Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Andamooka Opal Fields ~ Skywatch * 8

The opal mining town of Andamooka,

South Australia at dawn

Situated in desert country some 600km from Adelaide


The first rays of the sun kissing the mullock heaps

Mining shacks litter the landscape

The diggings leave a lunar landscape
anyone can get a miner's licence and leave
dangerous devastation behind

Finally, I thought I would invest in a vintage car
this is what I decided on

Click on pictures for the full effect.

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101 comments:

  1. Richard LawryOctober 9, 2008 at 5:49 AM

    Great photos. I especially like the one of the old rusted car.

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  2. The Weaver of GrassOctober 9, 2008 at 6:24 AM

    Nice to see you in that car Arija - it made your help with my poetry much more personal to see you in person.

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  3. AnonymousOctober 9, 2008 at 6:28 AM

    Lovely shots! I love the light you can get in Australia and its great to see views that are so different from green and grassy England! Thanks.

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  4. AcornmoonOctober 9, 2008 at 7:07 AM

    Your car is a lovely colour and goes so well with your outfit! Splendid photographs and landscape, it looks very spacious.

    Thanks for your dream interpretations on my blog.

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  5. TedOctober 9, 2008 at 7:11 AM

    It resembles a little of what might imagine parts of Mars to look like.

    Is this still an active mining area? I know the vehicle you found has seen better days and some prankster has put the steering wheel on the right side. :)

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  6. TedOctober 9, 2008 at 7:35 AM

    Thanks for the comment this morning, 10:32 am Thursday on Ontario.

    Enjoying history as I do and having been part of the commonwealth I was aware of the right hand steering. :)

    Although after Australia I become ignorant to what other countries have right hand steering.

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  7. CIELOOctober 9, 2008 at 8:07 AM

    Good morning Arija.... Beautiful photographs and sceneries.... "This is the sense of the desert hills, that there is room enough and time enough" (Mary Austin)

    Blessings, and a lovely day to you.

    cielo

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  8. The BirdladyOctober 9, 2008 at 8:20 AM

    Thanks for the trip. That car looks like it has a pail full of money in the back!

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  9. laughingwolfOctober 9, 2008 at 8:46 AM

    always a disaster when the landscape is raped by 'civilized' man :(

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  10. John ThebergeOctober 9, 2008 at 8:55 AM

    What kind of gas mileage do you get with that vintage car, zero miles a gallon?

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  11. Ruth's Photo BlogOctober 9, 2008 at 9:46 AM

    Very interesting post.I am learning about your country with each post.Hope that car of yours will not have too rough a ride.Ha!Ha!

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  12. Ivar ØsttunOctober 9, 2008 at 11:51 AM

    A wonderful series of great SWF pictures. Well done :-)

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  13. AnonymousOctober 9, 2008 at 12:06 PM

    Hehe..Nice vintage car there! :D Kidding aside, your photos are stunning! My SWF is posted HERE. Have a great day!~

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  14. Texas TravelersOctober 9, 2008 at 12:08 PM

    Great SWF, especially the old car.
    Great scenery.

    Well done.

    Thanks for the visit,
    Troy and Martha

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  15. AnonymousOctober 9, 2008 at 12:09 PM

    Wife, D'star, is mad about opals under any sky.

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  16. AnonymousOctober 9, 2008 at 12:12 PM

    That car is a classic. Beautiful series of shots - very nicely narrated too. Thanks for stopping by my elk!

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  17. Rune EideOctober 9, 2008 at 12:20 PM

    I agree it looks kind of special - on the other hand it must be an eldorado for photographers!

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  18. MerisiOctober 9, 2008 at 12:23 PM

    Moonscapes,
    that's what these look like,
    barren, yet beautiful.

    It is a shame that people can leave the devastation behind, pocketing the money, and leaving the costly clean-up to the tax-payer.

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  19. DewdropOctober 9, 2008 at 12:25 PM

    I didn't realize how some mining organizations left the condition of the land. How terrible. Opals are beautiful, and your shots are terrific!

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  20. kjpwebOctober 9, 2008 at 12:25 PM

    New car, ey? What about the "New Car smell" ?
    Wonderful images!
    Cheers, Klaus

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  21. Tess KincaidOctober 9, 2008 at 12:40 PM

    You are driving in style there, Arija! That picture is great! You should use it for your blog header! The opal fields are just as beautiful, if not more than the opals themselves. Opal is the birthstone for October, but I don't actually own any, do you?

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  22. WebradioOctober 9, 2008 at 12:47 PM

    Very Great photos !
    The old car is beautiful !
    The colours are lovely..
    See You later Arija...

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  23. Lavender and Vanilla Friends of the GardensOctober 9, 2008 at 12:54 PM

    Wonderful pictures of remote Australia. Great Vintage car I wonder how far it will take you out there?!

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  24. EG CameraGirlOctober 9, 2008 at 1:03 PM

    You're right that it doesn't seem at all right that miners be allowed to leave such destruction behind. And even in Australia! It boggles my mind.

    Interesting photos of a place I've never seen in real life, though! Happy Sky Watch!

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  25. AnonymousOctober 9, 2008 at 2:24 PM

    Hee, hee! Nice vintage car you have there. What very interesting landscape you have shown us today. I love the color of the earth...

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  26. Pamela Terry and EdwardOctober 9, 2008 at 3:11 PM

    I love how the green of your outfit matches what's left of the colour of that car! Amazing landscape...so different from what I see every day!

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  27. MicheleOctober 9, 2008 at 3:15 PM

    Those are wonderful photos. And your car is lovely... I hope one day you will be able to drive out to the Rocky mountains in your fancy car and take me for a ride in it! =D

    Have a great weekend!
    ~Michele~
    Mountain Retreat

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  28. judi/GmjOctober 9, 2008 at 3:25 PM

    Lovely post, yes it looks like devastation that is not only dangerous but unsightly. Did you get a opal? I love a car you don't have to baby!

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  29. RoseOctober 9, 2008 at 3:28 PM

    Your photographs are interesting to me...seeing another side of the world.

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  30. vincibeneOctober 9, 2008 at 3:28 PM

    Gorgeous series with wonderful colours! I like the picture with your shadow!

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  31. Tess KincaidOctober 9, 2008 at 3:31 PM

    Oh, and BTW, you were the only one over at my place who got the empty chair at the table and the quote connection! ;^)

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  32. AnonymousOctober 9, 2008 at 5:03 PM

    I like the way the cloud line kind of mirrors the road in that top photo.

    Teach and Learn
    Join Matter of Fact Monday - A New MeMe

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  33. AnonymousOctober 9, 2008 at 5:20 PM

    Magnificent photos. LOL! I especially like the last photo of your vintage car investment. Great pick. ;-)

    Paz

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  34. LeedraOctober 9, 2008 at 5:32 PM

    Beautiful photos, the lighting is so unusual.

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  35. This Is My Blog - fishing guyOctober 9, 2008 at 5:43 PM

    Arija: You certainly have a rich land with so much to capture. I would pass on the car, it may be comfortable but looks to be unsafe. LOL

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  36. AnonymousOctober 9, 2008 at 6:01 PM

    Great photos, love the car. It seems an open and unspoiled area for a mine.

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  37. nina at Nature Remains.October 9, 2008 at 6:03 PM

    Great colors that morning!

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  38. Pearl MapleOctober 9, 2008 at 6:15 PM

    Fun photos for sky watch friday, how cool to find an old car out there in the bush. Like the way you have shown off the rugged beauty of the rich red land down under.

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  39. AnonymousOctober 9, 2008 at 6:41 PM

    photo is striking - opalescent skies near an opal mine!

    Thanks for your visit earlier. The magenta flowers in the photo were indeed bougainvillea, not "the dreaded lantana." ;-}

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  40. PJOctober 9, 2008 at 7:14 PM

    My favorite? The self-portraits worked into the photo essay. I have an affection for that. Thanks for the visit and your nice comments.

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  41. CarlettaOctober 9, 2008 at 7:45 PM

    I've never seen the desert - these are awesome!
    No need to worry about the cost of gas I don't believe! :)

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  42. AnonymousOctober 9, 2008 at 7:52 PM

    Nice to have you in my "back yard"! Andamooka was a desolate place in the desert before the "miners" moved in. I use the term "miner" loosely because it is generally indivdual people operating small "digs" rather that big companies destroying the landscape.
    Anyway, loved the pics. It is a great part of the world. Happy SWF

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  43. AnonymousOctober 9, 2008 at 8:00 PM

    Fantastic photo series - you've got beauty, conservation consciousness, and even humor. Thanks for sharing!

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  44. Lilli & NevadaOctober 9, 2008 at 8:09 PM

    Love that old car no worries there about getting dings in it LOL
    Beautiful scenery as well

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  45. Rambling WoodsOctober 9, 2008 at 8:13 PM

    Looks like the car has seen better days..LOL..the earth is so red looking which is nothing like around western NY state. It must really stain clothes. Now why did I think of that..LOL..

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  46. Pietro BrosioOctober 9, 2008 at 11:21 PM

    This is a very nice and interesting sequence. Great Sky Watch!

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  47. FO - 2October 10, 2008 at 12:39 AM

    Hi there.
    This is my first time visiting your blog.
    I used to participate on Sky Watch earlier.
    This week I have posted again.
    It' s been a long time since my last SW post....
    Your series here is beautiful.
    Love the colors.
    Very nice car also, i must say. ;)
    Excellent choise. ;)
    Your blog is just WONDERFUL!
    Love it.
    I hope to see you around.
    Cheers - Ida in Norway.

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  48. Suffeli kuvaileeOctober 10, 2008 at 1:06 AM

    BEAUTIFUL PHOTOS =O)
    have a nice weekend!!

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  49. ZeeeOctober 10, 2008 at 1:42 AM

    Amazing shots! :) I love the scenes... :)

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  50. Anne-BeritOctober 10, 2008 at 1:43 AM

    The colours on these photos are really special,so beautiful and warm.Nice car you got there,hehe.Thanks for visiting my blog!

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  51. PernilleOctober 10, 2008 at 3:54 AM

    You dont needed you moon-shot this time;) Those photos are really beautiful!

    Have a nice weekend:)

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  52. Ces AdorioOctober 10, 2008 at 4:14 AM

    Ah these are beautiful photographs of the sand-baked earth. Great vintage car find and you don't have to spend a dime on petrol. I like the outfit.

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  53. Torsdag 1952October 10, 2008 at 4:37 AM

    Australien hat so viel wunderbare farben und Stimmung. Es ist nur ein wenig weit entfernt, deshalb danke, dass ich sie hier erleben kann.
    Liebe Grüsse Hartmut

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  54. MariaOctober 10, 2008 at 4:59 AM

    Danke für Deinen Besuch! Bei uns ist es dieses Wochenende sehr warm, über 20°C und sonnig. Ich werde in den Prater gehen und an Dich denken!
    Alles Liebe, Maria
    Deine Fotos von Australien sind unglaublich schön!

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  55. SandraOctober 10, 2008 at 5:03 AM

    All pictures are great, but "old rusty" is my favorite :-). Thank you for your visit

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  56. CloudStalkerOctober 10, 2008 at 7:18 AM

    Thank you for sharing your part of the world. I fineley get see a car in worse shape then my own..lol.
    Have a great weekend!

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  57. Connie T.October 10, 2008 at 8:33 AM

    Great colors. I like the one of you in the car. I think that car has seen it's day though.

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  58. Craver ViiOctober 10, 2008 at 9:04 AM

    I liked these photos, but the antique care was really funny; I like that one the best.

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  59. MaryOctober 10, 2008 at 9:41 AM

    Awesome photos!!

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  60. UnknownOctober 10, 2008 at 9:43 AM

    Beautiful shots and sceneries!

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  61. AnonymousOctober 10, 2008 at 9:55 AM

    Beautiful sky light and interesting lonely landscape. Wonderful photos of Australia - love the one of you and the car!

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  62. BarbaraOctober 10, 2008 at 10:06 AM

    ohh.was für schöne Fotos..ich hoffe mein Deutsch wird verstanden...
    Liebe grüße Barbara

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  63. chrome3dOctober 10, 2008 at 10:14 AM

    A little paint and full tank of gas and you´re ready to explore more scenic Australian outback!

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  64. mickOctober 10, 2008 at 10:28 AM

    Great photos - you have caught the wonderful colors of the desert at dawn.

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  65. Gowri MohanakrishnanOctober 10, 2008 at 10:33 AM

    Wow - the Australian landscapes are so stunning!

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  66. NealOctober 10, 2008 at 1:59 PM

    Those are neat. I'll bet you almost have that car paid for. :)

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  67. JulesOctober 10, 2008 at 2:15 PM

    What a bonza car and what bonza photos. I was born in Western Qld and you have really captured that amazing light that you get in the outback. There is nothing quite like it!!!
    Thanks - it does make me homesick though.

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  68. A Colorful WorldOctober 10, 2008 at 2:20 PM

    When you think of the ephemeral beauty of an opal, and compare it to where they are mined-- the red, starkness of the place, a man-made moonscape--it makes you think....

    Really great photos.

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  69. JimOctober 10, 2008 at 3:43 PM

    Hi Arija, this is a nice set of sky pictures but I didn't see much of anything green around.
    Even without the sky, I like the car picture best. But I couldn't figure out what make it was.
    Thank you for peeking in on my clear blue sky through the 'orange' tree.

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  70. BTOctober 10, 2008 at 6:45 PM

    Lovely to see you in a photo, and what a wonderful car that is! I'd love it in my garden.

    The skywatch photos are beautiful, such rich colours, like Indian spices.

    BT

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  71. Reader WilOctober 11, 2008 at 12:05 AM

    Beautiful car Arija! I am sure you will get a lot of attention if you are going to drive it!
    Thanks for your visiting. To avoid misunderstanding: I have been back in Holland for almost 2 months, but I have so many photos of Australia that I try to use them first before going to my Dutch ones. Here we have autumn now and I already have used photos of my garden.

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  72. RedzlanOctober 11, 2008 at 1:01 AM

    Hi Arija!.

    Lovely SWF series.
    You have a nice colllection of birds pics here.
    Rainbow lorikeet is my pick - lovely colour!
    Thanks for visiting my birding blog.
    Cheers and have a nice weekend!

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  73. Fish WhispererOctober 11, 2008 at 2:16 AM

    Great post for SWF. That's some big sky country

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  74. DeborahOctober 11, 2008 at 3:33 AM

    Gorgeous, lovely colours, nice set of photos. :)

    Thanks for your comment on my skywatch photo.

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  75. me ann my cameraOctober 11, 2008 at 3:44 AM

    From a distant in the light this looks rather appealing. Great car but I don't think it took you very far :-)

    Thank you for your visit to my skywatch.
    ann

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  76. kRiZcPEcOctober 11, 2008 at 3:55 AM

    thanks for showing the landscape of Australia. :D

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  77. Louis la VacheOctober 11, 2008 at 4:17 AM

    Looking at the photos of what the mining has done to the landscape there reminded "Louis" of that enormous hole in the ground in Butte, Montana resulting from the copper mining there.

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  78. JeanneOctober 11, 2008 at 4:52 AM

    lol at the rusted car picture. Good fun. Very interesting to see the landscape after the digging. I do love that shot of the sun coming up with the hills.

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  79. JunieRose2005October 11, 2008 at 5:21 AM

    These are such interesting photos!

    Thank you for sharing !

    Junie

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  80. RegentCardisOctober 11, 2008 at 5:23 AM

    I love your blog. Great photos. The photo of you in the car is awesome.

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  81. AndreaOctober 11, 2008 at 5:44 AM

    Great shots. Love that car. ;)

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  82. RoanOctober 11, 2008 at 6:15 AM

    I really enjoyed this post. I love the bleakness of the opal fields contrasted by the lovely blue sky. But, of course, my favorite is your "new" vintage car. LOL! BJ

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  83. dianasfaria.comOctober 11, 2008 at 7:17 AM

    what interesting terrain, great skywatch!

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  84. YrsaOctober 11, 2008 at 7:19 AM

    Actually, I think the most interesting pic is the old car wreck! It has real character:)

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  85. dianasfaria.comOctober 11, 2008 at 7:25 AM

    PS
    thanks for your funny comment you left me on my skywatch post.
    ; )

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  86. Jim KlenkeOctober 11, 2008 at 7:26 AM

    Its does look like the moon. I bet that car is easy on the gas.

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  87. GattinaOctober 11, 2008 at 7:50 AM

    Wonderful pictures ! I love rough and rocky landscapes !

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  88. Ces AdorioOctober 11, 2008 at 8:00 AM

    Do you speak German?

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  89. Mike's Travels October 11, 2008 at 8:04 AM

    Nice shadows :) Good luck with the car!! lol

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  90. AnonymousOctober 11, 2008 at 9:09 AM

    What a fine series. I especially like the last one of the vintage car and driver! :-) Nice post.

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  91. EkiOctober 11, 2008 at 10:08 AM

    I like your take of this barren landscape ... I looks beautiful!

    I love most your spring photographs. You captured the freshness of lives of the season so beautifully.

    Thank you for shring this, and thank you for visiting my blog, Arija. I'll be coming back to check out your blog.

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  92. Bestemor AudOctober 11, 2008 at 11:26 AM

    Australia is beautiful! Never been there! Nice shots from earth and heaven! I liked them all!!

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  93.  gmirageOctober 11, 2008 at 12:10 PM

    You got clear skies, but what I like about your photos are the beautiful golden soil! Wow! Happy weekend!

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  94. AnonymousOctober 11, 2008 at 6:36 PM

    I am loving that last photo. It reminds me of my first car (except for the color, the one you're sitting in may be in better shape).

    I've come to explore so just wanted to warn you that you're likely to hear more from me. Hope you don't mind. :)

    Thank you for your recent comments at my blog. I am intrigued about your avenue of birches and hoping to find them in my explorations here.

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  95. KellyOctober 11, 2008 at 8:17 PM

    Great Photos! Lovely post and wonderful for SWF!

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  96. Gemma WisemanOctober 12, 2008 at 2:13 AM

    Amazing that these pics are in the same country where I look at Mornington Peninsula's emerald green rolling hills, a crystal blue Springtime sea and leafy country lanes! Plus vineyards and orchards!

    Beautiful shots!

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  97. Suz BroughtonOctober 12, 2008 at 1:28 PM

    Good call on the car, nice choice.
    You are enormously talented. Thanks for stopping by my blog. I am a very amateur photographer-- just doing it for fun--but when I see photographs like yours, it makes me what to explore the art more. Stunning.
    Thanks for coming by my blog.

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  98. geoffOctober 12, 2008 at 2:14 PM

    Great views under those skies, nice pics! Happy SWF!

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  99. CelesteOctober 12, 2008 at 9:42 PM

    Nice car! :)
    Unfortunately I love opals so it saddens me to see the destruction left by there mining.

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  100. Markus Latva-ahoOctober 13, 2008 at 4:53 AM

    Thanks for the many and wonderful photos! It would be so lovely to visit Australia someday. Happy SWF and start of a new week!

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  101. Gwen BuchananOctober 13, 2008 at 3:46 PM

    what a distinct contrast to the lushness featured in your recent postings.. so arid.. the colors you have captured are so warm... it is the sun that does it.. it creates beauty in places where you would never think!

    But this car.. well now.. Looks like it has seen a few miles... did it get you home??

    this may have been in a similar area of Australia that my daughter was at.. very desolate but you made beauty from it... the magic touch... you have it!!

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