Outback storms, whether they be thunder and lightning, dust storms, or great downpours are often spectacular sights and can wreak havoc too.
I’ve covered a few along the way in the last year.
The Sentimental Bloke’s first anniversary almost slipped by unnoticed, today being the start of the blog’s second year. There have been a few kilometres travelled in that time and the ‘Bloke’ has gained a few followers too.
Technically this is the Great Victoria Desert, I think. It’s exact location is irrelevant.
If there was any doubt deserts are beautiful places then this scene should go a long way towards dispelling that idea.
A recent comment was seeking info about photographing from an aircraft.
A 1/500th shutter speed is desirable. More if possible. Increase ISO to reach that shutter speed if the light is a bit low. Focus on infinity. Expose for the mid tones or towards the highlights but not the brightest. Watch out for refections from the aircraft’s window.
In this case Canon 5D, Lens Canon EF24-70mm f2.8L USM. f4.5 @1/500 sec, ISO 200 through open window.
Eroded country around the western shores of Lake Eyre. Not very high but beautifully mirrored by rainwater trapped in a salt pan.
Camera Canon 5D. Lens Canon EF28-300 f3.5-5.6L IS USM. f16 @ 1/125 sec ISO 200
Good name for a TV series maybe.
This however is part of the Beresford Railway siding on the Old Ghan railway line.
It’s just off the Oodnadatta Track south of William Creek.
The shed was overshadowed, among other things by a cockie in a previous post.
The old Ghan line was started in 1878 but it was 31 years before it reach its destination, Alice Springs. It hasn’t been used for 30 years but this shack and the others at the Beresford siding have resisted neglect and the ravages of time rather well.
Worth a look if you are travelling the track and there’s probably as whole TV series your could centre this around too..
I’ve found a Map of the Flinders Ranges and Outback that might be a good reference for those unfamiliar with the area.
Irresistible maybe but hardly cuddly…a little Echidna. Note the great effort being made to ignore the lens being poked in its face or perhaps pondering a thorny problem.
Looking like something out of the Scottish Highlands, the Flinders Ranges is now a great contrast to the flatlands of the Outback.
There’s a green that hasn’t been seen for 20 years and it’s transformed the hills and mountains.
School children from around here, born and raised in drought have never seen the land like this.
The stone fence that runs along the top of the ridges is a bit of a mystery. Nobody seems to remember why it was built but it runs for many kilometres.
Built in the 1850s, legend has it the fence was constructed by a man with just one arm, the other being a metal hook.
He and his two aboriginal women helpers earned a sovereign a mile for their efforts. Unimaginably tough work.
A sovereign in those days was worth quite a bit more than it modern day equivalent of around $2.50.
The Elder Range is on the left, Wilpena Pound in the background.
Whether its the ranges or the Outback, most likely there will be acres of wild flowers blooming this spring.
Camera, Canon 5D M II. Lens, Canon EF 28-300 f3.5-5.6L IS USM. f20 @ 1/100th sec ISO 200 hand held
The other half of the last post. It was hard to pick between them so I will run with both.
Camera Canon 5D, Lens Canon EF24-70 f2.8L USM. f3.5 @1/400 sec ISO 200
Madigan Bay, Lake Eyre North any cloudless afternoon for sometime yet. Pretty hard to beat.
Interesting formations around the edge of Lake Eyre. A close look shows large numbers of Corellas in the early morning sunlight.
Canon 5D. Lens, Canon EF24-70mm f2.8L USM. f3.2 @ 1/500 sec ISO 200 just a fewminutes after sunrise.
Coming across crazy sights is not all that unusual in the Outback but an Aussie Rules football field full of water takes a bit of beating.
Footy is pretty serious business around Roxby Downs and Olympic Dam (how appropriate) but this is enough to dampen anyone’s enthusiasm.
The home of the Olympic Dam football club has been turned into an Olympic size swimming pool.
They had some serious flash flooding in the area a few weeks back and this is one of the more lasting examples of it.
The Club could be looking for a water polo coach soon.
