Photographs copyright: DAVID McMAHON
I shot these images during a long drive into the Outback last weekend. I travelled from my home in Melbourne to Temora in New South Wales and when I drove through this little bush town called Culcairn, I figured I had to make a five-minute stop to take some shots before getting back on the highway.
It was one of those photography trips where the landscape dictated my driving schedule. See an interesting fog? Pull over and take some shots. Great rural landscape? Pull over and take some shots. Rusty old windmill? Pull over and ... yup, you get the idea.
Culcairn has a listed population of about 1400 and is slap-bang in the lush Riverina area of New South Wales. This door is the entrance to the Hotel Culcairn, which was built in 1891 and still sports Heritage colours of burgundy, green and cream.
The "iron lace" (called "wrought iron" in other parts of the world) is fairly typical of Colonial-era buildings around the world - but this view (below) reminded me of a metal snowflake.
And just in case you've forgotten, this is our winter here in Australia. Yes, you may be shedding your warm clothes in the rest of the world, but as you'll see from the bare branches of this tree in front of the hotel (below) it is most definitely our coldest part of the year.
But, as you'd expect in Australia, the hospitality is extremely warm.
For earlier posts in this series, check out The Doors Archive.
26 comments:
Absolutely lovely!!! What interesting material for your meme!! And as usual, you make the most of every photographic opportunity! These are fabulous fotos!!! ~Janine
Love the 'snowflake' ... and that is precisely how I travel... oh stop! I see something .. pull over, hop out, snap .. back in .. off we go ... this is why I prefer to drive ... no one else pulls over fast enough!
Very cool "iron lace."
The weather we are having here is supposed to be summer but is more like a cold monsoon.
Great shots, as always.
Some contextual clues were very important for us 'foreign' to your world: riverine,heritage, bush. The town is the perfect size, as it is approximately the size of Port Orford where I live. I went from Los Angeles to Port Orford, from a place where if you wanted to walk you needed to first drive, to a place where you can walk everywhere and be out of town in a five minutes in a primeval forest.
David, you keep surprising us; you've become our eyes and ears for everything Australian.
you have lovely architecture there in the outback.
This reminds me of a Wild West film, I expect there were many stops for you!
CJ xx
Lovely pictures of a no doubt great place to visit, David! How wonderful that you can make the time to enjoy the world as you go through it. I know far too many folk who are so focused on the destination that they forget the journey.
I'm sorry to see the trees in your area losing their leaves to winter, but I know the respite from the heat will be welcome. As to taking off the warm clothes, down here in South Texas we've been in sleeveless shirts and shorts for a couple of months now and are anticipating 100+ degree weather for the next few days. I plan on facing without the use of a/c if I can manage. :-)
Cheers!
Winter in july.. sounds upside down to me! We've only just started to get nice weather... and we finally have leaves!!!
I love random discoveries like this. I tend to travel the same way... drive, stop, shoot, repeat. Makes it tough when you're on a tight schedule, but the shots are almost always SO worth it.
And there's no way I could have resisted this place. Especially not the "snowflake".
The Doors #16: "My Grand Entrance"
I love, love love your texts. As warm and descriptive of, not only what you/we are seeing, but of your own pleasure at seeing them and sharing with us.
Hi David,
I love seeing sites from your side of the world since I may not ever see them in person. Love the term "iron lace" as opposed to "rod iron". It's so much more romantic. I'm going to remember that!
It does look like a very inviting place to stay. I like the phrase 'iron lace' much better than 'wrought iron'. Hopefully things are much cooler for you now -- we've got your hot weather!
Hi David, it's nice to see you again. You always inspire me to remember to carry a camera in my bag, just in case.
p.s. I used to post as Gone Back South!
David I have an article for your random stories...I live here...
http://www.statesman.com/news/content/news/stories/local/2009/06/10/0610tasered.html
enjoy...we dont all shoot to hurt in Texas and all our ladies are not potty motuhs..Ha Ha
Smiles,
Sonia ;)
Amazing shots, I was talking with my daughter last night about how wierd it would be to have winter in June, July and August!
That was a very interesting post, David and as always, great pictures to go with it.
Isn't it wonderful to travel and see the little things of life everywhere you go?
Back from my travels, I'm catching up and have to tell you the kung fu panda shot is one of my faves!
love love love that second shot. What a great perspective!
Your iron lace is more beautiful than the wrought iron we have in our parts.
My goodness! My friend Ananda girl suggested that I look at your blog for the photos. She was right!
Beautiful!
Thanks so much for sharing with the world!
Can I say that I enjoy your photography so very much. You really capture the human existence/ experience. This is going to be one of my favourite daily stops!
all enchanting and well worth the photo
Love the colors and the filigree.
Iron lace, eh? Almost as good as "Arsenic and Old Lace." And just as delightful.
Lovely photos, sir!
Very nice! And I like the idea of the landscape dictating the schedule. Maybe something to try on our next vacation. :)
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