Fire on the mountain & smoke in the valley

We have been having a long spell of dry weather  - in our area that means we have had no rain for about 4 weeks. One of the impacts of this is that there are quite a lot of bush fires occurring. Whilst they can be a bit threatening they can also make for some special sunsets.

Of course sunsets in winter mean that the cold keeps the smoke lower. In the photos below the smoke on the mountains has flattened; as has the smoke in the valley. And of course the light is fading so the scene is quite somber.

©2012 Barry Smith - Smoke on the mountains

©2012 Barry Smith - Smoke-drift in the valley

©2012 Barry Smith - Smoke enhanced dusk

I've played with a few of these smoke laden photos - some interesting outcomes.

©2012 Barry Smith - Smoke on the mountains - altered

©2012 Barry Smith - Smoke-drift in the valley - altered

©2012 Barry Smith - Smoke enhanced dusk - altered

And just because it is iPhoneography Wednesday I have added a before and after photo of a magpie launching itself from the wires; and one of Ken M's tree - it had two leafless fronds.

©2012 Barry Smith - Magpie liftoff

©2012 Barry Smith - Magpie liftoff - altered

©2012 Barry Smith - A tree?

©2012 Barry Smith - A strage alien?