Whirlpool

A rough shot of the Whirlpool galaxy M51 in Ursa Major, more commonly known as the Big Dipper. In Mount Isa we are lucky enough to be so far north that we can see the southern hemisphere sights as well as a few from the north.

Breaking Rock

A cresting wave of rock curls up ready to break over the ground below. The geological features around Mount Isa are quite incredible. 

Crazy

When I saw this track from a snake beside the wheel tracks it made me think of the movie "The Gods Must Be Crazy". One of the funniest movies around. This strange animal with round feet that leaves tracks unlike any seen before.

Spring

The Fountain Springs waterhole is nearly permanent. Although rather stagnant, there is still plenty of aquatic life present.

River Flashback

The Leichhardt River crossing at Kajabbi. A few years ago I took a similar photo at this location. Same bat place, different bat car.

Moon Rings

Just for effect I blacked out the Moon with a simple fill tool in this shot from the Saturn occultation. The result is the Moon appears to have rings.

Saturn Reappears

Reappearing from behind the Moon, Saturn emerges as if nothing ever happened.

Resting

A headstone on a grave in the middle of near as no where. I was surprised to see such a recent burial site in an abandoned mining town.

Frame

The old head frame from the Dobbyn mine.

Lune

The Moon on the night of the Saturn occultation, May 14. This is a high dynamic range composite made from three frames with exposure bracketing.

Tree

A majestic old tree by the waterhole in an old mining town called Dobbyn.

Occultation

The Moon occulted Saturn briefly last night (Wednesday 14th May) by passing in front of the ringed planet. This was my first attempt at imaging an occultation. It worked. The view through the eyepiece was more remarkable than the photo does justice.

Transformer

A shiny new jumbo drill rig for underground mining at the Minex Mining Expo in Mount Isa. Or, it could be a robot in disguise.

Signage

A great Australian outback sign.

Heavy Lifting

Did someone call for a crane? It didn't quite make it to the next job, down the road from Kajabbi.

Park

I parked my car down there somewhere...

Fireworks

The fireworks at the Friday night school fete in Mount Isa were a big crowd pleaser this year.

Bush Science

The science library at the Kajabbi Pub, Kajabbi. 

Orb

A Golden Orb spider hanging out for its next meal to come along.

Old Car

The old car on the old road to Kajabbi trick. I guess it just didn't go any more and this was it's last destination. Surprisingly, the chrome bumper is in very good nick, that stuff could survive for centuries.

Two Suns

In a simple reflection it is easy to see why you can get sunburned twice as fast when you are on the water. Rosebud was the dam.

Rocky Crumble

Rocky cliff on Mount Remarkable, also known as Battle Mountain.

Mountain Tree

A tree on Mount Remarkable.