A bushfire on Maddens Plains in the Illawarra Region of NSW.
Maddens Plains bushfire 2AM-003758
Maddens Plains bushfire 2AM-003544
Maddens Plains bushfire 2AM-003623
Maddens Plains bushfire 2AM-003887
Maddens Plains bushfire 2AM-003901
Maddens Plains bushfire 2AM-003909
Other than the first two images, this post contains only aerial views of the Kununurra area, captured from a Robinson R22 helicopter owned and operated by Top End Mustering.
This is the helicopter for the trip, and the pilot – Ty Rankin (of Top End Mustering).
Helicopter and Pilot 2AM-003668. © 2014 Andrew McInnes.
Helicopter 2AM-003669. © 2014 Andrew McInnes.
The Kimberley savannah and a portion of the lower Ord River – Ivanhoe Station.
Helicopter-and-Ord-River-2AM-003625. © 2014 Andrew McInnes.
Below the dam of Lake Argyle, the Ord River Diversion Dam holds back Lake Kununurra, which gravity feeds the Ord River Irrigation Area with water via the Main Channel. The Victoria Highway crosses the river here.
Ord River Diversion Dam 2AM-003654. © 2014 Andrew McInnes.
Downstream of the Ord River Diversion Dam; the lowest reaches of Lake Kununurra meander to the upper left of the image, then beyond.
Ord River Diversion Dam 2AM-003638. © 2014 Andrew McInnes.
River flow below the Diversion Dam.
Ord River 2AM-003616. © 2014 Andrew McInnes.
These next few images capture some of the irrigation ditches and the agriculture that depends on them.
Ord River Irrigation Area 2AM-003541. © 2014 Andrew McInnes.
Ord River Irrigation Area 2AM-003567. © 2014 Andrew McInnes.
Though a variety of crops are present (and others tried previously), these are Indian Sandalwood.
Ord River Irrigation Area 2AM-003555. © 2014 Andrew McInnes.
Ord River Irrigation Area 2AM-003554. © 2014 Andrew McInnes.
Great cattle stations abound in the Kimberley, and this savannah, like those throughout the world, look resplendent after the rains.
Kimberley Savanna 2AM-003535. © 2014 Andrew McInnes.
Kimberley Savanna 2AM-003528. © 2014 Andrew McInnes.
Kununurra 2AM-003604. © 2014 Andrew McInnes.
A pair of graves on a station near Kununurra – DEACON, Thomas, died 28.6.1905 (age 49) & DURACK Neil Joseph, died 28.11.1920 (drowned, age 30).
Gravestones – Ivanhoe Station 2AM-003608. © 2014 Andrew McInnes.
Bordering the irrigation area are numerous ranges such as this.
Kununurra 2AM-003530. © 2014 Andrew McInnes.
Edging and among the ranges there are numerous waterholes such as this, many with waterfalls (during/after the wet).
Kununurra 2AM-003597. © 2014 Andrew McInnes.
Back to the immediate vicinity of Kununurra: This is “Sleeping Buddha”/Elephant Rock on the edge of Lake Kununurra.
Sleeping Buddha 2AM-003512. © 2014 Andrew McInnes.
Sleeping Buddha floodplain 2AM-003517. © 2014 Andrew McInnes.
Two views of Lake Kununurra Golf Club – one of the hosts for famed the Ord Valley Muster.
Lake Kununurra Golf Club 2AM-003662. © 2014 Andrew McInnes.
Lake Kununurra Golf Club 2AM-003664. © 2014 Andrew McInnes.
The next post will feature Lake Kununurra – I hope you enjoyed this post.
More horrific bushfires around the Perth/Fremantle area recently (Banjup to be more precise). I was on my way to shoot a winery when I observed the early smoke of what became a raging fire. I spent a while photographing the fire – the pilots of the helicopter and plane water-dumpers/water-bombers appear fantastically skilled, and also very courageous; thankfully, damage to human and home was minimal.
Banjup-Bushfires-2AM-005092
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Banjup-Bushfires-2AM-005089
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Banjup Bushfires 2AM-004519
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Banjup Bushfires 2AM-004549
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Banjup Bushfires 2AM-004771
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Banjup Bushfires 2AM-004559
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Banjup-Bushfires-2AM-004980
Copyright Andrew McInnes. All Rights Reserved.
Banjup Bushfires 2AM-005126
Copyright Andrew McInnes. All Rights Reserved.
Banjup Bushfires 2AM-005125
Copyright Andrew McInnes. All Rights Reserved.
Banjup Bushfires 2AM-005153
Copyright Andrew McInnes. All Rights Reserved.
Banjup Bushfires 2AM-005135
Copyright Andrew McInnes. All Rights Reserved.
Thanks for swinging by and looking at my images. See you next time I post 🙂
I recently observed, from afar unfortunately, a light-crude oil tank fire (and explosion) on Galveston Island which got me to reflecting on a rural fire on and around a ranch we were visiting in King County, Texas in March 2008, and also to ponder the horrific Texas fires of 2011.
Here is my photo-essay of this ranchland fire.
The source of the fire ©Andrew McInnes. All rights reserved.
Black and gray aluminum and steel is all that remains ©Andrew McInnes. All rights reserved.
Still early in the progression ©Andrew McInnes. All rights reserved.
Closing the road ©Andrew McInnes. All rights reserved.
An emergency responder watches as fire strengthens ©Andrew McInnes. All rights reserved.
Intensifying ©Andrew McInnes. All rights reserved.
First attempt to inhibit the fire and restrict it to the short side-of-the-highway grass ©Andrew McInnes. All rights reserved.
Fire "jumped" the breaks beyond the grass and is now fueled by abundant juniper ©Andrew McInnes. All rights reserved.
Loud and hot - and spreading rapidly ©Andrew McInnes. All rights reserved.
What was a calm day is now locally very windy as the fire continues to rampage ©Andrew McInnes. All rights reserved.
Super hot and travelling quickly as the juniper bushes whistle then explode ©Andrew McInnes. All rights reserved.
Tumultuous - it soon became very dark and very orange ©Andrew McInnes. All rights reserved.
Visibility satisfactory for now ©Andrew McInnes. All rights reserved.
Soon there would be numerous vehicle crashes due to limited visibility ©Andrew McInnes. All rights reserved.
Fire-fighting helicopter heading to nearby earthen water tank to refill before returning to the fray ©Andrew McInnes. All rights reserved.
Reinforcements - this plane flew in from Oklahoma to combat the fire ©Andrew McInnes. All rights reserved.
Fire retardent being deployed ©Andrew McInnes. All rights reserved.
Orange glow from the fire below as the plane circles for another retardent-drop run ©Andrew McInnes. All rights reserved.
View from the homestead as night descends ©Andrew McInnes. All rights reserved.
Serenity - night has fallen and the homestead is spared (long exposure) ©Andrew McInnes. All rights reserved.
Andrew McInnes Photography 