A Tribute To Autumn

Scene And Unseen, On The Yarra's Surface

Photographs copyright: DAVID McMAHON

This sequence was shot early on Thursday morning, as I walked across the pedestrian footbridge that connects Flinders Street Station to Southbank. The sun was still at a very shallow angle and because it was a cool morning, there was a bit of haze around.

Normally, I would not even have taken my camera out of the bag. But I had barely taken half a dozen steps across the bridge when I noticed that there was only a very gentle breeze, which is extremely unusual for Melbourne, especially around the water.


So I shot these four frames quickly, in less than 90 seconds. The object of the exercise was simply to show you that on a hazy day, a reflection is sometimes more intense and robust in colour quality than the original object itself. That, of course, is the opposite to normal weather conditions in clear light and a standard breeze, when a reflection can never match what is above the water.

Scroll back and take a look for yourself. In the first shot, the row of plane trees themselves are not quite as striking as their water-enhanced rendering. In each frame, the bottom area (or the reflection) is better quality than the top.


If you're wondering why the breeze played a part, here's the answer. The normal Melbourne breeze ruffles the surface of the water, leaving no discernible reflection at all on the Yarra River.

I was about to put the lens cap back on my camera when I noticed this red-clad jogger going past. Naturally, I had to take the shot - because I knew the two people in black (or dark blue) would not be visible on the water's surface, while the red jogger would stand out like a beacon.


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The Fall Collection

Autumn Comes Far Too Early To Melbourne

Photographs copyright: DAVID McMAHON

Three weeks ago, as Melbourne’s record-breaking hot, dry spell began, I noticed that the huge plane trees on our property were starting to shed their leaves, much earlier than normal.

Then we had that terrible run of consecutive days where the mercury hovered in the 115-degree zone, barely cooling down at night. The plane trees were quickly stripped of their leaves, more than semi-denuded not just in the suburbs but in the city centre as well.


I took these shots late on Friday evening, on a pathway in our garden. I keep an old pair of Nikes outdoors at all times and these are my gardening footwear. But as you can see from this shot, the swirling leaves, borne on the hot northerly winds that have fanned our bushfires, have swamped the Nikes.

This blue watering can is a miniature version of my huge watering can nearby. But despite my best efforts, this heatwave, the worst in my memory, has claimed more plants than I think I can save. (And at this point I should mention that none of these objects were moved for better photographic effect, because I simply shoot things where they are, in the existing light.)


It’s strange to think that we are in a hot zone ringed by bushfires, yet Queensland in the north is struggling with terrible flooding. Maybe some of their rain will find its way down here. Fingers crossed …..

Maybe one day this watering can will be filled with rainwater instead of leaves. Maybe I could find some success as a water diviner. Stick around while I try ...


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Sole Mates

Anyone Looking For My Foot Prince?

Photograph copyright: DAVID McMAHON

I've got an old pair of Nikes that I keep outside the house because, well, because every bloke has to have an all-purpose pair of shoes, right? The soles are generally caked with mud, because I use the Nikes as my gardening boots, my all-purpose footwear, my multi-faceted shoes. I also spend a fair few hours raking up the many millions of leaves (you think I'm kidding?) from the plane trees on our nature strip. This morning I noticed one of the Nikes was on its side and surrounded by many of the wind-blown leaves. Of course, I had to share the shot with you.

Not Quite The Sydney Arbor Bidge

Do You Recognise This Branch Office?

Photograph copyright: DAVID McMAHON

Hey, it's been so hot this weekend that even the greenery is scorched. Just about the only plants that are flourishing in this drought are the bougainvilleas that are so spectacular at this time of the year. This shot shows the leaves of a plane tree, a stark contrast against the flawless blue sky. These trees form a beautiful avenue on Dandenong Road, the eight-lane carriageway that carries traffic to and from the south-eastern suburbs of Melbourne. My question is this. The leaves are so similar to maple leaves that I'm just wondering if the plane trees are somehow an offshoot of the maple. Is there an arborist out there who can answer the question? Or maybe one of my readers in the United States or Canada can tell me .....