Sunday 4th September, 2004 - Stanwell Park is a small hilltop around 35 kilometres south of Sydney... just past the Royal National Park. Due to the inclination of the mountain, this spot is perfect for hangliders, who take advantage of the local thermals and wind conditions.

The clouds in the picture are the beginning of a huge spring storm front. Later on in the afternoon the weather hit, first a heavy downpour followed by one of the brightest rainbows I have ever seen. Then after dark there was a huge lightning show followed by the second biggest hail storm to hit Sydney. The hail was only small, but there was plenty of it. The next morning the news showed pictures of kids snowboarding on the ice that covered bondi beach!

This was my first attempt at hanglider photography. (later that night I had my first go at lightning photography). I was careful to keep the background picture as level as I could, and waited for the flyer to soar slightly out to sea, so he wouldn't block the view.

Overall I was happy with the result, although I think a slightly higher shutter speed may have helped... the flyer came out a little blurred.