Down the Right of Way: September 2019

Last year Jim and I headed North, South and East of Perth to photograph flowers. Here's everything I learned about taking photos of Wildflowers in Western Australia...

Preparation...

Be Fit and Healthy
So given that we did this trip over a year ago and I can still remember how absolutely shit I felt halfway through the first day I am kicking myself now- as we're intending on doing it again in about three weeks. Three weeks is not enough time to get fit and healthy! If you are unfit, then plan to have shorter days be prepared for the fact it will be tiring and make sure you follow the rest of the preparation tips...

Be Rested
Get a few good nights sleep in the week before you embark on this journey. It's great if you can capture some images at just after dawn and just before dusk- and that makes for a long day- so be prepared by being rested and fresh.

Fed
Make sure you have a decent breakfast.

Watered
Make sure you are hydrated, especially if the forecast is for hot or humid weather. There's nothing like some beginning dehydration to make you feel tired and unmotivated.

Websites
Do your homework and have detailed information, so you know where the best spots are where you are going. Look at specific locations on Google Maps well before you leave so you know exactly where you are going. The information on most websites is too general for you to try and follow them while you're on the road. Print off your notes and/or save to your phone so you can access them offline- because internet access isn't always great off the beaten track. That said, be prepared to stop in the middle of nowhere and to change your plans based on local knowledge that comes up on the day (see more below).

If you're looking at venturing around Western Australia- here are some of the better websites to get you started...
https://www.wheatbelttourism.com/wildflowers/current-wildflower-season/
http://www.wildflowersocietywa.org.au/enjoy/
https://www.australiasgoldenoutback.com/page/outback-wildflowers
https://www.australiasgoldenoutback.com/page/wildflower-hotspots
https://www.australiasgoldenoutback.com/page/outback-wildflowers

In Perth, but can't go far try these:
http://www.wildflowersocietywa.org.au/enjoy/where-to-see-wildflowers-near-perth/
https://www.experienceperth.com/wildflowers

Batteries
Charge your batteries and phone the night before. Clear your memory cards- be ready for taking a lot of photos.

Weather Conditions
In an ideal world, the day you head out will have lots of good light, not much rain, and be not too hot or windy. But sometimes you don't have the option to choose what day. Really the light and the wind will have the most impact on your photos- most days allow enough light, but it's hard to get a clear shot if the flower you are pointing at is blowing around in the wind. Check at least a couple of weather reports the day before and the morning of your trip and prepare accordingly.

What to wear
Even on the hottest day, you'll probably be better off in very light long-sleeved tops and long pants- just because of the insects, sunburn, and prickly plants.

Don't expect the brochure photos
Maybe we just screwed up- we were underprepared and just amateurs. Or maybe it was timing- we did venture out quite late in the season. Maybe we didn't go to the right spots- we were DIY-ing it and avoided the big tourist areas. But we never saw big unobstructed glorious fields of wildflowers like you see in the brochures- so don't go out expecting that- then if you do find them you'll be pleasantly surprised. :-)

Equipment...

Music :-)
This is for the car- good tunes are essential at all times.

Glove
Okay, you're going to look silly, like a lame version of Micheal Jackson, but having one decent gardening glove for the hand that you're most likely to use getting up from and down onto the ground. You'll thank me when you're brushing the prickles and gravel from your glove and not your skin.

Kneepads
Seriously, many many of the flowers and things worth taking pictures of will be at ground level. You will find yourself getting up and down countless times your knees will praise the thoughtfulness of knee pads!

Drinks & Food with a Chilly Bin/Esky/Cooler
Road Houses are great places for information and petrol but they aren't the best stops for food. Pack yourself A LOT of liquids to drink and some yummy food to snack on- put it all in some sort of cooler with ice and picnic gear if needed.

Extra water
Take along a few extra bottles of water: Some in a pop top bottle with detergent for cleaning the mass of bugs that you attract off your windows. Some for your radiator, just in case. Some for washing hands, or rinsing off any cuts or scrapes. It's great to take some of it frozen so once it melts you have nice cold water to wash your face off with.

Wet face cloths
In a zip lock bag. For washing, cooling yourself, cleaning wounds... whatever.

Insect repellent, Sunscreen, First Aid Kit
You are never going to stop all the flies and bugs they come with the territory, but you can at least give yourself a fighting chance by using some insect repellent. Also, make sure you apply sunscreen before you leave home and at least once more throughout the day. If your car doesn't already have one a basic first aid kit is a good investment- make sure it has good tweezers for prickle removal.
If you're not keen on nasty chemicals here are some ideas for making your own bug repellant...
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Natural-Outdoor-Fly-Repellent-with-Essential-Oils

Toilet paper
You really don't want to get caught out in this regard. A few disposable bags wouldn't go amiss here either- try and avoid leaving a mess out in nature if you can help it.

Backpack/Camera bag
You need a decent bag to carry all your gear: keys, wallet, phone, extra lens, camera battery, and a water bottle should all be with you while you walk.

Towels
I always keep a few towels in my boot they come in handy for all sorts of purposes.

Change of clothes
Just in case!

Window cleaning apparatus
I keep a little squeegee from Ikea in my car- great to use with water to get the bugs off the windscreen.

Camera
Well duh... if you're going to take photos, you really want your camera. The best camera is the one you have and most phones now days take really good images. But if you're making a day of it, then it's good to have a decent quality DSLR camera.

Lens'
Once again use what you have- but oviously this is the perfect occasion to use a macro lens... if yours is new make sure you get in a few hours practice in your garden at home to get a feel for the best settings. You really want something that is going to allow you to get as close as possible.

Something to lay on
A 'you-sized' sheet of some decent fabric/PVC can come in handy to put down on the ground to lie on when taking photos of flowers/plants that are at foot height. Something that will keep you clean and try and prevent prickles sticking you.

Black and white boards
Not essential but I carry two sheets of foam core board, one black and one white, in my car so I can isolate a flower/plant to take a shot without a busy background- I just like the way it looks sometimes.

What not to take...

Valuables
You're going to be parking your car in remote spots and wandering off- sometimes quite a distance. Don't bring anything precious in the car that you can't pop in your backpack or camera bag if you can possibly avoid it. It's just not worth the worry. Don't plan on popping too much in your bag either- you will get sick of carrying it.

When to go...
July - August - In Western Australia things are starting to come out- you'll have more luck and more variety in the North of the State; Pilbara, Midwest, Goldfields and into the Wheat belt.
September - Depending on the winter just past late August into September is the best time for Perth and the greater surrounds; Geraldton, and the Wheatbelt.
October - In Western Australia by the time you get to October you really need to be heading down to the southernmost areas of the state for the best results. You will still find flowers everywhere but by this time northern areas are already starting to heat up and dry out.

Dawn and dusk -heading out at dawn and dusk means that you have some great light to play with and you'll be able to have some fun while the sun is low in the sky. During the day is also fine- but if you can get out early and make the most of the day.

After rain- the opportunity to capture drops on flowers and plants is not one to be missed- if you happen to be lucky enough to get some rain- don't let it stop you getting out- just take your photos between the showers.

Now - To be honest, you can go out at practically any time of the year and find lots to photograph. You won't have the variety that you have August through October. But there's always something, and the state seems to have some super weird and kooky plants.

Where to go...

From Perth you can head north, south and east to find a myriad of nature reserves and also nature strips- which native plants have been preserved turned into the farm land in corridors along the side of many main roads. As I said before the season starts around July in the far north of the state. Then generally winds up with the warmer weather by the end of October.

Locally there are so many reserves and parks in Perth and WA- especially where there is any type of water. If you take your time and look closely you'll find a lot to photograph.

Side of the road- obviously don't go stopping on the freeways, but on the highways and country roads look for spots where there is tall and wild vegetation and you'll likely find some smaller flowers and plants underneath them. Make sure you don't park in a dangerous manner and be aware of wildlife- you'll find Emu, Echidna, Lizards, Snakes, and even Kangaroos all quite close to the great city boundaries.

Other side of the road- You may think that one side of the road is much the same as the other- but we found that not to be the case... cross over and look some more on the way back to the car.

Public Parks, and Botanical Gardens- Araluen and Kings Park in the Perth region are two great spots for wildflower photograpghy. Go take a look and follow the signs.

Local knowledge- Stop into a local roadhouse or store- especially one that is 'the onlyshop in town'. Spend some cash to support local business and ask the person behind the counter if they know of anywhere good to go. I've been tofour gems of places because of information from locals.

Where to look...

Look high - one of the cooler things about WA is there are some decentsize bushes and shrubs and small trees that have some fascinating flowers- especially the Banksia and Eucalpts which are quite prevalent. If you're out at sunrise or sunset you'll also capture some great shots of light through the trees and foliage.

Look low- A lots of tiny flowers and plants grow close to the ground- sun dews especially are amazing and practically sit flat on the ground. So be sure to make sure you have a close look at where you are putting your feet- there's potentially some very cool stuff there.
Get down, then get down lower!

Look out! - I always talk to my kids about having a snake look when they are walking, and to stay out of long grass. For the most part the heavy galumphing steps of human beings are going to scare the snakes off anyway- but it is always good to keep at eye out, especially near water. Keep an eye out for prickles, ants, spiders, and the occasional scorpion as well.

What to look for...
Colours- as you walk look for little spots of colour popping out.

Shapes- keep an eye out for different shapeof plants as well- that's the best way to spot the plants that blend in because they are green.

Foliage- look at leaves and plant sizes. Some flowers look quite similar especially some of the pea flowers.

How to take photos
Above- Look down on the plants and flowers.
Side on- check out the side view.
Below- on taller bushes the view from below might be good.
Behind- some flowers have lovely patterns on the backside of them as well.
Get Close, Closer, Closer still. Get as close as your camera will allow you!

What to take photos of...

Not birds- Leave birds for another day unless you have two cameras and can dedicate a suitable lens to each thing. :-)

Buds- don't estimate how pretty a flower can be before it blooms..

Flowers- well that's kind of obvious right- but look for individual flowers, nice groupings- esepcially in threes and fives and also the wide angle of a large field or patch of flowers.

Flowers & Foliage/whole plant for ID purposes- If you want any chance of identifying the flowers when you get home make sure you include images of the leaves, and whole plant and something that helps you recall the approximate size of the flowers and the plant.

Dead stuff- there is such an awesome variety of leaf litter in the WA bush- take a closer look at the ground around you from time to time.

Leaves- can have interesting shapes and patterns.

Fungus- keep an eye out for this late winter and early spring.

Grass- seed heads, and grass trees make for some interesting shapes and angles.

Bark- especially on the Eucalypt trees- so much variety, textures, and colours.

Things you've already photographed- make sure you take multiple shots of the same types of flowers- you will have more to choose from and might find the light is better, or that you've captured a sneaky insect.

Caution...

Be Committed- It's a long day with lots of getting up and down- be committed to making the most of your adventure. Stop when you see something cool on the side of the road- even if it means turning back. Walk a little further along the side of the road, make another stop... keep trying.

Road stuff- be aware on the sides of main roads and major highways- don't park on corners or dips. Try and find somewhere that you can get your car completely off the road. On hot days watch for lizards and snakes crossing. At dusk and dawn expect kangaroos if you are travelling alongside bush/countryside.

Off track- There are a number of gravel roads and tracks that you can take to explore more reserves and bush- make sure that your car is suitable for this and that you feel confident to drive in these types of conditions.

Prickles- there are lots of them around- some too small to see, and some even at head height- be warned!

Ants- watch where you walk- especially where you stop... if there is an industrious crew of ants, especially big ones... then that flower better be worth stopping for!

Snakes- the snakes are scared of you and will most likely slide away but do look where you're walking, especially if you are in long grass or by the water at places like Yanchep National Park and Herdsman lake both of which have a lot of Tiger Snakes.
Even if you have encountered a venomous snake, the snake is unlikely to attack or bite unless provoked. If you move towards it or attempt to pick it up, you may provoke an attack. However, standing still or slowly moving away gives the snake a chance to escape harmlessly. Have a look at Snake Bite first aid here: https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/snake-bites

Other Wildlife- try and be aware of other wildlife in the area and disrupt as little as possible if they feel threatened some animals may attack... just leave them be!

Insanity... if you spend a day out in the sun in Australia you may find yourself stillbrushing flies off in sleep... you're not really crazy. :-)

Lots of photos- Be warned you will come home with a HEAP of photos to sort through and pick the best from... your friends will thank you if you don't overshare them. :-)