View allAll Photos Tagged GeologicalFormations

Stoney Creek is on the top of my list of favorites places to go. If your a rock lover like me this is the go to place with magnificent sandstone boulders and crevices. For an old girl like me starting to show signs of wear are tear herself it can be a bit of a challenge climbing and jumping over the endless rock faces you also have to time it right if you want to go to the far end so check that it is low tide otherwise you will have to swim across the creek which is fine if your not lugging expensive camera gear. I am having a bit of a wave thing at the moment the swells are pretty huge an easy 20ft today and scary as hell when your balancing on rocks and trying to get as close as for a cool shot of them without breaking an ankle My balance isn't as good as it once was and I know my limits and I just have to cop it I suppose. The Whales where closer here today about 200 metres from the edge of the coast just cruising along. I was out there for about 4 1/2 hours and tonight I am paying for it with throbbing knees but it was so worth it.

Once upon a time I could go there and never see another soul sadly today it now shows the scars of humans whom visit the place and leave their rubbish and drink bottles all over the place and don't give a crap about the animals and marine life they are killing.. Today I lugged back 2 full bags of empty drink bottles and bits and pieces from bottle caps to fishing line. It is absolutely disgusting, and people wonder why I dislike humans so much.

Painted Hills State Park at John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, Mitchell, Oregon. Wheeler County.

It is amazing how minerals and volcanic ashes that were deposited 33 million years ago here have reacted with the elements over time, producing some amazing colors on the ground! Yes, I have double checked, what you are seeing in your screen is accurate depiction of the colors on the hills! Quite Amazing!

I am surprised that how little this place is known and how little it is promoted by State of Oregon! Utah has the Arches on their car license plates as background, Australia advertise their Red Rock all over the place, in that sense, this place is virtually unknown!!!

It is a very serene, absolutely quiet and pretty place, naturally colored hills are surrounded by high country desert and mountains. It's hard to believe the colors and that they occurred naturally! Really something to behold! On a funny note, this place could be an ad for Valspur Paint or Home Depot! Haha!

Serenity of this place isn’t broken even in the height of the summer tourist season. This place is virtually unknown. There are no people in the vicinity, one or two sporadic visitors. The weather is really nice here, cool and dry, no humidity and thus no sweat! Hikes here are really easy as the hills are not too steep. The wraparound view is pleasing to the eyes, one can see far and wide and doesn't feel all blocked and covered by giant trees as there are few trees here. It’s an arid area and so is the climate! And the really pleasing quietness, so nice that I didn't feel like interrupting the quietness with the sound of my own breath! Yes, really! It is that calm and quiet! Had I known a bit earlier, I would have come prepared and camped two or three nights here. It's a great place for camping and hiking. Entry is free and abundant places to camp along the road. There is also a Park Ranger Station and Rest Room Facilities near the entrance. This is the drier part of Oregon, on the east side of the Cascades Mountain Range. It is high country desert and Rattlesnake country! So be careful and watch your step! I will definitely come back here, as many times as possible, although currently I am in the East Coast.

For a day trip, you are more comfy and convenient by staying in a larger town, which would be Bend, OR, about 75 miles away from Painted Hills. Mitchell, OR, is the closest town/village (pop. about 140), 9 miles away. Mitchell has 2 motels, very basic but exudes with charm and down home hospitality. They have internet and Satellite TV. But there is NO cell phone reception/signal in this area, so bring along a real GPS!!! Your cell phone's cell tower triangulated GPS service won't work here. Two stores of Mitchell close early (country/village/small town hours) and so does the only Gas station. Get your gas tank of your vehicle filled before you venture in. If you, however, make the effort to come here and visit, trust me, it will be worthwhile and something that you will cherish forever.

 

(1 in a multiple picture album)

The mule deer come out around supper time to take their nourishment from the lush grass lawn in the middle of the lodge. They are so used to tourists that they continue to eat while you walk by. This shot was from the patio of our room.

Painted Hills State Park at John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, Mitchell, Oregon. Wheeler County.

It is amazing how minerals and volcanic ashes that were deposited 33 million years ago here have reacted with the elements over time, producing some amazing colors on the ground! Yes, I have double checked, what you are seeing in your screen is accurate depiction of the colors on the hills! Quite Amazing!

I am surprised that how little this place is known and how little it is promoted by State of Oregon! Utah has the Arches on their car license plates as background, Australia advertise their Red Rock all over the place, in that sense, this place is virtually unknown!!!

It is a very serene, absolutely quiet and pretty place, naturally colored hills are surrounded by high country desert and mountains. It's hard to believe the colors and that they occurred naturally! Really something to behold! On a funny note, this place could be an ad for Valspur Paint or Home Depot! Haha!

Serenity of this place isn’t broken even in the height of the summer tourist season. This place is virtually unknown. There are no people in the vicinity, one or two sporadic visitors. The weather is really nice here, cool and dry, no humidity and thus no sweat! Hikes here are really easy as the hills are not too steep. The wraparound view is pleasing to the eyes, one can see far and wide and doesn't feel all blocked and covered by giant trees as there are few trees here. It’s an arid area and so is the climate! And the really pleasing quietness, so nice that I didn't feel like interrupting the quietness with the sound of my own breath! Yes, really! It is that calm and quiet! Had I known a bit earlier, I would have come prepared and camped two or three nights here. It's a great place for camping and hiking. Entry is free and abundant places to camp along the road. There is also a Park Ranger Station and Rest Room Facilities near the entrance. This is the drier part of Oregon, on the east side of the Cascades Mountain Range. It is high country desert and Rattlesnake country! So be careful and watch your step! I will definitely come back here, as many times as possible, although currently I am in the East Coast.

For a day trip, you are more comfy and convenient by staying in a larger town, which would be Bend, OR, about 75 miles away from Painted Hills. Mitchell, OR, is the closest town/village (pop. about 140), 9 miles away. Mitchell has 2 motels, very basic but exudes with charm and down home hospitality. They have internet and Satellite TV. But there is NO cell phone reception/signal in this area, so bring along a real GPS!!! Your cell phone's cell tower triangulated GPS service won't work here. Two stores of Mitchell close early (country/village/small town hours) and so does the only Gas station. Get your gas tank of your vehicle filled before you venture in. If you, however, make the effort to come here and visit, trust me, it will be worthwhile and something that you will cherish forever.

 

La iglesia de Sant Joan de Fàbregues y su castillo están documentados desde el año 968. Hacia el siglo XII surgió el pueblo de Rupit habitado por familias nobles. En 1878, la iglesia de Rupit dejó de depender de Sant Joan de Fàbregues y en 1959 el municipio pasó a llamarse Rupit. En 1977 se unieron los municipios de Rupit y Pruit.

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

The church of Sant Joan de Fàbregues and its castle are documented from the year 968. The church, which was the main church of the municipality, is located about 3 km from the castle. In the 12th century, the town grew around the castle of Rupit. Noble families built a new church, Sant Miquel, where they had built their houses. This church now is the parish church.

In 1959 the municipality was officially named Rupit. In 1977, the hamlet of Pruit was united with Rupit village. And now it's officially called Rupit i Pruit.

In origin both the hamlet of Pruit and the village of Rupit already shared the same jurisdiction under the viscount of Osona. According to the tradition, he lived in the castle of Rupit before moving to Cardona.

Nowadays Rupit is best known as a tourist town, because of its medieval appearance, stone houses and streets made of natural rock. There are also interesting walks and sightseeing around the village and nearby cliffs.

The "Riera de Rupit" is a small river running through Rupit and forms the Sallent waterfall when it meets the cliffs. There is a hanging bridge which provides access the center of the village.

Freshly fallen snow forms a moonscape in the rock at White Pocket in Vermillion Cliffs National Monument, Arizona. (c) 2018 Tom Kelly

Licence plate for a car registered in Bohol. I sort of found it rather colourful, and could'nt help shooting this picture. (Bohol- Tagbilaran, Philippines, May 2013)

Typical of any mountain landscape, here the chocolate hills are partially obscured by the large shadow of a cloud. The unique land form known as the Chocolate Hills of Bohol was formed ages ago by the uplift of coral deposits and the action of rain water and erosion. The origin for the conical karst of the Chocolate Hills is what s described on the bronze plaque at the beginning of the steps, which we saw in previous pictures. This plaque states that they are eroded formations of a type of marine limestone that sits on top of hardened clay. (Bohol- Tagbilaran, Philippines, May 2013)

Postojna Cave is a 20,570 m long Karst cave system near Postojna, Slovenia. It is the longest cave system in the country as well as one of its top tourism sites. The caves were created by the Pivka River.

 

The cave was first described in the 17th century by Johann Weichard Valvasor, and a new area of the cave was discovered accidentally in 1818 by local Luka Čeč, when he was preparing the hitherto known parts of the cave for a visit by Francis I, the first Emperor of Austria. In 1819, the caves were opened to the public, and Čeč went on to become the first official tourist guide for the caves. Electric lighting was added in 1884, preceding even Ljubljana, the capital of Carniola, the Austro-Hungarian province the cave was part of at the time, and further enhancing the cave system's popularity. In 1872 rails were laid in the cave along with first cave train for tourists. At first, these were pushed along by the guides themselves, later at the beginning of the 20th century a gas locomotive was introduced. After 1945, the gas locomotive was replaced by an electric one. 5.3 km of the caves are open to the public, the longest publicly accessible depth of any cave system in the world.

San Bernandino County, California 2013

Painted Hills State Park at John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, Mitchell, Oregon. Wheeler County.

It is amazing how minerals and volcanic ashes that were deposited 33 million years ago here have reacted with the elements over time, producing some amazing colors on the ground! Yes, I have double checked, what you are seeing in your screen is accurate depiction of the colors on the hills! Quite Amazing!

I am surprised that how little this place is known and how little it is promoted by State of Oregon! Utah has the Arches on their car license plates as background, Australia advertise their Red Rock all over the place, in that sense, this place is virtually unknown!!!

It is a very serene, absolutely quiet and pretty place, naturally colored hills are surrounded by high country desert and mountains. It's hard to believe the colors and that they occurred naturally! Really something to behold! On a funny note, this place could be an ad for Valspur Paint or Home Depot! Haha!

Serenity of this place isn’t broken even in the height of the summer tourist season. This place is virtually unknown. There are no people in the vicinity, one or two sporadic visitors. The weather is really nice here, cool and dry, no humidity and thus no sweat! Hikes here are really easy as the hills are not too steep. The wraparound view is pleasing to the eyes, one can see far and wide and doesn't feel all blocked and covered by giant trees as there are few trees here. It’s an arid area and so is the climate! And the really pleasing quietness, so nice that I didn't feel like interrupting the quietness with the sound of my own breath! Yes, really! It is that calm and quiet! Had I known a bit earlier, I would have come prepared and camped two or three nights here. It's a great place for camping and hiking. Entry is free and abundant places to camp along the road. There is also a Park Ranger Station and Rest Room Facilities near the entrance. This is the drier part of Oregon, on the east side of the Cascades Mountain Range. It is high country desert and Rattlesnake country! So be careful and watch your step! I will definitely come back here, as many times as possible, although currently I am in the East Coast.

For a day trip, you are more comfy and convenient by staying in a larger town, which would be Bend, OR, about 75 miles away from Painted Hills. Mitchell, OR, is the closest town/village (pop. about 140), 9 miles away. Mitchell has 2 motels, very basic but exudes with charm and down home hospitality. They have internet and Satellite TV. But there is NO cell phone reception/signal in this area, so bring along a real GPS!!! Your cell phone's cell tower triangulated GPS service won't work here. Two stores of Mitchell close early (country/village/small town hours) and so does the only Gas station. Get your gas tank of your vehicle filled before you venture in. If you, however, make the effort to come here and visit, trust me, it will be worthwhile and something that you will cherish forever.

 

La denominación de "Colgadas" para este grupo edificado es muy tardía, y parece que se consolida hacia 1920. La historia gráfica de estos edificios comienza en 1565, año en el que el pintor flamenco Anton van den Wyngaerde los incluye, junto con toda la cornisa de San Martín, en su espléndida panorámica Cuenca desde el este. Las fotografías más antiguas del lugar, fechadas en el último tercio del siglo XIX, nos muestran que el conjunto permaneció casi intacto durante varias centurias aunque, desafortunadamente, poco queda de aquella maravilla arquitectónica y paisajística de la vieja Cuenca.

En el pasado era frecuente este elemento arquitectónico en el borde este de la ciudad antigua, situado frente a la hoz del río Huécar, aunque hoy sólo perdura una pequeña parte de ellas. De todas, las más conocidas son un conjunto de tres edificaciones con balcones de madera.

Se tiene constancia de su existencia ya en el siglo XV. A lo largo de su historia han pasado por diversas remodelaciones, siendo las más recientes las realizadas durante las décadas de 1920 y 1960.

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

The Casas Colgadas (Hanged Houses) is a complex of houses located in Cuenca, Spain.

In the past, houses of this kind were frequent along the eastern border of the ancient city, located near the ravine of the river Huécar. Today, however, there are only a few of them remaining. Of all of these structures, the most well-known is a group of three with wooden balconies.

Their origin remains uncertain, though there is proof of their existence in the 15th century. Throughout their history they have been refurbished several times. The most recent took place during the 1920s.

They have been used as individual homes, council houses, and currently the host to a mesón, a type of restaurant, and the Museo de Arte Abstracto Español.

Viewed this time from a different angle, this rock formation is the same as that shown in my previous image (Uluru-Kata Tjuta_img 0079).

 

© Irwin Reynolds, all rights reserved. If you are interested in using one of my images or would like a high quality fine art print, please send an email to irwinreynolds@me.com.

  

Postojna Cave is a 20,570 m long Karst cave system near Postojna, Slovenia. It is the longest cave system in the country as well as one of its top tourism sites. The caves were created by the Pivka River.

 

The cave was first described in the 17th century by Johann Weichard Valvasor, and a new area of the cave was discovered accidentally in 1818 by local Luka Čeč, when he was preparing the hitherto known parts of the cave for a visit by Francis I, the first Emperor of Austria. In 1819, the caves were opened to the public, and Čeč went on to become the first official tourist guide for the caves. Electric lighting was added in 1884, preceding even Ljubljana, the capital of Carniola, the Austro-Hungarian province the cave was part of at the time, and further enhancing the cave system's popularity. In 1872 rails were laid in the cave along with first cave train for tourists. At first, these were pushed along by the guides themselves, later at the beginning of the 20th century a gas locomotive was introduced. After 1945, the gas locomotive was replaced by an electric one. 5.3 km of the caves are open to the public, the longest publicly accessible depth of any cave system in the world.

These are the steps going up to the viewpoint on top. There are approx. 200 steps in all. Thank goodness for the green shade overhead, it would be impossible to do the climb in that intense heat. There are sit outs and rest areas along the length of the stairs. The Chocolate Hills geological formation is a famous tourist attraction of Bohol. The hills are featured in the provincial flag and seal to symbolize the abundance of natural attractions in the province of Bohol and are in the Philippine Tourism Authority's list of tourist destinations in the Philippines. The Chocolate Hills have been declared the country's third National Geological Monument and proposed for inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List. (Bohol- Tagbilaran, Philippines, May 2013)

Postojna Cave is a 20,570 m long Karst cave system near Postojna, Slovenia. It is the longest cave system in the country as well as one of its top tourism sites. The caves were created by the Pivka River.

 

The cave was first described in the 17th century by Johann Weichard Valvasor, and a new area of the cave was discovered accidentally in 1818 by local Luka Čeč, when he was preparing the hitherto known parts of the cave for a visit by Francis I, the first Emperor of Austria. In 1819, the caves were opened to the public, and Čeč went on to become the first official tourist guide for the caves. Electric lighting was added in 1884, preceding even Ljubljana, the capital of Carniola, the Austro-Hungarian province the cave was part of at the time, and further enhancing the cave system's popularity. In 1872 rails were laid in the cave along with first cave train for tourists. At first, these were pushed along by the guides themselves, later at the beginning of the 20th century a gas locomotive was introduced. After 1945, the gas locomotive was replaced by an electric one. 5.3 km of the caves are open to the public, the longest publicly accessible depth of any cave system in the world.

The weather was strong - with days where the wind was over 30m/s but never the less the Icelandic beauty was on full display. These images are from a brief roadtrip along the South Coast.

 

All of these images are single exposure with basic edits - nothing added, nothing removed. The only use of AI is for moderate noise reduction.

 

All images by Alex Berger, please reach out directly for licensing or usage requests.

 

Find more of my work at alex-berger.com or on virtualwayfarer.com.

Painted Hills State Park at John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, Mitchell, Oregon. Wheeler County.

It is amazing how minerals and volcanic ashes that were deposited 33 million years ago here have reacted with the elements over time, producing some amazing colors on the ground! Yes, I have double checked, what you are seeing in your screen is accurate depiction of the colors on the hills! Quite Amazing!

I am surprised that how little this place is known and how little it is promoted by State of Oregon! Utah has the Arches on their car license plates as background, Australia advertise their Red Rock all over the place, in that sense, this place is virtually unknown!!!

It is a very serene, absolutely quiet and pretty place, naturally colored hills are surrounded by high country desert and mountains. It's hard to believe the colors and that they occurred naturally! Really something to behold! On a funny note, this place could be an ad for Valspur Paint or Home Depot! Haha!

Serenity of this place isn’t broken even in the height of the summer tourist season. This place is virtually unknown. There are no people in the vicinity, one or two sporadic visitors. The weather is really nice here, cool and dry, no humidity and thus no sweat! Hikes here are really easy as the hills are not too steep. The wraparound view is pleasing to the eyes, one can see far and wide and doesn't feel all blocked and covered by giant trees as there are few trees here. It’s an arid area and so is the climate! And the really pleasing quietness, so nice that I didn't feel like interrupting the quietness with the sound of my own breath! Yes, really! It is that calm and quiet! Had I known a bit earlier, I would have come prepared and camped two or three nights here. It's a great place for camping and hiking. Entry is free and abundant places to camp along the road. There is also a Park Ranger Station and Rest Room Facilities near the entrance. This is the drier part of Oregon, on the east side of the Cascades Mountain Range. It is high country desert and Rattlesnake country! So be careful and watch your step! I will definitely come back here, as many times as possible, although currently I am in the East Coast.

For a day trip, you are more comfy and convenient by staying in a larger town, which would be Bend, OR, about 75 miles away from Painted Hills. Mitchell, OR, is the closest town/village (pop. about 140), 9 miles away. Mitchell has 2 motels, very basic but exudes with charm and down home hospitality. They have internet and Satellite TV. But there is NO cell phone reception/signal in this area, so bring along a real GPS!!! Your cell phone's cell tower triangulated GPS service won't work here. Two stores of Mitchell close early (country/village/small town hours) and so does the only Gas station. Get your gas tank of your vehicle filled before you venture in. If you, however, make the effort to come here and visit, trust me, it will be worthwhile and something that you will cherish forever.

 

Now what are these Chocolate Hills, you ask? This sign at the base of the steps that lead up to the viewpoing should give you a rough idea. The Chocolate Hills is a geological formation in the province of Carmen, in Bohol, Philippines. There are at least 1,260 hills but there may be as many as 1,776 hills spread over an area of more than 50 square km. The almost identical 1,260 hills are covered in green grass that turns brown (like chocolate) during the dry season, hence the name. (Bohol- Tagbilaran, Philippines, May 2013)

The Anangu (the local Aboriginal people) refer to this cave as Ikari. It is located on the southern side of Uluru not far from the Kuniya Carpark. Colloquially it is also known as the Smile Cave or the Laughing Cave--although to my cock-eyed imagination it appears less like a smile than a monstrous demented grin from a B-grade Si-Fi movie.

 

© Irwin Reynolds, all rights reserved. If you are interested in using one of my images or would like a high quality fine art print, please send an email to irwinreynolds@me.com.

  

Painted Hills State Park at John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, Mitchell, Oregon. Wheeler County.

It is amazing how minerals and volcanic ashes that were deposited 33 million years ago here have reacted with the elements over time, producing some amazing colors on the ground! Yes, I have double checked, what you are seeing in your screen is accurate depiction of the colors on the hills! Quite Amazing!

I am surprised that how little this place is known and how little it is promoted by State of Oregon! Utah has the Arches on their car license plates as background, Australia advertise their Red Rock all over the place, in that sense, this place is virtually unknown!!!

It is a very serene, absolutely quiet and pretty place, naturally colored hills are surrounded by high country desert and mountains. It's hard to believe the colors and that they occurred naturally! Really something to behold! On a funny note, this place could be an ad for Valspur Paint or Home Depot! Haha!

Serenity of this place isn’t broken even in the height of the summer tourist season. This place is virtually unknown. There are no people in the vicinity, one or two sporadic visitors. The weather is really nice here, cool and dry, no humidity and thus no sweat! Hikes here are really easy as the hills are not too steep. The wraparound view is pleasing to the eyes, one can see far and wide and doesn't feel all blocked and covered by giant trees as there are few trees here. It’s an arid area and so is the climate! And the really pleasing quietness, so nice that I didn't feel like interrupting the quietness with the sound of my own breath! Yes, really! It is that calm and quiet! Had I known a bit earlier, I would have come prepared and camped two or three nights here. It's a great place for camping and hiking. Entry is free and abundant places to camp along the road. There is also a Park Ranger Station and Rest Room Facilities near the entrance. This is the drier part of Oregon, on the east side of the Cascades Mountain Range. It is high country desert and Rattlesnake country! So be careful and watch your step! I will definitely come back here, as many times as possible, although currently I am in the East Coast.

For a day trip, you are more comfy and convenient by staying in a larger town, which would be Bend, OR, about 75 miles away from Painted Hills. Mitchell, OR, is the closest town/village (pop. about 140), 9 miles away. Mitchell has 2 motels, very basic but exudes with charm and down home hospitality. They have internet and Satellite TV. But there is NO cell phone reception/signal in this area, so bring along a real GPS!!! Your cell phone's cell tower triangulated GPS service won't work here. Two stores of Mitchell close early (country/village/small town hours) and so does the only Gas station. Get your gas tank of your vehicle filled before you venture in. If you, however, make the effort to come here and visit, trust me, it will be worthwhile and something that you will cherish forever.

 

Painted Hills State Park at John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, Mitchell, Oregon. Wheeler County.

It is amazing how minerals and volcanic ashes that were deposited 33 million years ago here have reacted with the elements over time, producing some amazing colors on the ground! Yes, I have double checked, what you are seeing in your screen is accurate depiction of the colors on the hills! Quite Amazing!

I am surprised that how little this place is known and how little it is promoted by State of Oregon! Utah has the Arches on their car license plates as background, Australia advertise their Red Rock all over the place, in that sense, this place is virtually unknown!!!

It is a very serene, absolutely quiet and pretty place, naturally colored hills are surrounded by high country desert and mountains. It's hard to believe the colors and that they occurred naturally! Really something to behold! On a funny note, this place could be an ad for Valspur Paint or Home Depot! Haha!

Serenity of this place isn’t broken even in the height of the summer tourist season. This place is virtually unknown. There are no people in the vicinity, one or two sporadic visitors. The weather is really nice here, cool and dry, no humidity and thus no sweat! Hikes here are really easy as the hills are not too steep. The wraparound view is pleasing to the eyes, one can see far and wide and doesn't feel all blocked and covered by giant trees as there are few trees here. It’s an arid area and so is the climate! And the really pleasing quietness, so nice that I didn't feel like interrupting the quietness with the sound of my own breath! Yes, really! It is that calm and quiet! Had I known a bit earlier, I would have come prepared and camped two or three nights here. It's a great place for camping and hiking. Entry is free and abundant places to camp along the road. There is also a Park Ranger Station and Rest Room Facilities near the entrance. This is the drier part of Oregon, on the east side of the Cascades Mountain Range. It is high country desert and Rattlesnake country! So be careful and watch your step! I will definitely come back here, as many times as possible, although currently I am in the East Coast.

For a day trip, you are more comfy and convenient by staying in a larger town, which would be Bend, OR, about 75 miles away from Painted Hills. Mitchell, OR, is the closest town/village (pop. about 140), 9 miles away. Mitchell has 2 motels, very basic but exudes with charm and down home hospitality. They have internet and Satellite TV. But there is NO cell phone reception/signal in this area, so bring along a real GPS!!! Your cell phone's cell tower triangulated GPS service won't work here. Two stores of Mitchell close early (country/village/small town hours) and so does the only Gas station. Get your gas tank of your vehicle filled before you venture in. If you, however, make the effort to come here and visit, trust me, it will be worthwhile and something that you will cherish forever.

 

A plaque stating the 'who's who' of the Chocolate Hills development committee. They are working hard to get the attraction listed on the 'new seven wonders of the world' list. (Bohol- Tagbilaran, Philippines, May 2013)

 

St. Paul Subterranean River

Puerto Princesa

Palawan, Philippines

Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park

In Red Rock Canyon area, near Las Vegas.

While on the drive back from the Chocolate Hills, I wanted to stop to photograph carabou, a buffalo species endemic to the Philippines. I spotted only one, but he was too far away. On the other side of the road, some distance away, I was fascinated by this lone farmer, tilling the land, and working so hard in that intense summer heat. At least he was using a mechanical tiller. I pitied him as I got back into the comfort of my air conditioned car. (Bohol- Tagbilaran, Philippines, May 2013)

Postojna Cave is a 20,570 m long Karst cave system near Postojna, Slovenia. It is the longest cave system in the country as well as one of its top tourism sites. The caves were created by the Pivka River.

 

The cave was first described in the 17th century by Johann Weichard Valvasor, and a new area of the cave was discovered accidentally in 1818 by local Luka Čeč, when he was preparing the hitherto known parts of the cave for a visit by Francis I, the first Emperor of Austria. In 1819, the caves were opened to the public, and Čeč went on to become the first official tourist guide for the caves. Electric lighting was added in 1884, preceding even Ljubljana, the capital of Carniola, the Austro-Hungarian province the cave was part of at the time, and further enhancing the cave system's popularity. In 1872 rails were laid in the cave along with first cave train for tourists. At first, these were pushed along by the guides themselves, later at the beginning of the 20th century a gas locomotive was introduced. After 1945, the gas locomotive was replaced by an electric one. 5.3 km of the caves are open to the public, the longest publicly accessible depth of any cave system in the world.

A long shot of the solitary farmer, purposely taken this way to show the expanse of the land he was tilling single handed. The conical hill in the background is probably part of the Chocolate Hills cluster. Everywhere in the Philippines, I found the locals very hard working indeed. A lot of hard work for very little returns. (Bohol- Tagbilaran, Philippines, May 2013)

Postojna Cave is a 20,570 m long Karst cave system near Postojna, Slovenia. It is the longest cave system in the country as well as one of its top tourism sites. The caves were created by the Pivka River.

 

The cave was first described in the 17th century by Johann Weichard Valvasor, and a new area of the cave was discovered accidentally in 1818 by local Luka Čeč, when he was preparing the hitherto known parts of the cave for a visit by Francis I, the first Emperor of Austria. In 1819, the caves were opened to the public, and Čeč went on to become the first official tourist guide for the caves. Electric lighting was added in 1884, preceding even Ljubljana, the capital of Carniola, the Austro-Hungarian province the cave was part of at the time, and further enhancing the cave system's popularity. In 1872 rails were laid in the cave along with first cave train for tourists. At first, these were pushed along by the guides themselves, later at the beginning of the 20th century a gas locomotive was introduced. After 1945, the gas locomotive was replaced by an electric one. 5.3 km of the caves are open to the public, the longest publicly accessible depth of any cave system in the world.

Painted Hills State Park at John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, Mitchell, Oregon. Wheeler County.

It is amazing how minerals and volcanic ashes that were deposited 33 million years ago here have reacted with the elements over time, producing some amazing colors on the ground! Yes, I have double checked, what you are seeing in your screen is accurate depiction of the colors on the hills! Quite Amazing!

I am surprised that how little this place is known and how little it is promoted by State of Oregon! Utah has the Arches on their car license plates as background, Australia advertise their Red Rock all over the place, in that sense, this place is virtually unknown!!!

It is a very serene, absolutely quiet and pretty place, naturally colored hills are surrounded by high country desert and mountains. It's hard to believe the colors and that they occurred naturally! Really something to behold! On a funny note, this place could be an ad for Valspur Paint or Home Depot! Haha!

Serenity of this place isn’t broken even in the height of the summer tourist season. This place is virtually unknown. There are no people in the vicinity, one or two sporadic visitors. The weather is really nice here, cool and dry, no humidity and thus no sweat! Hikes here are really easy as the hills are not too steep. The wraparound view is pleasing to the eyes, one can see far and wide and doesn't feel all blocked and covered by giant trees as there are few trees here. It’s an arid area and so is the climate! And the really pleasing quietness, so nice that I didn't feel like interrupting the quietness with the sound of my own breath! Yes, really! It is that calm and quiet! Had I known a bit earlier, I would have come prepared and camped two or three nights here. It's a great place for camping and hiking. Entry is free and abundant places to camp along the road. There is also a Park Ranger Station and Rest Room Facilities near the entrance. This is the drier part of Oregon, on the east side of the Cascades Mountain Range. It is high country desert and Rattlesnake country! So be careful and watch your step! I will definitely come back here, as many times as possible, although currently I am in the East Coast.

For a day trip, you are more comfy and convenient by staying in a larger town, which would be Bend, OR, about 75 miles away from Painted Hills. Mitchell, OR, is the closest town/village (pop. about 140), 9 miles away. Mitchell has 2 motels, very basic but exudes with charm and down home hospitality. They have internet and Satellite TV. But there is NO cell phone reception/signal in this area, so bring along a real GPS!!! Your cell phone's cell tower triangulated GPS service won't work here. Two stores of Mitchell close early (country/village/small town hours) and so does the only Gas station. Get your gas tank of your vehicle filled before you venture in. If you, however, make the effort to come here and visit, trust me, it will be worthwhile and something that you will cherish forever.

 

I was fortunate enough to spend a week this summer with my aunt exploring the sights in South Dakota. We had a lovely time: great weather, company, and food!

 

These first 21 pictures were taken in The Badlands National Park. It was a gorgeous place filled with beautiful colors and stunning, vistas. I can't tell you the how much I loved this place. I would have spent the whole vacation there if I could have. It was truly spectacular.

Painted Hills State Park at John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, Mitchell, Oregon. Wheeler County.

It is amazing how minerals and volcanic ashes that were deposited 33 million years ago here have reacted with the elements over time, producing some amazing colors on the ground! Yes, I have double checked, what you are seeing in your screen is accurate depiction of the colors on the hills! Quite Amazing!

I am surprised that how little this place is known and how little it is promoted by State of Oregon! Utah has the Arches on their car license plates as background, Australia advertise their Red Rock all over the place, in that sense, this place is virtually unknown!!!

It is a very serene, absolutely quiet and pretty place, naturally colored hills are surrounded by high country desert and mountains. It's hard to believe the colors and that they occurred naturally! Really something to behold! On a funny note, this place could be an ad for Valspur Paint or Home Depot! Haha!

Serenity of this place isn’t broken even in the height of the summer tourist season. This place is virtually unknown. There are no people in the vicinity, one or two sporadic visitors. The weather is really nice here, cool and dry, no humidity and thus no sweat! Hikes here are really easy as the hills are not too steep. The wraparound view is pleasing to the eyes, one can see far and wide and doesn't feel all blocked and covered by giant trees as there are few trees here. It’s an arid area and so is the climate! And the really pleasing quietness, so nice that I didn't feel like interrupting the quietness with the sound of my own breath! Yes, really! It is that calm and quiet! Had I known a bit earlier, I would have come prepared and camped two or three nights here. It's a great place for camping and hiking. Entry is free and abundant places to camp along the road. There is also a Park Ranger Station and Rest Room Facilities near the entrance. This is the drier part of Oregon, on the east side of the Cascades Mountain Range. It is high country desert and Rattlesnake country! So be careful and watch your step! I will definitely come back here, as many times as possible, although currently I am in the East Coast.

For a day trip, you are more comfy and convenient by staying in a larger town, which would be Bend, OR, about 75 miles away from Painted Hills. Mitchell, OR, is the closest town/village (pop. about 140), 9 miles away. Mitchell has 2 motels, very basic but exudes with charm and down home hospitality. They have internet and Satellite TV. But there is NO cell phone reception/signal in this area, so bring along a real GPS!!! Your cell phone's cell tower triangulated GPS service won't work here. Two stores of Mitchell close early (country/village/small town hours) and so does the only Gas station. Get your gas tank of your vehicle filled before you venture in. If you, however, make the effort to come here and visit, trust me, it will be worthwhile and something that you will cherish forever.

 

Painted Hills State Park at John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, Mitchell, Oregon. Wheeler County.

It is amazing how minerals and volcanic ashes that were deposited 33 million years ago here have reacted with the elements over time, producing some amazing colors on the ground! Yes, I have double checked, what you are seeing in your screen is accurate depiction of the colors on the hills! Quite Amazing!

I am surprised that how little this place is known and how little it is promoted by State of Oregon! Utah has the Arches on their car license plates as background, Australia advertise their Red Rock all over the place, in that sense, this place is virtually unknown!!!

It is a very serene, absolutely quiet and pretty place, naturally colored hills are surrounded by high country desert and mountains. It's hard to believe the colors and that they occurred naturally! Really something to behold! On a funny note, this place could be an ad for Valspur Paint or Home Depot! Haha!

Serenity of this place isn’t broken even in the height of the summer tourist season. This place is virtually unknown. There are no people in the vicinity, one or two sporadic visitors. The weather is really nice here, cool and dry, no humidity and thus no sweat! Hikes here are really easy as the hills are not too steep. The wraparound view is pleasing to the eyes, one can see far and wide and doesn't feel all blocked and covered by giant trees as there are few trees here. It’s an arid area and so is the climate! And the really pleasing quietness, so nice that I didn't feel like interrupting the quietness with the sound of my own breath! Yes, really! It is that calm and quiet! Had I known a bit earlier, I would have come prepared and camped two or three nights here. It's a great place for camping and hiking. Entry is free and abundant places to camp along the road. There is also a Park Ranger Station and Rest Room Facilities near the entrance. This is the drier part of Oregon, on the east side of the Cascades Mountain Range. It is high country desert and Rattlesnake country! So be careful and watch your step! I will definitely come back here, as many times as possible, although currently I am in the East Coast.

For a day trip, you are more comfy and convenient by staying in a larger town, which would be Bend, OR, about 75 miles away from Painted Hills. Mitchell, OR, is the closest town/village (pop. about 140), 9 miles away. Mitchell has 2 motels, very basic but exudes with charm and down home hospitality. They have internet and Satellite TV. But there is NO cell phone reception/signal in this area, so bring along a real GPS!!! Your cell phone's cell tower triangulated GPS service won't work here. Two stores of Mitchell close early (country/village/small town hours) and so does the only Gas station. Get your gas tank of your vehicle filled before you venture in. If you, however, make the effort to come here and visit, trust me, it will be worthwhile and something that you will cherish forever.

 

This photo was taken in one of the amazing caves in Merapoh, Kuala Lipis, Pahang, Malaysia.

Merapoh has many wonderful caves that have wonderful natural formations.

Thank you for visit, like, fav, following and comments

I would be very pleased to receive your comments.

Feel free to click on the below link to know more about me

about.me/helmialfarra

El Puente Nuevo constituye, junto con la Plaza de Toros de la Real Maestranza de Caballería de Ronda, el símbolo y el alma de la ciudad.

Hubo dos grandes proyectos para la realización de esta obra. El primero del año 1.735, reinando Felipe V, que consistió en un arco de 35 metros de diámetro, y cuyas obras duraron tan sólo 8 meses, pero que resultó infructuoso pues seis años después se derrumbó, ocasionando la muerte a unas 50 personas aproximadamente.

Pocos años más tarde comenzaron las obras, concretamente en 1751 y finalizaron en Mayo de 1793, coincidiendo con la celebración de la Real Feria de Mayo en Ronda. En total se invirtieron más de 40 años, estando al frente de las mismas el arquitecto D. José Martín de Aldehuela, natural del pueblo turolense de Manzanera.

Esta obra maestra de 98 metros de altura, construida en sillares de piedra extraídos del fondo de la garganta del Tajo, permitió la conexión del barrio moderno o del Mercadillo con el barrio antiguo de la ciudad y posibilitó la expansión urbanística de la ciudad. Desde sus balcones, las vistas de las casas colgando sobre el mismo borde del precipicio, son espectaculares.

[www.turismoderonda.es]

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

The New Bridge is, together with the bullring of the Royal Cavalry Order of Ronda, symbol and soul of the city.

There were two great ideas in order to built this bridge. The first of them was thought in 1735, being king Philip V, consisting of a 35 metres diameter arch, and whose works finished only 8 months later. Unfortunately, this bridge did not work, because it collapsed, bringing to death more or less to 50 people.

Few years later the building of a new bridge was begun, in 1751, and it was finished in 1793, at the same time of the celebration of the Royal May Fair of Ronda. The building took more than 40 years, being the executive chief the architect José Martín de Aldehuela, born in the Teruel's province village of Manzanera.

This master building has got a height of 98 metres, built with stone masonry which were taken from the depth of the Tajo's gorge. It allowed the conexion between the modern quarter of the city, called also the market's quarter, and the old quarter of the city, which allowed also the urban development of Ronda.

[www.turismoderonda.es]

Painted Hills State Park at John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, Mitchell, Oregon. Wheeler County.

It is amazing how minerals and volcanic ashes that were deposited 33 million years ago here have reacted with the elements over time, producing some amazing colors on the ground! Yes, I have double checked, what you are seeing in your screen is accurate depiction of the colors on the hills! Quite Amazing!

I am surprised that how little this place is known and how little it is promoted by State of Oregon! Utah has the Arches on their car license plates as background, Australia advertise their Red Rock all over the place, in that sense, this place is virtually unknown!!!

It is a very serene, absolutely quiet and pretty place, naturally colored hills are surrounded by high country desert and mountains. It's hard to believe the colors and that they occurred naturally! Really something to behold! On a funny note, this place could be an ad for Valspur Paint or Home Depot! Haha!

Serenity of this place isn’t broken even in the height of the summer tourist season. This place is virtually unknown. There are no people in the vicinity, one or two sporadic visitors. The weather is really nice here, cool and dry, no humidity and thus no sweat! Hikes here are really easy as the hills are not too steep. The wraparound view is pleasing to the eyes, one can see far and wide and doesn't feel all blocked and covered by giant trees as there are few trees here. It’s an arid area and so is the climate! And the really pleasing quietness, so nice that I didn't feel like interrupting the quietness with the sound of my own breath! Yes, really! It is that calm and quiet! Had I known a bit earlier, I would have come prepared and camped two or three nights here. It's a great place for camping and hiking. Entry is free and abundant places to camp along the road. There is also a Park Ranger Station and Rest Room Facilities near the entrance. This is the drier part of Oregon, on the east side of the Cascades Mountain Range. It is high country desert and Rattlesnake country! So be careful and watch your step! I will definitely come back here, as many times as possible, although currently I am in the East Coast.

For a day trip, you are more comfy and convenient by staying in a larger town, which would be Bend, OR, about 75 miles away from Painted Hills. Mitchell, OR, is the closest town/village (pop. about 140), 9 miles away. Mitchell has 2 motels, very basic but exudes with charm and down home hospitality. They have internet and Satellite TV. But there is NO cell phone reception/signal in this area, so bring along a real GPS!!! Your cell phone's cell tower triangulated GPS service won't work here. Two stores of Mitchell close early (country/village/small town hours) and so does the only Gas station. Get your gas tank of your vehicle filled before you venture in. If you, however, make the effort to come here and visit, trust me, it will be worthwhile and something that you will cherish forever.

 

El monasterio fue fundado por Gombau de Besora, señor entre otras tierras del castillo de Montbui en Caldas. En 997, Gombau compró las tierras a Ramón Borrell. Se desconoce la fecha exacta de la fundación del monasterio pero en 1006 ya estaba instalada una comunidad de frailes, siendo su primer abad Guillemund.

Tanto los condes de Barcelona como el propio Gombau dotaron al monasterio de importantes bienes. En 1042, Gombau unió, en calidad de priorato, el monasterio catalán con el de San Víctor de Marsella con el fin de garantizar la continuidad del cenobio después de su muerte.

La comunidad residente en San Miguel fue siempre pequeña, entre cinco y seis monjes. Entró en declive a partir del siglo XIV cuando la comunidad quedó reducida a tres monjes. La vida religiosa en el cenobio finalizó en 1567 cuando se convirtió en una dependencia de la diócesis de Gerona quien se encargó de mantener el culto en el recinto mediante sacerdotes beneficiados. El antiguo monasterio se fue transformando en un santuario al que acudían los vecinos de las localidades cercanas. Tras la desamortización quedó en manos de particulares. Las actividades religiosas se mantuvieron hasta 1936.

A pesar de ser un monasterio de pequeñas dimensiones contó con importantes donaciones. En el Museo Diocesano de Barcelona se conserva una cruz románica de plata repujada, obra única de la orfebrería románica, procedente de San Miguel. En el museo se encuentran también lápidas, sarcófagos y otros artículos de menaje que demuestran la riqueza que un día tuvo este cenobio.

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

The monastery is located in a well-preserved natural environment framed by rocky cliffs called Cingles de Bertí in the Catalan pre-coastal mountain range which geographically separates the region of Vallès Oriental in the subregion of Moianès. The Natural Area Sant Miquel del Fai is located in the municipality of Bigues i Riells.

The church has a Romanesque doorway formed by a semicircular arch. A pair of columns are topped with capitals decorated with plant motifs. Only a few traces remain of the high altar. It has a small crypt which is accessed via a staircase located near the entrance. On the floor of the church, the headstones of the old abbots are visible. In side chapels, there are two graves. One, dating to the 13th century, is believed to correspond to Guillem, Earl Osona and brother of Ramon Berenguer I, who, after waiving his rights, was a monk of Sant Miquel. The other tomb may be that of Andreu Arbizu, a monk from Navarre, who provided goods to the monastery. The old priory house style is Gothic and dates to the 15th century. For many years, it has served as a hostel, but retains its original layout.

Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park

1 2 ••• 30 31 33 35 36 ••• 79 80