Rather than attempt to add one photo every day, the intention is to add random photos as events occur so that this album will grow to become my photographic record of 2009. Photos will be added in reverse order so that the most recent images can be found at the beginning of the album. This collection of images representing the diverse subjects I have photographed during 2009 is now complete and I hope you enjoy reviewing the year as seen by my camera.

Departing Esperance on Day Five as we commenced the return journey, the first stop was at Ravensthorpe where I took a few more photos of the small town that I once called ‘Home’ for seven years. Next stop was at the world famous granite formations of Wave Rock and Hippos Yawn near Hyden.  Then came Corrigin and a stop at the Dog Cemetery which is the resting place for many dearly loved pets. Last call was at Brookton which had some lovely wildflowers near the service station, then home to Perth at the completion of an interesting five-day tour and a journey of 2,323 kms.

The morning of Day Four was spent aboard MV Seabreeze II cruising between islands of the Recherche Archipelago and spotting wildlife before landing on Woody Island for a nature Bushwalk and scenic views. Back to Esperance to see the new Clocktower and Esperance Miniature Railway Society, explore the Adventureland Park, visit Wireless Hill for 360 degree views over Esperance, take a coastal drive to enjoy the pristine azure waters of Twilight Beach and nearby Picnic Beach. Complete Day Four by wandering through  the grounds of Esperance Museum and Historic Village which is a collection of small historic buildings that have been relocated to the site of the town’s original marshalling yards and now house small specialty stores in a tranquil parkland setting.

It was an early start on Day Three for the journey from Albany to Esperance. First stop was at the picturesque Bremer Bay with beautiful azure blue water and white sands. Lunch stop was at the farming township of Jerramungup in the Fitzgerald Biosphere. The short stop in Ravensthorpe was my first return visit since leaving there in 1974, so many changes were noticeable. Arrived in Esperance late afternoon with time for a short walk and a few more photos as a record of Day Three.

The schedule for Day Two of the tour takes us to the magnificent Stirling Range National Park for a close view of spectacular Bluff Knoll which is the highest peak in the south of Western Australia. Then enjoy the mountain scenery along Stirling Range Road before arriving at the nearby town of Mt Barker in the Plantagenet Shire. Enjoy a walk in the tall Karri Forest of the Porongurup Range before returning to Albany where we drive to the top of Mt Clarence to view the Desert Mounted Corps Memorial which overlooks King George Sound.

Join me for Day One of a 5-Day tour to Albany and Esperance in Western Australia, where the first stop was for morning tea at the small township of Williams, 160 kms south of Perth. Then on to Albany for an interesting tour of Whale World which is situated on the site of the old Cheynes Beach Whaling Station, located on the southern coast of King George Sound. The station ceased whaling operations and was decommissioned in 1978. This industrial site has been transformed into a premier heritage tourist attraction taking visitors on a true and often emotional journey, of Australian whaling through the site of Australia’s last whaling station. Complete the day with a visit to the natural granite formations of The Gap and Natural Bridge on the southern coastline in Torndirrup National Park.