James L Morris

After starting some D.I.Y around the house for the weekend, it was very far from successful. I needed a stress relief and what better way than to head out to the shores of Kurnell, on the spectacular Botany Bay (southern outskirts of Sydney).

I have seen this place on a number of occasions flying in to and out of Sydney, however I’ve never ventured out to take a look up close and personal… and I was certainly not disapointed.

Here are some of my favourite captures for the few hours exploring the local area.

When i first moved to Sydney in mid 2017, i had never really explored the precinct of Sydney Harbour. I think i picked a pretty good day to explore the man made harbour.

My second time experiencing snow. I took a week off and scored a cheap deal for accommodation at Jindabyne. I couldn’t pass up the opportunity, and it sure didn’t let me down. I explored a number of areas including Thredbo, Perrisher, Diggers Creek and a number area places in between.

The first night using my new camera, i thought i would test it out at one of my favourite places, the Shoalhaven River Bridge at Nowra.

Back in 2017, i was playing around with the camera on a clear winters night, and thought i would have a go at some night time photography.

It was a crystal clear night which made for some cool shots of the stars.

Kiama, on the NSW South Coast, is known for its stunning coastal views and blowholes. Kiama features a big and little blowhole, located about 10 minutes from one another.

The Little Blowhole is located on the southern outskirts of town, and is not as well known as the Big Blowhole, located in the centre of the township.

Although not always as spectacular as the big one, the Little Blowhole can certainly pump our some awesome views.

If you are looking for a good hike, but nothing too difficult, Drawing Room Rocks is a brilliant place to visit.

Located just north of Berry about an hour south of Wollongong, Drawing Room Rocks gives you breathtaking views of many parts of the northern Shoalhaven.

Depending on your level of fitness, this walk can take anywhere from 30 minutes from the bottom to top, up to 45 minutes. it has some magical scenery on the way up and plenty of wildlife to stop and snap.

I have done this walk many times, and it will always be at the top of the list for spectacular views.

Located within the Booderee National Park, at the famous Jervis Bay, Cape St George Lighthouse ruins are a stunning place to visit.

Constructed in 1860, it was active until 1889 where a new lighthouse was constructed on the northern headland of Jervis Bay, known as Point Perpendicular. The new lighthouse remains active to this day, and when active, can be seen from a wide area across the Shoalhaven

To be named as the ‘Black Summer’ bush fires, which would become the worst ever bush fire season NSW has ever seen.

26 people died, 2,448 home destroyed and more than 6 million hectares of bush land was destroyed in the blazes. On average, there were 2,500 firefighters deployed each shift, and more than 4,000 on days of increased fire danger and activity.

Unfortunately, 6 firefighters lost their lives protecting communities of NSW. Three of those being NSW RFS members and three American aerial firefighters.

Deputy Captain Geoff Keaton and Firefighter Andrew O’Dwyer were killed on shift protecting communities of the Southern Highlands at the Green Wattle Fire, on the night of 19 December 2019. A tree struck their firefighting appliance while they were driving down a local road in Balmoral, killing both instantly.

Both men each left behind a loving partner, and a young toddler.

At Deputy Captain Geoff Keaton’s funeral, i captured a number of photos that will stick in my mind forever. A brave young boy who will one day hopefully look back on these photos and know the sacrifice his father made for the communities of New South Wales.

Firefighter Samuel McPaul from the Morven Rural Fire Brigade was killed in a freak weather event while undertaking firefighting operations 70km east of Albury, on 30 December 2019.

Sam’s truck was flipped by tornado-like winds after the fire grerw so large it created its own weather system, known as a pyrocumulonimbus.

Three American firefighters were killed when their Large Air Tanker (LAT) crashed while undertaking firefighting operations west of Cooma, in the Snowy Mountains on 23 January 2020.

Gospers Mountain Fire

The Gospers Mountain fire was the biggest fire to burn within NSW, scorching a massive 512,000 hectares.

After undertaking countless interviews about the blaze, i managed to get out and witness just some of the devastation it caused. These pictures were taken around the area of Bilpin.

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

•