Tuesday, July 14, 2009

The Best Little Oar House In Texas

Row, Row, Row Your Boat

Photograph copyright: DAVID McMAHON



The Yarra River is more than just the waterway on which Melbourne’s founding fathers decided to build the city. It is an integral part of the city’s sporting culture, and on its banks are English elms (rather than Australian native trees) which were planted by English colonists who hankered for familiar foliage.

This shot was taken just before dawn last Friday, when the river took on an interesting silver-pink hue as it reflected the clouds high above. I was walking across Princes Bridge when I looked down and saw this crew rowing towards the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Naturally, I had to stop to take the shot. I took two frames, unsure of whether my reactions would actually be quick enough to capture the concentric pools of water left by the passage of each oar.

Looks like the result wasn't too shabby. The thing I really like about this low-light, quick-motion shot is that you can still see the swirls and eddies left by the previous dip of the oars into the water. Fast swirls. And also, er, fast eddies.

Visit the creative team behind That's My World Tuesday.

44 comments:

  1. This has to be one of my all time favorite shots of yours, it's stunning and serene. And the caption isn't too shabby either.

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  2. I just spend my first time in an 8 man boat and loved it!

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  3. Lovely photo, so serene!

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  4. Sixer! (that's the word, right?) This may be one of your finest efforts to date David. The light is pure magic, and the composition is pitch perfect.

    Brilliant shot!

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  5. you had me at the blof title. ha. great shot, love the color. serene.

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  6. Anonymous2:07 AM

    Great title, shot and comment, David, and I especially love the way the eddies look like chocolate icing swirls.

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  7. Excellent photo...but you know that already! Sad about the Chitty car, perhaps they should have flown it just above...

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  8. LOVE the ripples ..

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  9. Excellent shot. You captured the shot at just the right moment. Loved the swirls.

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  10. This is a beautiful shot! Wow!

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  11. Your title certainly caught my attention! lol

    The colours are lovely here and it's amazing that you managed to catch the swirls caused by the rowing. Perfectly timed. But then I always expect the best from you! :)

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  12. Your prowess with a camera and the shot you're after is to be admired...you never fail to enthrall..Sandi

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  13. Absolutely great action packed shot. Round pools of ripples and all!

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  14. LOL....love the title. As usual a great shot!

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  15. beautiful image David...you sure know how to take em!!

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  16. Excellent shot. Oar house? You always make me giggle!!

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  17. Who'd have thunk the dunk of an oar could be so beautiful?

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  18. Loved this shot.

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  19. What an amazing shot! The ripples in the water are wonderful.

    I'm celebrating on my site today: it's Gruntled Workers' Day.

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  20. Wonderful colour to the shot. it was the right hour and the right time.

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  21. Very peaceful - the colors are beautiful!

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  22. Wonderful capture. The circles in the water, the light,shadows,color everything.

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  23. Great photo, color and composition are just perfect.

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  24. Marvelous shot, as always, David! And I do love your caption! Have a great week!

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  25. I love that shot - boththe color fo the sky and the water rings made by the oars.

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  26. Super shot David - lots of Eddies too! ~ Eddie

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  27. so like how you were able to capture the circles in the water. lovely light.
    lovely shot.

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  28. And fast Davids:)Trying to fool us w the tx title- That is one fine shot all you caughtthat is way better than those motivational poster ones like my sports -playing sons liked

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  29. David: Creative title, I got it. My mother bought a shirt for herself and a freind and had no clue what the Chicken Ranch was..

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  30. Great title, and the capture of the swirls and eddies, not to mention the marvelous color, is great.

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  31. Anonymous8:10 AM

    Awesome shot, my favorite on this blog since I've started reading it.

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  32. What an atmosphere in this beautiful light! And the water swirls are like endless pools of mystery! Gorgeous photo!

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  33. This photo is stunningly beautiful.. but that pun stopped me in my tracks.

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  34. Ah, lovely shot David. Very well done!

    Also love the flower shot too below...I do enjoy Melbourne's flowers whenever I visit in the Spring.

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  35. I am groaning under the weight of that terrific pun. Have to say the light is magical in this but far too much hard work for me to row.

    Thanks you for the inclusion in the round up the other day.

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  36. The total composition is stunning and together with the special colours on Friday at sunset I think you made your POTD for keeps!

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  37. Absolutely love the beautiful colours and textures/ripples that you have captured in the water and I must admit that the title of your post just made me click..... hilarious title! and I laughed a lot!!!!!!

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  38. Beauty-full...life is but a dream...

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  39. Lovely photo !!! we have boat race by end of July in my world:)
    Have a nice day.

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  40. that looks amazing. rowing has always held an attraction for me...

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  41. Hats off David, well spotted and shot with lightning reflexes.

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  42. Thanks for stopping by my blog. I just love this photo. There's so much going on with the light and the patterns and the reflections.

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  43. I like the circles made by the oars. And the colors. And the whole thing.

    You might get a phone call and a little voice saying hello from Katney. But knowing shy teenaged grandchildren and how busy they seem to be keeping them on the trip, well, nothing would surprise me. I don't know the schedule, but I know they've been in Sydney and are traveling south to north.

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