Fog. Tuesday in Canberra was foggy. It was foggy all day … actually that’s not entirely true, I did see some rays from the setting sun on Mount Majura … through a light mist though. The temperature struggled to a peak of 7C at about 4pm. The fog came back down shortly after sunset and so did the temperature. I decided then to get out amongst this evening for sure … but not on my bicycle this time I thought. This time I’ll go in style. I called my friend Ross. Ross with the Cadillac. I’ve taken pictures of his car several times. He is always after an excuse to give his car a run and offered numerous times to come pick me up and drive me places to take pictures. Yes, it’s kind of ideal. Besides, it’s too cold to go out riding tonight and then stand around for long exposures (and not just the photographic kind) 🙂
Ross is late, like an hour late. It’s half ten by the time he picks me up … I’m yawning … my daughter kept me awake most of the previous night with coughing and snurking nose. I maybe shouldn’t have had the extra glass of wine while passing the time … I’m feeling really like just crawling into my warm bed … dark chocolate helps. Anyways, Ross arrives (you can hear the car coming for miles) and we set off.
The fog is really thick. Then I realise the car windscreen is really fogged up too … at least Ross has a clear spot to see through to drive. We head to the War Memorial at the top of ANZAC Parade … tonight’s fog renders it a gigantic mausoleum, looming above. I like it but the bright floodlights at the base of the building are too bright for the dark beauty above and I leave that one for the memory or perhaps another expedition. We get back in the car and head down toward the lake. Walking across the bridge toward the Carillon we pass the love locks, which have been added to recently, and see the top of the carillon disappearing into the fog. Fog is an elusive phenomena … this stuff was moving ever so slowly across the lake … not only across but vertically too. From the western edge of Aspen Island is near unobstructed 270° view out over Lake Burley Griffin’s Central Basin. In the time I’d taken to get set up (and wished I hadn’t left my gloves in the car … maybe 5 minutes) the fog had lifted enough to provide this view. For the technically minded it’s a panorama stitched from 7 frames each exposed for 30 seconds. Clicking on the picture will (should) take you to a much higher resolution image which is quite fun to explore. It’s only two and a half meg … go on 🙂
Climbing back into the (warmer) car … did I mention it was cold(?) … we continued our way around the southern shore of the Lake, this time looking toward New Acton. That’s where I took this this photo. It looks like twilight but it’s a quarter past eleven on a winter’s night. The lights from various parts of the city lights up the fog in a myriad colours and the two mintue exposure renders the lake surface into a stainless steel sheen. A light breeze sprang up about now and it was biting … at least I remembered my gloves this time.
The sky changed colour from deep orange through blues and greens and whites in the time we stood there watching.
Back in the car and we head up to Belconnen in north Canberra … when we get there … no fog … gone! Ross thjinks he know where to find some so we head over to the dark side of Lake Gininderra … plenty of fog here … how is it so localised? That’s great but there’s only one problem … it’s really dark and there’s nothing to see. (I hear you now … complain … complain … complain). There’s a new housing development located nearby … all straight lines and boxy. Last stop for the night…
OK … so the last two aren’t strictly foggy photos but I wouldn’t have seen them if I hadn’t been out fog chasing and all. Have you been out chasing something recently?
the panorama is awesome!
I have noticed on early morning walks how localised fog can be – sometimes it will literally be in one field and not the next, or almost everywhere will be clear, except for the patch of fog in a field. Have yet to see this on a day I have the camera with me though, lol
Thanks Vickie 🙂
There's an oval I ride past in the morning that (very) occaionally will have thick fog only waist high across it. Needless to say I've never got any models or cameras with me when I see it … love to be able to predict it!
Each one is more captivating and stunnning than the previous. The capture of light and tones leave me breathless. And fog is on my list, but it's rare where I live. It's humid and soupy, but fog is only an occasional treat.
Thanks Sally, we get maybe 10 foggy mornings a year … it’s rare that the fog is down in the city at nightfall … I do find myself wishing it happened more often 🙂
Wow, what to say! Definitely worth the time cruising in a Cadillac to come back with these absolute gems! The B & W's have a ceratin alien quality to them. Beautiful light work!!
Gotta do these things in style Patti 🙂
Wednesday on this side of town was not a lot better. We headed down to Western Park to admire the kangaroos in the fog – which of course lifted two minutes before we got there.
These are beautiful images – thank you so much. Modernity doesn't float my boat, but these shots make it look soooo much better. Thank you so much.
Thanks Sue … the modernity development looks a lot more photogenic at night 😉
All of these stunning images make me feel as though I'm viewing them through a crystal clear barrier. The effect is quite interesting and beautiful.
Er … I think that’s called your monitor Elena 😉
Geoffrey, the fog chaser…hehe. I really enjoyed reading the story of your trip through the night – thrilling and yet so funny. Made me smile a lot. I kinda like the simplicity of the new houses, maybe inside they are all full of colours, vintage stuff and light. I also love the reflection of lights on the water surface, very nice.
I've been out yesterday evening for a walk in the park, chasing some birds and a couple of snapping turtles which were enjoying the warm summer night 🙂 On my way home I also discovered a cute and very hairy caterpillar, so much for city wildlife.
Thanks Viola! I’d love to believe that these places are full of colour and life and vintage gear … sadly I don’t think it’s trus but it makes them a lot more interesting to me to think that some of them might be! Thank you that! 🙂
Wow !! I love your photos and writing!! Thank you very much.
Glad to have you along to enjoy them Marialla 🙂
seems like i haven't been here too long. i love those pics – again 🙂 as i will always love fog. the colored ones are my favs but monochrome is also very beautiful!
Thanks Paleica … the fog was fantastic that night … the sky changed colour as you watched it over the city.
stunning!!
Thanks! 🙂