Project COVID Skies - Part 7

May 17, 2020 Geoffrey O'Hearn

Another week down and there have been a slight easing of restrictions. Victoria is still the strictest of the states. The trajectory of the number of new cases per day has been heading up due to a couple of clusters involving Cedar Meats and the Maccas at Fawkner which has spread to the Maccas at Craigieburn.

The easing of restrictions in Victoria, is to allow some recreational activities, including golf, fishing and tennis. Essentially solo or non-contact sports are OK. It is also now OK to visit family and friends with a maximum of 5 visitors at a time. Importantly social distancing must be maintained with at least a 1.5 meter space between yourself and others.

Other states are now allowing food venues to open to patrons but with a cap of 10 people. The amount of guests at a wedding and funeral has been doubled and 10 people at a time are allowed in a place of worship. The football codes now have their plans in place for the resumption of their seasons in June.

The weather has been cold this week but generally quite good with the end of the week providing cloudless sunny skies.

16th May 2:38 pm This was all that was in the sky all day long. The rest of the day was cloudless.

17th May 12:33 pm No breeze, no clouds and a nice 17ºC

Project COVID Skies - Part 6

May 10, 2020 Geoffrey O'Hearn

The weeks are ticking by steadily and the conversation from the government has now changed from staying at home to restarting the economy. In one corner you have some of the population keen as ever to get out and about and in the other corner you have the others wanting the restrictions to continue.

Today is mother’s day (Happy mother’s day to all mums who are, will be, have been and almost been, who have made so many sacrifices,) and whilst many people in Australia will be able to visit their mothers, in this state of Victoria that is still off the agenda. It shouldn’t matter if you can or can’t physically see your mum, there are many ways you can honour her.

The week that has been has seen an upswing in dissent and unease for the people wanting to get back out again. Australia’s numbers remain low and are mostly from a couple of known breakouts including Cedar Meats in Melbourne and Newmarch aged care facility in Sydney.

Victoria and New South Whales certainly have the highest numbers and the greatest risk. The other states are able to make a quicker progression to freedom. Whilst this can be frustrating for some Australians to see others can go to the beach or play golf when they can’t, it is something that should be expected in a country of such vast distance and differences.

The weather has been typical Melbourne, ie anything goes!!! There have been some really nice days and some bitterly cold and rainy days.

4th May 2020 8:11 am May the fourth be with you

5th May 2020 8:21 am. First fog of the year.

5th May 2020 10:01 am. The fog finally burning off.

7th May 2020 8:46 pm Last “super moon” of the year

Project COVID Skies - Part 5

May 3, 2020 Geoffrey O'Hearn

Another week under the COVID-19 restrictions has passed and there has been some progress with some freedoms being given back. Residents of Queensland and NSW are allowed to get out a little more, shop for non-essential items and visit some people. Social distancing is still required. The ACT has no active cases and the numbers across Australia have remained low with most cases coming from known clusters. The launch of the government’s contact app has had a steady take up with approximately 4 million downloads at this point.

Our brothers and sisters in New Zealand have also had their restrictions revised from the very strict full lock down of level 4 to level 3. It seems the thing the Kiwis missed the most was their fast food fix, or maybe just over home cooking, either way queues at fast food drive thru locations were extensive and out of the surrounding streets.

The NZ Warriors in the Rugby league today are flying direct to Tamworth to set up quarantine and base for a hopeful and eventual return to competition later in the month. The AFL is waiting a little longer for their plans to be made available. For many at home the return of sport is something to look forward to and even though these competitions will be held without crowds, it will be a welcome return for many and a fix for those craving their weekly dose of footy.

27th April 2020 4:55 pm There was not a cloud in the sky most of the afternoon.

Project COVID Skies - Part 3

April 19, 2020 Geoffrey O'Hearn

Another week has passed and the current restrictions are unchanged. The only reason to leave home is to go to the supermarket, for work or study, medical assistance and exercise.

Winter is on its way, the weather has been colder and there has been a good amount of rain.

In Victoria, the daily amount of new cases of COVID-19 has been reducing. Australia is doing quite well with the numbers reducing. Through this next week we will see if there is a spike of new cases due to Easter.

14th April 2020 7:08 am. Rainbow and Drama

Project COVID Skies - Part 1

Project COVID Skies - Part 2

April 12, 2020 Geoffrey O'Hearn

Another week has passed in effective isolation. The current restrictions mean the only time I leave the house is to go to the supermarket or for a walk to get some exercise.

Living in outer suburban Melbourne, the houses are tightly packed in together so at home there is not much to look at from left to right. The only other option is to look up at the skies.

Melbourne’s ever changing weather brings about dramatic contrast, often in the same day. It is not an exaggeration when people describe Melbourne as having four seasons in one day.

6th April 6:14 pm. The golden light of sunset breaks through the storm clouds.

7th April 2020 8:13 am. A patch of light through storm clouds

8th April 2020 8:47 pm. Miracle of miracles, the Melbourne sky is clear for a celestial event. The pink super moon is the brightest of the year. This image was not captured at the optimal time.

9th April 2020 10:43 am. Not a cloud in the sky, the only interest was the constant circling of aircraft as the flight schools operated all day long.

10th April 2020 6:46 am. The sunrise just breaking through to add a splash of colour to the sky.

11th April 2020 2:24 pm. One of those days where one minute is raining then the next sun then the next raining again.

11th April 2020 5:37 pm. The setting sun casts golden highlights on the dark clouds.

11th April 2020 5:38 pm. Seeing the light through the storm.

12th April 2020 7:01 am. Easter Sunday looking East

Project COVID Skies - Part 1

Project COVID Skies - Part 3

Project COVID Skies

April 5, 2020 Geoffrey O'Hearn

In these troubled times many people have found themselves with a lot of extra time on their hands, me not so much. Not wanting to miss out on the fun and to keep up with my creative outlet, I have decided to do what I call “project COVID skies.”

Whilst I missed the first couple of weeks of the restrictions we are now living with, it is my aim now to take a photo of the skies each and every single day. The photo must be taken from my back yard, which due to the rules around isolation is all that I can do. The purpose is to show that there is something that can be found that is interesting and worth taking a photo of each day and that whilst we are isolated, creativity does not need to stop.

What I have found is some days are harder than others, clear blue skies are uninspiring as are days where the cloud is all grey with little feature or contrast. I will show at least one image from each day. There are already and there will be more days that will provide absolute gold and therefore I will post more images from that day.

I intend to be able to post once per week. However, I am giving myself this out clause, that the frequency and timing may change.

30th March 2020 4:44 pm. Whispy clouds streaking away.

30th March 2020 4:45 pm. Whispy clouds and moon.

31st March 2020 7:42 am Sunrise. The day offered little else as the skies cleared and remained blue.

1st April 2020 7:03 pm. A very flat and grey day.

2nd April 2020 8:00 am. Another flat day, I was happy to find this drama in the sky.

3rd April 2020 7:25 am Sunrise. Fire dances across the sky.

3rd April 2020 10:41 am. Loving the patterns across the sky.

3rd April 2020 6:25 pm. Such drama! Looks like it could have been taken from a plane.

4th April 2020 8:02 am. Heart of the skies

4th April 2020 6:45 pm. After a day of solid rain the skies bring on drama.

4th April 2020 6:58 pm. The orange contrast perfectly with the blue sky as the front rapidly moves past.

4th April 2020 6:59 pm. In the opposite direction fire explodes across the sky.

4th April 2020 7:08pm. There is still lots of drama to close out the day. Daylight savings ends tonight.

5th April 2020 11:30 am. Very flat with consistent rain. Pol-Air are out and about patrolling, making sure no one is gathering.

Project COVID Skies - Part 2

Project COVID Skies - Part 3

My Art work is now available to purchase on Red Bubble.

September 30, 2019 Geoffrey O'Hearn

I have finally been able to set up the facility to order my work online for you to be able to purchase and proudly display in your home. Only a couple of images are available initially and that will grow in time. My work can be purchased in a variety of ways including metallic prints, framed prints, canvas and other items such as phone cases along with other merchandise.

Follow the link to my portfolio on Red Bubble. Or click the images below to link to the available products for each photo.

I can also do some prints myself. Please contact me for any enquiries.

The arts centre spire is stylish as the face of a clock.

Early morning Melbourne makes for a stunning print. The dark contrast is ideal for a metallic print.

#findyourthing