Lake Tyrrell for Skywatch Friday

 

Lake Tyrrell is a breathtaking, shallow Salt Lake that's more than just a geological wonder. This ancient Salt Lake spans an impressive 20,860 hectares, making it Victoria's largest Salt Lake. But what truly makes Lake Tyrrell an Instagram-worthy marvel is its stunning reflective surface that mirrors the sky, creating otherworldly visuals that seem straight out of a dream

Over the years, I have amassed a collection of photographs of this lake, capturing its various lights and weathers. Although I haven't visited the lake monthly this year, each visit has offered a unique experience.

Sony A7RV

FE 20-70mm f4 G

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Last evening, Joel and I planned to explore an inner-city beach along the Mornington Peninsula. We aimed to discover a few hidden corners of the rocky coast, perfect for long exposure photography. However, the weather turned completely overcast, contrary to the sunny forecast. We decided to detour to St Kilda Pier, which had recently reopened after three years of construction (Australia is notoriously slow with major construction projects).

Joel introduced me to the peculiar "no-no" dance from Sweden. He showed me an official video clip on TikTok, where the government requested Finnish women to perform this dance just before their rape in the country. It was bizarre to hear about this news. We ended up discussing world events in a rather dismal 24/7 China bar, consuming terrible carbs and eating deep-fried food

That is so bizarre right? 

Linking Skywatch Friday

Pink Lake, Ashville for Skywatch Friday

 

Joel and I took a long drive to reach this destination. Not much else is there apart from droning.

The Geology of Pink Lake

Pink Lake’s iconic pink color and its unusual salt crust have sparked scientific interest, and its geology is just as captivating as its history.

The Formation of the Lake

Pink Lake is a saline lake, which means it is highly concentrated with dissolved salts. The lake itself is part of the Eyre Basin, a large endorheic basin in South Australia. Endorheic basins are unique because they don’t drain into the sea, which results in the accumulation of water, salts, and minerals over time. The lake was formed through a combination of ancient geological processes, including the movement of tectonic plates, as well as climatic factors such as evaporation and rainfall patterns.

Over millions of years, the region's climate has fluctuated, with periods of both wetter and drier conditions. During drier times, the lake has dried up, leaving behind a thick layer of salt. When filled with water, the lake remains highly saline due to the evaporation that occurs in the hot, dry conditions of South Australia. This process of evaporation leads to a concentration of salts, and the lake’s high salinity is what supports the formation of salt crusts on its surface.

The Pink Color Phenomenon

The stunning pink hue of Pink Lake is one of its most distinctive features. The color of the lake can vary in intensity, from pale pink to deep fuchsia, and is influenced by several factors, most notably the presence of specific microorganisms in the water. A key contributor to this coloration is a type of algae known as Dunaliella salina, which thrives in highly saline environments. This algae produces a red pigment called beta-carotene, which is responsible for the lake's signature pink appearance.

In addition to the algae, the lake’s unique chemistry also plays a role in the color change. High levels of salt in the water create an environment where certain types of bacteria and microorganisms flourish, leading to the vivid color shifts. The lake's color can also be affected by the time of year, temperature, and the water’s salt content, which explains why the lake’s appearance can change from one season to another.

Salt Production and Mining

Over the years, salt mining has been a significant part of the lake's economic history. The salt extracted from Pink Lake is high in quality, and it was used in a variety of applications, from table salt to industrial and agricultural uses. In the past, large-scale mining operations have extracted salt using evaporation techniques, where water from the lake was allowed to evaporate, leaving behind a thick, white salt crust.

Today, salt production at the lake has mostly ceased, but remnants of the industry remain. The area is still an important site for scientific study, particularly concerning its saline ecosystem and the unique microorganisms that call the lake home.

Linking Skywatch Friday

The latest Aldi commercial is quite amusing

Xmas Turkey

Mungo National Park Desert sky for Skywatch Friday

 

The shot was taken using a Voigtlander 12mm f2.8. It was a tiring trip to access the location. I regret taking this lens only to a night shoot. The colour is not the same as Sony FE 14mm f1.8 

Sony A7RV

Voigtlander 12mm f2.8 

Linking Skywatch Friday

Mungo National Park Desert for Treasure Tuesday

 

This area is now protected that no one is allowed to visit unless a permission is sought from the elder. of course, it means monetary tribute of some sort.

Mungo National Park is a protected national park that is located in south-western New South Wales, in eastern Australia. The 110,967-hectare national park is situated approximately 875 kilometres west of Sydney in the Balranald Shire.

Linking Treasure Tuesday

CHE - Vietnamese desert shop for Sign2

 

Joel and I got hooked onto this franchise stores selling "traffic lights" desert. He rang me up and we went to buy this on the weekend. Che Desert

Sony A7RV

FE 20-70mm f4

Linking Treasure Tuesday and FACE OFF

Mungo National Park Stargazing for Random Fun Event

 

The challenging trip I took with Joel early the year. We both had nasty flu after venturing into this desert waiting it out through the night. The core of Milkyway was not even out that early in the year

Sony A7RIV

Laowa 12mm f2.8 

Linking Randomosity

Lizard for Eileen's Saturday Critter

 

He stays still for a long time sunbathing...

Happy New Year!

Panasonic G9

Leica 42.5mm f1.2 

Linking Saturday's Critter

Mungo Shearer Shed, New South Wales, Australia

 

It was always an obsession to seek the rusted and decayed and the abandoned. In this part of the world, this is where people come here to disappear from the earth. 

Funny I used to travel and explore alone. After a few occasions that I nearly left stranded in the middle of nowhere, I cut back on the activity. 

Now I do miss these sceneries. 

Sony A7RIV

Laowa 9mm f5.6

This is in participation of the Best Sunday Event Barrier Event

Night sky with obscured Milkyway in Lake Tyrrell

 

This is the well known bus abandoned next to the arid part of Victoria. This is where my car gets bombed out a few times - not good karma around here

More management team blunder at work. Sigh... I work to live...

Sony A7RIV

FE 14mm f1.8 GM

Lake Tyrrell

Mungo National Park and night sky, New South Wales, Australia

 

Willandra Lakes Region is wide and large. It is also a world heritage zone. The night time is actually not quiet. There are all sorts of sounds that are kind of spooky to hear. The night in the desert is pretty much alive. 

The view gets my adrenaline pumping. 

Sony A7RIV

Laowa 12mm f2.8 

Night posts

Pink Cliffs, Heathcote

 

This toughness in outback desert reflects the spirit of the regional Australia. I love the look of Pink Cliff in Heathcote where it does not take me long to drive to get to it!

Sony A7RIV

FE 14mm f1.8 GM

Desert pics

Arid Lake Tyrrell Victoria Australia

 

This place is deserty looking. So dry and arid that it is almost iconic for toughness to live in the outback. 

Sony A7RIV

Laowa 9mm f5.6

Other Lake Tyrrell Pics

Lake Tyrrell Pics

Heathcote Rocks

 

The rocks in Heathcote are quite striking in deed

Sony A7RIV 

FE 14mm f1.8 GM

Broken Hill Sunset

Broken Hill Living desert

Sand desert

Really dry arid place in north part of Perth

Pinnacles National Park, Perth

The white sand in the distance gave the look of snow. Quite a view.

Foot print on the sand

The foot prints on the left were left by Grey Giant Kangaroos

Sand Dune at Mungo Lake

Directional lighting makes good contrast. Though this is a plain picture, it has interesting pattern.

Red Look Out at Mungo National Park

I love the look. Though there were so many flies trying to get into my lung, the place was well worth the visit.