John Dalton, Summer Jacaranda Season (May theme: Seasons)

Some local people refer to early summer as jacaranda season. There is something special about living in a place like Kingaroy where the wonderful colours of early summer flowering define the season. It is natural and similar to the naming of the seasons by First Australians. However, jacaranda season means different things to different people. Coming in early summer, it means the milky way is low in the west during early evening. Jacarandas in flower sometimes signal the onset of storm season or the return of birds who arrive to nest. Queensland senior students associate it with final exams and are known to simply call it ‘exam season’. What is clear is that the purple blossoms of the jacaranda against the milky way are a challenge and delight for photographers. This tree was lit by the light of a mobile phone that was positioned behind a small pile of cow manure, the tree was positioned to hide a bright light from a neighbouring shed and right behind the photographer was a herd of very inquisitive cattle. And that is why photography at night is more exciting than watching television. Canon ESO 7D Mark II, 15sec at f/4-0, ISO 3200, Canon EF 16-35mm f/4L IS USM at 16mm

Images have been resized for web display, which may cause some loss of image quality. Note: Original high-resolution images are used for judging.