Stockton and Port Stephens

I wasn't so early up today as I often am, but decided to go out anyway. There was warning of storms and pretty unsettled weather so I went looking for cloud, and other things.

First, to Stockton, across the Hunter River, and a view down Stockton beach toward Nobbys, the lighthouse and beach that features in much of my photography from the other side of the river... The X100 for this one. I couldn't quite get the processing right, but its close to how it was looking today.

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stokobch by kyte50, on Flickr

From there, a short run around to the river side, and a view acoss the river to the city, with a fishing boat and the dredging barge in the river... The dredging is needed because of the tons of silt pouring down with the rain. Its dredged up, and taken out to sea. Without that, the big coal ships would not get in to port. Do I think this would be a bad thing? In short, no. But thats for a different discussion. X100 again

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newcastle by kyte50, on Flickr

A drive back toward the bridge one needs to cross from Newcastle. X100.

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Stockton Bridge by kyte50, on Flickr

Then, a stop-off to see about photographing a wrecked boat on the river. XZ-1.

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wreck by kyte50, on Flickr

From there, I hesitated momentarily about heading further north, it was looking very much like rain. Decided to chance it, and 45 minutes later arrived at Nelson Bay, on Port Stephens. This area (Port Stephens Shire) is mostly a tourist destination and a place where people come to retire. I would like to live there, too. The air is clean, and the environment of the kind you just want to be out in, all the time. The view in this shot is of one end of the D'Albora Marina. This is where the local tour boats for whale and dolphin watching leave from. X100 again.

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Nelson Bay by kyte50, on Flickr

I sat near the water's edge for some time, it was so peaceful... Ricoh GRD III

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Port Stephens by kyte50, on Flickr

Then, time for morning tea :) iPhone 3GS :) I'll confess now, to the hot chips I had later after I had walked a while.

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mt by kyte50, on Flickr

And the view from where I was sitting... X100 again

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viewfromMT by kyte50, on Flickr

Afterwards, a walk along past some boats... various cameras in use :)

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tamboi by kyte50, on Flickr

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marina2 by kyte50, on Flickr

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tinnies by kyte50, on Flickr

After this little walk, it was time to head back to get some chips and a bottle of water. There's a storm on the way...

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stormbay by kyte50, on Flickr

If there's one regret I have about today, its having not taken my zoom lenses. Whilst sitting by the waterfront earlier, before morning tea, I spied what I thought was a couple of ducks pottering about in the water, and on hearing them honking, I was convinced. I should have known better. It was actually a pair of fairy penguins. One came quite close to shore, and I tried to get a shot with the XZ-1, but it was a washout: a mere dot in the water. The penguins are tiny, and feeding half under the water: the x4 just was not enough. I can feel another Nelson Bay visit coming on, DA55-300mm in hand. Just for the penguins (and perhaps a trip on the Tamboi Queen for the dolphins)
 
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