Almost a dozen DPS members met at the railway station in warm sunny conditions two
weeks ago. Our drivers took us out past Outram to Lake Mahinerangi. First we took some overviews of the lake and village working with gently windswept tussock grasses for foreground interest. Next stop nearby was the Canton stamping battery used 100 years back to extract gold from quartz rocks. Lots of rust and lichens to add texture to our shots.

After a quick drive to Middlemarch caffeine levels were restored and we were ready for the 20 minute walk into Sutton Salt Lake. This was cleverly timed so we arrived just before sunset and the unusual rocky landscape of schist torrs was enhanced by the long shadows. There was only a little water in the lake which is the only salt lake in NZ fed by rain only and no streams in or out.

The sunset itself was not so dramatic but with a full moon rising over hills to the north east and lake reflections there was plenty of exciting photography to be done.

We made good time home in the dark and would like to thank our organisers and drivers for an interesting and satisfying afternoon.

Text and images by Ian Thomson

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