Topsoil – Blowing in the Wind

Western Queensland Road Trip Square Tops Challenge #10

Today we’re taking a slight deviation from the road trip to add further to yesterday’s photos of the vulnerable topsoil out west. Elaine wondered what it would be like to witness the effect of wind on the loose soil and I have the perfect images to share.

One afternoon in late January we were travelling on the Newell Highway through western New South Wales. On the horizon we noticed an unusual cloud.

As we headed north towards Parkes the cloud continued to grow. It became apparent this wasn’t a storm cloud. It was a giant cloud of red dust and it was heading our way.

By the time we reached Parkes the dust storm was upon us, bringing with it lightning, thunder and torrential rain.

Visibility was reduced to a few metres as the rain, clogged with dust carried for thousands of kilometres from central Australia, poured down. The next day, everything was coated in a layer of red mud – all that topsoil blown away in the wind.

While our travels are on hold, I’m joining in every day with Becky’s April Square Tops Challenge over at The Life of B. The rules are simple: photos must be square and fit the theme word “top”.