Is that a smelter on the horizon in the first shot Kallie? Lot of smoke for being out in the middle of nowhere.
No Smelter, it's actually looking towards Port Augusta, and the smoke is from a coal fired power station ( 3 Power stations , actually). there is a Lead smelter about an hour's drive down the road but i did not cover it on this trip.
What are one's chances of finding an opal? About like finding a gold nugget in California these days, I suspect?
Depends on where you go. some mullock heaps are very clean having been picked over ,the best chances are if you pick over a recent/active claim. Usually the owners don't mind you digging in their mullock heaps, as long as you ask for permission, as a due courtesy. most miners after all started off 'noodling' for opal before they pegged a claim and dug out a mine.
We spent a few hours sifting through several heaps and found a few bits , but i did find some great specimens of Gypsum, bot in column and Rose Form.
Yes ,Dennis, the Sky and the colours are something else...and the quality of the light is amazing.
Part 2 is pending...
