tiabunna's photos with the keyword: aerial

Seeing this double rainbow was probably the ultimate highlight for me of the dawn aircraft trip over the Simpson Desert. Second image in the PiP taken a few minutes later, after a slight change of course. Note also cloud shadows on the desert.

This image, with early morning light emphasising contours, gives a good impression of the parallel sand dunes of the Simpson Desert. Also shadows of clouds and a light sprinkle of rain beyond the aircraft wingtip. There's also a 4WD track visible (may need to enlarge to view).

Still on the light aircraft trip across the Channel Country and the edge of the Simpson Desert, we flew over these cattle yards tucked behind the sand dune, with the floodwaters coming down Eyre Creek spreading to either side. I'd suggest viewing large. The first PiP, taken slightly earlier, shows the shrubs in the Channel Country, with water inundation and trees throwing longer shadows. The second PiP, taken soon after passing the cattle yards, shows the Simpson Desert stretching to the west. Wishing everyone a very Happy Fence Friday and a great weekend to follow.

My earlier image "Bedourie Benches" in the little town of Bedourie, showed the community hall with the sign "Where the Simpson Desert meets the Channel Country". This aerial dawn image (best viewed large).shows what they mean! The country is very flat and occasional heavy rains further away bring floods which spread extensively. The country near the desert then comes to life with good pastures. In the distance are the dunes at the edge of the Simpson Desert, the world's largest parallel-dune sand desert (resulting from the prevailing winds). Further images, taken slightly later, in the PiPs.

Arriving in the light aircraft over Lake Machattie as the sun rose, then crossing the lake and seeing the river floodwaters (from rains hundreds of km further north, nearly two months earlier) coming into the lake. (See also PiPs). Here's a suitable musical link.

Still on the dawn light aircraft flight from Birdsville, approaching Lake Machattie as the sun rises. See also PiPs. Lake Machattie (and other adjacent smaller lakes), at the times when they actually hold water, are important breeding areas for waterbirds and are ranked as a "Key Biodiversity Area of international significance".

We flew from Vientiane to Pakse, in the south of Laos, in a Chinese-made MA60 aircraft (click on PiP to get the aircraft details). It was wet when we left and for most of the trip, as a result of the tropical monsoon. As can be seen, some areas were being affected by flooding which was gradually spreading.

Out in the far southwest of Queensland, the land is flat and arid. Rivers flow inland and spread, then (usually) dry out before reaching Lake Eyre. It's called the Channel Country and we had a good view from about 11000 metres. Low vegetation grows along the stream lines and there's even some water visible as a brown line where the stream from the lower left joins. View large.

Flying over the Tasman Sea to Lord Howe Island - a World Heritage listed site some 600km off the Australian east coast. We've just returned after a very enjoyable visit. Still unpacking and catching up with the world (no mobile phones or internet there).

Dawn breaking over the Southern Alps in New Zealand, as we leave on an early flight. For a musical link, this is the obvious choice.

I'm back again, this time with comments enabled. :-) Looking west and -40 outside the windows. I'd suggest you listen to this and view in large. Explored (#3, first page)

Something of a ' flying selfie', the camera (well attached by a strap) held at arm's length outside the glider while on the return to the airport. View on black. Explored.

This unusual landform is possibly best appreciated from above, as in this view from the glider. It goes by the name of Minto Crags and, I understand, is popular with rock climbers. Geologically, it is a formation known as a Ring Dyke (one of the few in Australia). These are formed when underground earth movements create a circular fault line which then is filled by upwelling molten lava. The ring formation becomes apparent when the overlying softer rocks erode away. You can read more about Minto Crags here: www.tinyurl.com/pq8yjyq

Seen from the glider. The flat topped mountain is Mt Lindsay with, to the right of it, the East and West peaks of Mt Barney. This is a fabulous area for bushwalking* where, long long ago, I used to spend enjoyable weekends doing just that. There is a closer view of these peaks in a note. These mountains are part of what is called the Scenic Rim, an arc of ranges and peaks of volcanic origin, to the south and west of Brisbane. Much of it is National Park. The volcano that created the ranges was a 'shield volcano' that fizzed away 24M years ago. Shield volcanos spread very fluid lava far and wide and, although this one was centred near Mt Barney, that peak developed a little later as a granitic intrusion that never quite broke the surface - the surrounding softer lava and sandstone has eroded away to leave it protruding. Those of you with a geological interest should find this item from the Queensland Geological Society interesting: qld.gsa.org.au/Barneyv5.pdf * (depending where you are, known as hiking / trekking / tramping). Explored.

From an old slide. I was fortunate to have a trip over Mawson in one of the helicopters carried by the Nella Dan. This is taken roughly toward north, with the station area in the lower right on the shores of Horseshoe Harbour. The dotted lines on the snow at lower left are the doglines.