Do you have an image that, whenever you see it, the memory just makes you smile? This is one of those images for me. Every time I see it, I can’t help but get a smile on my face as I remember how much fun it was to be in this place. I’d traveled to Karijini National Park in Western Australia to spend five days absorbed by photographing the gorges that comprise this incredible park. On my first morning, before most people had unzipped their sleeping bags and emerged from their tents, I had hiked down into Hancock Gorge, scurried along narrow ledges of rock, secured my camera gear into a dry bag and swam the length a natural Olympic-sized pool of cool spring water, and finally climbed over boulders in narrow crevasses with the mineral rich red rocks of Australia rising high above my head. Only then did I reach Kermit’s Pool. Without a guide and abseiling gear, one can go no further in Hancock Gorge. That was fine by me. I had reached a pool of pure tranquility, the only sounds being my own breathing and the soothing sound of water flowing into the pool. I spent about two hours enjoying this scene. I would photograph it for a while and then sit and enjoy the solitude before picking up my camera again. Eventually, after the last picture was taken and the whispered sounds of voices announced the coming arrival of people making their way down the Gorge floor, I went for a quick swim in this pool. Thinking back to that moment, when I was floating on my back, looking up at the cloudless blue sky above, I can’t help but smile.
The Pinnacles are limestone formations located within Nambung National Park, located about 160 kilometers north of Perth in Western Australia. These formations, of which there are at least several thousand, are quite a sight to see and worth the effort to get to Nambung. Located within sight of the Indian Ocean, with the roar of crashing waves perpetually in the background, the Pinnacles Desert is an otherworldly landscape. The sand is fine and similar to what one would find on a beach. The constant wind from off shore has crafted miniature waves in the sand, hardened over time by the alternating rain and sun. And the Pinnacles themselves have used the same rain to coalesce and then survive against the relentless onslaught of the elements. This image was captured one evening during my time in Nambung. Most of the other visitors had left the park by this hour, leaving only myself and a few others to watch the sun sink behind the clouds and then into the Indian Ocean. After checking out several different potential vantage points for sunset, I choose this one given the size of the Pinnalces and the undisturbed sand. Getting the sun to set behind one of the larger pinnacles, and casting visible rays into the light blue sky, was an added bonus.
Five days at Karijini National Park was just about enough for a first trip. I got to see everything I wanted to see; however, I wish I had spent more time at Hamersley Gorge. Hamersley is a bit removed from the other gorges of Karijini, but it is magnificently unique and awe inspiring. The amazing geology and movement of the sediment is readily visible at Hamersley, from the minute one enters the parking lot, through the first views down into the gorge, and for every minute before leaving this beautiful place. The rock moves up, sideways, down, and even in undulating waves similar to ripples on a still pond. The forces of mother nature that were needed to create such movement must have been immense. Beyond comprehension immense. Add water to the scene, and we get the stunning landscapes of Karijini and Hamersley. I was alone in Harmersley when I captured this image. Just me, a few birds, the soft trickle of moving water, and nothing else except utter silence. It was magical in a way I can’t begin to describe here. The water was almost perfectly still, and the angle of the sun just right to capture this incredible reflection. Shortly after I captured this image more people began to arrive at the gorge. While the utter silence was broken by the sounds of a didgeridoo, the sound of that traditional Indigenous instrument filled the gorge with a sweet tune that fit the mood perfectly.
Oxer Lookout was one of the places I wanted to photograph sunrise at Karijini National Park. The lookout is situated at the junction of the Weano, Knox, Red and Joffre Gorges, and offers incredible views down into the four gorges---if you're willing to get close enough to the edge. This particular morning was cloudless, and I didn't think much would happen with the sky during sunrise, so I focused my attention on capturing the gorges with the soft, diffused light that filled the sky just minutes before the official sunrise. This soft light was perfect for bringing out the ruggedness of the red Western Australia rock that forms the the land in this area, and also for highlighting the differences between the green trees and the near white shrub grass that dots the landscape. One of my main goals in photography is to convey to the viewer the sense of feeling I had when the image was captured. This is one image where I couldn't do that. As I think back on it now, about a month later, I remember feeling nervous taking this picture. It doesn't look like it, but I was very close to the edge of the cliff when I captured this image; and, it is a long way to the bottom. I was far off the official path, precariously close to the edge, and standing on a little peninsula of rock that jutted out into the junction of the four gorges. I knew, rationally, the rock had withstood the test of time and wasn't going to collapse on me, but that didn't stop the heart from beating a little bit faster.
It seemed that wherever I went and whichever direction I faced a new and exciting landscape stretched out before me. That sums up my experience visiting the Pinnacles at Western Australia's Nambung National Park. Of douse, capturing the best images and crafting the final results was a bit more complicated. I tried to find areas that were less visited by people in the park; I didn't want foot prints to mare the wind-swept sand. I wanted visually stimulating pinnacles in the foreground, but with a deep field of view to provide a sense of scale. And, I hoped to find some vegetation to include; despite being a desert life does flourish here. All of this came together, and then the sun and clouds cooperated to provide a dramatic sky. One of my favorite images from the Pinnacles.
I will never forget photographing Fortescue Falls at Karijini National Park. It was an experience, in more ways than one. The first time I attempted to photograph the Falls, I didn't arrive in time. The window for early morning photography here is quite small, with the sun blasting the top of the falls just minutes after sunrise. So, two days later, I woke up even earlier to ensure I had enough time to make the 40 minute drive, 20 minute hike, and be in position before the sun rose. That second morning I had about 15 minutes after arriving at the top of the falls to get into place and capture the images before the sun would be too high in the sky. The trail from the car park leads to the top-middle of this image, and then it is possible to hike and climb over the top of the falls and along the steep rock face to where I set up my tripod. Capturing the image was fun and got the adrenaline going, as I was literally pinned between my tripod and the rocks, leaning back as much as I could to avoid the 15 meter drop into the water. Luckily I had a couple spare centimeters to work with. After capturing this five image panoramic, I scurried back along the rocks until I was in a position to pack up some of my gear and then began working my way to the top of the Falls, which required a little jump over the water at the top. I wasn't looking close enough, because I made the jump and landed right next to a 2.5 meter snake. For those that don't know, Australia is home to some of the world's deadliest snakes; and Karijini National Park has it's fair share. So, here I am at the top of the falls, balancing on a rock I just jumped onto, finding myself next to a long snake. The worst went through my head in the half second before I unceremoniously and ungraciously jumped back over the top of the falls to where I'd just come from. The snake looked in my direction, but didn't seem interested. I learned later it was a nonvenomous python that lived under a rock at the top of the falls, and was going home after having been out hunting overnight. All ended well, and I came away with this wonderful image of Fortescue Falls at Dales Gorge.
Otherworldly is the easiest way to describe the Pinnacles at Nambung National Park in Western Australia. Located less than a three hour drive north of Perth, and within sight of the Indian Ocean, the Pinnacles are a series of of limestone formations that rise eerily out of the desert sand. Visiting the Pinnacles during the day is an experience shared with other tourists, who have traveled to this remote area almost solely to see the thousands of pinnacles. But, visiting during sunrise or sunset is a completely different experience: a solitary encounter with the formations, where beyond the occasional sound of an animal, one is left only with the beautiful scenery and the constant dull roar of Indian Ocean waves crashing into the nearby coastline. This image was captured during sunrise during one of my mornings in the park. I arrived early, the first car entering into the park that day, hours before the ticket seller arrived at his post, and would be done photographing and have exited the park before anybody else even arrived. The previous day I had scouted the location I wanted to set up, and was there just as the horizon started to lighten with the coming sun. Honestly, I thought the sunrise photography attempt was going to be a bust. But, at just the right moment, the clouds began to part, exposing the clear sky beyond. It must have been the same beyond the ridge I was facing, because that is the only way the sun would have been able to paint a small portion of the sky a deep orange, which radiated outwards as a deep blue and purple. What ever caused it, it appeared the land beyond the ridge was aflame, with the fire casting its red and orange glow on the clouds above. Over just as quickly as it appeared, the fire died out and the sun rose above the horizon.
Weano Gorge's Handrail Pool is one of the "must visit" spots in Karijini National Park. It's easily accessible, just a easy hike down into and then along Weano Gorge. Of course, then you come to the section just before the pool, which is more difficult given how the gorge walls come together, the water picks up speed, and the rocks become more slippery. But, then you reach the entrance to Handrail Pool, and you realize you've entered a world of natural beauty, tranquility, and peace. Even after getting to Handrail Pool, one still needs to climb down the rock face. That's how the pool got its name: the handrail that was installed to help people get down (it is visible to the right of the small waterfall). Once I climbed down, shed my backpack and was able to take a moment, I realized how special this place was. I was the only one there for most of my time. Alone with my thoughts, the sound of water flowing down the rocks and echoing in the cavern, and the slowly fading light as the sun slipped below the gorge rim. I've photographed incredible scenes throughout the world, but I don't remember a time where I was so at peace while capturing images as I was standing in Handrail Poll, the cool water flowing over my feet and around my tripod and the sounds of silence being my only companion. I spent quite a while in this spot, not just capturing images but just enjoying the serenity of the moment.
While the landscape of Karijini National Park is varied between the different gorges, I found myself shooting at the Knox Gorge lookout a few times during my trip. Not only was it easily accessible, but the point of view was magnificent. With the setting sun casting light on the top of the gorge, the colors and vibrance of the landscape came alive. This four shot panoramic image was shot just moments before the sun went down. As it was early spring, and with the wet season (better known as just "the Wet") having already concluded, there were no clouds in the sky to catch the sunset rays. Instead, I worked to capture the sun illuminating the very top of the gorge, turning the trees and brush a golden color while the red rock of the gorge walls became an even more vibrant dark red. It is difficult for an image to properly convey the vastness of Western Australia, the depth of Karijini's gorges, or the pervasiveness of the red rock and dust of the Outback. It is the red dust that makes Australian landscapes unique, and also permeates into life itself. Just seeing this image I can feel the dust on my hands, see it in my clothes, and taste it in my mouth. It's impossible to be in the Outback without experiencing the red dust. This image shows that the red dust is not just surface deep, but it permeates Western Australian for hundreds of meters below the dry surface. The Knox Gorge lookout is one of the easier lookouts to get to in Karijini National Park. A short walk down a gentle trail leads to the cliff edge, and the lookout platform extends over that cliff edge. Standing on that platform is not for those afraid of heights, as there is nothing between you and the bottom of the gorge several hundred meters below except a thin piece of metal
Dales Gorge has two main attractions. The first is Fortescue Falls, a beautiful cascade of rushing water that falls maybe 20 meters over the sharp lines of the Western Australian rock. The second is Circular Pool which, unlike the power of Fortescue, is a place of tranquility. I visited Circular Pool twice. Once during the middle of the day, after a 2 hour hike from Fortescue Falls along the bottom of Dales Gorge. It was an easy hike, but I hadn't brought along enough water. Rookie mistake. A few days later, after making the steep hike down into the gorge, including climbing down a few metal ladders, I arrived back at Circular Pool early in the morning. For the next few hours I had the entire place to myself. Circular Pool is located at the very end (or beginning) of the gorge. The rock walls, forming a semicircle, rise a hundred meters or more straight up into the sky, and this results in a soft glow of light for a few hours after the sun rises. Eventually the sun is high enough to illuminate the gorge floor and the Pool, but in the few hours before that happens, Circular Pool is a magical place to photograph. The weather had warmed steadily during my time at Karijini, and by this day the water was cool but not cold. I slipped off my shoes and socks, waded into the water, and set up my tripod in a spot that afforded this view. With the water thigh high, I carefully composed this image in my mind, under no rush as most people in the park were still sound asleep. With no wind to move the leaves, and only the slightest trace of water flowing in the pool, I knew that a long exposure was what I wanted. I used one of the best lenses in my bag and attached a strong neutral density filter so I could have a 30 second exposure. That length would smooth out the Pool's surface and turn the water flowing down the rock face into a ghostly transparent white. Over the next three minutes, I captured the five images that were used to create this panorama of Circular Pool. The peacefulness, tranquility, and serenity of Circular Pool made time stand still while I was there, which this image portrays.
The Pinnacles are limestone formations located within Nambung National Park, located about 160 kilometers north of Perth in Western Australia. These formations, of which there are at least several thousand, are quite a sight to see and worth the effort to get to Nambung. Located within sight of the Indian Ocean, with the roar of crashing waves perpetually in the background, the Pinnacles Desert is an otherworldly landscape. The sand is fine and similar to what one would find on a beach. The constant wind from off shore has crafted miniature waves in the sand, hardened over time by the alternating rain and sun. And the Pinnacles themselves have used the same rain to coalesce and then survive against the relentless onslaught of the elements. This panorama was captured one evening during my time in Nambung. Most of the other visitors had left the park by this hour, leaving only myself and a few others to watch the sun sink behind the clouds and then into the Indian Ocean. After checking out several different potential vantage points for sunset, I choose this one because it was undistrurbed, offered a glimpse of the Indian Ocean, and I loved patterns and lines created by the sand and pinnacles.
Knox Gorge wasn’t my favorite, but it was still very good. I think the problem was that Karijini National Park had so many incredible gorges, that Knox just didn’t stand up to the others. Take Knox and put it anywhere else, and it would be incredible; alas, it was fighting against its close siblings, and just could’t stand up against them. That said, I did really like the view of the gorge from the top of the rim. That view wasn’t as grandiose or awe inspiring as the views from Oxer Lookout or Hamersley Gorge, but it was still very beautiful. I had spent the late afternoon in Knox Gorge, and emerged as the sun was just beginning to set. This helped accentuate the colors of the rock, grass and trees, making the reds and greens explode in ones eye. I captured several images from the rim of the gorge that evening. Each is beautiful in its own way. But, each shows the wide open vistas that surround Karijini National Park, and give the viewer a glimpse into a gorge that, from the top, appears to mark the beginning of a journey to the center of the planet.
Each step further into the gorges of Karijini National Park is like a step towards the center of the Earth. Each step takes you further down into the gorge; the colors become more vibrant; the rock overhead casts a longer shadow; and the gorge walls begin to narrow, hiding from view what is around the next bend. Nowhere is this more true than the approach to Kermit's Pool in Hancock Gorge. To get to this point you'll climb down into the gorge, scramble over rocks, swim the Olympic Pool or scurry over rocks above a 3 meter drop into deep water, and spider walk along a narrow fissure and through rushing water until the gorge opens up shortly before Kermit's Pool. It is at that opening one encounters this stunning scene. The rocks have been polished smooth from water's constant onslaught over eons, exposing the vibrant colors present due to the high mineral content in the rocks. The different geological layers lead the eye towards Kermit's Pool and the forbidden area beyond. I happened to arrive early in the morning and had several hours all by myself in Hancock Gorge and Kermits Pool. The experience was incredible: just me, the sounds of running water, and an overwhelming sense of tranquility. It was on my hike out that I turned around and captured this image. By that time the sun had risen high enough into the sky to illuminate the gorge walls, turning them a brilliant orange, which contrasted with the cooler rock tones closer to me,and the emerald green water color. Just beyond Kermit's Pool is the rope and sign that keeps people from going further into Hancock Gorge.
This little pool is a precursor to the famous and even more spectacular Handrail Pool. To get here, I had to hike down into Karijini National Park’s Weano Gorge and then follow the stream that had cut it’s way through Western Australia’s red and purple hued rocks. The path became more and more narrow, and the top of the gorge seemed to recede into the sky above. After walking down an nearly perfectly formed hallway, with a flat floor and almost vertical walls, I entered this chamber. Round and tall, with a tranquil pool covering the ground, this chamber was serene and peaceful, with the only sound forming at my feet as the water flowed steadily into the pool. With no one else around I took my time to set up my tripod and capture this incredible scene. It didn’t take long, but I enjoyed every second of it, with the cool early summer water running over my feet and the silence being my only companion.
The Pinnacles are limestone formations located within Nambung National Park, located about 160 kilometers north of Perth in Western Australia. These formations, of which there are at least several thousand, are quite a sight to see and worth the effort to get to Nambung. Located within sight of the Indian Ocean, with the roar of crashing waves perpetually in the background, the Pinnacles Desert is an otherworldly landscape. The sand is fine and similar to what one would find on a beach. The constant wind from off shore has crafted miniature waves in the sand, hardened over time by the alternating rain and sun. And the Pinnacles themselves have used the same rain to coalesce and then survive against the relentless onslaught of the elements. This image was captured one evening during my time in Nambung. Most of the other visitors had left the park by this hour, leaving only myself and a few others to watch the sun sink behind the clouds and then into the Indian Ocean. After checking out several different potential vantage points for sunset, I choose this one given the size of the Pinnacles and the undisturbed sand. Capturing the image as the sun wsa behind a cloud, casting strong rays down to the ocean, as an added bonus.
While I visited the lookout points around Knox Gorge several times while at Karijini National Park, I only went down into Knox Gorge once, and I didn't capture too many image while down there. But, the few I captured are some of my favorite. I don't know why, but the colors and reflections in Knox Gorge just seemed more deep and vibrant. Maybe it was the time of day, the angle of the sun, the clarity of the water, or the chemical composition of the rocks. Whatever the reason, I loved it. This four image panorama really demonstrates the how vibrant the colors in Knox Gorge are. The hues in the rock range from purple to blue, orange to red, and on top of all of it is the green from the vegetation that somehow grows on the side of the cliffs. Like all the gorges in Karijini, the water in Knox is fed by underground springs and rain, though it hadn't rained in a few months when I was there. I think the water was especially clear in Knox given the spring and how the water here seemed to be moving more slowly than other gorges. I've named this image Reflections of Knox Gorge, an apt title given how clear the reflection is.
Weano Gorge's Handrail Pool is one of the "must visit" spots in Karijini National Park. It's easily accessible, just a easy hike down into and then along Weano Gorge. Of course, then you come to the section just before the pool, which is more difficult given how the gorge walls come together, the water picks up speed, and the rocks become more slippery. But, then you reach the entrance to Handrail Pool, and you realize you've entered a world of natural beauty, tranquility, and peace. Even after getting to Handrail Pool, one still needs to climb down the rock face. That's how the pool got its name: the handrail that was installed to help people get down (it is visible to the right of the small waterfall). Once I climbed down, shed my backpack and was able to take a moment, I realized how special this place was. I was the only one there for most of my time. Alone with my thoughts, the sound of water flowing down the rocks and echoing in the cavern, and the slowly fading light as the sun slipped below the gorge rim. I've photographed incredible scenes throughout the world, but I don't remember a time where I was so at peace while capturing images as I was standing in Handrail Poll, the cool water flowing over my feet and around my tripod and the sounds of silence being my only companion. I spent quite a while in this spot, not just capturing images but just enjoying the serenity of the moment.
This six image panorama was taken at The Pinnacles in Nambung National Park, north of Perth by about 160 kms. It was a relatively uneventful sunset shoot, thankfully my only uneventful shoot during my few days at the park. But, for just a few moments, the clouds cooperated, and the sun painted beautiful blue and purple hues on the heavy overhead clouds. When combined with the golden color of the sand, and the stark nature of the Pinnacles, I really like this image. It is mood, soothing, and powerful all at the same time. Located within sight of the Indian Ocean, with the roar of crashing waves perpetually in the background, the Pinnacles Desert is an otherworldly landscape. The sand is fine and similar to what one would find on a beach. The constant wind from off shore has crafted miniature waves in the sand, hardened over time by the alternating rain and sun. And the Pinnacles themselves have used the same rain to coalesce and then survive against the relentless onslaught of the elements. This image was captured one evening during my time in Nambung. Most of the other visitors had left the park by this hour, leaving only myself and a few others to watch the sun sink behind the clouds and then into the Indian Ocean. After checking out several different potential vantage points for sunset, I choose this one given the size of the Pinnalces and the undisturbed sand. Getting the sun to set behind one of the larger pinnacles, and casting visible rays into the light blue sky, was an added bonus.
