A little luxury and ostentation /  by Mario Mirabile

Margaret Gurney, one of Trish's former art teachers, was having an exhibition at Yerring Station winery at Yarra Glen. As she was going to be there today, we went up with Gary and Glenda to see both Margaret and the artwork. We picnicked on the banks of the Yarra then went on to see the exhibit. Margaret's work was stunning as always. You can check it out at http://www.gurneyart.com.au .

The winery, like most of the bigger Yarra Valley wineries, has gone beyond being just  a place to grow grapes and make wine. It has lovey grounds littered with sculpture, bars, cafes and a large function centre, so really it's more of a tourist destination (not to mention art gallery...). We happened to stumble on a Mercedes dealership having an event to launch a new model. We didn't score an invitation, but did hang around and observe the lucky ones exiting with their gift bags, and perhaps a new set of keys.

I'm cactus! /  by Mario Mirabile

We caught up with Kerry and Robert on Friday. Just as we arrived, Roberts friend Eddie came across the street to show us his amazing blooming cactus. The cactus was about the size of a large bread roll, but sported six large flower spikes each about 20cm long and topped by a spectacular pink bloom. We speculated about the photographic possibilities, and despite the fact that the blooms only last about two days, Eddie offered to leave the plant there overnight so we could have a go at it the next day.

On the stairs /  by Mario Mirabile

I think the stairs at the Bourke St entrance to Southern Cross station provide an great photographic backdrop. The horizontals of the steps make anything which interrupts the pattern really stand out, and the strong lines of the hand rails frame the image strongly. All that's needed is something on the steps to provide some interest.

I spotted David as i was out for my lunchtime walk. He was sketching and seemed oblivious as I walked back and forth deciding whether to go for a candid or work up the nerve to seek his co-operation. I decided to ask if I could photograph him as he worked, and he was happy to co-operate. We had a chat and I got a couple of interesting shots before he had to leave to meet his daughter.

Helen /  by Mario Mirabile

My camera club has an annual portrait workshop just before our end of year function. This year our model was the lovely Helen.

The new toy /  by Mario Mirabile

I recently succumbed to temptation and bought a new (used) lens. It's the Olympus 35-100mm f2.0, one of the better lenses in the Olympus E-system line-up. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to get out and shoot with it due to the hip replacement. Well, even though I'm still using one crutch to get about, the lure of a street festival was too much. I hobbled up to the local shopping center and tested the lens on  a band performance.

The "festival" was very disappointing. The band was good, but the location of the stage was very poor. It was the wrong end of the shopping strip, and didn't make use of the Bentleigh Rotunda - there were at most 30 people watching the performance. Never the less, they gave it everything like true pros and the lens lived up to it's reputation as well.

Laid up /  by Mario Mirabile

I had a hip replacement on October 4 which has strangely curtailed my mobility. It's all going well, but I haven't been able to get out much and my crutches and inability to drive for the time being make lugging and using my cameras awkward.

I did get out on Saturday with Trish. After failing to get a parking spot at Half Moon Bay, we parked in one of the car parks about a kilometer up Beach Rd. It was a brilliant sunny day and we were rewarded with a stunning look over the bay from atop Red Bluff. I managed to borrow Trish's camera and snapped off a few shots which I think have a very Mediterranean feel about them. 

The only problem is the high viewpoint. I'd love to get about half way down the cliff face (can't be done...), but I plan to go back in at beach level and check it out. Love to catch the Red Bluff and rock outcrop with a storm rolling up the bay.