View allAll Photos Tagged LABYRINTHINE
A series taken around the Matsubara-yu public bath house. It has some of the labyrinthine quality of the bath house in Spirited Away, though on a much smaller scale. 千と千尋の神隠しの銭湯と違うだけど、すこしラビリンシンの感じ。
Pláka is the old historical neighborhood of Athens, clustered around the northern and eastern slopes of the Acropolis, and incorporating labyrinthine streets and neoclassical architecture.
a never-ending journey through great and small, through variations and the realm of illusions and appearances, a labyrinthine and specular place of multitudes and simulation :-)
Luigi Ghirri
hemerocallis, daylily 'Barbara Mitchell', sarah p duke gardens, duke university, duham, north carolina
"There are no rules of architecture for a castle in the clouds" G. K. Chesterton
The castle Rocchetta Mattei (literally "small fortress Mattei") is situated in the mountan chain of the Apennines between Tuscany and Emilia Romagna. It is 45 km away from Bologna, on the SS.64 (road) that links Bologna to Porretta Terme, just after the town of Riola, in the municipality of Grizzana Morandi.
It was built by the Count Cesare Mattei (1809-1896) on the remains of an ancient medieval castle that belonged to Matilde di Canossa (a.k.a. Matilda of Tuscany).
In the beginning the Count was an army man, than a politician, than a science man, a scholar, a philanthropist and an entrepreneur. He personally directed the constuction of the castle "having on his command artisans of every trade".
The fusion of different architectural styles, such as the Medieval Gothic with the Moorish style, make the Rocchetta a mesmeric and fantastic place, full of small rooms very expertly decorated and linked together by a labyrinthine plan mixed together with lodges, spiral staircases and towers. Two of the most appealing spaces are “Il Cortile dei Leoni” (The Lions’ Courtyard), which is a reproduction of the courtyard of the Alhambra of Granada (Spain), and the chapel, which was built like the Cathedral of Cordoba (Spain).
The Count built the Rocchetta for one specific reason, he wanted it to be the cradle of his invention: Electro-Homoeopathy, a type of medicine that by using natural herbs and a secret process of preparation was meant to cure the man from all the diseases.
This type of medicine spread quickly and it made the Count and the castle very well known worldwide. Dostoevskij, in his "The Brothers Karamazov" ,states its importance when he tells the devil that he was finally healed from a very painful case of rheumatism thanks to a book and some drops from the Count Mattei.
The Foundation Carisbo bought it in 2005 and the beginning of the massive restoration of what can be visited today.
(from www. bolognawelcome.com)
“The Kerala backwaters are a network of brackish lagoons and canals lying parallel to the Arabian Sea of the Malabar coast of Kerala state in south-western India. It also includes interconnected lakes, rivers, and inlets, a labyrinthine system formed by more than 900 km of waterways, and sometimes compared to bayous. The network includes five large lakes linked by canals, both man made and natural, fed by 38 rivers, and extending virtually half the length of Kerala state. The backwaters were formed by the action of waves and shore currents creating low barrier islands across the mouths of the many rivers flowing down from the Western Ghats range. In the midst of this landscape there are a number of towns and cities, which serve as the starting and end points of backwater cruises. There are 34 backwaters in Kerala. Out of it, 27 are located either closer to Arabian Sea or parallel to the sea. The remaining 7 are inland navigation routes.
The backwaters have a unique ecosystem: freshwater from the rivers meets the seawater from the Arabian Sea. A barrage has been built near Thanneermukkom, so salt water from the sea is prevented from entering the deep inside, keeping the fresh water intact. Such fresh water is extensively used for irrigation purposes. Many unique species of aquatic life including crabs, frogs and mudskippers, water birds such as terns, kingfishers, darters and cormorants, and animals such as otters and turtles live in and alongside the backwaters. Palm trees, pandanus shrubs, various leafy plants, and bushes grow alongside the backwaters, providing a green hue to the surrounding landscape.”
A series taken around the Matsubara-yu public bath house. It has some of the labyrinthine quality of the bath house in Spirited Away, though on a much smaller scale. 千と千尋の神隠しの銭湯と違うだけど、すこしラビリンシンの感じ。
Touring Cricova Winery, Cricova, Moldova.
Cricova is a Moldovan winery, located in the town with the same name, 15 kilometers (9.3 mi) north of Chisinau. Famous wine cellars make it a popular attraction for tourists.
The wine cellars of Cricova is the second largest wine cellar in Moldova, after Milestii Mici (largest in the world). It boasts a mere 120 kilometers (75 mi) of labyrinthine roadways, versus MM's 200 kilometers (120 mi), tunnels have existed under Cricova since the 15th century, when limestone was dug out to help build Chisinau. They were converted into an underground wine emporium in the 1950s.
Half of the roadways are used for wine storage. The roads are named by the wines they store. This "wine city" has its warehouses, tasting rooms and other facilities underground. It goes down to 100 meters (330 ft) below ground and holds 1.25 million bottles of rare wine. The oldest wine dates back to 1902. The temperature is maintained at about 12 °C (54 °F) all year round (which is perfect for wine). This place is especially famous for hiding Jews in wine barrels during the Nazi invasion of the Soviet Union.
For video, please visit youtu.be/MPj7d5O-BV0
“The Kerala backwaters are a network of brackish lagoons and canals lying parallel to the Arabian Sea of the Malabar coast of Kerala state in south-western India. It also includes interconnected lakes, rivers, and inlets, a labyrinthine system formed by more than 900 km of waterways, and sometimes compared to bayous. The network includes five large lakes linked by canals, both man made and natural, fed by 38 rivers, and extending virtually half the length of Kerala state. The backwaters were formed by the action of waves and shore currents creating low barrier islands across the mouths of the many rivers flowing down from the Western Ghats range. In the midst of this landscape there are a number of towns and cities, which serve as the starting and end points of backwater cruises. There are 34 backwaters in Kerala. Out of it, 27 are located either closer to Arabian Sea or parallel to the sea. The remaining 7 are inland navigation routes.
The backwaters have a unique ecosystem: freshwater from the rivers meets the seawater from the Arabian Sea. A barrage has been built near Thanneermukkom, so salt water from the sea is prevented from entering the deep inside, keeping the fresh water intact. Such fresh water is extensively used for irrigation purposes. Many unique species of aquatic life including crabs, frogs and mudskippers, water birds such as terns, kingfishers, darters and cormorants, and animals such as otters and turtles live in and alongside the backwaters. Palm trees, pandanus shrubs, various leafy plants, and bushes grow alongside the backwaters, providing a green hue to the surrounding landscape.”
Chapel carved out of rock-salt at the Wieliczka Salt Mine near Kraków, Poland.
From Wikipedia:
The Wieliczka Salt Mine (Polish: Kopalnia soli Wieliczka) is a salt mine in the town of Wieliczka, near Kraków in southern Poland.
From Neolithic times, sodium chloride (table salt) was produced there from the upwelling brine. The Wieliczka salt mine, excavated from the 13th century, produced table salt continuously until 2007, as one of the world's oldest operating salt mines. Throughout its history, the royal salt mine was operated by the Żupy Krakowskie (Kraków Salt Mines) company.
Due to falling salt prices and mine flooding, commercial salt mining was discontinued in 1996.
The Wieliczka Salt Mine is now an official Polish Historic Monument (Pomnik Historii) and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its attractions include the shafts and labyrinthine passageways, displays of historic salt-mining technology, an underground lake, four chapels and numerous statues carved by miners out of the rock salt, and more recent sculptures by contemporary artists.
A narrow alley in Bari Vecchia, where history, tradition, and daily life blend beneath lace canopies and ancient stone walls.
This picturesque alleyway in the historic heart of Bari, Italy, captures the essence of a city where time seems to slow down. The narrow cobbled street, flanked by ancient stone buildings, reflects Bari's medieval roots, particularly in the old quarter known as "Bari Vecchia." This area, once encircled by defensive walls, retains its labyrinthine layout, originally designed to confuse invaders. The sunlight filters softly through the hanging laundry and lace decorations, casting intricate shadows that tell a silent story of centuries of local life.
Architecturally, the scene is a showcase of Apulian vernacular design. The stone façades, with their rustic textures and wrought iron balconies, are adorned with flower pots and traditional elements like wooden shutters and awnings. The presence of modern air conditioning units contrasts sharply with the centuries-old walls, symbolizing how Bari merges the old and the new in a harmonious, almost stubborn, coexistence. Carved corbels supporting balconies and arched doorways echo the Romanesque influences prevalent throughout the region.
Culturally, the image reveals a slice of daily life in Bari Vecchia, where localsâespecially elderly women known as âle nonneââare often seen sitting or strolling along these narrow lanes, embodying the spirit of community. The small artisan shop on the right, selling handcrafted souvenirs and religious artifacts, hints at the city's deep-rooted traditions and its enduring connection to craftsmanship and faith, particularly linked to the veneration of Saint Nicholas, the cityâs patron saint.
Culinary traditions also permeate this alleyway. Though not visible in the frame, itâs common to find families preparing fresh orecchiette (ear-shaped pasta) on wooden tables outside their homes. The scents of freshly baked focaccia barese, rich with olive oil and tomatoes, often waft through these streets. Bari's gastronomy, deeply tied to its maritime and agrarian heritage, is celebrated in such alleys where food is not just sustenance but a living tradition passed from generation to generation.
RX_01856_20240502_Bari
Plaka (Greek: Πλάκα) is the old historical neighborhood of Athens, clustered around the northern and eastern slopes of the Acropolis, and incorporating labyrinthine streets and neoclassical architecture. Plaka is built on top of the residential areas of the ancient town of Athens. It is known as the "Neighborhood of the Gods" due to its proximity to the Acropolis and its many archaeological sites
Hoodoo Landscape
Little Egypt
Garfield County
Utah
Tucked away in the remote southern Utah region, Little Egypt is a hidden geological gem.
This lesser-known cluster of towering hoodoos and sandstone formations—sculpted by millennia of wind and erosion—resembles the ancient temples and statues of Egypt, giving the area its evocative name.
It offers a serene, uncrowded escape where you can wander among crimson spires and labyrinthine rock corridors in near silence. The warm, rusty hues of the stone blaze brilliantly at sunrise and sunset, casting surreal shadows that seem to animate the land itself.
Little Egypt is a surreal, otherworldly landscape nestled in the Utah backcountry.
This photograph captures a narrow stone alley in Bari’s old town, where the rhythm of daily life unfolds against centuries-old walls. The architecture is distinctly Mediterranean: warm limestone façades, small balconies crowded with plants, exterior air-conditioning units, and iron canopies extending over doorways. The worn, irregular paving stones speak of constant passage, while laundry hanging overhead and scooters parked along the walls reinforce the intimacy and density of this historic urban fabric.
Bari Vecchia, the city’s medieval heart, reflects a layered history shaped by Romans, Byzantines, Normans, and later the Kingdom of Naples. These winding alleys were designed both for defense and for community life, creating a compact, almost labyrinthine environment. The buildings reveal modest domestic architecture, built for function rather than grandeur, yet rich in character. This setting preserves the social structure of the past, where homes, workshops, and street life remain tightly interwoven.
Tourism in Bari thrives precisely because of scenes like this one—authentic, unscripted, and deeply rooted in tradition. Visitors are drawn to these alleys not only for their visual appeal, but for the lived experience they offer: neighbors chatting in doorways, children playing in the streets, and locals carrying out everyday crafts. Unlike heavily curated tourist zones, Bari Vecchia offers a genuine sense of place, where the boundary between resident and visitor feels refreshingly thin.
At the center of this scene stands one of Bari’s most iconic culinary traditions: the handmade production of orecchiette pasta. The woman seated at the small table embodies a centuries-old practice, shaping dough with swift, practiced movements. Apulia’s gastronomy is built on simplicity and quality—durum wheat, olive oil, vegetables, and seafood—and orecchiette is its most recognizable symbol. This quiet act of street-side pasta making connects the region’s agricultural roots, domestic culture, and global culinary reputation in a single, powerful image.
RX_01888_20240502_Bari
This street-level scene from Bari captures the charm of the city’s old quarter, where narrow passageways, stone façades, and sun-washed textures say more about the region than any brochure. The arched gateway frames the view like a natural portal into Bari Vecchia, the historic heart of the city. The muted whites and worn yellows on the walls speak to centuries of exposure to salt air and Mediterranean sun, a reminder that this port city has always lived with one foot in the sea.
Architecturally, the alleyway showcases the classic southern Italian blend of medieval and later vernacular styles: thick masonry, small balconies with wrought-iron railings, and tightly packed buildings designed to stay cool in the heat. The residents’ laundry hanging overhead and the fabric awning drifting down from above aren’t just decorative—they reflect how people adapt their homes to the climate and the tight urban fabric. The layered surfaces, cables, patches, and repairs reveal an environment that has been continuously inhabited and reworked over generations.
From a historical perspective, this part of Bari has deep roots tied to trade, faith, and defense. The labyrinthine layout—narrow lanes, archways, and sudden openings—once served practical purposes: shading pedestrians, protecting residents from coastal winds, and confusing would-be invaders. Today, these same streets guide visitors toward landmarks such as the Basilica of San Nicola and the old fortifications, offering a living record of the city’s medieval past integrated into everyday life.
Gastronomically, Bari’s identity is just as alive here as its architecture. A person carrying groceries through the arch hints at the region’s close relationship with fresh, local ingredients—from durum wheat and olive oil to seafood brought in daily from the Adriatic. These alleyways are famously known for nonnas making orecchiette by hand on wooden tables, and for small trattorias serving simple, perfect Apulian dishes. The scene reminds you that in Bari, cuisine isn’t showcased only in restaurants—it’s part of the rhythm of the street itself.
“We could have gone back to Dartmoor again. Plenty to see there. By now we’d have had breakfast in Morrisons at Tavistock and headed up onto the moors for the first shoot.”
A couple of hours later….
“We could have turned off right here and headed over the bridge for the Brecon Beacons. It’s brilliant there. Fantastic for waterfalls. Just look at the M49! Empty in comparison to this lunacy. We could be in Abergavenny in under an hour, stocking up on Haribo and Welsh beer in Aldi. There’s a very good chippy there. Generous portions too.”
Later still…..
“And there’s the New Forest. A bit of a trek but we’d probably be there by now if we'd turned off the motorway after Exeter. Great heathland shots and plenty of woodland (well obviously) opportunities too. And you’ve got the ponies - they make for wonderful subjects in the golden hour when the light touches their manes. Silver birches everywhere. I love a silver birch - wish we had some in Cornwall. I know a good Indian takeaway at Ashurst. Lovely naan bread.”
I hoped Lee was taking this personally. It was his idea to head north of Birmingham for our latest adventure, and to make things worse, for reasons that remained unclear we were travelling on a Friday. Back in the nineties, when I was married to a Lancastrian, we would routinely make the journey from Falmouth to Preston in six and a half hours, with two toddlers on board, always driving some dodgy old jalopy that was only just about roadworthy. And after three days in Preston with the in-laws I would be crawling up the curtains, wondering whether we could sneak off to the Lake District or the Trough of Bowland for a few hours - or preferably until it was time to go back home.
Thirty years on, with a car that does what it’s expected to without complaint, and no squabbling urchins to drive me to distraction, the shorter distance to Buxton was turning into an ordeal. By now we’d trudged through the A30 roadworks from Chivvy to Carland at walking pace, crawled across the Bristol area at the speed of an arthritic snail, and parked the car on the M5 in a queue that commenced just before Droitwich and finished on the other side of Birmingham. And all the way, the road was close to saturation point with moving traffic. Or traffic at a standstill. Purgatory on wheels. Honestly, if in a moment of blind optimism you ever dared to hope for our future as a species, try sitting in a traffic jam on the M5 on a Friday afternoon, surrounded by articulated lorries belching blue clouds into the stratosphere. And then remind yourself you’re just a small speck on the map in a tiny country at the edge of one of five carbon fuelled continents. Imagine what it must be like in Los Angeles, Mexico City, Jakarta and a thousand other mega-cities. Enjoy it while you can.
Finally we popped out of the tailbacks along the final miles of the M5 like a cork from a bottle of flat Lambrini, to join the northbound masses as Lee peered wistfully through the rear windows at his old home, looking to see if he could spot the football ground at Walsall. Meanwhile Bossy Barbara (otherwise known as the satnav on Dave’s phone) was adding further to this driver’s woes. “She says come off at the next junction,” he told me. I wasn’t convinced. “But the map clearly showed that we should leave the M6 at Stoke and that’s still nearly twenty miles away,” I complained. Now Lee chimed in with his version of events, which unhappily agreed with Dave’s. We bade the motorway farewell - a motorway that was now moving along nicely in the prescribed manner I might add - instead taking the route that Barbara had decided would take us to Buxton in record time. A record slow, it seemed.
For a while we chased along a happy A34, a dual carriageway with little to hinder our progress. This was more encouraging. Perhaps Barbara was right after all. But then she decided it was too easy, sending us instead along a labyrinthine trail of narrow roads through nodding villages, most of which took us to junctions where we needed to turn right into what was rapidly becoming the rush hour chaos. We still hadn’t seen a sign for Buxton, and as the hours dragged, I wondered whether we were going to arrive on the east coast at Grimsby or Hull instead. All the while, relations with Barbara remained distinctly frosty as I questioned every command she issued. Why were we driving up this narrow lane, more than thirty miles short of our destination? I wanted to go straight to Buxton, not conduct a whistle stop tour of every farm in North Staffordshire along the way.
Nine hours into our journey, we arrived at Leek, just a few miles short of our target, and after a local commuter reluctantly allowed me into the flow of traffic at yet another tedious right turn, it seemed the ordeal was close to its end. Pulling along the straight upward slope towards Buxton, we saw an imposing stegosaurus on the hills - Ramshaw Rocks huge, brutal and towering down over us as smiles returned to tired faces. Maybe it would be worth it after all - and maybe Lee would be forgiven for dragging us all this way. We found Aldi, bought supplies - including beer and confectionery (bloke shopping - dictionary definition: the result of three unattended middle aged men going to a supermarket unsupervised), and made haste to the cottage we’d rented for the next five nights. We’d left Cornwall at nine in the morning - by now it was almost seven in the evening. If you live close enough to a major European airport, you could probably have made it to New York and had your postcard halfway back across the Atlantic before we arrived in Buxton.
Less than an hour later, we were here, where I’d arranged to meet Shelly, who’d put in a special request to do traffic trails at Mam Tor. Introductions made, we headed up the short but steep slope and gazed out across the Edale Valley to Kinder Scout. In the opposite direction sat the beautiful village of Castleton, the top of the escarpment above Winnat’s Pass and the unmistakable cement works with its tall factory chimney at Hope. And there was the classic view along the ridge towards Back Tor and its lone tree. A rush of recognition. Suddenly some of the places in the book and the YouTube videos were real - living and breathing parts of the big green canvas that rolled serenely towards us, as if unfurled from somewhere beyond the horizon. This was a place where adventures to remember would surely happen. Although Shelly had forgotten her coat, and despite being loaned a thick jumper by Dave, had to leave early before we got down to business with the traffic trails.
As a gentle yellow sun cast its soft glow across the land, I decided to absolve Lee of all blame for dragging us this far. Well at least until the journey back to Cornwall a week later at the beginning of the bank holiday weekend that is. Probably best if we don’t talk about that. I’ve already made him sign a legally binding agreement in the presence of a team of solicitors that says we’re going to the Brecon Beacons on a Tuesday next time.
Amalfi:
The heart of Amalfi is the Sant’Andrea Cathedral, an architectural marvel that dominates Piazza del Duomo. Its impressive façade and intricate bronze doors reveal the town’s rich medieval heritage. As you wander through the labyrinthine streets, you may discover hidden gems like the Cloister of Paradise, a peaceful oasis adorned with medieval frescoes and lush greenery.
Amalfi’s waterfront, lined with pastel-colored buildings, radiates a lively atmosphere. Marina Grande, a charming harbor, is dotted with cafés and seafood restaurants inviting you to savor the region’s culinary delights while enjoying panoramic sea views. The iconic Torre dello Ziro, a medieval watchtower, stands guard over the town and offers breathtaking views of the coastline.
Higbee Beach National Wildlife Area
Cape May, NJ
To quote Tony Robbins, "If you do what you've always done, you'll get what you've always gotten."
Yesterday's Cape May revisit was a classic case-in-point, as it was mostly a cavalcade of familiar faces that I had been acquainted with just a few weeks earlier - only even less of them were present this time around. During that passage of time, I was secretly hoping for a few new faces to pop up, but it was mostly for naught.
I made it a point, however, to visit a few spots I hadn't before, like the labyrinthine dunes around Daveys Lake, where I ran into a prairie warbler couple. At this stage, I'd been sick of all of the male prairies I'd been inundated with, so having one of their wives pop out for a bit was a nice change of pace.
If last year was the Year of the Parula for me, this is undoubtedly shaping up to be the Year of the Prairie Warbler.
Barcelona - España - Spain
The Gothic Quarter (Catalan: Barri Gòtic, IPA: [ˈbari ˈɣɔtik], Spanish: Barrio Gótico) is the centre of the old city of Barcelona. It stretches from La Rambla to Via Laietana, and from the Mediterranean seafront to Ronda de Sant Pere. It is a part of Ciutat Vella district.
Despite several changes undergone in the 19th and early 20th century, many of the buildings date from Medieval times, some from as far back as the Roman settlement of Barcelona.
The Barri Gòtic retains a labyrinthine street plan, with many small streets opening out into squares. Most of the quarter is closed to regular traffic although open to service vehicles and taxis.
Europe, The Netherlands, Zuid Holland, Rotterdam, KunstHal, Thomas J Price exhibition, Sculptures, People (slightly cut from R, cut from B&T)
Shot at the KunstHal 'Matter of place' retrospective of the British artist Thomas J. Price (1981, Londen). “With subtle yet powerful work in various media, including sculpture, performance, photography, and animation, Price constantly stretches the boundaries of materials, scale, and presentation. He focuses on themes like representation, identity, and the impact of power in society.” In his Everyday Characters series, he tries to answer a fundamental question: ‘What does it mean to either be acknowledged or ignored in society?’ Price portrays every day but fictitious characters, challenging the spectator to think about who is represented in the public space. The exhibition Matter of Place opened with a smaller version of Price’ ‘Moments Contained’ sculpture, which has been gracing the square in front of Rotterdam Central Station since 2023. The sculpture depicts a woman wearing trainers, with her fists clenched in the pockets of her sweatpants. Are passers-by recognizing themselves or someone they know in her? Or is she making them aware of their own prejudices? "
Source: KunstHal Rotterdam.
It’s been a while since I visited the KunstHal, so I had almost forgotten how labyrinthine its routing is (there are 5 exhibition spaces) and how brilliant the roof is. It can be ‘deconstructed’—fitting for a post-modern Rem Koolhaas building ;-)—that is, it can be opened to transport exceptionally large objects in and out.
By the way the Overseer is the title of the picture, the statue (3,7 m high) is called All in.
Shot with the compact 'new' Lumix 7-14 F/4,0 super wide angle lens, it will replace the faithful Olympus 9-18, a 4/3 lens with a M4/3 adapter, which makes it kinda slow and due to its violent hunting, always kinda neurotic sounding ;-)
This is number 53 of the KunstHal album and 860 of People in the frame.
Although the eye and retina gather photons that deliver their payloads of electromagnetic force, these are channeled through heavy-duty cables straight back until the actual perception of images themselves physically occurs in the back of the brain, augmented by other nearby locations, in special sections that are as vast and labyrinthine as the hallways of the Milky Way, and contain as many neurons as there are stars in the galaxy.
The only things that are ever perceived by are perceptions themselves, and nothing exists outside of consciousness.
From Biocentrism, by Robert Lanza. Incredible book.
my favourite spot in the whole building; crumbling textures, flaking blue paint layers and the single old ladder, no doubt from the labyrinthine pigeon hole warehouse on the same floor.
derelict family run business specialising in firefighting equipment, opened 1920's, closed 2011
Na mais singular de todas as cidades, ainda é possível nos maravilharmos ao adentrarmos pelas labirínticas ruazinhas que cortam seus bairros! Como quando avistamos pela primeira vez esta fascinante mansão antiga na Rua Belisário Távora em Laranjeiras...
Bairro de Laranjeiras, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil.
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Neo-Gothic Venetian architecture through the streets of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
In the most singular of all cities, it's still possible to marvel at entering the labyrinthine little streets that cut throughout their neighborhoods! Like when we first saw this fascinating old mansion on Rua Belisário Távora in Laranjeiras neighborhood...
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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Little Egypt Hoodoo
Garfield County
Utah
May 2025
Tucked away in the remote reaches of southern Utah, Little Egypt is a hidden geological gem.
This lesser-known cluster of towering hoodoos and sandstone formations—sculpted by millennia of wind and erosion—resembles the ancient temples and statues of Egypt, giving the area its evocative name.
It offers a serene, uncrowded escape where you can wander among crimson spires and labyrinthine rock corridors in near silence. The warm, rusty hues of the stone blaze brilliantly at sunrise and sunset, casting surreal shadows that seem to animate the land itself.
Little Egypt is a surreal, otherworldly landscape nestled in the Utah backcountry.
Sunrise light fills the labyrinthine canyon of the Colorado River as it feels its way south through the sandstone toward the Abajo Mountains, Dead Horse Point State Park, Utah.
This photo was made over three years ago when we visited with friends in Moab for Thanksgiving, not realizing we were taking for granted the ability to be carefree with other people, sharing a meal and good wine without worrying about viral particles. But, the crucible of Covid has forged appreciation for such simple things that perhaps would forever have been taken for granted.
Technical notes: Stitch of three horizontal frames; used a tripod for once, found it relatively helpful.
Eroding Hoodoo
Little Egypt
Garfield County
Utah
Tucked away in the remote southern Utah region, Little Egypt is a hidden geological gem.
This lesser-known cluster of towering hoodoos and sandstone formations—sculpted by millennia of wind and erosion—resembles the ancient temples and statues of Egypt, giving the area its evocative name.
It offers a serene, uncrowded escape where you can wander among crimson spires and labyrinthine rock corridors in near silence. The warm, rusty hues of the stone blaze brilliantly at sunrise and sunset, casting surreal shadows that seem to animate the land itself.
Little Egypt is a surreal, otherworldly landscape nestled in the Utah backcountry.
Watch the video vimeo.com/196003200
There are thousands of ancient paths criss crossing Dorset’s wonderful countryside but none more fascinating than these labyrinthine paths like Hell Lane.
Hell Lane is perhaps one of the most impressive and interesting. With Shutes Lane it connects Symondsbury with North Chideock, climbing up over the ridge near Quarry Hill. It is interesting because the eastern part is much more gorge like than the western half – to walk from the ridge down to North Chideock is a bit like walking a shallow river bed! The reason for this difference might well be the fact that the church and other buildings at Symondsbury were built with stone from the quarry. You can just imagine how the constant traffic of heavy laden carts running between quarry and village would have considerably deepened that part of the track to the gorge it now is
In the dim glow of a solitary streetlamp, a man finds solace in the embrace of his thoughts, each exhale of smoke a whispered echo of his contemplations. The world around him mirrors the quietude of his mind, as he navigates the labyrinthine corridors of his own thoughts, seeking answers in the tendrils of smoke that curl and vanish into the night.
“The Kerala backwaters are a network of brackish lagoons and canals lying parallel to the Arabian Sea of the Malabar coast of Kerala state in south-western India. It also includes interconnected lakes, rivers, and inlets, a labyrinthine system formed by more than 900 km of waterways, and sometimes compared to bayous. The network includes five large lakes linked by canals, both man made and natural, fed by 38 rivers, and extending virtually half the length of Kerala state. The backwaters were formed by the action of waves and shore currents creating low barrier islands across the mouths of the many rivers flowing down from the Western Ghats range. In the midst of this landscape there are a number of towns and cities, which serve as the starting and end points of backwater cruises. There are 34 backwaters in Kerala. Out of it, 27 are located either closer to Arabian Sea or parallel to the sea. The remaining 7 are inland navigation routes.
The backwaters have a unique ecosystem: freshwater from the rivers meets the seawater from the Arabian Sea. A barrage has been built near Thanneermukkom, so salt water from the sea is prevented from entering the deep inside, keeping the fresh water intact. Such fresh water is extensively used for irrigation purposes. Many unique species of aquatic life including crabs, frogs and mudskippers, water birds such as terns, kingfishers, darters and cormorants, and animals such as otters and turtles live in and alongside the backwaters. Palm trees, pandanus shrubs, various leafy plants, and bushes grow alongside the backwaters, providing a green hue to the surrounding landscape.”