Living In An Arid Zone
Nov 11, 2020 01:02:05 #
An arid zone is defined as one in which the average annual rainfall is less than 250mm (10 inches). Australia is cited as the "the driest inhabited continent in the world; 70% of it is either arid or semi arid land." There is a story about a local who was trying to explain to a Japanese visitor that Australia is like one big golf course - 30% green and 70% sand bunker!!
Those who live in an arid Zone will understand the pleasure of seeing green grass and water in a usually dry landscape. One such place is Ellory Creek Big Hole, a permanent natural water hole located in the usually dry Ellory Creek in the West MacDonnell National Park about 80km (50 miles) West of Alice Springs in Central Australia. Carved out over thousands of years of flooding, the gorge in which the water hole is located is a popular picnic spot and swimming hole for locals and visitors. The tall rocky cliffs of the gorge provide permanently shaded areas which are usually several degrees cooler than the exposed surrounds. The water is icy cold and very deep and sadly a few people have drowned, some whose bodies have never been found.
I captured the attached images in October 2020 when I took some interstate visitors to view some of the local scenery. Fujifilm XT3, 16-55mm f/2.8 lens.
Those who live in an arid Zone will understand the pleasure of seeing green grass and water in a usually dry landscape. One such place is Ellory Creek Big Hole, a permanent natural water hole located in the usually dry Ellory Creek in the West MacDonnell National Park about 80km (50 miles) West of Alice Springs in Central Australia. Carved out over thousands of years of flooding, the gorge in which the water hole is located is a popular picnic spot and swimming hole for locals and visitors. The tall rocky cliffs of the gorge provide permanently shaded areas which are usually several degrees cooler than the exposed surrounds. The water is icy cold and very deep and sadly a few people have drowned, some whose bodies have never been found.
I captured the attached images in October 2020 when I took some interstate visitors to view some of the local scenery. Fujifilm XT3, 16-55mm f/2.8 lens.
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This perentie (goanna or monitor lizard) did not appear to be worried about our intrusion.
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I was intrigued by the patterns on the branch of this gum tree that I found adjacent to the water hole.
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Nov 11, 2020 03:43:54 #
Nov 11, 2020 06:56:49 #
Nov 11, 2020 07:24:17 #
Nov 11, 2020 07:25:21 #
JRiepe wrote:
Nice shots of what looks to be a beautiful area.
Thank you Riepe.
Nov 11, 2020 08:03:10 #
Nov 11, 2020 09:09:22 #
Nov 11, 2020 13:31:33 #
Nov 11, 2020 19:34:11 #
UTMike wrote:
Beautiful tour, thanks for sharing!
Thank you Mike.
Nov 12, 2020 08:18:02 #
Reminded me of the book by Nevil Shute - A Town Like Alice. Great book. Lovely set of pictures in the arid territory.
Nov 12, 2020 08:48:51 #
limey wrote:
Reminded me of the book by Nevil Shute - A Town Like Alice. Great book. Lovely set of pictures in the arid territory.
Thank you Limey.
Nov 12, 2020 09:03:13 #
Nov 12, 2020 11:02:22 #
Nov 12, 2020 11:05:07 #
Nov 12, 2020 12:09:38 #
Wonderful location and shots. It's hard to believe that anything that lush could exist anywhere near Alice Springs.
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