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Margaret River Tourism operator snaps 'mind-blowing' photos of Claret Ash trees

Tim Carrier
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A WA tourism operator whose once-in-a-lifetime photos of a late-night kangaroo love story garnered national attention has done it again with a series of "mind-blowing" pictures of an "awesome colour show" in Margaret River.

Sean Blocksidge, from The Margaret River Discovery Company, won Tourism Australia G'Day USA photography award and a ticket to a gala event in Los Angeles to showcase the best of the region with the rest of the world with his Sunset Kangaroos snap in July last year.

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A late night kangaroo love story in Margaret River has been caught on camera.

And now he has the jaws of people around the world dropping again after capturing a picture of the Claret Ash trees at Fraser Gallop Estate lighting up in equal amounts of yellow, purple, orange, red and green on Sunday. 

After posting the photo to The Margaret River Discovery Company's Facebook page, the responses ranged from just plain "wow", to people thinking the photo looked like a Van Gogh or Monet painting.

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The Claret Ash trees light up in equal amounts of yellow, purple, orange, red and green one or two days a year.

The Claret Ash trees light up in equal amounts of yellow, purple, orange, red and green one or two days a year. Photo: Sean Blocksidge

So surreal were the colours on display that some people, including an upcoming tour group member, didn't believe the picture could be the real deal.

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But proving the authenticity of the photos was easily done.

Mr Blocksidge returned to the location with the incredulous woman and her tour group on Monday and snapped a photo them in front of the trees, with the same spectacular results.

Photo gallery
'It blows my mind every time': Photographer captures WA Claret Ash trees

"I had a guest from the USA this week who was following my social media account and had seen the photos and said she didn't actually believe it could be real," he said.

"So we took her there and it was a jaw on the floor moment. [Her reaction] was even better than the photos and she can confirm it wasn't a magic colour trick."

Mr Blocksidge said it was hard to capture the colours of the Claret Ash trees properly and that he "always got excited" approaching the estate wondering whether that day was going to be peak colour.

"It blows my mind every time I see them - it gets better and better every year," he said.

"You need to get the timing exactly right as the afternoon sun filters down the avenue and lights the trees from above and below.

"We have special access to Fraser Gallop Estate as part of our Discovery Tour. It's a private road but you can stand outside the gate and see down the avenue of trees."

Mr Blocksidge says it 'blows my mind' every time I see them.

Mr Blocksidge says it 'blows my mind' every time I see them. Photo: Sean Blocksidge

And, while the eye-catching variety of colours are only on show for a couple of days a year, Mr Blocksidge said he only expected the stunning natural phenomenon to get better. 

"The Claret Ash trees only fluoresce with the really bright colours for a few days and in the last two weeks it has just got better and brighter each day before reaching peak colour on Monday.

"The trees are still fairly colourful for a couple of weeks afterwards with the leaves now starting to morph into deep reds.

"I've been visiting the estate for eight years and the trees have nearly doubled in size over that time. It's very exciting to think how big and spectacular they will be in another 20 years," he said. 

This year has seen perfect conditions for the colour show.

This year has seen perfect conditions for the colour show. Photo: Sean Blocksidge

He said the beautiful Claret Ash trees are planted on a lot of properties in the South West with "perfect conditions for a great colour show" this year due to the blue sunny days, no wind and cool calm nights. 

"The gardens at Voyager Estate winery are always great for a colour display while my favourite towns to visit are Bridgetown and Nannup and, probably the best of all, Balingup. They have an incredible display of deciduous trees just outside of town in a specially created tree park."

Claret Ash trees can be found in other parts of the South West including Voyager Estate.

Claret Ash trees can be found in other parts of the South West including Voyager Estate. Photo: Sean Blocksidge

However, anyone hoping to catch a glimpse of the sensational colours needs to get in quick.

"There are some epic displays of colour in the South West this year but you need to get on the action before the first storms arrive. 

"All you need is one big blast of wind and it's all over," he said.

Sean said his daily experience with the stunning flora, fauna and landscapes in the Margaret River region proved he had one of the best jobs in the world.

"My job isn't really a job. Canoeing, hiking, four-wheel-driving and visiting a winery every day is more like a fun day out with mates.  

"On the one hand I want to jump up and down and tell everyone how amazing it is, on the other hand I just want to keep quiet because I don't want everyone else figuring this out!"

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