poor thing is hooked.
Image 13
Sailor man with wooden heart.
Image 14
On the beach, just off the Great Ocean Drive.
Image 15
Timeless yesterdays.
Image 16
Surf fishing in blue.
Image 17
The loneliness of the long distance beach walkers.
Image 18
Surfing kindergarten.
Image 19
But I don't wanna wait for my turn on the surfboard, Mum!
Image 20
Come on, stand up!
Image 21
Art from the top.
Image 22
Be careful, Bob! It's one heck of a long drop.
Image 23
Banksias in bloom.
Image 24
The way we once were.
Image 25
Ent art? Ask Treebeard!
Image 26
Let's colour the black and white of it all.
Image 27
A stroll down Psychedelic Lane.
Image 28
This makes more sense of the historic village replica.
Image 29
Kangaroos and emu near the entrance to Cape Le Grande National Park.
Image 30
Picture perfect!
Image 31
Camp site kitchen - inverted.
Image 32
No where else in the world will you see this.
Image 33
Patient Bob awaits a wallaby moment.
Image 34
Impatient Bob chasing a wallaby moment.
Image 35
Wallabies grazing amid the kelp - a rare sight even in Australia.
Image 36
Mother and joey sunbathing on the beach - a sight I'd never seen before.
See also:
Western Australia Surreal
001 Kings Park Views
002 The Perth Hills
003 Fremantle
004 Perth Beaches
005 Cottesloe Beach Sculpturing
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Comments: 40
incredible photos. mag.
When you visit Door County, I'll take you aboard the Tug John Purves.
I'd simply love to go aboard the tug ... they fascinate me.
Thank you for submitting to: Not Gathering Dust!
I do have to point out that #21 is my favorite alteration.
Isn't there anyone to help that poor little guy in #12? So sad.
As Bob pointed out, we were told that the plight of the sea lion would be reported to a ranger and that such a personage would unhook the poor thing.
#25 is fascinating, particularly with your Ent reference.
I'm with Nana about #12.
Excellent photo-essay, as always, but you toned down your comments a bit.
Thanks for posting to the Wall of Kangaroos, Wallaroos, and Wallabies on The Triple Name Club where it's now featured.
Thanks once more for the feedback, my friend. As to the tame comments such might have something to do with me feeling a tad low due to my type two diabetes blood-glucose readings being all over the shop - a somewhat depressing experience.
I find #11, 17, 18, 21 and 31 to be the most captivating.
Thanks for sharing with Gather's Luminous Writers and Artists. Featured.
Thank you very much for the valuable feedback and for the honour of featuring this excursion to the rugged coast of South-West Oz.
Featured at The Surreal Circus.
Unfortunately, I can not upload photos. Not sure what's happening but I hope it ends soon. I have a ton of photos to share...
With Gather, inexplicable problems can come at any time - soooo frustrating. I hope it sorts itself out soon and you can post away.