Jugiong Photo | TrekEarth

Photographer’s Note

This is more farmland near the small township of Jugiong. Jugiong is located 344 km south-west of Sydney via the Hume Highway.

On the hill behind the farmhouse is a purple field. Colourful, but is actually noxious weed called 'Patersons Curse".

Paterson's curse can completely dominate a paddock resulting in the endless fields of purple often seen in spring each year.

Although relatively nutritious in terms of digestible nutrients, and valued as a pasture plant in some places, Paterson's curse contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids (you say what - me to )that are poisonous to livestock as they can:- destroy the liver, reduce weight gain and wool clip and lead to death in severe cases.

In 1985, Paterson's curse was estimated to occur on over 30 million hectares in Australia, and in 2002 costing the wool and meat industries A$125 million each year.

I have cropped a bit of the top out and added some contrast.

phwall, skippy007 has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

delpeoples (7008) 2009-10-25 2:28

Hi Graham, this photo makes a good point about this beautiful weed being such a curse. I really like the strong colours here and and the good depth - f/10 good choice! The different layers of colour are good and the inclusion of the rocks in the FG add interest. A Grey-Graduated filter would have helped with the blown out sky. Nice shot, TFS, Lisa.

ifege (2073) 2009-10-25 3:25

Hi Graham
Having lived in the Riverina in the past and worked hard Pulling Paterson's Curse I appreciate the photo but did you know that in South Australia it is known as Salvation Jane and was used to feed stock during droughts. I've never worked out why it is OK in one area but poisonous in another!
Now... having said that - it is a good photo - great colour and contrast in the foreground - although there is a bit of a problem with the sky and background.
cheers
Ian

phwall (5817) 2009-10-25 4:48

Hi Graham,
Yes, the extra contrast has helped, but I'm afraid nothing was going to salvage that sky.
Nice composition, using the foreground rocks is a really good idea, they have created good depth in the image.
The purple curse is nicely defined in the background, well done.
Regards
Peter

corniste (4236) 2009-10-25 5:24

hello Graham,

I love these stones in the foreground. This gives so much depth to the picture. The trees are so different to what we found in Europe! I wish you a better sky next time!

have a great day,

Jeff

skippy007 (7451) 2009-10-29 23:59

Hello Graham, When I lived out of town for a while I would see these flowers in the spring, their colour was so beautiful, I remember reading in the local rag where they said it was also referred to Salvation Jane because the flowers are like purple Salvation Army Bonnets, I also hear that it was named after, I think, Mr Patterson's wife who introduced to Australia from England. Nice colourful shot of this weed, the rocks in the FG add interest & depth to the scene, others have made mention of the sky so I won't ;-).
Thanks & take care
Santo