Dramatic Contrasts and Weather Pattern Changes

Summer in the tropics
Of January 2013
First week
We welcomed the frequented refreshing
Scattered rain showers
Often overnight

Random patchy
Heavy rain cloud covers
Blowing up and in
From the South-East coastline

But it all
Too soon
Dissipated
Yet again 
Alternating to continual hot
Drier sunny but still sultry days
Those seamless blue skies
Dominate fiercely
All second week long
Average temps of 23-33 Celsius

13.01.2013 (photo ref.)
Early evening twilight
Horizon sky line
Subsides into a lull
Of warm ember glow
Sooty, dusky residue
Evidence from further inland
Burning fires

New waxing phase moon
Arisen
Left side tilt
Peering down on a darkening earth

Innisfail Evening Twilight with New Waxing Crescent Moon 2013.01.13
by K.Madsen-Pietsch ©2013 Photography

Twilight's embers
Glass paneled windows
A Rustic orange glowing presence
A mirrored reflection

Warm Twilight Reflections, Innisfail by K.Madsen-Pietsch ©2013 Photography

Then comes high anticipation
For a 'real' FNQ wet season
News
Of an expectant weather pattern change
Dominating our weary heated senses

Some Top End Monsoonal Low clouds
Finally roll in
Low, heavy
By late afternoon
Two days on, 15.01.2013

Unusually quiet
No storm, no thunder
No gusty winds
Just a heavy deep blue-grey presence,
A thermal blanket
Covering the whole west horizon.

Monsoonal Clouds finally arrive from the West.CBD ~ Innisfail, 6:12:29 pm. 2013.01.15

And in the opposite coastal direction
Sit seemingly
Stagnant
Horizontal aligned rows
Calm, puffy light
Lowly elevated grey clouds

Eastward, overlooking Johnstone River, CBD ~ Innisfail, 6:18:35 pm, 2013.01.15

Hours pass by
The mugginess builds
Heat is trapped
Under the west's mass cloud blanket

Eventually
Offerings from above
Minimal rain shower 
Later
Early morning,1.30 am

That smell of rain
So distinguishable
Bites
Into a dry stuffy atmosphere
Then comes a nip
Of temporary cooling
Of the night air

Bat screechy sounds
Break the ember dark
Night silence 

©2013, 2015 Kerryn Madsen-Pietsch
All rights reserved.

Wild Rainbow Lorikeets Feeding ~ Innisfail, FNQ, AU.

My first blog for the New Year 2013 and my first published 2013 photographic image 'Wild Rainbow Lorikeets Feeding ~ Innisfail, FNQ, AU.' which originates from my first 2013 photographic shoot session with some new photographic equipment attained through the disguise of that dear generous mythical, magical creature called 'Santa'!  8 )

The FNQ landscape has been pretty much sun parched, greens turning yellowish-brown shades, well up until Christmas Eve when Innisfail finally received a first decent rainfall in months, all of 50mm.  It is a somewhat very mild and slow beginning to our Wet Season which is, by the way, a very welcome change when compared to the dramatic heavy rains and floods experienced in previous December periods ('big wet' example image here).

So even though the tropical heat and humidity prevails at this time of year, we have been enjoying, since Christmas and the New Year, some continual light and moderate showery, often early morning, rains and cooling south-easterly winds and breezes ~ all gratefully received.

Nature and the tropical landscape have been considerably revived. All is indeed looking refreshed with the greens vibrant once more. The growth rate in plants and grass usually soar to new heights during this intense time of year, while I myself try to stay cool and skin dry as much as I possibly can with ceiling or pedestal fans close by! The unpleasantness of Prickly heat, fungal and skin rashes are best to be avoided with all due care taken.  The best time for me to photograph 'outside' is either early morn or late afternoon and even then, more often than not, I'll end up with clothes soaked in perspiration and itchy from mozzie bites depending on the (lack of) breeze and location.

'Wild Rainbow Lorikeets Feeding ~ Innisfail, FNQ, AU.'
by Kerryn Madsen-Pietsch ©2013 Photography

About the image.
In slightly windy conditions some wild Rainbow Lorikeets were spotted (through the lens) clinging to and feeding from the very large pendular inflorescence on a well established Alexandra palm tree (Archontophoenix alexandrae).
Location ~ Innisfail, tropical Far North Queensland, Australia.
Photo Shoot Date ~ Jan.04, 2013.  Time - 18:14:11

*An 'inflorescence' is a cluster of flowers on one or a series of branches, which together make a large showy blossom.

©Kerryn Madsen-Pietsch Fine-Art and Photographic Images

Select from a range of print formats made available

at my RedBubble Gallery

"Beyond Matter" by Kerryn Madsen-Pietsch | Redbubble

• “All that lies before us and all that lies behind us
  are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

 

Beyond Matter by K.Madsen-Pietsch ©2012 Photography
(Framed print example | RedBubble)

Greeting a tropical dawn through a curtain veil of a Silver Weeping Tea Tree.I planted this at the front of our home property near Innisfail, Far North Queensland, AU, some 20+ years ago now.  (My, how time flies when kept busy!)

"Beyond Matter" ©2012 Photography by Kerryn Madsen-Pietsch
Redbubble Prints available

* Through a Google research, the tree’s official botanical name is ‘LEPTOSPERMUM brachyandrum’ which is a member of the Myrtaceae family. Tea Tree is the accepted common name for plants in this genus.

... Thanks for visiting ...

"Come Closer (Flutterer)" by Kerryn Madsen-Pietsch | Redbubble

 Detail Section of Flutterer

"Come Closer (Flutterer)" by Kerryn Madsen-Pietsch | Redbubble:

Come Closer (Flutterer) by Kerryn Madsen-Pietsch ©2012 Photography | RedBubble

"Multistory Shadow-Patterned Facade" by Kerryn Madsen-Pietsch | RedBubble

An unexpected encounter with the Shadow Muse!

"Multistory Shadow-Patterned Facade" by Kerryn Madsen-Pietsch | RedBubble:

"Multistory Shadow-Patterned Facade" Photography by Kerryn Madsen-Pietsch ©2012

I just had to go and grab my camera when I saw these strong contrast shadow patterns being cast/projected onto the tall multi-storey vertical wall one tropical winter’s June mid-afternoon.
Where? Behind my work place in Innisfail, Far North Queensland, Australia.

Building Information
Built between 2007-2009, this is Innisfail’s first Council approved (and last, so ‘the officials’ say) 6 multi-storey units building in a contemporary Art Deco style. It is positioned along the Innisfail Esplanade next to the Johnstone River.  It’s been reported that the building already has a small 5-6 degree angle lean, due to it’s proximity with the river bank that floods every wet season.

Then of course there is the whole psychological realm dealing with Shadow (psychology)
where the ground opens up to explore the shadow muse in the underworld!!! (Maybe best left for another time!)

 

 Framed print examples.

 Thanks for visiting.

"Dividing Line ~ Twilight Zone" by Kerryn Madsen-Pietsch | RedBubble

Silhouetted against the twilight sky on a glorious tropical winter’s June evening is the well known landmark Broken Nose (on the right) – at the southern end of the range of Mt. Bartle Frere, Queensland’s highest mountain – along with many other hill lines while looking towards the Tablelands. A solitary rural home light shines out in the dark (seen further below the Broken Nose point). 

"Dividing Line ~ Twilight Zone" by Kerryn Madsen-Pietsch | RedBubble:

"Dividing Line ~ Twilight Zone" by Kerryn Madsen-Pietsch ©2012 Photography

Photo shot was taken from Belvedere, near Innisfail in Tropical Far North Queensland, Australia, approx. four months after Cyclone Yasi had passed through.

***If you look closely along the dividing line you’ll see it has a ‘spiky’ texture and is not smooth. This is evidence of all the stripped trees caused by the extreme forces of the cat.5 cyclonic winds!
(Best viewed large at RedBubble).

Thanks for visiting.

"Arisen ~ Pink Water Lily" by Kerryn Madsen-Pietsch | RedBubble

"Arisen ~ Pink Water Lily" by Kerryn Madsen-Pietsch | RedBubble:

A pink water lily bloom grown in our home backyard pond, near Innisfail, Tropical Far North Queensland, Australia. Photo taken early tropical morn April 6.59am.

'Arisen ~ Pink Water Lily'
©2012 Tropical Photography by Kerryn Madsen-Pietsch 

The lily blooms are an infrequent occurrence ~ my guessing is it's due to not enough sun/sunlight due to the pond's sheltered position.

Work has been featured in The Tropical Zone RedBubble group (01.06.2012)
 

Twilight Zone, Innisfail 21.03.2012

Twilight Zone

Wed.pm 21st March, 2012.

 

After a week of oppressive overcast dark grey skies, continual rains and intense flooding throughout Far North Queensland, one begins to think if it will never end.

Well, the blue skies did finally open wide up the day after a huge Low pressure system blew over/through us from the North/North-West and kept moving on further south creating more havoc in its pathway.

On this evening we were treated to the most amazing intensely rare and rich varied coloured sunset. I managed to capture some shots but only after the sun had already set, in the twilight zone period, which I now share here with you. Enjoy.

"Line-Up " by Kerryn Madsen-Pietsch | RedBubble

New leaf growth and branch formation of a white flowering Hong Kong Orchid Tree (Bauhinia) growing in the home garden, near Innisfail, Far North Queensland, Australia.
The tree was not in flower at the time of photo taken, Feb 14 2012.

"Line-Up " by Kerryn Madsen-Pietsch | RedBubble: 

"Line-Up" by Kerryn Madsen-Pietsch ©2012 Photography

It is a species of flowering plant in the family Fabaceae or Leguminosae, commonly known as the legume, pea, or bean family.

Work featured

• Woman Photography group at RedBubble (17.02.2012)

Challenges

• I Shoot Raw – Dual Winner (with 5 votes)
  plus received Featured Artist in the group

Camera/Shoot Details
Handheld Pentax K10D 18-55mm F3.5-5.6
1/8sec @F5.6 ISO 100 FL.55mm  Date Feb.14
Raw file processed via CS2.

"Coy (Red Torch Ginger)" by Kerryn Madsen-Pietsch | RedBubble

The large Red Torch Ginger is from the ‘Etlingera Ginger’ family.
Photo Location – Home garden near Innisfail, Tropical Far North Queensland, Australia.

Amidst tall green ginger stalks
And lush canopy foliage surrounds
A large exotic torch ginger flower
Nestles coyly
Saturated red pink
Multiple finger-long and waxy tongue-like curled petals
Finely outlined white-tipped edgings defined
Caressed by
Lingering rain droplets
Glistening in the dawn’s sunlight
Clinging
©2012 Kerryn Madsen-Pietsch

Coy (Red Torch Ginger) by Kerryn Madsen-Pietsch Photography ©2012 | Prints available at Redbubble

Original photo taken 31Jan.2012 Time 6:40 AM

There hasn’t been many more of these flowers happening with the continual dry hot humid weather we’ve been having. Since taking this shot, Feb’s 1st-2nd week of extreme heat (reached 36 Cel inside our house one day, [meaning hotter 38-40 outside] when only forecast for 33Cel) with not one thunder storm or drenching rains in our area, the 4-5m tall blue green stem and leaves have been scorching and slowly turning more to green-yellow-brown.

In the 3rd week of Feb, 15-16th saw some reprieve finally with some heavy coastal showers at least, drenching and refreshing the thirsty landscape and cooling temp's down again.

Hope you enjoy this 'macro' version of the flower image.  I certainly never tire of seeing them growing in our large tropical garden.

Thanks for visiting.

"Togetherness " by Kerryn Madsen-Pietsch | RedBubble

Everything is refreshed after a very early morning tropical rain shower during our hot and humid 2011-2012 (much anticipated/delayed) ‘wet’ season.
Day/night temp’s fluctuate usually between 25 – 33 degrees Celsius.

You will only see these multiple bulbous green creeper vine plants with their rich and vibrant flaring ‘fire-flame’ flowers growing usually over all other plants in the garden at this time of year.

(The vampire sucking mozzies were pretty full on too!)

Photo Shoot taken - 1 Feb.2012 Time 6:11:35 AM
Location – Innisfail, Far North Queensland, Australia.

"Togetherness " by Kerryn Madsen-Pietsch | RedBubble:

Togetherness (Fire-Flame Flowers) ©KMP2012
"Togetherness " by Kerryn Madsen-Pietsch | RedBubble

'Dancing In The Stillness'

"Dancing in the Stillness" by Kerryn Madsen-Pietsch | RedBubble:

Early morning, so soft and tranquil.
Overlooking the (North) Johnstone River towards Innisfail Estate, with the Geraldton bridge in view.
Photo taken in Innisfail, Far North Queensland, Australia.
Dec.2011 Time 5:47:01 AM

"Dancing in the Stillness" by Kerryn Madsen-Pietsch | RedBubble: Greeting Cards and Postcards

"A New Day ~ Johnstone River, Innisfail, FNQ." by Kerryn Madsen-Pietsch | RedBubble

"A New Day ~ Johnstone River, Innisfail, FNQ." by Kerryn Madsen-Pietsch | RedBubble: 

"Soft Impressions" by Kerryn Madsen-Pietsch | RedBubble

"Soft Impressions" by Kerryn Madsen-Pietsch | RedBubble:
December 14th early morning sunrise ~ photo taken from the Innisfail Wharf, overlooking the Johnstone River, Innisfail, Far North Queensland, Australia.

Soft Impressions by K.Madsen-Pietsch, 2011

Soft Impressions was post edited in CS2 with the work of the wonderful artist William Turner being recalled to mind.

"Scorcher On the Rise, Innisfail, Far North Queensland" by Kerryn Madsen-Pietsch | RedBubble

"Scorcher On the Rise, Innisfail, Far North Queensland" by Kerryn Madsen-Pietsch | RedBubble:

Collaborative Screen-Printing Project '96-'97 (Part 1)

'Tropical Inspirations' 1996-97

Medium - Fabric Paint

Support - Cotton Sateen Fabric

Technique - Hand screen-printed imagery using several stencil techniques & designs

i.e. Combination of paper stencil, photographic and wax screen designs.

Height 1200 mm x Width 2000 mm

Background

First half of 1996 I had attended 2 (10 x 3hr per week) Screen Printing Tuesday night courses at the new Screen Printing Studio (converted from an old tractor shed) located at the new developing Tanks Art Centre site, EdgeHill, Cairns. Rae O'Connell was the then newly employed coordinator/screen-printing instructor of the Studio by Cairns City Council.  Rae had moved from Darwin where she had been operating her own successful textile design and screen-printing business. 

Even though it was a long one hour plus drive from Innisfail to Cairns in the evening and then back again, (5 hours all up round total incl.class) I successfully went for two terms because I felt there was much more to learn and skills to develop even though the tutor Rae only covered and delivered the same basic level techniques each time.  Having access to the equipment and the large printing table allowed me to produce designs for final individual products.

Applying for a RADF Project Grant
Eager to go another level, in the latter of 1996 I instigated and applied for a Regional Art Development Funded (RADF) project grant from the then Johnstone Shire Council and was successful. It involved employing Rae as the professional tutor and getting local community workshop participants to learn and apply screenprinting techniques and designs to a collaborative site specific artwork at Good Counsel College (GCC), Innisfail, Far North Queensland.

Workshops
I both coordinated and participated in the 6 x 2 days (weekends) screenprinting workshops, five of which were held at the Art room, GCC, Innisfail and the other to access equipment at the Screen-Printing Studio, Tanks Art Centre in Cairns. These were conducted during the months of October through to December, 1996.

Design Briefing
There was the initial design brief and concept process between the school principal, overseer tutor Rae O'Connell and participants. My overall concept design was chosen and the hard work commenced. It took approximately another 6 weeks after the workshops, by myself during the school holiday time, to finish off all sections and resolve the border for its final completion.

Eventual Hanging
The large screenprinted fabric was sent to a prof. framer in Cairns to be stretched, framed (without glass) with a rounded white lacquered profile moulding. Eventually it gets hung in the school's administration block but is later on removed to make way for a large official school wooden plaque of names!  After some time sadly neglected in the admin's 'storage room', the school's Librian takes charge and makes claim to hanging Tropical Inspirations proudly in the Library's teaching room area where it can still be viewed today by the school's many students and teachers.

Tropical Inspirations ~ Detail Section (1)

Tropical Inspirations ~ Detail Section (1)



 Tropical Inspirations ~ Detail Section (2)

Tropical Inspirations ~ Detail Section (2)

*Note ~ I have documentary photos of the RADF project in progress but at the present time I don't the time to scan and load up some of these images for showing due to shop work commitments.

(To be continued at a later date...)

......................................

Another Perspective

Tropical Cyclone Yasi Feb2011 - Having been directly under and through this one 'in the dark' at the physical land level, getting an overview like this rain radar, helps my visual mind to grasp things more chronologically relative to the winds/rains experienced.  This massive system passed over two weeks ago and has affected so many people's lives in so many varying degrees and vast ways.

Tropical Cyclone Yasi Rain Radar - The Weather Channel Australia
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMdxBYvBvzE&feature=BF&list=ULumLMX4wKG4w&index=11
The Weather Channel's rain radar shows Tropical Cyclone Yasi crossing the coast at Mission Beach, Queensland. Heavy rainfall can be seen to the south of the cyclone's centre as it makes landfall.

One cannot forget. Everyday, whether looking out a window of home or driving to work, one is reminded constantly by the visible views of ravaged, mangled, littered and scarred landscape. All still echos the sound and feel of those constant roaring full force winds, memories resonating, vibrating through one's being. It is all still raw and surreal.

* Photo - Cyclone ravaged rainforest on Pin Gin Hill, Qld 4860

Pin Gin Hill, Palmerston Highway, Far North Queensland

Where is this - http://www.whereis.com/qld/pin-gin-hill#session=MTE


 * View of Mt. Bartle Frere and Mountain Ranges, facing North.

View of Mt. Bartle Frere and Mountain Ranges, Far North Queensland.

Photo taken from Palmerston Hwy near Pin Gin Hill, Queensland, 6.51pm, 6 Feb. 2011

We all go on, bit by bit, one day at a time, taking our experiences and lessons from this; for those of us that stay on in this tropical land, we think of ways to be better prepared safety wise for that 'next' time round. Tropical cyclones are just one dynamic part of the many cycles of life in the tropics.

Thanks for visiting

2010 Dec.01 - Stormy Evening Skylines, Art Deco - Innisfail, Far North Qld.

I’ve been learning about, while creatively playing around with, a recently acquired software program, Photoshop Elements 6, that came with equipment I recently purchased.
This is my first video slideshow 2010 Dec.01 – Stormy Skylines, Art Deco – Innisfail with ‘untouched’ photos taken on dusk in the town where I work. I’ve captured several of the Art-Deco buildings in Rankin St., set against some dramatic and distinct stormy weather pattern changes, being experienced in this year’s tropical wet seaon in Far North Queensland.  Photo shoot time was between 6.32pm - 7.06 pm.


The town finally does look beautiful ‘now’. It is because it’s taken four hard long years of building renovation and restoration work that’s been going on since we got ‘Larried’, ie. Cyclone Larry, a category 5/4, blew in back in early am. of 20th March 2006!  Prior to that there was little pride or recognition being taken of the enormous amount of actual Art Deco architecture in the town which originally came about after the town’s literal destruction back in 1918 by another devastating Cyclone.


Thanks to a few amazing perservering ladies in this town who formed the Art Deco in the Tropics, Innisfail Inc. society back in 2002, the scenario has completely changed and given the town ‘a new focus’!

Intimate Encounter - Down the Fence Line

An incident encountered 7/02/08

One late afternoon I was briskly walking along, on my way around to the loo located at the back of the building of where I work in Innisfail, Far North Queensland. All of a sudden, the keys I held in my right hand flung out of my grasp.  Stunned, in shock and disbelief, I had instantly felt a sharp piercing pain on the side of my little finger. I didn't know what had just stung me but had my suspicions as I looked around in the man-made built area where there were no clues immediately visible.  As the pain intensified and knowing I have little immunity to such insect bites, I picked up my keys and rushed off to get some 'Stop Itch' cream from the chemist across the street. This cream I find works miracuously for me, minimizing both pain and swelling.

Afterwards, and still needing 'to go' you know where,  I returned to the area cautiously to try and unfathom the mystery. Ah ha, further down the fence line, about 3 meters along from where I was stung, there going unnoticed was a little hive of busy territorial aggressive Paper wasps building their nest discreetly underneath the pole rail of the fence line. I have only ever been bitten once before by one of these kind since my move to Qld and you never forget it.

Pentax K10D
Lens smc Pentax-DA 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 AL
Shutter Speed 1/125
Aperature F8
ISO Sensitivity 100
7/02/08 - 3:55pm

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