apocalyptic tree
This photograph is one in a large series covering part of the 2006-2007 bushfires in Victoria (Gippsland in particular). This one was taken on December 14 (at around 2pm which was over 6hrs before twilight!) on the central Gippsland plains. Early afternoon saw the region plunge into darkness and rain begin to fall – black ash/mud rain fell from massive pyrocumulus clouds overhead generated from the intense heat and the increased localised atmospheric instability from the fires – Sale actually reported just under 3mm.
This particular day was the most devastating during the season which saw the south divide complex burn for over 60days ! Sadly 1 life was lost at Seaton on this actual afternoon – about 25 km’s from where i took this photograph, numerous houses were lost through Toongabbie, Cowwar wier and Seaton as eyewitness reported walls of fire over 100ft high coming over the hills at the back of their properties. Emergency radio broadcasts filled the airwaves as did emergency vehicles on the roads. During this devastating drama there was the fantastic feeling of ‘aussie mateship’ as all around ppl were offering whatever they had to help strangers and locals alike – a day i will never forget !
more of my bushfire related photography may be viewed by clicking on the preview image below
*
Greeting Cards, Matted Prints, Laminated Prints, Mounted Prints, Canvas Prints and Framed Prints
shanghaiwu
Great thoughts and brilliant photo.
Tony Middleton
thanks for viewing,reading and responding :- )
Devan Foster
striking story and photo Tony.
Tamarama72
Fantastic image !
Helene Kippert
Funny how a scene of devastation can become beautiful…
Jessica Tremp
beautiful colours in this
Tony Middleton
it was a most memorable day and experience… thanks again :)
Rebecca McLean
Amazing image! pitty it take such a catasrophic event to get the effect!
terrifoster
Wow – this is really incredible. Fire is devastating and awe-inspiring. Firefighters here are still fighting a 240,000 acre brush fire (known here as the Zaca fire) that has been burning since July 4th. It has burned through a vast majority of the wilderness areas in our county here in Santa Barbara, California (USA).
studiofascino
LOVE THE ANGLE,GREAT SHOT!
TrEaSuReDiMaGeS
Very nice addition to the light and reflection group! :-)
whisperingruth
Love the tone of this shot.
gabryshak
love the color and this old tree and his twisted branches
Teresa Zieba
Wow, brilliant.
Audrey French
This is such a powerful photo. I love it.
Wendy Slee
this is a wow image…. so fraught with drama and emotion….. yet so simple….a silhouette against a beauifully coloured sky….which belies what was unfolding around it…..
Jayne Wozniak
oh Tony it’s an amazing shot. We went through the fires. Heart breaking.. I was making sanga’s for the fire fighters at this time .Always had my camera there. I took over 1500 pics and raised money for our local brigade .We had our four wheel drive packed when we were under threat but we were very prepared and stayed, waiting and waiting. No power No phones. It was like the rest of the world had slipped away.
coffeebean
Great shot, it’s so stunning, a beautiful capture from such a devastating time.
Georgi Bitar
Amazing shot,luv the colors and the perspective
nicely done
Tony Middleton
thanks everyone for your comments !
Jayne – good on you for pitching it ! ccertainly was desperate times for so many rural victorians and for so long !
Mark Peterson
Great perspective and colors, very nice!
Ine Spee
Your nature photography is amazing, and this shot especially caught my attention. It’s a sad story to hear how so much was lost in the fires, how devastating they are. I think this photo captures that perfectly, with this lone tree still standing strong and the great contrast with the coloured sky.
Simply beautiful.
Tony Middleton replied
thanks Eenuh – Bushfires are a part of life in this part of Australia but it does not help when people deliberately light them causing death and devastation… :(
Alyson Pearson
beautiful shot!
JenJenM
stunning colours- what a great shot!
Tony Middleton replied
thanks Jen and Alyson for adding yolur comments as well.
Philip Johnson
great shot, love the light , and i admit i’m a sucker for trees alive or dead or somewhere in between
Travis Easton
I can’t believe this is a midday sky great shot Tony
Tony Middleton replied
thanks for viewing Travis – it’s actually at about 2pm, but it was incredible for me to comprehend during the event and now..
Travis Easton
I was bushwalking in the Cobberas once with a bushfire raging nearby. It is quite a surreal experience, isn’t it.
Globalphotos
Wonderful and somewhat eerie shot, always good to read your anecdotes :)
Tony Middleton replied
thanks for viewing and commenting Varinia – your insights are always appreciated. :)
Tony Middleton
it certainly is Travis – one of very mixed emotions in particular on that day.
Kelly J
Stunning photo tony and a great tribute to a sad event.
Jacqueline Bar...
Beautiful shot! Great composition, and I love the colours!
Kathleen Hill
A very powerful image
Melissa Kirkham
Very beautiful powerful image great work.
Bart T
great detail, and the colours are intense! amazing.
Steve Chapple
Amazing lighting and perspective, this is bold!
Stephen Williams
incredible shot.
it must have been an intense experience.
really seems unnatural!
Alex Stojan
Stunning work Tony, I remember those bushfires well… This captures the mood perfectly!
Anthony Cornelius
One of my favourites of yours – awesome!!!