Some of my prospecting seasons pics

[Jonathan Porter]

G'day forum members, I see some wonderful pictures around the place of all things gold so thought I would share a few of my own from this season up in the Kimberley (Far North West area of Western Australia).

Some of the views I have to put up with every day I go to work.
[attachment 72466 Viewfromofficewindow.JPG]

Found this little handfull in the first few days of arriving.
[attachment 72467 AhandfullofKimberleygold.JPG]

This was by biggest nugget for the season, 5 1/2 ounces sitting a few inches under fine sand.
[attachment 72468 Biggestfortheseason.JPG]

The reason I love our lifestyle, seeing my boys experiencing healthy activities
[attachment 72469 TimthebuddingProspector.JPG]


JP

 

[Digger Bob]

(SIGH) One of these days... one of these days I'll be able to make it over there and hopefully pick up a few crumbs that you all have missed.

Digger Bob

 

[Jonathan Porter]

Here's some more,

Most of the gullies produced colour in this shot.
[attachment 72471 Wheredoyoustart.JPG]

Most days I was out working by 7.00am and would not get home till just on dark, lunch time I always looked for a large sandy creek with some shade.
[attachment 72473 Dinnercamp.JPG]

Notice the stacked boulders on the bank of the creek, the old boys must have done well here! (so did I)
[attachment 72475 WorkedGully.JPG]

One of the clues I look for when searching for gold in the Kimberley's, polished Ironstone left high on terraces well above the main modern day water course.
[attachment 72477 Goodnuggetindicatorpolishedironstone.JPG]

This is another classic indicator, a water worn stone high and dry on a terrace, Quartz is good because it resists weathering whereas other softer rocks such as dolerites, schists etc tend to lose there water worn appearance over time due to the etching/acidic nature of the environment.
[attachment 72479 Waterwornstone.JPG]

This river stone is showing classic signs of weathering after the fact (where the watern worn characteristics of the stone have been erroded by the environment after it was deposited in the location I found it (almost like it has been soaked in a mild acid)). Notice the small raised areas on the surface of the stone, yet on the lower right hand side you can still see the original water worn appearance where it has been protected from the elements. The large fractures (cracks through the stone) also tells a story about the time frame of original deposition on the terrace of the creek system.
[attachment 72480 Etchedriverstone.JPG]

 

[VT Dave]

n/t

 

[AU MARC]

Hello Johnathan
That`s some beautiful country your hunting and full of AU!I envy your lifestyle and wish to swing in OZ. someday,your youngun looks to be well on his way to following Dads footprints!I`m sure it won`t be long until he starts holding up a few pieces of his own,he`s grown like a weed since your first DVD!
Wishing you MUCH LUCK in the coming season!
All the Best!
Cheers
Marc

 

[fredm]

Great pictures, JP...the Kimberleys are still on my list of places to see in OZ...soon I hope.

Fred Mason

 

[Jonathan Porter]

Hello Marc, my boys have already found an enviable amount of nuggets (more often than not on my new found patch). I try not to push them too hard, the last thing I want is for them to say when they become adults how boring it was as a kid having to hang around for hours and hours with mum and dad detecting when they would rather have been doing something else.

Fred the Kimberley is a very special place for us, it was the first port of call on our maiden trip in 1993. Just me and Frieda, Digit and our tray back ute, things were very simple in our lives in those days, no fridge just a tent for a home and more often than not a swag thrown down on the bare ground.

JP

 

[fredm]

Hey Jonathan; I didn't expect you would reply...thought I might have insulted you when last we met...Simple is good but the older I get the more I enjoy a good bed, a place out of the wind and a decent Lew ( toilet) facility; oh and a shower. If ever you all want a yank along for a few weeks in WA let me know, I will be there if I can make it work...all the best to the Porter Family

Fred

 

[AU MARC]

G`day JP
That`s great to hear and I should have realized they were picking it up already!They have one of the worlds best teachers
Just think a few years down the road when your muttering to yourself,there now bigger...stronger...and kicking my but in the goldfieldsjust jokin now...I`m sure you`ll be VERY PROUD OF THEMand to top that off AU will be around 2500.00 an ounce

Take Care

Marc

 

[Jonathan Porter]

Fred you could not possibly have offended me in any way, I I feel I owe you debt of gratitude for the wonderful meals and cordial hospitality you provided so generously for a home sick Aussie who was a long way from home. I would hate to think you might have thought something was wrong since we last spoke. You would always be welcome in my camp no matter what goldfield in Australia it was, including my home (humble as it is:blush here in Clermont.

JP

 

[Alan]

I think I know where I'll be going next year!
These southern WA winters are starting to get a bit cold for me now.
We bought our boys up in the bush while prospecting. Correspondence and School of the Air.
They did all their primary schooling that way.Both turned out well but don't want to go back to the bush.(Well, not yet anyway)
I have a photo of me beeping in Claremont in 1989 with my youngest in a backpack looking over my shoulder. Will try and find it.

Alan