The Bushfires and Sunset on Saturday

Published on by bushboy

Here on the North Coast of New South Wales there are fires in the hinterland and on the tablelands. With current drought conditions, a lack any rain and very strong westerly winds has rendered the bush so dry that any fires have been started have just raced away burning thousands of hectares of bush land as well as in some instances houses and farms. The fact that anyone would light fires in these conditions infuriates me. My place is so dry and as the droughts grip tightens a natural process for eucalypt trees in to drop their leaves creating another layer of dry material and texture on the already dry forest floor. The strong wind has also blown dust from the west. What I thought were clouds on Saturday morning was a combination of dust and smoke which stung the eyes and you could almost taste the dust in the air. The feature photo is what we awoke to. Normally we can see the hills beyond the last line of trees you can see.

These fires combined with dust blown from the farmlands over the range have created amazing sunsets. On Saturday the early part of the afternoon’s sunset the colours in the smoke and dust was amazing almost psychedelic
early_sky_sihouettte_sunset_fire_named_caniaba_sept 2019

The smoke and dust layers colours were just amazing
early_sky_cloud_rainbow_sunset_fire_named_caniaba_sept 2019
The intensity of the sunset even coloured the Blue-faced Honeyeater whose underparts are whiteblue-faced_honeyeater_sunset_fire_named_caniaba_sept 2019
Just in case you hadn’t seen a Blue-faced Honeyeaters coloursblue faced honeyeater_home_crop_sept 2013
The sun came from the fires smoke and dust layerssun_sky_cloud_sunset_fire_named_caniaba_sept 2019
Two Welcome Swallows sat on the power line for a silhouette in the sunsetwelcome_swallows_sihouettte_sunset_fire_named_caniaba_sept 2019

The sun, behind the fence posts silhouette, is almost down giving the clouds a dark and foreboding look
sun_sky_fence_post_sihouettte_sunset_fire_named_caniaba_sept 2019

The fierce fiery intensity of the sun going down gave hope for a less eventful day on Sunday
sun__closesky_cloud_sunset_fire_named_caniaba_sept 2019

Contributions for Debbie’s Six Word Saturday
Nancy’s Photo a Week Challenge: Texture
Lens Artists Photo Challenge #62: Silhouettes
Ragtag Sunday Infuriate
Ragtag Thursday: Psychedelic

 

58 thoughts on “The Bushfires and Sunset on Saturday”

  4. While your photos, as always, are stunning, I am heartsick to hear of the conditions you are facing there. Having lived in the plains of Oklahoma AKA “the dust bowl” with several years of drought coupled with the Oklahoma wind and facing wildfires myself, I know exactly what that’s like!

    Liked by 1 person

  6. Beautiful photos, but so sad about the wildfires.
    Here in west TX we have frequent dust storms which makes for lovely sunsets, but yes there is always a fire danger around here because it’s usually so dry.
    Hopefully there will be some rain to help dampen things down for y’all.
    Keep safe.

    Liked by 1 person

  7. Wow, my heart is touched in so many ways by your words and photos. From sorrow and despair to the miracle of your seeing (and sharing) the absolute beauty in what is…what a journey you took me on. And I have fallen in love with the blue-faced honeyeater, a bird I’ve never heard of before. What a name! What spectacular photos! (Can you tell your post has made my day?)

    Liked by 1 person

  9. I am so sorry to hear of the Bush fires, my fingers are crossed that they are contained very soon.
    The dust created some fascinating photographs. Stay Safe. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  10. Fabulous photos but I’m sure you’d prefer not to have the forest fires. I’m now back home which is also tinder dry but having spent the last few weeks in NSW and Queensland, I know how dry it is.

    Liked by 1 person

  11. Wish I could blow some rain your way, Brian. Your images are glorious though. You seem to be calm, but I guess you are used to such conditions. Stay safe and be well!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. You’re welcome Miriam 🙂 There have been fires burning for months now as the drought has left the bush very dry. There isn’t rain in the foreseeable future which is the only way the fires shall be contained

      Liked by 1 person

  16. We’ve been in Australia (Tasmania) and Canada during the brushfires. You do a marvelous job of capturing the sense of danger and anxiety here. I love that you document the change in color of the honeyeaters. Very striking, along with your shots of the sunset. Sometimes these small details are the most powerful. Great work, Brian. I hope the fires abate soon.

    Liked by 1 person

  19. Wonderful photos that give a clear picture of the seriousness of the fires. It is very telling that the little bird now has an orange breast. Thank you for putting in the photo of a normal one as I am not familiar with these birds. Great responses to the variety of challenges!

    Liked by 1 person

  21. Pingback: Fire – my story – bushboys world

  22. I recall being in Tahoe when the Yosemite had horrendous fires . . a distance of just over 100miles. The smoke was dreadful even at that distance, but oh the sunrises and sunsets were amazing.

    Liked by 1 person

  23. Pingback: The day Durranbah burned – bushboys world

Comments are closed.