In central Australia, I love the fact that my indigenous friends are often willing to show me new treasures. This has come from long years of relationship and a slowly maturing trust. This particular photograph was taken in an area I thought I knew. But then a good Aboriginal friend said he would take me to see a little waterhole. It was, he said, "little bit long way", which in Aboriginal speech meant it would take anything from ten minutes to ten hours! I went along, and to my surprise he led me to this majestic billabong (not far away) that I never knew existed. It had changed little over the centuries except to see one generation of river gums succeed another. Here, in the light of the setting sun, I was able to photograph a wonderful old "guardian of the river" leaning over the cool and peaceful waters.
In central Australia, I love the fact that my indigenous friends are often willing to show me new treasures. This has come from long years of relationship and a slowly maturing trust. This particular photograph was taken in an area I thought I knew. But then a good Aboriginal friend said he would take me to see a little waterhole. It was, he said, "little bit long way", which in Aboriginal speech meant it would take anything from ten minutes to ten hours! I went along, and to my surprise he led me to this majestic billabong (not far away) that I never knew existed. It had changed little over the centuries except to see one generation of river gums succeed another. Here, in the light of the setting sun, I was able to photograph a wonderful old "guardian of the river" leaning over the cool and peaceful waters.