Its been a while..

Well its been too long, however i'm here now and our little Ruby is growing by the day. I'm doing my Cert IV in training and assessment so thats taking up some time. My work in all their wisdom have decided to put me on a month of nights (partly because of my course) but having a baby in the house it doesn't get much more hectic. My beautiful wife, Leilani is coping well though and we are slowly getting sorted. Below is Ruby (growing at a heck of a pace..) wearing a little outfit my cool nephews bought (or at least picked out and Mum bought) and I thought was just great! Ruby at about four weeks old.

I have also found myself doing other projects in my spare time. (not much of that though) and below you can see my first painting done (in 20 odd years anyway!)

It is aptly named New Zealand Christmas. Ok let me explain for you non kiwis.. Kiwis love going on holiday somewhere near the beach usually and camping or caravaning is ideal... plus you can tell its Christmas time because the plant in the backgroud is a Pohutakawa (or New Zealand Chritmas tree) because it flowers red little fowers that make the tree appear like Christmas bulbs and it only flowers around the Christmas time (nov - feb).

I have also painted this one of a kiwi bloke on a tractor on the beach after he has just put his boat in the water. In the bottom right corner is a koru (A koru is the Maori name for a unfurling fern frond) and symbolises new life, strength and peace. In the distance of course are sheep. This one was named by Leilani and is called "Massy" after the massy ferguson tractors. I have done a few others of which I will post at some time..

I have managed to travel around the area a bit to look around just before Ruby was born and captured A giant fig tree, or at least the roots from it...What do you think of this one??In this area where the fig trees grow are flying foxes. These small bat like creatures are everywhere!! (about 40 000 of them). I will also post a pic of these at some point. Anyway I have fitted this blog posting in on my night shift so should get back to work... I will endeavour to update again soon.. oh and I have also managed to 'publish' a book, entitled "A taste of Australia" however can only be ordered through momento. And now working on a book about New Zealand, Catch ya soon!!

And along comes Ruby

Last week on the 4th february 2010 my wife and I after a long labor and an emergency C section finally had our little girl whom we named Ruby Roberta (after her late Nana on Leilani's side).

She was 8lb 1 1/2oz (3670gm) and 52cm tall and born at 1833hrs. We are delighted...of course! My wife and Ruby are now settled in at home and both doing well.
Left: Birthing room.
Below: Ruby with a little smile on her face....apparently this occurs when she is farting or pooing.

Here she is sleeping on me (her papa) and has that cute little open mouth thing that I do. And below she styles a punk rocker mohawk...

Little Ruby was just with Mama and first time having a feed when she popped her little hand out, I grabbed my camera and snapped this shot... then had a look and her foot was curled up whilst feeding so snapped another...

Above: Leilani and I giving Ruby a bath... It is truelly mind blowing to have a child and something so small and precious. Also it is true what other parents say..you just don't understand until you have your own..sometimes it feels so surreal but it is a truelly magical experience and even though she is only several days old she is changing and growing all the time. If you have children please take the time to take photos and enjoy them for the special littele characters that they are. So to you Ruby I dedicate this piece of blog...I LOVE you!

Hey hey Happy New year...2010

I know its a bit late to wish a happy news years.. however I have been muckin about with my macro lens... here are some pics from around the house to start the year out...

A lady bug sitting on my corn plants..

And then there was a cricket on the corn that I killed after taking a few shots... then fed to the ants which quickly devoured him leaving nothin to find.. awesome creatures... I couldn't help myself when I was headin home after a night shift and saw the sun coming through the trees on my road.. I just love the sun streamin through...                                           

This little spider (smaller than a M&M) was spinning itself a web when I found it by the pond. I was intrigued by the proteinaceous spider silk coming from its spinneret as it was busy makin its web...

Christmas day and other photos..

Well its been a few weeks so I thought it time to post some more photos.. so not to much writing. Well this is Leilani (at 36 weeks pregnant) and I having a late (after work) Christmas dinner on the back balcony. Yes I refused to wear my "cool" party hat!

We also have some frangipani's growing out side.. as seen below using the macro lens..

Here is another flower that Leilani has been growing... it makes for a great shot as the sun blasts through it!

And since we are living in Australia I thought we haven't even seen a wallabi yet, (on the blog) as drivin down the road to work each mornin there are always some lingering about. I stopped and took a shot or 2. I will attempt to get better shots in the future...but for now I thought this one will be suffice!

So we get the odd frog, now you must remember that the frogs are only about 2 cm long..
also note that you can generally click on these photos to enlarge them to look at the detail..

Well thats it for this year... have a happy new years and catch ya soon with my excitin new update in the beginning of the new year..

A Quick Trip back to New Zealand..

So my wife's pregnant, we head home for an early Christmas with the family and catch up with friends.. A few of Leilani's side of the family. Brunch celebrating Aunties side of the family. Then there is my brother and his family keen to catch up..... of course the dog doesn't like to be left out...

Above Left, Nikolai, above centre from left, Paula, Leilani + bump and pippy the dog and right Marcel and below Andrei. After a few days in Auckland adjusting to cooler weather and climate we head down to Tauranga to see family and friends..

Its great to be in the Bay of Plenty. My parents have some Alpacas the little one appopriately named Latte (left in the front).


Anyway onto fish & chips by the beach with a stroll around Mt Maunganui to watch the ships come into harbour...

With a sunset from Te Puna (Minden lookout) and a little of the Maori culture it was a quick 12 days in NZ....but thats how it rolls sometimes..

Sydney!

Finally a three day weekend off. Its down to Sydney for a look around and visit family and friends. And whilst we are down there lets get in some sight seeing.. Cruising by boat from Meadowbank to the city centre we come across nothing less than the Sydney Harbour bridge and look onto the Opera house... with an ol boat cruisin through....

Below the Opera house up close and personal;

As we are cruisin around the city, we are aware of the fact that we have become accustomed to country life as we attempt to push through the crowd. Yes we find it almost unbearable... but alas we find comfort (and pizza) in a pub.... Below the throngs of people;

As we meander around I spot some men getting ready for the days orders of food at there restaurant, below is a shot of there pegs as they prepare. I find the city interesting as all cities are. They never appear to sleep

rain, hail or snow, and as it happens it pouring on this day. Still its an adventure!

Ahhhh the joys of photography, I attempt to embrace the different colours and the dullness that the rain has to offer sometimes encaptulates a different light and reflections... there is also something about people with umbrellas that captivates my interest as well. Anyway moving on to find some Aboriginal fellas dancin to the didgeridoo.

It was great to catch up with family and friends. It was great to see and experience a bit of Sydney and the city life. However it also was great to head home to the country and quiet life of the outer regions of Taree.

Manning Point, Green Cathedral and animals

Well, I've been out to Manning Point to check out the area, and also drivin a friend out to Green Cathedral and up to Seal Rocks and Sugarloaf Lighthouse for a look. Heres Manning Point....

Boats moared at Manning Point, just off shore is oyster farms.                                                                               

Then its onto the Green Cathedral, just down from Green Point after driving through Forster (pronounced Foster), so much to see and do around this area, always something new and plenty of out door activities. The Green Cathedral is looking  onto Wallis Lake, it is a non denominational place that runs services on Sundays.

So we took a drive down to Sugarloaf Lighthouse and watched ten to 15 humpback whales cruise out from the harbour... such an awesome sight. A bloke out fishing got the best view of all as they cruised past him. This is the time they migrate south.

On the way into the point we drive past Seal Rocks a nice spot of beach and as we drive I look down and see a boa crossing the road, it took a bit to get my camera out and its already into the grass but heres a little look. Tell me if you know what its, but i was told a Boa. It was about 1 1/2 to 2 metres long. Off to Sydney next week so expect an update soon, cheers.