Here’s to a peaceful and happy New Year to everyone who follows the Sentimental Bloke.
A fourth and final picture from that little stretch of creek that’s still flowing in the central Flinders Ranges.
It is a pretty and photogenic spot with plenty of angles and animals to work with.
From above though it looked entirely different, quite insignificant.
The shadows from the tree across the way saved the shot though.
f16 @ 1/125 sec, ISO 400, Canon 24-70 mm lens
I passed this creek a few hours ago,
It was 40 degrees C, blowing a gale and there was a ton of dust in the air…a far cry from when I took the scene a few days previous.
The same creek that runs through the Parachilna Gorge that was in the previous post looking upstream.
Posts over the last few weeks have reflected summer conditions and in recent times there has already been very hot days in the low 40s C.
Despite the heat, surprisingly there’s some places in the Flinders Ranges where water is still flowing steadily in the creeks.
How long the water will last will depend on summer rains, but at the moment they’re picturesque spots and happy havens for thirsty wildlife.
I am still surprised at how long creeks are flowing in the Flinders Ranges.
It’s been a while since a decent rain, yet they still flow.
Having been used to dry creek beds for so long during the drought years, it is still a real treat to hear the sound of water bubbling over rocks.
Taken in Mt. Chambers Gorge situated in the Wearing Hills, about an hours drive north-east of Blinman in the central Flinders, the creek flows towards Lake Frome further to the east.
The photo was taken with a Canon 50 mm L series prime lens on a Canon 5D Mk 11 at 125th sec, f16 ISO 200, hand held.
A fantastic lens for clarity if a bit limiting for landscapes.
Reflections in one of the many creeks around the Flinders Ranges that have been flowing for months now.
Lately the crystal clear water is icy. Yet sunny skies promote algae growth and insect life.
Having battled to get the spectacular Stubbs waterhole into perspective in the previous photograph, it is now easier to concentrate on the actually water hole without the massive rock face it sits beneath.
Nevertheless the other surrounding cliffs provide a wonderful setting for this waterhole.
Over the recent drought years this was a mostly dry and austere landscape. It’s amazing what good rains will do. The rocks seem redder, the trees and other vegetation very lush and green.
This is still the Arkaroola Creek at Stubbs, where it flows around to the right in the first picture.
With sand dunes and salt and tiny little towns the focus of my attention this past week, it was a bit of an effort to come back to these photographs but easier that starting on the process of dealing with over 1500 new photos.
Lately I’ve been shooting in country with a lot of creek beds and gum trees. Despite that, the pictures I have been posting lately seem to be working on a different theme……rock faces and waterholes.
Travellers around Australia might have seen this scene in a number of places spread across Western Australia or the Northern Territory.
Add the northern Flinders Ranges to the list.
Yet another non-permanent waterhole where the stages of a decreasing water level can be seen in the wet mud of the foreground.
When the water is gone and the summer temperatures soar, these rock faces radiate enormous heat….quite breath-taking and I’m not talking about their natural beauty either.
Another perspective of this well-known Flinders Ranges landmark.
Hardly permanent but about as fresh you can get.
A waterhole in the Wirreanda Creek, south of Hawker in the Flinders Ranges after recent rains.
Echo Camp Waterhole….one of the many spectacular or tranquil permanent waterholes along the Arkaroola Creek, northern Flinders Ranges.
