The day the dust came to town
Michael McCorquindale & Lynn NorrisOn September 22nd we touched down in Brisbane (Queensland, Australia) and spent the day acclimatising before waking up early the next day to go and see the sights, particularly those involving palms. It was a beautiful morning as we headed to the Botanic Gardens at the bottom of town. When we arrived we were somewhat disappointed that much of the gardens were fenced off due to the Parklife music festival set to happen in a few days time. That said, we had a good look around snapping many pics and filling the video camera fast. Near lunch we sat down by the riverbank for a quick rest and as I looked up river I commented, "A bit smoggy today isn't it?" as a white haze hung over downtown Brisbane.
Half an hour later it was clear that it was not smog... we had decided to go palm hunting in the worst dust storm Australia had seen in 70 years...
Roystonea regia, 11:28am
Dypsis leptocheilos, 11:42am
The sky was changing colour but was still easy to see, No-one in our party of six was sure what was going on, and we assumed it must be smoke from nearby fires blowing in to town.
Within 7 minutes of the above photo things had changed dramatically as we headed over the Goodwill bridge on foot to South Bank.
The sky was changing colour but was still easy to see, No-one in our party of six was sure what was going on, and we assumed it must be smoke from nearby fires blowing in to town.
Within 7 minutes of the above photo things had changed dramatically as we headed over the Goodwill bridge on foot to South Bank.
11:49am Hell is unleashed
The wind had now picked up and hats had to be removed as the orange haze descended upon the city.
Bank of Zamia, Macrozamia and Cycas, 12:04pm
Greens turned yellow/orange in the hazy light.
Roystonea regia, 12:16pm
Beach at SouthBank, 12:22pm
The man made beach at South Bank began to empty as fine dry dust filled the air.
Beach at SouthBank, 12:22pm
Cocos nucifera, 12:26pm
By now the lips were dry and throat was gagging for fresh air.
An Eastern Water Dragon sits upon a Cycad stump, 12:56pm
The above photo had to be lightened as an orange darkness fell over the Eastern coast of Australia.
Licuala ramsayi, 12:57pm
I spent the next 2 weeks of my holiday with a chest infection from the dust.
Below is the Brisbane Wheel.
To the left September 23, 2009 @ 1:17pm
To the right September 25, 2009 @ 12:15pm
September 23rd, 2009 is a day I will never forget.
We also experienced 2 more smaller dust storms and plenty of smoke filled skies on that short trip.
The wind had now picked up and hats had to be removed as the orange haze descended upon the city.
Bank of Zamia, Macrozamia and Cycas, 12:04pm
Greens turned yellow/orange in the hazy light.
Roystonea regia, 12:16pm
Beach at SouthBank, 12:22pm
The man made beach at South Bank began to empty as fine dry dust filled the air.
Beach at SouthBank, 12:22pm
Cocos nucifera, 12:26pm
By now the lips were dry and throat was gagging for fresh air.
An Eastern Water Dragon sits upon a Cycad stump, 12:56pm
The above photo had to be lightened as an orange darkness fell over the Eastern coast of Australia.
Licuala ramsayi, 12:57pm
I spent the next 2 weeks of my holiday with a chest infection from the dust.
Below is the Brisbane Wheel.
To the left September 23, 2009 @ 1:17pm
To the right September 25, 2009 @ 12:15pm
September 23rd, 2009 is a day I will never forget.
We also experienced 2 more smaller dust storms and plenty of smoke filled skies on that short trip.
