Christmas Valley Sand Dunes in Central Oregon are some of the remnants of the catastrophic volcanic explosion of Mount Mazama just 7000 years ago that blew 1600 meters (almost a mile in elevation) of the 12,000 foot (3700 meter) mountain completely off, creating a caldera that contains the iconic 1,943 foot (592 meter) deep Crater Lake, that we know today. The Christmas Valley sand is composed of ash and pumice that was ejected during the eruption. Although the dunes are majestic on their own, they’re only a small part of the evidence of an event that changed what we know as Oregon forever, and greatly affected the people who lived there.

What's thought provoking to me is the fact that humans were in the area and were witness to this event. Incredibly preserved reed sandals have been unearthed in a cave near the little town of Fort Rock not far from Christmas Valley that have been dated from 9000 to 13000 years old. Life for the native Klamath people in the area changed forever after the massive eruption. Their legends tell of an angry battle between Llao, their "Chief of the Below World" who inhabited Mount Mazama (Giiwas in the Native American Klamath language), and his rival Skell, their "Chief of the Above World". Llao fell in love with a beautiful Klamath maiden but she refused his offer of immortality if she would become his wife. This angered Llao and he rained rocks and fire down from the sky onto the people below. During the battle Skell tried to protect the people from above while standing atop Mount Shasta. The battle ended when Skell was able to force Llao back into the mountain. All of this commotion formed the crater on Mount Mazama which filled with torrential rains that followed the battle.

The mountain became sacred ground to the natives and the people were forbidden from going there. Some shaman forbade them from looking in the direction of the mountain. 7000 years ago, all of this would make perfect sense. The human catastrophe and the pure terror that they witnessed must have been something that we as modern humans can hardly understand.

Today we can still witness the effects of the massive geological battle that forms so much of the landscapes that we photograph. I feel that understanding the science as well as the legend of these areas works to enhance our appreciation for them and allows us to better translate their meaning and message through our photos.

The winds in Central Oregon blow with some regularity in this area and create dunes as well as ripples in the sand. The patterns that they create are perfect for a photographic foreground. Unique conditions such as a vivid sunrise or sunset can complete a breathtaking scene.

Christmas Lake, Christmas Valley and nearby Peter's Sink and Peter's Creek were named for pioneer stockman Peter Christman, who grazed his cattle there and had a house at Silver Lake, 18 miles (29 km) to the southwest. The name "Christmas" was an early corruption of the name Christman that became entrenched in the vernacular by 1900.

The Christmas Valley Sand Dunes are administered by the Bureau of Land Management and are easily accessible and are designated as a recreational area for campers and wanderers as well as OHV use. Camping areas are available for extended camping stays. If you find yourself wandering in Central Oregon exploring our amazing public lands a trip to Christmas Valley should be on your list of places to stop and experience.

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Jarrolds department store in Norwich is a one of the nicest lit up buildings at Christmas time. It has been a part of Norwich since 1823 and is one of the city's landmarks.

I took this picture after me and my partner had finished doing our Christmas shopping for our family's. It is a five stop HDR with the usual tonemapping in photomatrix and the tidying up in Photoshop.

Click here if you would like to purchase this image as a print or as a digital download.

I would like to thank all my Flickr friends and followers for all the lovely and sweet comments and Favorites, throughout the year. I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and a happy New Year all the best for 2023

Un'elegante Pistoia al tramonto in piena atmosfera natalizia

📷 🌍 Complete Gallery: whitexperience.blogspot.com

Christmas Angel Lessons - Be a light in the darkness, you can never wear too much glitter and it's okay to be a little tilted.

Credits: Candy Girl Set (Wanda Dress, Head Piece Ribbon, Candy Wings, Candy Stockings, Bridget Pumps) by Glitzz (Advent Calendar gifts), Muse hair by Truth.

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I wish all my friends world wide a very Merry Christmas!

Photo taken in Hollywood Florida 12-21-21

Christmas in Chelsea, London, UK.

Shot w/ Sigma 70mm Macro Lens. I found an old used copy and it is a hunk of heavy metal....built like a tank!

ILCA-77M2-00498-E

Kennebunkport

Oakland, California

I put up my Christmas decoration. I love these lights and so I didn't put all of them down last year after Christmas ;)

In other news I joined my friend Stefan for watching the season game of Hertha BSC in the Berlin Olympic Stadium yesterday. Berlin won and so Stefan was happy. Later my team also won and so it was a good day for both of us :)

Sunday, 6 December 2015

Happy to sell prints, make me an offer - pay what you think it's worth...

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Still clinging onto Christmas? It's time to let go and start afresh for 2022.

playing with the lights

www.facebook.com/ValeriaSigPhotography

Penguin, seal and polar bear, part of a local Christmas lights display.

Merry Christmas to you all. Time to start cooking!!!

Merry Christmas from my family to you and yours!

I have two new helpers for the Christmas cookie baking: Baby Groot and Kitchenaid. I'm going to need their help! I'm getting a VERY late start!

For Crazy Tuesday: "December decorations"

Merry Christmas and Happy Holiday for everyone!

Helios 58mm f2

Here we are in December already, Christmas right around the corner. Everyone hustling and bustling to get their holiday shopping done. This includes me! A new month of Events means a new month of Decor. Gachas galore and a lot of new Christmas Decor for everyone. Here are some of the things I had a chance to grab over the weekend:

I will start with the Gachas I grabbed from The Arcade

Granola. Eira Chandelier. RARE

Granola. Eira Christmas Clutter.

Granola. Eira Gift Trio.

{anc} tree for two / teddybear 3Li (day)

Trompe Loeil - Candlelit Fireplace Mantel

Trompe Loeil - Ornament Holder

Dahlia - Joy - Cookie Assortment - RARE 1

Dahlia - Joy - Santa Baby Pretzels - Chocolate 9

Dahlia - Joy - Lucky Kitten Planter - White 12

Dahlia - Joy - Hot Cocoa - Red 13

Dahlia - Joy - Hot Cocoa - Green 14

Dahlia - Joy - Oranament - Green 16

Dahlia - Joy - Bells - Gold 22

Dahlia - Joy - Bells - Rusted 24

Dahlia - Joy - Flower Candles - Gold 25

SEMPITERNAL [Winter's Warmth] Evening Reading

Contrast - Grandma's clutter Cabinet White 16 RARE

Contrast - Grandma's clutter Big Vintage Plates 4

Contrast - Grandma's clutter Small Vintage Plates 5

Contrast - Grandma's clutter Small Plates 3

If you still have money left after you leave the Arcade, head over to the New round of Fameshed

Apple fall has a cute Christmas set that includes:

Apple Fall Large Present - Hearts w/ Red Ribbon

Apple Fall Large Present - Mistletoe w/ Cream Ribbon

Apple Fall Large Present - Holly w/ Gold Ribbon

Apple Fall Christmas Soldier - Cream

Apple Fall Large Candy Cane - Green

Apple Fall Large Candy Cane - Red

Peaches also has a cute decor set, I used .peaches. Kathy Fireplace Set - Frame - Brown and .peaches. Kathy Fireplace Set - Old Rug - 2 (deco) from that set

The rest of my decor you can find at their respective stores:

hive // holiday garland bottom arc

hive // holiday garland spiral

hive // holiday bow

hive // lighted holiday wreath

dust bunny . mini christmas tree

dust bunny . present pile

dust bunny . my plaid chair . pg

dust bunny . round end table

dust bunny . tree cookies

dust bunny . lighted jar . type a

dust bunny . lighted jar . type b

dust bunny & O.M.E.N . Puppy Basket Bed

dust bunny & O.M.E.N . Puppy Basket Bed - Pup

Apple Fall Milton Curtains

Fancy Decor: 2018 Musical Snow Globe

Ayla. Christmas Corner - Old Suitcase w/Treats

Nutmeg. Not too shabby flats, Red

Nutmeg. Winter Brunch Accent Stool w/Packages

Nutmeg. Romanov's Serving Tray Gold

Nutmeg. Countryside Dream Books w/Spruce Branch

Nutmeg. Forgotten Library Book Pile

Nutmeg. Old Oriental Carpet

Nutmeg. Country House Skates

Nutmeg. Holiday Clutter Books

Nutmeg. Old Purse Bag

Nutmeg. Books & Keys v2

Nutmeg. Laundry Day Slippers

Nutmeg. Winter Brunch Chair w/Blankets

Nutmeg. Old Winter Sled Brown

Nutmeg. Rattan Tote Carry, Brown

Nutmeg. Vintage Tabletop Wreath Off-White w/Lights

Trompe Loeil - Cobi Lodge

Baghead is hard at work under Shelley's strict supervision (which includes a swear jar... so that's the next decade's worth of Xmas presents paid for already).

I'm sure Baghead is safely balanced on that chair... it's not as if action figures ever suffer from loose ankle joints is it?

Lucky posed for several Christmas Portraits. Stay tuned for Christmas Lucky 3, coming soon on Christmas day! Then I will return to my regularly scheduled postings.

Merry Christmas!

Christmas 2025

...in the city with mulled claret, kids on skating and christmas-music - but , what a pity - no snow...

best view on big size

Visit to the cafe at the garden centre for coffee and bacon rolls.Walk around looking at decorations and getting into the Christmas spirit

Christmas lights on the parliement

Taken for 'Saturday Self Challenge': "Light"

Christmas stalls light up the town centre, on a damp November evening.

Edit: For those wondering about the floating "the", here it is on street view: tinyurl.com/themallssign

Jona Lewie - Stop The Cavalry

Christmas at Goblin's Knob at Frogmore

The Emperor's New Clothes:

Grasshopper St Bicorne Hat

[Deadwool] Emperor jacket Emperor outfit available now at The Fifty Event

[Deadwool] Emperor breeches

[Deadwool] Emperor boots

[Deadwool] Enigma glasses

Christmas props:

HILTED - Chilly Willy Penguin Pack

Pose:

[..::CuCa Designs::..] Sexy Santa Bento Pose Set includes sack

- Part 2 -

Another rarity spotted on Christmas Day....a right-hand drive Nissan Pao (actually, I think they're all right hand drive, they were never officially imported here). This is usually a busy neighborhood most days (e.g. difficult to find parking), but the streets were fairly empty on Christmas.

Christmas Door beside Salisbury Cathedral in Wiltshire.

The display of colorful lanterns marks the start of the Christmas season in the Philippines. We do have the longest Xmas holiday season in the world.

Meko enjoys laying by the Christmas tree and watching the sparkly ornaments.

Merry Christmas to all my Flickr friends!

Veselé Vánoce, Veselé Vianoce, Merry Christmas, Frohe Weihnachten, Buon Natale, Joyeux Noël, Feliz Natal, Feliz Navidad, Vesel Božič, Καλά Χριστούγεννα, Mutlu Noeller, Hyvää Joulua, Wesołych Świąt, Boldog Karácsonyt, Vrolijk Kerstfeest, Čestit Božić, С Рождеством, З Калядамі, God Jul, Срећан Божић, З Різдвом, Craciun Fericit, 圣诞快乐,

We are trying to get out of the deep darkness in Europe ... perhaps Christmas Light will show us the right way to take back our future.

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Stiamo cercando di uscire dal buio profondo in Europa ... forse la luce del Natale ci indicherà la strada giusta per riprenderci il futuro.

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Happy Immaculate Day and ♪♫♪♫ Merry Christmas ♪♫♪♫ to ♥ ♥ ♥ Everyone ♥ ♥ ♥

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♥ ♥ ♥ Christmas Atmosphere ♥ ♥ ♥ - © Kris de Curtis (YouTube Video)

♦ ♦ ♦ Christmas Atmosphere ♦ ♦ ♦ - © Kris de Curtis ( Christmas PhotoSet )

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Best View: Large On Black

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