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I've organised a photo shoot in the Shortland Wetlands in Newcastle Saturday 19th Feb. It's about 2.5 hours easy drive from Sydney along the freeway. To give an idea of what's there see my wetlands gallery at pixspot

Also note there is no D70 meet at birddog's that day (he'll be in the wetlands)

Numbers are restricted to 10 members. First in etc. etc.

The wetlands homepage is http://www.wetlands.org.au/

The wetlands are well laid out, with a number of walking trails and are home to "many species of birds such as Straw Necked Ibis, Magpie Geese, Reed Warbler, and four different types of Egrets" (taken from the blurb). There's a hide in a tower built next to the egret nesting colony and lots of other spots to take good shots. Ground is level and it's reasonably family friendly. There is a cafe/kiosk and a picnic area and a canoeing area - you can hire a canoe and paddle along the creek that feeds the wetlands (underwater housing for your D70 advisable!).

If you want to bring the family there are activities to keep them interested while you wander off and shoot the birds

Entry is $5 adults, $9 family and canoe hire is $7.50 to $9 per canoe.

Start time is 9:30am sharp (birds are more active in the morning and at dusk). The wetlands close at 5pm.

So far I have the following attending:

• birddog
• Matt K.
• Sheepie
• Killakoala
• Stubbsy
• pippin88 (probable)
• Onyx (probable)

Anyone else interested in attending?

Cheers

For those attending - make sure you bring a water bottle and some blockout. Insect repellant is provided free of charge at the Wetlands Centre for you to spray on when you first set out, but my experience two weeks ago was that I didn't need it.

There are seats and shady spots along the way, but much of the time you'll be in the sun.

Closer to the dat I'll give details of how to get to the Wetlands (it's very easy - about 10 minutes from the freeway - very hard to get lost )

stubbsy wrote:For those attending - make sure you bring a water bottle and some blockout. Insect repellant is provided free of charge at the Wetlands Centre for you to spray on when you first set out, but my experience two weeks ago was that I didn't need it.

There are seats and shady spots along the way, but much of the time you'll be in the sun.

Closer to the dat I'll give details of how to get to the Wetlands (it's very easy - about 10 minutes from the freeway - very hard to get lost )

I have my NAVMAN 635 GPS, I can plot it prior to leave.

It's a date

Thanks for thinking of this one

Sheepie wrote:Thanks for thinking of this one

It's good that I'm able to give something back.

Since I like to plan ahead here's some advance notice - in February 2006 I'll be organising a Hunter Valley vineyard grape harvest shoot - access to people picking, machines harvesting through to the crushing and other places you rarely get near thanks to my contacts in the HV wine industry.

Cheers

wooohooooooo!

I'll be there too! hehe

stubbsy wrote:

Sheepie wrote:Thanks for thinking of this one

It's good that I'm able to give something back.

Since I like to plan ahead here's some advance notice - in February 2006 I'll be organising a Hunter Valley vineyard grape harvest shoot - access to people picking, machines harvesting through to the crushing and other places you rarely get near thanks to my contacts in the HV wine industry.

Cheers

We might join the crushing game by bare foot! or we might get drunk and all the pics taken in the day turn into RED.
Definitely, I have my name first, with my new D2x and few other new lenses

Talking about bad luck...
I live 10 mins away from Shortland Wetlands, but on feb. 19th I'll be in Sydney
Damn!

Cheers.

Flyer wrote:Talking about bad luck...
I live 10 mins away from Shortland Wetlands, but on feb. 19th I'll be in Sydney
Damn!

Cheers.

What time are you going to leave for Sydney?
You can stop by the Shortland Wetlands wave your hands and continuing on your way to Sydney.
We'll be there before 9:00am

Hmm.

I'm actually moving to Newcastle for Uni soon. (Start on the 21st of Feb), not sure whether I'll make this or not though.

I'm really looking forward to this.

My first true wildlife shoot with the D70 and long lenses. You won't be able to see be though coz i'll be wearing Auscam DPCU's so i can get really close to the birds. If you tread on me i'll let you know.

If Matt brings his Avatar Yowie suit, then we will not see him either.

flyer wrote:on feb. 19th I'll be in Sydney

Arek - you're the only other Novocastrian here. Shame we miss the chance to meet.

birddog wrote:We'll be there before 9:00am

If anyone plans on arriving before 9 the Wetlands will be closed. You are all more than welcome to call in at my place (5 mins from the wetlands) for an early morning reviver before we head out. Just PM me

pippin88 wrote:I'm actually moving to Newcastle for Uni soon. (Start on the 21st of Feb), not sure whether I'll make this or not though.

You have no excuse. Please come and I'll do my best to introduce you to the Hexham Grey mosquito (nice big ones) that you'll come to hate while waiting to get into the lecture theatres once you start uni.

Killakoala wrote:You won't be able to see be though coz i'll be wearing Auscam DPCU's so i can get really close to the birds

Hopefully they're designed for our climate or you'll lose some serious weight if it's a hot day

Be sure to wave to any planes flying overhead, I'm bound to be in one of them.

Enjoy this day shooting guys - I regret that I can't be there, as much as I'd like to be.

Remember to wear your D70 polo shirts and be extra friendly to others. We can't have members of the public think any less of us photographers given what's been in the media lately...

Gary, Leigh

Are you reading this? If so can you please add this meet to the calendar.

If you're not reading this can you add this to the calendar anways .

Thanks

stubbsy wrote:

pippin88 wrote:I'm actually moving to Newcastle for Uni soon. (Start on the 21st of Feb), not sure whether I'll make this or not though.

You have no excuse. Please come and I'll do my best to introduce you to the Hexham Grey mosquito (nice big ones) that you'll come to hate while waiting to get into the lecture theatres once you start uni.

Well I was up today, had no great luck with the accom hunting (place I decided on and rang was given away eventually to a guy who rang just 1/2 and hour earlier or something after no interest for ages.)

But I did snap these: http://www.pixspot.com/thumbnails.php?album=186

pippin88

I don't know how to say this gently so... They're not ducks!

But seriously. What area are you looking in? This time of year there's usually lots of places in Jesmond, Waratah and Lambton close to campus. I also seem to recall there's a Uni accommodation service too.

Up again tomorrow, to look at more places.

Gotta remember to turn at the blood Newcastle Link Rd this time, missed it on Tues.

Looking around the city but also near Uni. Around city seems much better. Have been using the Uni accom service thing to find places.

pippin99 wrote:Gotta remember to turn at the blood Newcastle Link Rd this time, missed it on Tues.

Ouch. Where'd you end up?

stubbsy wrote:

pippin99 wrote:Gotta remember to turn at the blood Newcastle Link Rd this time, missed it on Tues.

Ouch. Where'd you end up?

Had to go round the Pacific Highway way.

Today I found a place to live.

Will try to attend this meet.

pippin88 wrote:

stubbsy wrote:

pippin99 wrote:Gotta remember to turn at the blood Newcastle Link Rd this time, missed it on Tues.

Ouch. Where'd you end up?

Had to go round the Pacific Highway way.

Today I found a place to live.

Will try to attend this meet.

Good to hear that you've found one spot to set! Any young chick around!
Will see you at the meet!

Hey how are we doing for numbers? Got room for one more? (I might be able to make it)

Onyx wrote:Hey how are we doing for numbers? Got room for one more? (I might be able to make it)

Onyx - there are 5 definites and 2 maybes counting you. I've updated the list at the top of the thread and added you to it.

Thought you were flying out before then?

stubbsy wrote:

Onyx wrote:Hey how are we doing for numbers? Got room for one more? (I might be able to make it)

Onyx - there are 5 definites and 2 maybes counting you. I've updated the list at the top of the thread and added you to it.

Thought you were flying out before then?

The bridemaid is not ready by the 21st

Hello, I can't make it for the Wetland trip but I would love to join the Feb 2006 wine trip!

Link.

Link wrote:Hello, I can't make it for the Wetland trip but I would love to join the Feb 2006 wine trip!

Link.

Link - no problems - be patient

Hi Stubbsy!
I might move up there permanently and will be wetland's residence due to many restriction of having the camera and shooting in the city now

Do the birds and mozzies in the Wetland complaining us about the disturbing their peace and quiet on Saturday and Sunday? we may have to reconsider those factors otherwise the cameras will be confiscated

Birddog114 wrote:Hi Stubbsy!
I might move up there permanently and will be wetland's residence due to many restriction of having the camera and shooting in the city now

Do the birds and mozzies in the Wetland complaining us about the disturbing their peace and quiet on Saturday and Sunday? we may have to reconsider those factors otherwise the cameras will be confiscated

Well there's currently an unofficail truce with the mossies - we can shoot them if they can stick their razor sharp noses into our skin, spit in some chemical laden saliva and suck out our blood (seems a fair trade).

Birds are more of a problem - during the latest round of negotiations they've been demanding we give them decent bread (none of that white crap) and accept that if we can shoot them from a distance they can shit on us from a great height.

I can't make this one guys, I've got to move on that day.

Pity, as I just cleaned my sensor.

pippin

No problem - get the Sydney guys to help bring up your stuff then come on the shoot