From dry & red to wet & green.

[norwest]

Following many years of drought in North & Central Western NSW, it has recently been altered from bone dry dust bowls to in many regions, inland seas and flooding rivers. The Namoi region where I live, didn't have as much rain as many areas (about 8 inches) and had only minor to moderate flooding. It's transformed the region from the usual red and brown, into lush green natives grasses and colourful wild flowers. And mozzies like you wouldn't believe.
All these were shot this week.

The Namoi River in flood, just outside Wee Waa. Shot about 12 hours before it's peak a couple of days ago.



Yarrie Lake is a meteor crater of about 1.5 klm diameter and has been dry for a many years. Used as a camping and water sports/fishing grounds by local residents and visitors alike, when not in drought like recent years. This was shot on Tuesday this week.



A now full lagoon at sunset, surrounded by green. Just out of town.



Storms will be hanging around for quite a while yet, although this one missed us this evening.
Storm overs Mt. Kaputar, east of Narrabri. About 30/40 klms as the crow flies, from the camera position. I'm enjoying the greenery while it lasts.

[biggerry]

And mozzies like you wouldn't believe.

oh yes, i believe you! the size of small birds at that!

I really like the last two images, the lagoon shot is very tranquil and colourful, not what one would expect out that way!

[norwest]

And mozzies like you wouldn't believe.

oh yes, i believe you! the size of small birds at that!

I really like the last two images, the lagoon shot is very tranquil and colourful, not what one would expect out that way!

Yes. To avoid being carried away while shooting, I have to wear a safety harness anchored to a tree.

[biggerry]

Yes. To avoid being carried away while shooting, I have to wear a safety harness anchored to a tree.

and the bites! I was recently sampled by mid-north coast mozzies and then the following week sampled by Blue Mountian moozzies, the diferences are quite pronounced - those blue mountian ones are nothing!


Did you use a CPL for these shots? I am warming to teh first image more, the contrast in colours, ie the brown water and the bright blue sky makes for somethign different.

[norwest]

Yes, Gerry. A CP filter on a 24-105 F4L hand held @ 24mm F11 1/60th ISO 200 and fill flash for shadows on the tree trunks. Foregrounds were limited by water & mud, but I liked the colour in the two gums and the light green in the drowning sapling beside them.

[Steffen]

I like this set, it conveys the "awakening" of the land nicely, esp if you remember some of the images of parched outback landscapes from not very long ago…

Cheers
Steffen.

[the foto fanatic]

This is a series that cries Australiana.

I love the colours and the composition.

Well done!

[norwest]

I like this set, it conveys the "awakening" of the land nicely, esp if you remember some of the images of parched outback landscapes from not very long ago…

Cheers
Steffen.

Awakening is a good description Steffen, and better describes the reality.

[norwest]

This is a series that cries Australiana.

I love the colours and the composition.

Well done!

Thanks tff.


Last evening looked promising re a decent sunset/dusk sky, so I went back to 'my tree' that overlooks Kaputar to attempt to get a fair weather likeness of the storm shot above. This is the best that eventuated. An 'ok' dusk, shot with a little different composition to the other, but the same easterly aspect. (hope it's ok to post a further shot)
(edit - altered levels)

[chrisk]

that last one is a real ripper. i'd try and brighten up the grass just a tad.
looks like it could be taken in the african grasslands.

[zafra52]

As above, a very nice set.
The only thing I can think it would
improve this image is the the back
of a farmer hat in one hand and scratching
his head with the other hand adding that
human dimension. As it is, it's a lovely
image and a rare scene not to be seen
for some time once the wet season is over.

[norwest]

that last one is a real ripper. i'd try and brighten up the grass just a tad.
looks like it could be taken in the african grasslands.

Agree re the grass Rooz, and done. Thanks for confirming what I wasn't sure about.

[norwest]

As above, a very nice set.
The only thing I can think it would
improve this image is the the back
of a farmer hat in one hand and scratching
his head with the other hand adding that
human dimension. As it is, it's a lovely
image and a rare scene not to be seen
for some time once the wet season is over.

That made me smile. I see just that so often up here.

[zafra52]

Well, I am what some would call
a “city slicker” and others “a
damned urban dweller!”