Next Week I am loading up the sea kayaks for a trip down south. I'll be spending five days on the Murray River. I am excited to spend time on this river which is Australia's longest river. Plans while exploring the Murray include a chance to paddle through the recently declared Barmah National Park, located 40 kilometers upstream from the river town of Echuca. This park protects a remarkable forest of river red gum trees that are the iconic tree of the Murray River. These red gums require periodic floods as part of their life cycle. Currently the Barmah is in flood and a boat will be the best way to view the forest.
Of course before leaving on any trip I check the seven day weather forecast and I am pleased with the report. The chance of rain is 90% during my entire week on the river and in the Barmah forest! I am excited for this weather because it means there is a higher liklihood of good storm light and better saturated colors in the rain soaked forest.
Being on a river during a storm is a great photo opportunity since storms often follow river basins and can be the catalyst for dramatic and quick changing light conditions. My last experience with river storm light was just last month while packrafting down the Huon River in Tasmania. I've included two photos I took during that trip.
As we paddled down the Huon River I would try to position myself between my two packrafting mates, Roman and Cody Dial. This position allowed me to shoot a boater both downstream and back upstream. That was the perfect place to be when I saw this remarakable rainbow form above Cody downstream. I stopped paddling and was able to shoot a few frames of Cody as he continued downriver.

Then I waited for Roman to appear. As I sat in my packraft the rain moved upstream, the rainbow faded and I was soon getting drenched as the cloud passed over me. The cloud continued upriver and just then the sun broke through as Roman came in sight. The sun illuminated the rain drops perfectly against the dark forest.

I was able to frame Roman in the corner and fill the rest of the photo with the falling rain drops. I guess that is what's called getting lucky with the weather. My fingers are crossed that I'll have the same opportunities on the Murray.