Archive 2023 · Western Australia
p.1 #1Western Australia
Congratulations to Gregg B. for winning Feature Thread of the Week with 9 votes - View Previous Winners
I'd like to share some new photos I captured during my recent two-week visit to Western Australia. This marked my first trip to Australia, and I had the opportunity to explore both the western and eastern parts of this vast continent. I must say, I was thoroughly impressed by the incredible landscapes, beautiful beaches, mesmerizing seascapes, expansive dunes, and the diverse wildlife I encountered. While the region is known for its share of venomous snakes and potentially dangerous creatures, such as jellyfish and, of course, the more obvious sharks, it's relatively easy to steer clear of these hazards. However, the one persistent challenge I faced was the swarms of flies. They seemed endlessly curious about me, constantly landing on my face, hands, and even my camera gear. It was quite annoying, to say the least. Despite my efforts, the insect repellent I purchased didn't seem to deter them. Nevertheless, I continued to capture stunning aerial shots of the landscapes, dunes, oceans, and beaches with my drone. Flying a drone in Western Australia was a breeze, and no special permits were required. One particular highlight was capturing an impressive whale shot from an altitude of just over 60 feet, the closest permitted by the government.
What truly amazed me, though, was the relative solitude I found on the beaches. In contrast to crowded California beaches, where even the most picturesque spots are often teeming with thousands of people, Australian beaches had only a few visitors, and sometimes I had an entire beach to myself. This provided a unique and peaceful opportunity for me to capture pristine, unobstructed shots of these stunning landscapes.
I am going to be a frequent quest down there from now on. I may even organize a photography workshop offering whale watching arial photography, dunes, pinnacles, salt lakes, and the amazing beaches with the whitest sand in the world (which by the way, makes a squeaky noise when you walk on it, as if walk on a very cold snow. This is due to an enormous amount of quarts/silicon in it. And because of that, the water doesn't sink quickly, and sand patters don't disappear fast either. So some abstract photography is possible. I'll post shots like that next time).
The third pic has two people in it. Do you see them?
Edited on Nov 03, 2023 at 05:24 PM · View previous versions
Nov 03, 2023 at 05:19 PM
p.1 #2Western Australia
Incredible beauty of nature is amazingly well presented in this exhibition
Nov 03, 2023 at 05:21 PM
p.1 #3Western Australia
Amazing work Greg. They are all incredible images but the last image of the presumably mother and calf whales, in that sapphire water, is outstanding. You clearly enjoyed your drone. By the way my favourite deadly Australian creature is the Killer Koala, also known as a Drop Bear. Those things, they are really testy, and will drop out of Eucalypt trees on unsuspecting humans and then either attack you with their grizzly like claws or buck-tooth fangs. You really have to keep your eyes peeled for them.
My least favourite deadly creatures are crocodiles, irukandji jelly fish and funnel web spiders (because I hate spiders). Glad you didn't encounter any of them!
My least favourite deadly creatures are crocodiles, irukandji jelly fish and funnel web spiders (because I hate spiders). Glad you didn't encounter any of them!
Nov 03, 2023 at 11:51 PM
p.1 #4Western Australia
Beautiful series! I love how the dunes look like abstract art and the catching the whales was fantastic.
Nov 04, 2023 at 09:25 AM
p.1 #5Western Australia
Terrific stuff. Gives me a hankering to visit Sandgroperland. A few of the pics did remind me of Yellowstone right here in the USA.
Nov 04, 2023 at 07:23 PM
p.1 #6Western Australia
Playhard wrote:
Terrific stuff. Gives me a hankering to visit Sandgroperland. A few of the pics did remind me of Yellowstone right here in the USA.
Thanks! Yeah, the place is beautiful and free of crowds. And you can freely fly your drone too. I strongly recommend it. A bit far and you have to fly into Sydney first but it’s doable. I’m already planning my return trip. According to locals the best time to see some of those beaches (for color) is summer but in the summer it’s way too hot there!
Nov 05, 2023 at 02:55 PM
p.1 #7Western Australia
Someone I missed this thread entirely.
Very strong set, but #1 & #2 are exceptional.
Very strong set, but #1 & #2 are exceptional.
Nov 11, 2023 at 04:30 AM
p.1 #8Western Australia
Yes I missed this also Gregg! 
I spent about a month in Western( on a station-ranch) Oz in 1970. I loved the people and the Country! I never got to see areas like this so thank you! I was in the outback.
Just beautiful!
Congrats!
Dan
And YES I see the 2 people!
I spent about a month in Western( on a station-ranch) Oz in 1970. I loved the people and the Country! I never got to see areas like this so thank you! I was in the outback.
Just beautiful!
Congrats!
Dan
And YES I see the 2 people!
Nov 11, 2023 at 10:01 AM
p.1 #9Western Australia
Beautiful set of highly unusual compositions. Superb!
Nov 11, 2023 at 09:34 PM
p.1 #10Western Australia
Great shots! Love the abstract view down onto the dunes with the blue shadows.
Nov 12, 2023 at 05:22 AM
p.1 #11Western Australia
#10 is an absolute knockout, Gregg! Perfect composition and exposure.
Kudos
Kudos
Nov 12, 2023 at 11:59 AM
p.1 #12Western Australia
Love these images. All of them. I'd like to know more about what I'm looking at in the first image. What causes those pools (?) to get those colors? Is this some mining byproduct?
Nov 13, 2023 at 09:01 AM
p.1 #13Western Australia
#5 had me.
The rest are brilliant but the sense of motion and wind in this really did it for me.
Hopefully you've had enough of a taster to come back sometime!
The rest are brilliant but the sense of motion and wind in this really did it for me.
Hopefully you've had enough of a taster to come back sometime!
Nov 16, 2023 at 12:02 AM