Rainforest M&G

[Zeeke]

Ok, We've had a few M&G's where we drive around alot and visit some great places, but id like to maybe try and organise a M&G here on the sunshine coast... Dont know about dates, open for suggestion for them, but im thinking maybe an afternoon evening in Buderim Forest Park, its where ive been getting alot of my waterfall photos from, ive taken Oneputt and Slider there and they seemed to enjoy themselves... its a huge park... with alot of walkways and paths.. with ALOT to offer to the people into nature.. and hopefully we can drag a few of the other sunshine coast members into coming who havent made it to a M&G.. like Dug

The park has plenty of area so it could possibly provide a few hours of exploring.. with the extensive walkways and waterfalls, there would be things of interest to photograph everywhere.. there is also a few caves within the park that are roosting places for Bats.. and if found could provide some good sunset photos.. and if Damian and Rel show up, im sure they could find some critters for everyone to photograph, in the afternoon there is various bird species in the forest.. and there is really 3 types of forest in the park.. from dry bush type forest to rain forest to stream/water type forest...

Anyways... throwing out the idea, interested in hearing what everyone thinks..

Tim

[CraigVTR]

Sounds great Tim. What do you prefer a weekend or weekday afternoon? I work nights so i have to fit in sleep time around whatever i doon weekdays, but i am flexible. I also work some weekends in Brisbane but at this stage i am only commited to weekends on 4-5 Mar, 8-9 Apr, 29-30 Apr. At this stage my other weekends are free. I dont want to suggest a particular date because i will have to bail out if iam asked to work.

Craig

[Zeeke]

Im thinking a Weekend.. probably towards the end of March, Maybe on the 25th or 26th which is right at the end and should give most people time to organise themselves.. i hope.. and should catch the last of the rain hopefully and the waterfalls should be flowing nicely..

Plan would be, everyone meets at the Rotundra at the Park Entrance near Harry's Restaurant and then everyone can go and explore the park, its about 1500 meters from one carpark to another.. but the main meeting place is at the lower end.. give folks who arent upto walking big distances plenty of variety but those who want to follow the creek up to the main waterfalls can without having legs like a mountain goat and if people get bored, we can all meet back down at the Rotundra where toilets are accessible and we can hold a BBQ undercover.. Mozis arent bad in the area either.. and it would be great if Rel and Damian could make it.. with there animal skills.. im sure we'd find alot more

Tim

[CraigVTR]

Tim

25 March sounds great. I have pencilled this in to my diary and will continue to follow the thread.

Craig

[Zeeke]

Now all we have to do is get a few more interested

Tim

[Oneputt]

Open the door and they will come - I'm in as if you couldn't guess.

[Zeeke]

Knew you would be John

Tim

[Slider]

I have a feeling that I have something else on that day. Will have to check the diary but otherwise I'll be there

[Big Red]

i'm on call so i can't make it.

Best way is to just make a date and stick to it ... if people can't make this one there is always the next one

[DionM]

Hmmm, might not be able to make it as I think I have something else on that weekend. But I will probably go visit there before then; I have been neglecting my photography of late due to other pressures, but am hoping to take a few days off work and just go shoot stuff

[Zeeke]

Alright, If we can set the date as March 25th, and set it in stone we should be able to get the ball rolling..

Dion, you better get a Nikon, to revive your photography

Shane, Shame you cant make it, will have to make it the next one

Tim

[blacknstormy]

Hi Tim - not sure if we can make it yet .... it's kind of my birthday, so ..... Ok if I get back to you in the next week?

Would love to come, but depends (you know family stuff)

Rel & Damo

[Zeeke]

No worries Rel

Tim
p.s. This forum, we are a family, a bunch of crazy shutter clicking Nikonians... and the odd backward cousin with a Canon

[blacknstormy]

but what about the REALLY backward cousin with , gasp, horror,
the PENTAX???????

[Zeeke]

We'll forgive him, he has a big lens... it might hurt if he threw it at us... its practically a weapon

Tim

[blacknstormy]

We'll forgive him, he has a big lens... it might hurt if he threw it at us... its practically a weapon

I'm more concerned about what he could do with the big truck !!!! LOL

[DionM]

Dion, you better get a Nikon, to revive your photography

I showed you my Nikon last time, remember?

Oh wait, hang on, that was my Nokia phone. Always get them confused, same image quality and all that

[Dug]

I'll try to be there OK

[TonyH]

I'd try to make it.

If I was to, I'd probably want to stay up there for the weekend, somewhere near the beach.

Now, this leads me to my next question, are wives who aren't photography nuts allowed to come along?

My wife would be with me on the weekend and I wouldn't leave her all alone at the hotel bored out of her mind.

[Oneputt]

Tony absolutely NO!!! and if you believe that then I am Father Xmas Of course they are. We are a social bunch, and having met you I know that you would fit right in

[Zeeke]

Tony, dont listen to John, giving billions of presents away at Xmas has sent him loopy

Just Kidding, your wife is more then welcome... it is a great place for familys to explore.. and if people want to bring kids, theres a large bit of grassed area near the park entrance for kids to play

Tim

[TonyH]

Thanks John and Tim, I'd possibly be a starter subject the the date of the event.

I'd love to capture some of those waterfalls......

Cheers

Tony

[Slider]

Hey, I can come, I can come

Tell me, when someone tells you to book the last weekend in March you would look at a calendar and see that the 25 and 26 are the last Saturday adn Sunday of March i.e. the last weekend.

However the last weekend in March, I am now told, starts on Friday the 31st of March and then 1st and 2nd of April.

First weekend in April if you ask me.

So to cut a long story short I'll be at the minimeet

[Oneputt]

That is good Mark.

[Zeeke]

News to me mark.. all that weekend stuff is a bit technical, but glad you can make it!!

Tim

[Dargan]

Tim, is that the park off Lindsay Rd you are referring to? Regardless, I will be there for the meet.

[Zeeke]

Sure is, the meeting point is about 2mins walk from Harrys Restaurant.. under the Rotundra..

Tim
p.s. Good to have you onboard

[xerubus]

i'll put my name down as a maybe.

[Dug]

It looks like the waterfalls will have a bit of water running over them

There is a lot of rain falling and more on the way. PS if wives don't want to hang round the park the shopping at Sunshine plaza will keep them occupied

[Big Red]

is it allright if i jump on the roof of my truck and take the pics from here ?

[Zeeke]

You could, but you wont see the waterfalls from up there

Tim

[TonyH]

It looks like the waterfalls will have a bit of water running over them

There is a lot of rain falling and more on the way. PS if wives don't want to hang round the park the shopping at Sunshine plaza will keep them occupied

Dug,

are you kidding? I'd like to buy a D2X at some stage this year.... if my wife was let loose up there at Sunshine Plaza Nikon would be making a D10X before I could afford one.....

Cheers

Tony

[Oneputt]

When asked where she lives, my wifes stock response is Sunshine Plaza!!

[SteveGriffin]

I will try and make this one.

[Zeeke]

Good to hopefully have you onboard Steve

We havent discussed meeting times yet.. i think the best time would be around 2pm in the afternoon for most folks to show up.. that way everyone can explore the forest during the afternoon and we can all meet back up the meeting spot for a BBQ if people are interested in staying around a bit longer and then i think a couple of members might stay around and explore the creek in the early evening looking for critters like frogs and insects..

Anyways thats the idea and plan i think..

Tim
p.s. Post up your ideas

[Slider]

Good plan. That will do me

[Big Red]

Meet and Greet
Buderim Forest Park
off Lindsey Rd in Buderim QLD
saturday 25th march at 2pm
bring BBQ food, camera and sense of humour

[Zeeke]

Spot on Shane, Soon as I can ill make directions up for those who are heading to the M&G from Brisbane with the easiest way to get to the Park

Tim

[Zeeke]

Im sorry i havent put up a map yet but i will soon I promise..

this little M&G is now 2 weeks away... Who is planning to come and who is still on the sidelines???

Tim

[Manta]

I hate to say it...put me down as a sideline inhabitant at this stage. I wish i could be more definite but there are some family health issues playing havoc with our planning at present. (In-Laws, not the Manta Clan)

[CraigVTR]

Tim

Will be there on the Sat arvo, unless i get asked to work before then.

Craig

[Zeeke]

Simon, hope everything is ok on your end, would be good to have you onboard for this one since you missed the last

Craig, good to have you onboard, look forward to meeting you!

Just went for an explore down at Buderim Forest Park near the meeting Area.. took a few picts of the layout... the place is full of small blue butterflys at the moment by the looks,

there was hundreds of them but i didnt have my macro with me so i didnt bother running around like an idiot trying to get pics of one, there is also finches all over the place and a species of dove or pigeon ive never seen before.. picts will be in this post.. anyways.. on my explore,

i scouted out the park/eating options.. Below the Rotundra is a large park with about 3 acres of grassed land.. with a BBQ area with 2 free Electric powered BBQs and 2 tables with seats undercover, there are toilets only 10mins from the Rotundra

Heres a couple of pics.. sorry they are blurry.. i was using kit lens in extreme low light situation and hand held

Rotundra


Boardwalk for 250 meters


One of the many sections of the streem you cross over on the bridge/boardwalks


First Bridge on the boardwalk


2nd Bridge on boardwalk


Mystery Pigeon


BBQ Area with 2 BBQ's and 2 tables


Items needed for this M&G:
Comfortable Shoes
Water
Food (There is a Shopping Center only 5mins Drive away, less with traffic that also has a fast food shop if you forget)
Insect Repellant
Sense of Adventure
Torches/Headlamps

If your staying late we'll be planning for a BBQ then doing an explore along the boardwalks at night for some critters at night, there are possums and other assorted critters so dont be discouraged if you dont have a macro lens

Tim

[blacknstormy]

Hey Tim

Looks like a great spot - so far so good, we'll be there (Still have to talk to my folks, but will be able to sort that out ) We'll be staying on for the BBQ and night stuff too = should be a great afternoon/day. BTW, the bird is a 'white headed pigeon' - yeah, I know, what an original name If you want the latin, Columba leucomela - nice bird huh?

Rel & Damo

[Oneputt]

I know some nice birds as well Rel Glad that you guys are coming.

[neroli]

Hi all

I'm keen to join in again, sounds like a great day and a wonderful spot by the looks of things.

Thanks for organising it Tim.

Cheers
Judy

[Zeeke]

Great to have you onboard Judy

List so far by the looks

(Possibles #) (Deffinates *)
Oneputt *
Slider *
CraigVTR *
Manta and Crew #
SteveGriffin #
Rel and Damian *
TonyH #
Neroli *
Finch #
Dug #
xerubus #
Dargan *
Bob G #

[Bob G]

Hey Guys!
I have been reading this thread the last few nights and your upcoming meet has caused me to Register and see if I can make it along if that's OK

[Oneputt]

No worries Bob. All welcome.

[TonyH]

Hello Bob,

Welcome to the forum!

I'm sure that you'll be most welcome at the meet.

I look forward to meeting you and the other members.


Tony

[Zeeke]

Welcome to the forums Bob,

No worries mate, more then welcome!!

Tim