Breakaways at Coober Pedy

What a photo filled day I have had today! We had breakfast and were on the road by five this morning all because I wanted a sunrise over the Breakaways. Many years ago this area of Australia was covered by an inland sea – we are talking millions and millions of years ago – even before I was born! When the sea disappeared the landforms it had created were left and violent storms over the millennia tortured the landscape even more and the Breakaways - and the opals were a result of all this change. The opal came about because the silica sand of this inland sea was such a perfect mineral. (I suggest you do a Google search to find out more, if you are interested.)
My photography started before the sun rose. What I took then is interesting but not for sharing. Then the sun broke over the horizon and while Colin tried to take shots of the sunrise I was facing the other way and catching the changing light on the Breakaways.

This first shot is one that I like because it shows not only the sun catching the tops of the mesas but the amazing colours and textures of the plain below – and above. The unusual rains of this year in the driest part of our continent, has resulted in plant growth that has never been seen in this abundance before. I find this so exhilarating having seen the land around Coober Pedy in a normal year when nothing grows.

The sun is higher in this second shot, we had moved from our first position where there were many little “mountains” and “valleys” to a place which was once the edge of the inland sea (at least that is what we imagined this landscape to represent!) I would think that you are not at all impressed with this shot – but imagine it with no vegetation AT ALL and that is how it was last year. The slopes are covered with clumps of tiny daisies and purple flowers and lots of different green or grey plants. The flats and the slopes and the strange formations have all been used in different films – when shots of the moon's surface are needed, the film companies couldn't use this place at the moment!

Colin and I left the vehicle and walked in among the peaks and valleys and my eye was attracted to something shining on the ground. It looked like lots of pieces of broken glass. I picked up a few different pieces and found it to be very fragile – it is gypsum. I found a thin piece and held it up in the sunlight and couldn't resist taking a shot! It looked so beautiful. I found thin needles of Gypsum as well.

Finally a shot of Colin – still wearing his fleecy top after our very cold start to the morning. We started out with our rain jackets on with the hoods pulled up to keep our heads a bit warmer! It was very cold! As soon as the sun was up it was warmer but it took until about nine o clock before we could strip down to t'shirts.

It is unusually cool here in Coober Pedy. This time of year the temperatures are usually 30 degrees and over but according to our host this has been the longest winter he has experienced in the 38 years he has lived here. (Lucky for us!)

In the morning we shall be leaving Coober Pedy. It will depend on whether we have Internet reception as to whether I can give you a new update. There will be one, but it will be posted just as soon as it can be.

AJ