It’s the 31st of May 2020, and I almost didn’t make it with the the Photo Of The Month for May. This has been a month filled with photography for me and I’ve enjoyed it a lot. As lockdown eases here in New South Wales, Australia, it’s looking like June will be a great month for photos too!
The Story Of The Photo Of The Month May 2020
Tai Chi And Woolgoolga Lake
For some time now, I have been enjoying the benefits of Tai Chi. Due to Covid-19 social distancing rules, we have not been able to have classes in the local hall as we usually do. Recently the rules lifted a little and groups of 10 people were again allowed to gather in public places. Tai Chi class began again at Woolgoolga Lake.
Woolgoolga is a small town close to where I live on the Mid-North Coast of New South Wales in Australia. It is a beautiful place with wide, sandy beaches; a rocky headland popular for whale watching; amazing Sikh Temples; and the lake, which is popular with all sorts of wildlife.
Usually when Tai Chi class has been at the lake, I am quite distracted. As a bird photographer, I am constantly watching out for small things that fly. In addition, there is a family of Osprey that live on the shores of the lake and they are normally active at the time Tai Chi takes place.
I spend most of the class with my gaze fixed on the lake, cursing that I am not able to be over by the shore. I’ve been disappointed multiple times, watching Osprey catch fish while I ease through my Shibashi One movements.
No Luck With Osprey Photos
This particular day, I had been lurking around after Tai Chi, trying to get photos of the Osprey. Unfortunately for me, they are not usually hunting or feeding at 10:30am when my class finishes.
I made the decision to go. I put my camera back in the car and headed off for home.
A Roadside Gathering
On the road out of the lake, I noticed 4 men standing by the side of the road. They had their phones out, taking photos of something. When I was almost past them, curiosity got the better of me and I decided to pull over. I just had to see what they were looking at.
“What are we looking at guys?” I called through my open window.
“A huge Python. It was just here in the grass, by the road” they answered.
I grabbed my camera and headed over.
Photo Of The Month May 2020
Just a few meters from the edge of the road was this magnificent Diamond Python. And it was indeed huge! Around 3 meters would be my best guess. I could not have asked for a better subject for the photo of the month.
I spent around 15 to 20 minutes with it taking photos. It slithered along this fallen tree log, down to the ground, and then up a small bush nearby.
This was the first Python I have seen in the wild and I was so happy to see it! Below are some other photos I got of it on that day.
That’s the photo of the month for May 2020. If you would like to see other photo of the month posts, you can find them here.
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