Saturday, March 07, 2009

Lunar Tick

Getting Ready To Moon You

Photograph copyright: DAVID McMAHON


Sometimes images hit you right between the eyes because they are so obvious. But on other occasions, you need to switch on what I call your "camera-brain" to pick out the scenes that are more subtle.

I have to say this is not the best space-theme shot I've ever taken. While we're on the subject, you might like to check out my quirky photograph of a NASA astronaut while he stood on a suburban Melbourne street - clad in his moon gear. You can view the shot at Apollo 11 - A Giant Leap For Us All.

Back to the photograph above - it was really a chance shot, an opportunity I would not have seen unless I had my "I Am Extremely Observant" cap on. A couple of years ago I was walking through the Alexandra Gardens here in Melbourne. It was a beautiful autumn afternoon and crews were clearing up the festive gear that had been used during the week-long festival that we call Moomba.

A giant slippery slide was being dismantled. Fairground booths were being taken to the next location. Various rides of terrifying proportions were being taken apart piece by piece and loaded onto trucks. I got some interesting shots before I suddenly spotted this lifesize two-dimensional figure of an astronaut.

It had been taken down from one of the showground attractions and had been placed at random in this area. Because several zones were cordoned off to keep park users away from heavy equipment, this was the best angle I could get on the shot.

You know what they say at NASA – there’s no such thing as a free lunch. Er, free launch.

Visit TNChick's Photo Hunt. Today's theme: "Space".

27 comments:

Hilary said...

Just goes to prove that you're something of an astro-nut. ;) Fun stuff as always, David. :)

Mojo said...

No if's, and's or "butts" about it. You're the tops.

(Okay, it was weak, I know...)

Sandi McBride said...

I just wonder how long it will be till billboards dot the milkyway and the galazy superhighways are bombarded with WalMart ads!
Sandi

Woman in a Window said...

The humour in that one was just begging for the pickpocketing!

Lanny said...

Ahh and what do lunar ticks feed on to make them fat and happy?

If I were a tick I would want to be a luna tick.

Indrani said...

I am learning a lot from you, trying to keep my 'camera-brain' on and alert. :)

ArtistUnplugged said...

Oh, this one is good! My close friend's husband is the launch director for NASA......

Anonymous said...

I love he way the background is black...seeming to be in space. 'I took a spacewalk and look what I found.'

katherine. said...

free launch...ha1

skywind said...

Oh, this is? Is the legendary landing on Mars! LOL.

Health is the Greatest Happiness & The World at The Present

introspection said...

To me it looks like the astronaut is being pulled away from the moon by earth's gravity...!!
David you caught the moment in your camera lens...!!!!

Rosaria Williams said...

Your eyes and camera are well trained, always ready to frame the obvious and the not so obvious. What a great lesson.

Merisi said...

Beam me up, Scottie! :-)

RiverPoet said...

Oh....snap! "free launch" - LOL!

D

Lavinia said...

You know as I was reading this and looking at the picture, suddenly David Bowie started singing in my head. Ground control to major tom!!

San said...

Placed at random by a cosmedian. Very cosmic.

Muppet Soul said...

Oh my. I loved that title.

A different side of Authorblog.

The side usually covered by pants.

:)

Maggie May said...

Thought for a moment you were in training to go to the moon!
Well..... you might have been sponsored to go, knowing you!

Funny that word verification was TEASI

Janie said...

Interesting shot. I did a double take at the astronaut leaning against a sign.
I checked out the link. Nice photo and I enjoyed the Neil Armstrong story.

Sandra Lee said...

That's a GREAT shot, David, and your radar was working really well when you caught this one. I have one of our cat "Owey" that is priceless; you would like it, as few have seen a cat in this position...I'll have to post it on my blog. Have a nice weekend:-}

SASSY MOM said...

That made me smile .. Nice take. Happy weekend!

Catherine said...

he's not about to make any giant steps or leaps for mankind...

JEM said...

camera-brain!! Love it!!

Louise said...

Maybe not the best angle, but a great capture none-the-less. Thanks for going to the moon for us!

Susan English Mason said...

I've always wondered how they get their spacesuit pants down with those big fat gloves on.

dixymiss said...

So... Your own comment begs the question, is there ever a time when you don't have your "eXtremely observant cap" on? ;-)

Jane Hards Photography said...

You have gone off the scale on the pun-o-metre with this one. I have an over active camera brain it's the normal I have difficulty seeing.