Bill Hatcher Photography

Warren National Park, WA

On my second day exploring WA I saw this view of a Karri forest with the iconic red dirt road. Most of the old growth Karri forest of WA has been cut down, but a few big stands still remain in a few National Parks and some isolated trees in state forest. In the later part of the 1800's when the trees were being felled the wood was shipped back to the European markets and used as paving blocks for roads in London and other cities. I heard that they still dig this wood up in the streets of London. 

This impressive stand is just above the Warren River along a one way road through the park.

At play in the Karri Trees, WA

Above is the view from the top of the Diamond tree south of Manjimup. The scene is kind of smoky because of the "controlled burns" that day.Yep, I am climbing trees again, but I came to WA with none of my normal tree climbing stuff. But in the Southern Forest of WA you can climb four trees free solo with no ropes, gear or permits needed.

The DEC (dept. environment and conservation) has staked a ladder, with steel rebar, up these select 50-61 meter Karri trees. Two of these trees are former fire look out towers.The one I went into is still used for fire locating when the fire spotting plane can't take to the air.

 

I have to say it's pretty weird climbing a ladder so far up a tree un-roped. On the day I went playing in the trees a hard wind was moving the top of the trees a couple of meters, this did not make things easier for the head, but after a few minutes I got used to hanging out in a tall swaying tree with no ropes and harness. It's nice they just let anyone walk up this tree. The fire trees have been around since the 40's.

Next stop further into the Karri forest.

 

Perth, Western Australia

I am back from Western Australia and decided to wait to post images from WA since I was too busy to post on the road.

I only spent a day in Perth, this city is said to be the most remote big city in the southern hemishere. The photo here is looking at the city sky line on the banks of the Swan River. Take note of the cycle path, these cycle and walker dedicated paths are everywhere in Perth.  That gives this city big points in my book. I was up and around exploring the city for a couple of hours in the morning. Not much cycle traffic in the city at 5 in the morning. They don't recognized day-light savings out here so sunrise is at 5:10 am. That means i have to be up at 4 am to catch the sunrise. It's going to be some long days for me while I am out here.

This is my first time to Western Australia so there is some country to explore. I have four days to myself before I leave for my assignment into the bush. The first stop on my tour will be the Southern Forests of WA.

On Assignment: A look inside My Mountain Biking Photo Bag

I am packing now for a job next week in Western Australia. I am excited about this trip because it will be my first time in that country. Deciding what photo gear to bring for this shoot is tricky because the assignment includes a week of pedaling 400 km off pavement on trails with no support vehicle. Will I ever I do a photo assignment that was actually easy? The big challenge on this assignment is I will have to carry all my own gear. My solution is