Through the haze…

Many of you will have seen on the news the big fires here in Victoria this week.  This one has come a bit too close for comfort and people have lost their homes, property and livestock, so thoughts to them.  They say the fires will continue for maybe up to another 6 weeks and we have to be vigilant with wind changes.  This shot, taken at the rear of Hanging Rock (see previous post), was winging it – handheld as no time to set up a tripod and the sun more or less already set, but it shows the heavy smoke layer around….

Hanging Rock facing west
Hanging Rock facing west

Hanging Rock.

Some people may know this site from the book Picnic At Hanging Rock written by Joan Lindsay which was later made into a film directed by Peter Weir in 1975.  It is a place full of atmosphere in the Macedon Ranges in Central Victoria and was created about 6 million years ago as a result of magma setting at a vent of the volcano.  It is located in the Aboriginal Wurundjeri territory and was used as a site for male initiation until the indigenous people were forced out by colonial settlers in 1844.  The last initiation ceremony took place around 1851 (Wikipedia). I am lucky enough to pass the site on my way to and from work and sometimes due to the local weather patterns, it can look highly dramatic in some lights.  I have been waiting for the ‘right’ moment – this isn’t quite it, so be warned there will be more!!

Hanging Rock
Click for better view