Mirages: Something Different: Lens-Artists Challenge number 40

Sunrise in the Sahara was a different experience and one that I don’t expect to have again

It was freezing cold but worth the shivers to see the sun rise over the horizon letting us see what a bleak landscape we were travelling through.

Not a tree in sight (in the first photograph that is me if you thought it was a tree.)

Predominantly flat it is broken with mesa, large rocks and sand dunes.

And there is sand everywhere. The Sahara is the world’s largest hot desert although at dawn it didn’t feel that hot.

Huge projects are underway diverting water from the dams along the Nile into canals in the effort to eventually green the banks of these in a similar way to the fertile strip along the side of the Nile.

We saw one green area that was nowhere near a canal and I can only assume that in there somewhere was an oasis.

We saw people building fences in the middle of the dessert. Why? I have no idea. It looked as forbidding on either side of the fence and I can’t imagine what they were trying to keep out.

On the way back to Aswan we stopped at a road house.

Besides a stop for the toilet it was so we could experience a Sahara mirage. I was told it wouldn’t come out on photograph so I was thrilled when it did. Can you see it?

And here…

Inside the roadhouse.

There is a definite Nubian flavour

Our last look at the mirage. It disappeared as we drove toward it. They are an optical phenomenon where light rays bend , producing a displaced image of distant objects or the sky. For me this was something totally different.

Thank you to Tina for hosting this weeks challenge.

About Irene Waters 19 Writer Memoirist

I began my working career as a reluctant potato peeler whilst waiting to commence my training as a student nurse. On completion I worked mainly in intensive care/coronary care; finishing my hospital career as clinical nurse educator in intensive care. A life changing period as a resort owner/manager on the island of Tanna in Vanuatu was followed by recovery time as a farmer at Bucca Wauka. Having discovered I was no farmer and vowing never again to own an animal bigger than myself I took on the Barrington General Store. Here we also ran a five star restaurant. Working the shop of a day 7am - 6pm followed by the restaurant until late was surprisingly more stressful than Tanna. On the sale we decided to retire and renovate our house with the help of a builder friend. Now believing we knew everything about building we set to constructing our own house. Just finished a coal mine decided to set up in our backyard. Definitely time to retire we moved to Queensland. I had been writing a manuscript for some time. In the desire to complete this I enrolled in a post grad certificate in creative Industries which I completed 2013. I followed this by doing a Master of Arts by research graduating in 2017. Now I live to write and write to live.

View all posts by Irene Waters 19 Writer Memoirist →

8 Responses to Mirages: Something Different: Lens-Artists Challenge number 40

Tina Schell says:

April 10, 2019 at 10:19 pm

How very cool! Not something I expect ever to see so your photos are much appreciated!!

LikeLiked by 1 person

- Irene Waters 19 Writer Memoirist says:
  
  April 17, 2019 at 10:37 am
  
  Unexpected for me also. Stupidly I had probably thought you had to be dehydrated and lost in the desert before you saw these. I discovered to my surprise this was not so.
  
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Amy says:

April 11, 2019 at 1:53 am

What a wonderful trip! Enjoyed your travel series. 🙂

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- Irene Waters 19 Writer Memoirist says:
  
  April 17, 2019 at 10:38 am
  
  Thanks Amy. I’ve had fun doing them.
  
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Sharon Bonin-Pratt says:

April 12, 2019 at 4:42 am

Wonderful photos but that last one is a true piece of art.

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- Irene Waters 19 Writer Memoirist says:
  
  April 17, 2019 at 10:42 am
  
  Thanks Sharon. The light in the desert was so soft. We have such bright clear light here in Australia that I am always amazed by the effects the light has in other parts of the world – I’ve never seen light like ours anywhere else although I had expected the desert would be similar.
  
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  - Sharon Bonin-Pratt says:
    
    April 17, 2019 at 11:09 am
    
    Light is one of the qualities by how an artist is measured. Truly great artists notice and are able to replicate the true effect of light on their subject rather than just making up shadows and highlights. Which is why your photo is so extraordinary. Fantasy or reality caught by your camera and your observant eye.
    
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  - Irene Waters 19 Writer Memoirist says:
    
    April 18, 2019 at 2:08 pm
    
    Thanks Sharon. I hope it is my observant eye and not just good luck but I guess it doesn’t matter if the photo works.
    
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