Live And Let Dry

No Doubt About The Drought

Photograph copyright: DAVID McMAHON

This was taken on the Western Highway, on my way back from Adelaide to Melbourne. I wanted to take a shot that would sum up just how badly the drought has hit the Wimmera region. I've been driving up and down this stretch of highway for 17 years and it's normally lush green. Now it's tinder-dry, as far as the eye can see. I don't have a fisheye lens (and never will) but I wanted to give you a 180-degree view of just how barren the landscape is. As I drove, I got the idea of how to do it, so I pulled over and balanced the frame so that the camera was pointing forward, but also took in the sight from the mirror, giving you a clear view of what was behind me. As you can see, the farmers are doing it tough. Don't be fooled by the clouds - there's no rain there.