Ten members had an enjoyable extended weekend, staying at the Lodge overlooking Lake Heron on Arrowsmith Station. Three members arrived on Thursday with the rest of us on Friday.
Conditions were ideal. There was still snow on the ground and the iconic mountains on the Taylor and Palmer Ranges behind Lake Heron showed why this is such a popular spot for winter photography. Likewise for our roaming to the top of the lake and further afield to Lake Clearwater and Mount Sunday. And as hoped for, clear skies.
Although there were frosts and coats and hats were required for our time on sunrise and mid evening astro shots, the writer for one didn’t find it overly chilly during these hours. That was surprising given the amount of snow around and the calm clear conditions but no doubt there would have been lower temperatures in the early morning. Icy roads are always a possibility this time of the year, from Mt Somers Village to the Hakatere turnoff and then to Lake Heron and Lake Clearwater etc but the snow had been cleared and there wasn’t an issue with our getting around.
The Lodge offered good accommodation and food and refreshments was all we had to bring. Plus, photo gear and the odd bits and pieces of astro stuff. This is a modern type building with an ample sized kitchen, twin bathrooms and several bedrooms with bunk beds. The log burner pumped out so much heat, we needed to have the lounge windows open during the day.
Astro photography was the objective so that occupied our time from 6.30pm till mid evening. This trip was timed to coincide with dark skies to ensure a clear view of the Milky Way, assuming no or minimal cloud cover. New Moon was on 4 August. As it turned out the nights were clear and provided good conditions for astro photography.
It is no surprise why the Ashburton Lakes are so popular. Daytime it was like scenes we see in postcards. Like many trips there were some nice surprises, such as two of us arrived at the top of Mt Sunday where a wedding photographer was setting up a publicity shoot with a young couple. With permission, we joined in the exercise albeit from a distance.
I would like to thank Robert for suggesting the trip and carrying out most of the organisation and arranging the accommodation. And to members for your camaraderie and enthusiasm. Overall, a successful and very enjoyable weekend and hopefully it will lead to members taking up nightscape photography. I mailed out some articles that I hope will be of help, to follow up our discussions on Friday and Saturday night.
Barry Dench
