There were eight people who took part: Lesley, Kath, Sue, Elizabeth, Marie-Louise and Maani. The trip was organised by Jane and we had Jane’s Uncle Grahame visiting from Auckland (he is a keen bird photographer).
We met at the Botanical Gardens Kiosk at 9:30 am on a beautiful day in a beautiful gardens. We immediately started photographing floating colourful balloons in the pond where the shags nest up on the trees. Stopped at spectacular blossoms tree surrounded by flowers and accommodating some nectar eating birds. We met an adorable solo duckling with its mother attracted the attention of the group (see photos). In our way to the Rock gardens we stopped by a huge Magnolia tree celebrating the arrival of the spring with spectacular display of pink flowers.
The Rock gardens never disappoint. There is always something popping up throughout the year and spring is no exception. The macro-photography was evident there with Jane’s 80mm lens at work. There are tiny colourful flowers scattered between the rocks shouting at us please come and take photos of us!!! However, the centre of attractions was soon shifted to a mother duck with 10 ducklings swimming in the little pond next to the rock gardens. With my 40fps camera, I think I took 1000 photos…..at least.
It was a wonderful trip, great weather, beautiful flowers, nice company and as like anything else, it has to come to an end and at 11:00 am at the Ilex café with a deserving coffee and scones.
Thanks to Jane for organising such an enjoyable trip, and for twisting my arms to write this report!
Maan Alkaisi
