A Good Night. By Geoff Murray

Last night I went for a drive.

The forecast was for cold, clear conditions on Tassie’s Central Plateau. There is a particular location where a forest of dead cider gums gives the landscape an otherworldly feel. Their gnarled and twisted branches reaching into the utter silence of the sparkling, cold sky is a spellbinding combination.

There was also a possibility of a Southern Aurora, or Aurora Australis to give it its correct term, as a bonus.

I knew it was going to a bit cool so I was wearing Mont thermals top and bottom, a Slinx fleece top with an Icicle down jacket and Mont beanie to top it off. My car has an accurate, calibrated outside thermometer fitted and on the way to my destination it registered -7.6°C so I was glad I had dressed properly for the conditions.

When I reached the forest it was “only” -6.7°C but that was fine. With no wind and the correct clothing I was completely warm, so much so that even after 1 and half hours taking photographs I did not need gloves.

It is truly magical to be alone under a cold clear sky like this, with total silence and an awe inspiring vista stretching out in front and overhead. I did my best to capture the magic with my camera.

The panorama is a combination of 46 individual images stitched together.

The magical place we live…

Geoff Murray
Mont Ambassador