Bay of Fires — Tasmanian Lichen Red Coast
1,099.00 $
The Bay of Fires coastline in northeast Tasmania — brilliant orange granite boulders coated in Mesophyllum engelhartii lichen, the Southern Ocean swell creating white foam against the orange-red rock in crystalline blue water.
Description
The orange coloration of the Bay of Fires’ granite boulders is biological, not geological — the Mesophyllum engelhartii lichen species that colonises the coastal granite produces the vivid orange pigment that gives the bay its informal name. The combination of orange lichen, white ocean foam, and the characteristic blue of the Tasmanian Southern Ocean coast creates one of Australia’s most visually intense coastal colour palettes. This image was made at mid- morning when the sun angle illuminates the lichen at maximum saturation and the Southern Ocean swell was providing consistent wave action against the rocks — the 1/500-second exposure freezing the foam at peak extension around the lichen-covered boulders. Shot at f/11 on a 16-35mm zoom from a rock position at sea level, the wet rocks in the foreground reflect the blue sky to add a secondary colour note to the orange-blue dominant palette.
