Somewhere under the rainbow

Yesterday's rainbow over Mount Coot-tha taken from the canteen window at work. People actually left their desks and went and had a look. I love that!

I think it's still Friday in some parts of the world so this one is taking part in Skywatch Friday.

The Sky Over Torbreck This Morning

Sunlit Cottonwool Skywatch

 It's storm season in Brisbane right now which makes gazing upwards very interesting. In one afternoon you might go from crystal clear blue skies to an angry dark purple to a soft billowy sunset.

Gaze upwards with other photo bloggers at Skywatch Friday.

Mt Coot-tha Lookout Skywatch

It's funny - where I grew up in London, if you looked out of the window and saw this sky you'd be grabbing a coat but at this time of year in Brisbane, a break in the rain often means the humidity rises, the cicadas hiss louder and things get a little bit sticky.

Part of Skywatch Friday

Story Bridge Climbers

You can do a "Story Bridge Climb" which means donning a blue and grey jumpsuit (so that you blend in with the bridge and the sky) and climbing the steps to the summit and checking out the river 80 metres below. I went on the climb a few years ago and loved it but I found it frustrating not being able to take pictures. Anyway, the organisers of the climb have introduced a Photographic Climb where you can bring your own camera and snap away to your heart's content. It's limited to just the camera - no bag, extra lenses, tripod or anything else.... but it looks like you get some great shots from up there. That is on my list for 2012.

Storm a-coming (15.10)

 

It was only the day after I went on my blog-holiday that I took this one from my friend's back yard so I have been waiting since the middle of October to show you! As I remember it was a short, sharp storm as is common in this part of the world when the weather heats up. The best place to be is under cover but outdoors where you can enjoy the show and the cool breezes that come with it.

For other skies in today's Skywatch Friday, visit the portal here.

Mirrored Skywatch

As part of the Brisbane Festival, they have erected this large Light Sphere at South Bank (see two days ago for another view) which is just fab. You could spend ages there checking out all the reflections... and you can see the sky from all sorts of angles.

For even more skyviews, visit Skywatch Friday.

Candyfloss Sunrise for Skywatch Friday

Happy Friday! This one was taken back in May and, as I remember, it turned out to be a beautiful day.

Enjoy your weekend and if you want bags of sky, don't forget to visit Skywatch Friday.

August Theme Day: Postcard-worthy

 It's the first of the month and, as City Daily Photo bloggers, we all get the chance to take a picture along the same theme. This month's theme is "postcard-worthy". I think that had I remembered about the theme day sooner I would have gone for something a little naughty perhaps involving some well-endowed women strategically placed behind some tropical fruit but... well time eluded me (not to mention willing volunteers). So instead, here is a Brisbane sky, lit by the dying embers of a winter sunset. That's the city on the right and the observation wheel just visible under the Goodwill footbridge. And of course the mighty Brisbane River around which Brisbane is built.

Having a ball - wish you were here!

 Click here to view thumbnails for all participants

Rise and Shine Skywatch

This was taken by my colleague Adrian on his phone while at work early one morning last week.
It's from the top of Mount Coot-tha looking north-east-ish towards the glinting ocean and Moreton Island beyond.

Does having a heavenly scene like this to look at make up for having to be in work at that un-godly hour? It's a close one.

Part of Skywatch Friday.

Through The Window Skywatch

I caught the 199 back to West End the other day

Settled down in a window seat

Excellent for people watching

Or nice-house spotting.

But on this particular afternoon

The streets were eerily quiet

And the houses were cloaked in winter shadows

The sky didn't want any distractions

So I set about giving it my full attention.

*part of Skywatch Friday*

Setting of the Soleil - Skywatch

The tall skinny looking silhouette on the left is going to be a 74-story high apartment building called Soleil. You can pick up a studio flat for $382,000 if you're interested. When it's finished, it will be Brisbane's tallest tower.

But anyway. How about them ripply clouds?

Need more sky? Get over to Skywatch Friday.
 

Morning Clouds Over the CBD - Skywatch Friday

Today's offering was taken from Kangaroo Point a couple of weeks ago just before 7am.

See others from around the world via the Skywatch Friday portal.

Samford Stole Our Thunder! - Skywatch

This was the storm front that moved in from the south on Tuesday afternoon. It looked very ominous and there was a bit of battening down the hatches going on in our place (well... we closed some windows and congratulated ourselves for being inside). The wind blew, big raindrops splashed down and then... well then it just sort of petered out. We had a little bit of rain and a rumble of thunder and that was about it. Checking out the weather radar online, It appeared that the storm swerved northward towards Samford at the last minute.  I suppose we've seen enough rain recently but even so I must admit to being a bit disappointed. What about my drama?!*

Skywatch Friday

*subject to conditions

Rays Beating Down

 

The normal temperature for this time of year is about 25˚C but this week it's been more like 30˚-35˚. Stinking! I chose a day in the mid thirties to take a leisurely stroll across the Green Bridge (green because no cars allowed only buses and bikes and walkers... otherwise more a steely concrete grey colour) and nearly passed out it was so boiling hot. Next time I'll try not to be so taken with the view and walk under the canopy.

Skywatch Friday

Copycat Cloud Skywatch

 

It struck me that the wispy cloud looked a bit like this part of the tree. That's a Norfolk Pine (I think) in Pelican Park at Redcliffe.

Today I am part of Skywatch Friday.

December Dusk

 

And so the sun sets on another year. 

How was your 2010? Did you follow through with your resolutions? Do you have any for 2011? I have a list as long as my arm. 2011 is going to be fabulous, I just know it.

Turning Away From The Eclipse Skywatch

Ok I was in the wrong spot for the eclipse.. but this was my compensation...
(looking south on Kurilpa Bridge towards William Jolly and Montague Road)

For skies around the world today, check out the brilliant Skywatch Friday.

Eclipse Shmiclipse

Last night's lunar eclispe was a bit of a let down. The moon was supposed to be a blood-red colour as it rose but was covered in a bank of cloud. As it turned out, I was standing in completely the wrong place with buildings of the city blocking my view so I wouldn't have seen it anyway. Luckily, my little outing to Kurilpa Bridge wasn't completely in vain. I turned around and got a great sunset instead. This is the view looking towards the State Library (left) and the Gallery of Modern Art (right) with the Skyneedle in the distance.

Storm Cell Skywatch

 Picture: courtesy Network Ten

The weather in Brisbane has been pretty exciting these past couple of days with storms rolling in and dumping hail the size of golf balls in some areas around Brisbane. While I was at work on Wednesday, I happened to be recording the traffic helicopter's camera footage as it was passing by a wild looking storm cell in North Brisbane. I've taken a screen grab from it... pretty cool, huh?

Check out other skies around the world this week at Skywatch Friday and have a fab weekend!