Blog

3.00 am rise for a
3.30 departure for Geikie Gorge. The aim is to be at the top of Geikie Gorge to
catch the sunrise as it hits the red canyon walls. We arrived at the gorge
under darkness then boarded 2 boats that took us up the gorge, massive canyon
walls either side of us using a good old dolphin torch as our guiding light
weaving between the submerged rocks and logs. Fortunately our guide, Bill, an
aboriginal elder of the area, had made this trip many times before but in
daylight. We found out we were very privileged to be taken where we are going
as no other group had been here before.

Still in darkness we
were dropped off at the bank, at the foot of a rocky outcrop. On with our
headlamps and backpacks for the climb up the rocky hill, Bill leading the way.
After about 45 minutes we were at the top revealing an expansive view of Geikie
Gorge as the sun tries to lighten up the overcast skies.

I was really looking
forward to this trip to the gorge as it promised to be the highlight of the
Kimberly trip for me. I was to be extremely disappointed as the sun on this
morning did not win it's battle with the thick layer of cloud on the horizon
keeping the vibrant colours of Geikie Gorge muffled for another day.

24 of us crammed on
top of a small flat area with shear drops on 3 sides gingerly positioning our
selves to make the best of what the gods are willing to give us this morning.

On the horizon the
glow of a bush fire could of easily been mistaken for the sun. The lucky few on
that side of the cliff got some spectacular shots in the "blue hour" of the
fire on the horizon.

Not going without
taking some photos I set up for panos being such a wide angle you wanted to
capture.

Our boat ride back to
the bus, in daylight this time, revealed the real beauty of this breath-taking
place. We arrived at the Fitzroy River Lodge for breakfast at 8.15 am.

After lunch we were
off touring again. This time to the original Fitzroy Crossing that was used in
the early 1900s. Nothing photographic wise here.

From here we continued
back to Geikie Gorge this time to walk the sandy banks to our sunset position
to photograph the colourful rock cliffs. It was a 2 km walk both ways on soft
sand with tripod and a 13 kg camera bag on your back. (Thought to self – why
did I bring so much crap).

It was worth it, a
beautiful location with perfect light for shooting.

Dinner at 7.00 pm back
at the lodge and to bed after an 18 hour day.