Cheap Macro

During a walk through the grounds of TAFE collecting plant specimens for our final test next week i discovered this beautifully coloured beetle nestled on the leaf of a Brachychiton discolor (Lacebark Tree), we get in trouble when we don't use scientific names, with my new phone having the capability of macro i was able to get a reasonable close up.  I await the day when i can afford a macro lens for my DSLR as it is my favourite form of photography so when i found out my phone had macro capability i was a very happy Samsung SIII user :D I was told the name of this beetle but have forgotten it unfortunately, i believe it starts with a 'H'.....  Enjoy :)

Busy Little Bee....

So I've only just realised how it's coming close to 2 months since my last post.  I've been keeping busy with my studies, work and of course socialising.

I've taken a keen liking to Horticulture since starting my course and it has given me great knowledge in plants to which i exercised on my avocado tree now 10 years old and in bad shape due to my lack of care.  It will take time but it will benefit greatly from this reinflamed love hopefully with a fruitful reward.  Regretfully i will be leaving my course to cater for my future which i am always pondering on.  But this will see me returning to the horticulture field next year to a course with alot more stimulation and fast paced action which is what i need because like most people without that strong mental stimulation and pressure behind it one can tend to become lazy :) which i am guilty of a little and as proof i have submitted this photo on a day where i was supoose to be at Tafe BUT am actually sitting in the border ranges of NSW examing this bee hard at work which reminds me! is exactly  what i should also be doing right now :)  Photos of my garden work to come.....

Aaliyah

August 25th, the day i like to stop and honour the memory of Aaliyah, R'n'B singer and actress.  Its been 11 years on now since the plane crash in the Bahamas that took her life and i can only imagine where she would be now, its nothing short of SUPERSTAR.

"Try Again" was my first introduction to Aaliyah's music and to be honest at that time i didnt grasp how connected i had become to her and that she'd made her way into my heart.  At the news of her death coming home from school one day i was in disbelief, i could not accept it in my mind.  I kept imagining many scenarios that somehow she had managed to make it out of the plane moments before it crashed.  The days rolled on and it eventually sunk in that this amazing singer, dancer and actress had passed away.

I believe her spirit is still around however.  Guiding people through their lives, comforting and healing.  This can even be through her movies and music.  I know myself when im sad or at my worst i can find comfort in her work, an unconditional love that Aaliyah set forth on the world. 

In her music, performances and behind the scene looks at the artist that was it's clear that she is an amazing, beautiful soul.  With her death not the end an upcoming release of what will be her 6th official album will further her legacy and reinforce her wish "to be seen as a full on entertainer and a good person." 

I Love You,

 AALIYAH

January 16th 1979 - August 25th 2001 

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/14/Aaliyah-02.jpg

 

While browsing tributes over youtube i came across this one which was made by MTV in recognition of her anniversary.  Its beautiful and i'd like to share it

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9kUWUm8vP8

Mercy

Throughout our daily lives we come across the choice many times to either act and show compassion or to turn our heads the other way.  Whether it be something as simple as helping up a person who has had the misfortune of slipping over, stopping on the side of the road to aid an animal hit by the car which did not stop and offer assistance or the moment before a punch is first thrown.  A small act of kindness and compassion/mercy can make all the difference to any living creature, especially in a world where hate, revenge and violence are fighting for dominance.

My piece with the accompanied message is an interpretation of the moment of choice.  The action of the choice is yours to decide...

 

As the Sun shone down with scorching power, Mercy was begged by the weeping flower... 

Rebirth

re·birth/rēˈbərTH/

Noun - 2. The action of reappearing or starting to flourish or increase after a decline; revival.

 

Through the Lens...

This year, without intention, i have gone through changes in my style of art.  This may be due to a growing up thing, a sign of maturing and that my golden years are just around the corner :O ...  The new path in which im following has definately opened my creativity up to higher potential in my pieces and with all this change in my direction it makes sense my photography would follow suit. 

Waking up early this morning i lugged my camera gear into the car, minus my tripod which would have come in handy considering it still was too dark to perform a shutter speed of 30.  The Sun finally started to come out after a few failed shots, giving me enough light through the lens to get a sharp image instead of one that looked like a drunk took, damn shaky hands of mine!  Being inspired by a few previous photos i had taken based on reflection i decided that would be my focus this morning, after i had finished with the wildlife of course that kindly waited while i took their photos.  However, thats not speaking for one little duckling which kept evading my sights!  What he doesnt know is that I'LL BE BACK!! with a longer lens and then there will be no escaping :)

I had never really considered reflection photography and it was only my last trip out country when i took those photos that i got my inspiration to head more down that path and see what i could achieve.  From my photos this morning i am very happy with the outcome and look forward to other images i can capture in this form.  

Construction... The Takeover (Reflection)

Extensions of a man made world (Reflection)

Branching Cursive (Reflection)

Watchful Eye

Grace

Awakening Dawn

30km Brisbane Kokoda Challenge, June 3rd 2012

It was a few weeks before the actual 30km challenge that a friend of mine started asking for someone to fill in his previous partners position who could no longer do the run.  Feeling up for a challenge I decided i would say yes and participate.  It would be the following day that i would start training and after that session reality hit me that i may not be fit enough for this 30km challenge.  It ended up being only about 6 days of training all up in those three weeks so as the day finally came i was incredibly nervous.  I had committed to this event and despite my nerves nothing would stop me from enduring whatever i had to to cross that finish line and endured we did.  Through creeks with no stepping stones, up steep climbs, and through misty, muddy paths we trekked.  With each hill closer to the end seeming taller and taller and each path longer and longer we were wishing to see the end around each corner, pushing on, i did not allow my mind to give in to the pain of my blisters and agony in my knees, stopping would surely mean i wouldnt be able to start again so I kept my legs moving.  We started the race at 7am and crossed the finish line in 4:45:43 hrs achieving the goal we had set a week prior to finish in under 6hrs.  Our second goal was also achieved of finishing amongst the top 25 teams.  Out of approximately 180 teams we came in at 24th.  We were very pleased with our efforts and this was a fantastic experience to expand potential within ourselves and raise money for a great cause while we were at it.  To find out more about the Kokoda Challenge Association you can visit: http://kokodachallenge.com/about

The Kokoda Challenge has motivated me to get back into fitness

Sweet victory just metres away.  To be applauded as we were running in was an incredible feeling

Sometimes you just have to write it down...

Another night in my studio (bedroom, more specifically on my bed) trying to further my drawing while listening to some good music trying to tune into my higher self and reach the flow that is needed for me to create my pieces.  Unfortunately I have been unable to reach this state all day which poses a risk to my drawing failing in conveying my spiritual meanings.  So, my drawing is on hold for the moment and instead I have been reviewing some past photography work of mine and finding inspiration in the written form.  I enjoy a rhyme every so often so out came the pen and paper and with inspiration from my photo out came a verse.  To be touched by a person on all levels is a special thing and despite the abscence of their presence their touch remains and though separated will still be forever connected...

© Beau Tomlinson