I woke to a strong smell of smoke.
After an initial panic, I realised that the back-burning of fuel buildup in the forest around us must have started. The summer months are a time of caution in many parts of Australia. Many of the eucalyptus trees shed their bark annually, along with leaves, leading to a buildup of dry, tinder-like matter on the forest floor. Combine that with temperatures that have reached 47 degrees Celsius (117 Fahrenheit) this year and lightning strikes or careless people, and you have a recipe for serious fires.
The smoke plus the morning mist we get up here in the Blue Mountains, led to pretty low visibility as I made my way to the train station for work.
Mike Baker | Photography 
Very intriguing photo of the ‘crowd’. Would make a neat poster
Thanks, Laura.
Erie but cool…. I live in the middle of a state forest and the Pine trees shed their needles also… backburning common here 🙂
It’s the first time I’ve experienced this. Coming home on the train, the huge amount of smoke rising from the mountain was striking. Everyone else seemed to ignore it, though, so I figured it was normal.
Just beautiful, those photographs really do tell the life of an Australian summer 🙂
I’m still getting used to it. Let’s hope they’re not all this hot!
Wonderful photos, Mike – but could almost be the UK!
Apart from the lack of snow 🙂
Love foggy days! Great shots.
Thanks, Ardean.
Great atmosphere, especially in the station.
Thanks, David. Unfortunately, the smell of the atmosphere lingered on my clothes all day!
Beautiful set. Love the stairs particularly.
Thanks, Jon. There had to be some advantage to waking up that early!
Moody images. Just like a good old London Fog from the old days.
I lived in Middlesbrough for 17 years, where locals were know as “Smoggies” due to the local industry smokestacks. I must admit, woodsmoke is more pleasant.
Great shots. The mist really adds another dimension to these scenes. Incidentally I was born in Middlesbrough. Small world!
It certainly is. Although I wasn’t born there, after 17 years I was considered almost worthy of being a local 🙂