Monday Morning Marbled Marvel

17 June 2013: The title for this morning’s paddle would have to be ‘Monday Morning Marbled Marvel’. I was out on LBG an hour before the scheduled sunrise enjoying another calm and serene Canberra morning. The winds were light and the scattered clouds provided an awesome effect playing with the morning light. You can see why I am addicted to my morning paddles on LBG. There is no better way to start the working week. I hope you have a great week and enjoy this mornings shots.

The great thing about the early morning starts is the light reflections from bridges.

6.24am: The great thing about the early morning starts is the light reflections from bridges.

6.24am: The sunrise was still 35mins away and at this point I could see that it was going to be a marbled marvel.

6.34am: The sunrise was still 35mins away and at this point I could see that it was going to be a marbled marvel.

It took me a few shots, but I managed to snap the flashing warning strobe on the foreshore pier.

It took me a few shots, but I managed to snap the flashing warning strobe on the foreshore pier.

I just love the pre-dawn violet tones.

I just love the pre-dawn violet tones.

The V8 sculls tearing up the lake.

The V8 sculls tearing up the lake.

Cool reflections

Cool reflections

I never seem to tire of them.

I never seem to tire of them.

7.05am: Trying it best to lighten up the morning.

7.05am: Trying it best to lighten up the morning.

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A splash of pink

A splash of pink

7.16am: Into the golden phase

7.16am: Into the golden phase

Quad Reflections

Quad Reflections

As the morning progressed the winds lessened to leave me with a glassy water to return back. I just wished I could have stayed out there for another two hours.

As the morning progressed the winds lessened to leave me with glassy water to return back. I just wished I could have stayed out there for another two hours. Foiled by work again :)

Super Serene Sunday

16 June 2013: Calm conditions were responsible for smooth water which in turn made for a super serene Sunday morning paddle.

Great reflections from Kings Avenue Bridge as I headed into the Main Basin

Great reflections from Kings Avenue Bridge as I headed into the Main Basin

Every where you looked there was mirror reflections

Every where you looked there was mirror reflections

Canberra's Golden Lightsaber

Canberra’s Golden Lightsaber

Pastel pinks the west

Pastel pinks the west

Greeting a day

Greeting a day

Reverse shot....the camera is placed on my head for this one.

Reverse shot….the camera is placed on my head for this one.

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Looks like a gold treasure chest

Looks like a gold treasure chest

Great point of view

Great point of view

It all about seeing the sun pop up each day.

It all about seeing the sun pop up each day.

The reflections are still wild, but now I'm in the western basin.

The reflections are still wild, but now I’m in the western basin.

What a morning out there....love the serene Sunday experience.

What a morning out there….love the serene Sunday experience.

Marbled Transformation

12 June 2013: As I paddled my way up into the wetlands this morning I was met with marbled skies and mirror reflections. Yet again I was treated to another beautiful pastel transformation. On my return I noticed that the containment lines had been removed from the new Kingston foreshore development site which gave me a chance to have a sneak peak and capture a few early progress shots.

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“If you cannot discover happiness, invent it.” Tasnim Nathoo

Marvellous Morning Transformation

10 June 2013: I’m still blown away by this mornings light show. What a transformation, what a spectacle, there is no better way to start the day! I’m going to throw straight into the photos, so enough with all of my ranting and raving. I hope you like this mornings photo story.

It was a nice early start to the day.

It was a nice early start to the day.

I could tell already that this was going to be a cracker!

I could tell already that this was going to be a cracker!

The early tones and formations were brilliant

The early tones and formations were brilliant

Paddling amongst the giant glow sticks

Paddling amongst the giant glow sticks

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The reflections were great

The reflections were great

Now things are starting to rev up.

Now things are starting to rev up.

It was an optical explosion of pink.

It was an optical explosion of pink.

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Pink marbled water....amazing!

Pink marbled water….amazing!

Pink overload now and loving it.

Pink overload now and loving it.

Even the sky looked like a giant bag of fairy floss

Even the sky looked like a giant bag of fairy floss

Now it just starting to change.

Now it just starting to change.

I'm rounding the corner to see the next stage of the transformation

I’m rounding the corner to see the next stage of the transformation

Great tones once again.

Great tones once again.

We have ignition!

We have ignition!

The golden touch

The golden touch

Light and shade. The sunrise is just about to be extinguished the heavy clouds.

Light and shade. The sunrise is just about to be extinguished the heavy clouds.

This is my meditation each day. I'm well and truly addicted to this. I love it.

This is my meditation each day. I’m well and truly addicted to this. I love it.

Surreal and Spooky

9 June 2013:  The heavy fog that engulfed Lake Burley Griffin this morning created the perfect setting for a horror film. We set off paddling 45 minutes prior to the scheduled sunrise and at times we were down to 10 metres visibility. I have paddled in a few heavy fogs, but this morning’s just had that strange and eerie feeling about it. The air was heavy with moisture, everything was dead calm, there was no colour and it so silent. It would have made for a great zombie horror film shoot; It was so surreal but at the same time very weird and wonderful. This lake never ceases to amaze me, this is why I love paddling here so much. No two mornings are ever the same.

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Into the abyss we go.

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We had been fog paddling for about 30 minutes now and….I think the conversation was…..yeah….this way…..trust me!

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So we decided to look for a bit of land

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Spring Bank Island in the foggy distance…or for this photo story it’s ‘Spooky Island’

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Our first close viewing of ‘Spooky Island’.

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I just love the fog paddles.

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Everything takes on a different persona

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All the colour is extinguished

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The old fingers were pointing me in the right direction.

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Even the pier had an unwelcoming presence

The fog had no intention of lifting.

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A solo swan…they didn’t even want to go near the Island.

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We always find time to cruise along and chillax

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I decided to go onto ‘Spooky Island’ and have a look.

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while the other lads decided to float way….maybe they were too scared !

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7.44am

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The scene was eerie

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It was so still.

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I was just waiting for something to tap me on the shoulder.

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It was the perfect setting for a Zombie movie.

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I managed to get of the Island in one piece.

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8.06am:The air was so heavy with moisture.

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It was nice to come across a splash of colour

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Just love the foggy reflections

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and the photo bombing swans

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On our way back I came across the very rare woolies tree….and I was so lucky to see it in its winter bloom.

I hope that you enjoyed a few shots from this mornings spooky paddle. All the best!

Wintery Feeling

5 June 2013: LBG certainly had a wintery feel about it this morning. It was clear as bell when I took off at 6.15am from the East Basin, but it wasn’t long before the fog slowly rolled in and engulfed the entire lake. At times it gave the impression that it was going to burn off, but then another bank of fog would roll through the Main Basin creating a totally different feel.

The lake never ceases to amaze me how it can take on a totally different persona each day. This is why I love seeing a new day take place from this perspective, every day has its own unique character.

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“Each of us is a unique strand in the intricate web of life and here to make a contribution.” Deepak Chopra

Silhouette Sunrise

3 June 2013: What a stunning silhouette sunrise this morning. I really didn’t expect to be paddling amongst crystal clear skies and sub zero temperatures after the rainy weekend that we just had. I can tell that we are definitely in winter now as my finger and toes are still thawing out from this morning’s frosty float on Lake Burley Griffin. I always return back so calm and peaceful after a paddle into the wetlands. How could you not when there are so many stunning silhouette reflections. I hope that you enjoy the photos.

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The morning began with crystal clear skies and calm conditions.

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That would produce some amazing reflections.

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I even had the privilege of a Pelican escort into the wetlands.

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I love starting the day like this :)

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What a stunning silhouette sunrise!

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Pink tones to the west.

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Everywhere you looked there was brilliant reflections.

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I decided to hang out with the locals for a while.

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The beginning of a new day.

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It was nice to feel the warmth of the sun as it was minus two and the fingers and toes were a bit snappy.

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The swans can photobomb me as much as they like!

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The suns up and the morning was off to a flying start

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“Life is to be enjoyed, not endured” Gordon B. Hinckley