This page will bring together a range of different items and links that I hope you find useful. For example, two of the finest places on Earth for enjoying spring flowers are in Australia. I’ve put together two pdfs for identifying some of the commoner wildflowers that you might see in these colourful Edens.
The first location is the coastal heath and dry sclerophyll forest in and around Sydney and the Central Coast – see pdf flower guide below.
The second location is the remarkable heath that hugs the coast of Western Australia from Perth up to Shark Bay, taking in very special areas such as Lesueur and Kalbarri National Parks. The spring and early summer floral displays here are astonishing. See pdf flower guide below.
These are wonderful places for photography, even if all you have is your phone camera. Images of flowers from here and further afield are available for e-commerce download at www.marklucock.com
If you’re using a PC, it’s unlikely that your browser will let you see/download any pdf files (a default for security), however, the pdf files will be visible without any problem if you’re browsing on an Android phone using Chrome. I haven’t tested other potential combinations; I guess some will work and some won’t.
Moving on from plants to birds, below are two articles that examine the biology of bird colouration.
The first article is an exploration of how genetic and dietary factors influence bird biology, and particularly bird colouration. The article is illustrated with some of my many bird images to reveal a fascinating story of discovery and understanding. You can read the article here:
The second article looks at Oystercatcher colour. While I was out photographing Sooty and Pied Oystercatchers, I developed some interesting questions about the origin and nature of their vivid orange bills and eyes. This article looks at potential explanations for their colourful livery and the best way to photograph these waders. You can read the article here:
