Scorched Earth

Barrenjoey Headland, Palm Beach.

1st October 2013 - 2 days after bushfire.

Canon 40D w. Sigma 20mm f2.8 lens

The ash and dirt mixture was still deep and covered every inch of the burnt ground after the fires were extinguished 2 days ago. As the warm north westerly built to 35 knots I reached the top of the eastern ridge and the ash clouds that swept across the scorched earth and curled off the back of the headland settled on the water's surface and rocks below. However desolate and deserted this scene appeared, there was never any doubt that the flora and fauna would return again and its natural beauty would be restored. I continued towards the lighthouse which was not in plain view. The ash whipped up by the stiffest wind gusts was so thick I was forced to shelter in the lee of a few large boulders that were now more visible. As I began breathing through my shirt collar to keep the ash out of my mouth,  the powdery clouds of soot began to clear and I finally pushed to the lighthouse and to an easy path down, back to the beach.