View allAll Photos Tagged CRYSTAL-CLEAR
There seems to be much commentary on perhaps not liking AI and wanting just me natural. Well, I understand and appreciate but I am going to do both.
Day 3 in Wales and after a night of torrential non-stop rain the morning did not look like it was going to improve!...so with that in mind we decided to go underground!
After a small trek up the side of a mountain, being passed on the way by two chaps carrying diving gear, a walk across the grassy plateau and then down the slippery steps to the entrance of this now disused silica mine…
Negotiating the tricky entry point we kitted up in our finest LED Lenser gear and headed into the gloom!...it was very humid and the moisture content in the air was just crazy! Well..it’s been raining for days! This place is huge!
We quickly found the water and took some pics..the reflections in the crystal clear pools were amazing, the colours have not been done justice.
The divers were heading back to base camp for more gear! They dive in these pools to a depth of 25m plus! The pics they showed me were awesome !
Could have spent hours down here but the girls wanted to head back…glad I saw it whilst in Wales !
Shot with a Nikon D7100 with a Sigma 10-20mm
Lit with a variety of LED Lenser torches – p7.2 P7.0 X21 H7
All pics copyright to www.mckenzie.photos
Must View Large!
This is a shot of Eagle Cap and Mirror Lake in the late afternoon as the sun was starting to get low. The lake was finally glassy. I wish you all could experience the indescribable calm of this place. Nothing but the distant roar of the meltwater and a crystal clear lake on a warm evening made for a wonderful, peaceful moment.
This mega panorama is 2 images wide by 3 images tall.
Please view the regular shot here!
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The Plan:
Ever since my 2009 trip to Eagle Cap and the Lakes Basin, I have wanted to go back. Finally my dad and I got a trip planned for the end of August 2011. It was going to be my dad, his friend Wade, and me. The plan was to drive up to the trailhead on August 25th, then camp there. On the morning of the 26th, we were to begin the hike to Mirror Lake, set up camp and relax. We would spend the night at the lake on the 26th. My dad and I were going to get up on the 27th to climb Eagle Cap while Wade relaxed and did some fishing. We would again camp at the lake on the night of the 27th. We would begin our journey out and home early on the morning of the 28th.
The Story:
Day One: It was about mid-afternoon on Thursday, August 25th, 2011 when my mom came and got me from the fairgrounds so that dad, Wade and I could begin our trip to Eagle Cap. I got home and dad and I packed up the Durango and went off to Wade’s house so he could pack his stuff in. From there, we headed off into the afternoon just like last time. This time was a little different though, because I was driving. :) I don’t know what it is, but I just love to drive everywhere. My parents hardly ever drive anymore because of me. :) We made good time and arrived in Lostine, Oregon late in the afternoon. We ate a big and delicious dinner at the Lostine Tavern and started up the road toward the trailhead. Let me tell you, that 11 miles of dirt road was just as rough as I remembered it. We arrived at the parking lot awhile after sunset, so it was getting dark fast. I scouted out a nice spot down on the East fork of the Lostine River…. Funny thing is, it was the same spot that we had intended to camp on last time… But don’t worry! This time we had the tent poles! :) We set up camp and I got a fire going… everything was a bit damp, so I had help from some lighter fluid. :) Before long, we were all tired and the fire was going out, so we hit the sack for the night.
Day Two: We were up bright and early on the 26th. It was time to begin the 7 and a half mile hike up the East fork of the Lostine River to the Lakes Basin. The hike started off pretty well. I’d say we were probably the first ones on the trail and were making good time. It seemed like no time and we were up into the meadow with Eagle Cap in our sights. We started to pass people who were on their way out. One lady we talked to had been up there for five days and she said she had had an interesting trip. She said that Wednesday night (the 24th) some massive thunderstorms had rolled in with tons of rain, lightning, thunder and howling winds. I remember that night I was at the fairgrounds and could see all the lightning to the south. It must have been quite a storm! We continued on and decided to take a lunch break at the little bridge that crosses the Lostine River, which at this point is little more than a creek. It is also at the fork of the trail. The old trail (which has big rocks and logs hastily thrown into it in attempt to keep hikers away) is to the right and the new one to the left. While eating our lunch, a group of friends from the Tri-Cities as well came up. It was a pretty cool surprise. After lunch, it was time for the final push. We decided that since we took the new trail last time, we would take the old one this time. Dad and Wade were slowing down, and I was given permission to go my own pace. So I started on up the trail and soon lost everyone behind me. It is quite something to be hiking alone down an old trail, eventually over a bunch a granite rocks, guessing where the trail goes over those rocks. I found it quite serene and enjoyable at that. It really puts life into perspective. I loved it and arrived at the lake about a half hour or so ahead of the others. I went and scouted out the camp we stayed at back in ’09 then went backwards on the trail until I met up with dad and Wade. We all went and set up camp, got the stove going and relaxed a bit. I was soon running to the outlet stream to go get water to clean. It was so clear. Not a single floater in sight. We used a UV filter and never got sick. While hanging out at camp, a forest ranger wandered into camp. He was a really nice guy. He was just making sure we were keeping our garbage and gear where it should be and making sure we had a stove and didn’t plan on have a fire close to the lake. We talked for about an hour just exchanging hiking stories and making fun of freeze dried meals. :) He soon had to move on and complete his rounds though. I then went down to the lake and broke out the camera. I love taking pictures. There are so many angles to take one from and each is so different. It is quite relaxing to me. It was soon sunset and Mirror Lake really took to its name and went glassy smooth. After the last glow faded, I went up to camp and make myself some hot chocolate and watched as the stars came out. The stars out there at 7200 feet, crystal clear night air, and no light pollution are indescribable. You really just have to see it to comprehend it. The pictures I have don’t do it justice. As night fell, I started clicking away. I did continuous shots for about 2 hours before calling it a night.
Day Three: The next morning (the 27th) was D-day. I got all set to head up the mountain early in the morning. My dad and I set off with light packs while Wade went down to the lake to try some fishing. I was feeling good with such a light load, which was still a lot more than anybody else we saw because I had four bottles of water, too many snacks and 8 or so pounds of camera gear, but it was still good for me. :) The climb up isn’t too bad. You start off with a lot of switchbacks up to the Horton Pass area where is flattens out a bit. Then you quickly start on up the back of Eagle Cap. By this point, I was ready to go for it, but dad wasn’t quite as ready. I was again given permission to go on up the mountain. I met up with a group of guys from Spokane and some of their friends from Georgia. They were a great group of guys and were moving at my pace so I climbed with them. The guy from Georgia was amazed at us crazy westerners climbing our crazy mountains. Apparently The Great Smoky Mountains aren’t very steep…. Haha I’m not a fan of much on the east coast. The Smokies failed to impress me on my visit entirely. Before long… okay, who am I kidding? It was a long haul… we summited. Let me tell you, the view from up there is incredible. You have a wonderful 360 degree view for miles and miles around. I started clicking off panoramas and everything else I felt necessary while munching on a Nature Valley bar. When my dad summited, he checked his phone to find that he had some service. So we both made calls and talked to my mom a bit. Then I decided to make a call to my girlfriend who was back in the Tri-Cities at the fair riding horses. Also, there are a ton of ground squirrels up at the summit….. They are cheap entertainment if you have a few almonds to spare. :) The hike back to camp actually wasn’t bad at all. And let me tell you, it was nice to go dip my feet in the freezing cold lake, seeing as it was in the mid 80’s or so the days we were there. It was good to be back at camp to relax again. After eating some dinner, I once again broke out the camera and spent the remaining daylight down by the lake. I was glad to have shot so many photos of the lake the previous night because the water was less smooth this time around. While I was shooting, Wade, who was about 70 feet down the shoreline from me, caught a fish. It was only about 6 or 7 inches long, but a cool catch nonetheless. When night fell, I was a little less enthusiastic about taking more night shots considering I had more than 250 of them from the previous night. But I still spent about an hour or so trying some light painting on the trees and stuff like that. After that, it was time to hit the sack.
Day Four: The next morning, the 28th, everybody was a bit slow to get up and pack up. I didn’t really want to leave such a wonderful place, but it was time to reunite with civilization. The hike out went pretty smoothly and we were back to the Durango by midday. In the daylight, the dirt road was a little more fun too. The drive home was nice and it was also great to be home. I feel that we had a very successful trip.
Taken on August 26, 2011
Nikon D90
Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 lens
Tiffen UV filter
Exposure Bias: 0EV
Exposure: 1/125sec.
Aperture: f/8
ISO: 200
11mm
Commentary.
The crystal-clear spring water of these beautiful, small pools
testifies to the aquifer-effect of impermeable Gault Clay
forcing water to the surface, having soaked through the permeable Chalk, above.
The blues, greens and aquamarines of this yew-bound enclave
gives a silent mystique to this amazing place.
A legend suggests that the infamous, medieval, King John,
was once riding by whilst a Maiden was bathing.
Her “modesty” drove her to plunge deeper into the pool.
Alas, in those days very few people could swim and the poor girl drowned.
The legend adds that sometimes her terrified screams can still be heard.
Fortunately for me, the pools have always been, as their name suggests, perfectly silent and exquisitely beautiful!
I got SO excited when I saw how this shot turned out!
I learned so much this day about shooting waves. Can't wait to get out there again with some surfers.
Crystal Travel V433EAL a Volvo B10M / Jonckeere Mistral C53F in Bourton on the water . Photo taken 13/03/20
we were in a beach-city called Krabi (or Kerabi..? not sure). on the first day there was pouring rain so we couldn't do much. second day was this day...we took a "5 islands tour" - it was amazing! this island...i have no idea what it's name, but it was empty! i mean, there was nothing that was made by humans over there, except for this boat that brought us there. so beautiful and clean. nature at its best.
The gorgeous goddess had long, long legs! We shot at both the beach and the ranch, with the gold 45 revolver cowgirl theme with the cowboy hat, and the beach theme with the black surfboard too!
Welcome to your epic hero's journey! The beautiful 45surf dark-silky-haired goddess sisters hath called ye to adventure, beckoning ye to read deeply Homer's Iliad and Odyssey, whence ye shall learn of yer own exalted artistic path guided by Hero's Journey Mythology. I wouldn't be saying it if it hadn't happened to me.
Pretty Brunette Goddess! Join/like my facebook page!
www.facebook.com/45surfHerosJourneyMythology
New Hero's Journey Mythology Instagram!
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PRETTY Brunette Cowgirl & Swimsuit Bikini Model Goddess With Curly Brown Hair & Dark Brown Eyes: Nikon D80 Photos! Beautiful & Hot!
Here's some new HD video of the goddesses shot at the same time as stills!
She was tall, thin, fit, and very pretty with long, black hair and dark eyes! Persian goddesses!
Canon, Nikon, you can't go wrong with the pretty 45surf model goddesses! (Though the D800 is my new love.)
May the goddess inspire ye along a hero's journey of yer own making, and the path of yer own taking.
Was a classic socal magic hour with a crystal clear dusk! Hope the photos make you feel like you were there! :)
A hot beach babe on a hot autumn day!
A Gold 45 Goddess exalts the archetypal form of Athena--the Greek Goddess of wisdom, warfare, strategy, heroic endeavour, handicrafts and reason. A Gold 45 Goddess embodies 45SURF's motto "Virtus, Honoris, et Actio Pro Veritas, Amor, et Bellus, (Strength, Honor, and Action for Truth, Love, and Beauty," and she stands ready to inspire and guide you along your epic, heroic journey into art and mythology. It is Athena who descends to call Telemachus to Adventure in the first book of Homer's Odyssey--to man up, find news of his true father Odysseus, and rid his home of the false suitors, and too, it is Athena who descends in the first book of Homer's Iliad, to calm the Rage of Achilles who is about to draw his sword so as to slay his commander who just seized Achilles' prize, thusly robbing Achilles of his Honor--the higher prize Achilles fought for. And now Athena descends once again, assuming the form of a Gold 45 Goddess, to inspire you along your epic journey of heroic endeavour. And like Helen of Troy, she's worth fighting a ten-year war over.
A most beautiful magic hour which will now last for all eternity via the art of photography! :)
She was tall, thin, fit, and in shape with long, slender skinny legs!
All the best on your Epic Hero's Journey from Johnny Ranger McCoy! :)
Alpsee near Schwangau - one of the most beautiful places in Germany. The swan is the symbol of the region. This one was there on duty to take pictures with the tourists :-).