Life Trove: 2012 Highlights

Quality time with the family in Cape Town and The Orange River, photographing wildlife in The Kruger National Park and fun times with Dani

Best images 2012
Best family photos 2012

Priceless Moments

The amazing fireworks on New Year's eve which I photographed from my own secret spot in Ball's Head.
Deciding that, like my dad, I look better with a beard.
Capturing lots of action at the Penrith Whitewater Centre with the camera club and stopping off at the Spur (a South African institution) for a pecan nut sundae (one of my favourite things as a kid).
Mum and Mike visiting Sydney after a cruise on the Queen Mary and doing some fun outings with them including Blue Mountains, Cremorne Point, Watson's Bay and Palm Beach.
A fun day of steam with the camera club and thinking of dad, who would have loved it.
Doing a weekend workshop with Behram Ghista, a Buddhist teacher (thanks to Nerium, a new found friend), that set me back on my spiritual path of meditation and mindfulness.
Joining an Eckhart Tolle group in Kirribilli and the beautiful, loving, indomitable Jilly coming into my life.
Through Jilly, joining a wonderful Saturday meditation group run by wonderful Geraldine.
Lots of mindful walks around Berry Island and Balls Head.
Any time spent with gorgeous Mack.
Buying a Kindle, one of my best ever purchases.
Crawling on my belly on The Newcastle mud flats to photograph birds and the wondrous sight of millions of soldier crabs.
Playing weekly tennis with Brendan and having some titanic battles.
A fun weekend away at the Hunter's Valley with great people from the camera club and getting to photograph hot air balloons and beautiful horses and birds.
A great day outing to Robertson and getting to admire the amazing autumn colours.
Meeting the beautiful Dani at the Kirribilli Hotel pub and being so smitten that I forgot to pay for our drinks and had the bartender run after me!
My first real date with Dani - rollerblading near Manly - where I got to hold her hand and feel even more smitten.
Photographing the Vivid Festival with Sue and Guy , the three amigos together again.
Doing the Two Creeks Hike with Dani.
Photographing a gorgeous black swan with its chicks at Bicentennial Park.
Whale watching with Dani and dolphins swimming alongside our boat.
Ice skating with Dani, always such a romantic thing to do.
A wonderful weekend at the Blue Mountains where we did two lovely hikes.
Being blissfully reunited in Cape Town with my family and frolicking with Matt and Sam by the pool.
Paddling down the Orange River with my family through gorgeous desert scenery and especially the awe inspiring stars on the final night.
Three unforgettable weeks in The Kruger National Park by myself where I had a wondrous encounter with a leopard, got great shots of birds and had a very close shave with a bull elephant.
Spending an evening with Jo in Joberg on my way back from the Kruger to Sydney, helping me to get over my end-of-holiday blues.
Getting to wear a mullet and leopard trousers at Dani's fun 40th birthday party in The Blue Mountains.
Getting to experience Mattias Klum, one of National Geographic's top nature photographers, present his life's work at The Opera House.
Spending Xmas at Nambucca Heads with Dani's family on their macadamia nut farm and getting to see Regent Bowerbird, a bird I've wanted to see for ages.
Exploring the gorgeous waterfalls and rain forests along the Waterfall Way.
A sensational hike in the Cathedral Rock National Park where we needed to use chains to scramble up mighty boulders to a incredible view.
Cycling around Dubbo Zoo, photographing cute critters.

Less happy moments

Thomas Pham, a photographer buddy, passing away from cancer.
Getting a bad cold and fever on day two of the 5 day Orange River trip in sweltering heat. My lovely sister saved my life by being my engine.

New friends met this year

Dani, Jilly, Geraldine, Chris, Nerium.

Favourite Movies

Prometheus
Argo
Skyfall
The Descendants
The Separation

2012 Index of Links

Holiday in South Africa (late Sep - early Nov)

Exploring The Kruger National Park including amazing birds and a close shave.
Paddling down the Orange River
Fish River Canyon
Catching up with Julian
Catching up with Ivor
Playing with the kids by the pool

Christmas roadtrip with Dani

Christmas in Nambucca Heads with Dani's parents, followed by a roadtrip along Waterfall Way, hiking in Cathedral Rock National Park, Warrumbungles and Gunnedah, Dubbo and Mudgee.

Fun times with Dani

Walking at Dee Why (Aug)
Ice skating (Aug)
Weekend at the Blue Mountains (Aug)
Blue Mountains birthday party and walk (Nov)

Mattias Klum at The Opera House (Dec)

Mum and Mike visit Sydney (Feb)

Mum and Mike come to Sydney after cruising on the Queen Mary
Outings with mum and Mike including Blue Mountains, Cremorne Point, Watson's Bay and Palm Beach

Photography outings