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With its standout Italian styling, British craftsmanship and American V8 power, the Jensen Interceptor had a statement like few other cars. Loved equally by celebrities and TV action men, the glamorous Interceptor has left a lasting impression in our motoring memories.
Launched in 1966, the handsome design by Touring of Milan challenged Aston Martin while the V8 matched American muscle cars for speed. The hand-built, fast-back body is elegant and practical with its signature wrap-around rear screen which lifts like a modern hatchback revealing a large boot. Inside the luxury continued with leather seats, Wilton carpets, electric windows and air conditioning.
By the early 1970s cheaper competitors from Jaguar and the rising fuel costs meant a car consuming 10 mpg was out of step with the era. Jensen ceased production of the Interceptor in 1976, but left behind beautiful, unforgettable cars.
This 1973 Jensen Interceptor Mark III, XBY251M, is on display in the Haynes Motor Museum in Somerset.
A flowering tree stands out from the Spring greenery at Perrot State Park near Trempealeau, Wisconsin.
Queen Anne's Lace. I know it's a weed... but damn it's pretty.... caught it here in the late day sunshine.
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BatiNeon Valkyrie Blue
A bold and futuristic avatar featuring neon accents and intricate details, perfect for a standout look.
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The top of a tall conifer stands out with other trees in the background along with the fall colors of Aspen trees.
The only YN2 in the consist leads a manifest east at Pine Junction. A C40-8 leads 2 AC4400CW's, an ES40DC, GP38-3, and GP15-1.
Eustis Estate, Milton, Massachusetts
Take Aim - Colorful leaves/trees
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Pentax 67, SMC 45mm f4, Efke IR820c, developed in Kodak T-Max 1+4, wet-mounted drumscan.
A male Northern Cardinal glowing in the sun. Wildwood Lake.
Thanks so much for the visit!
1/800 sec. f/6.3 600mm ISO200
Charlottesville, Virginia. Shot with an Olympus E-M1 Mark II camera and an Olympus 12-100mm f4.0 lens.
Grape hyacinth... One of the earliest and one of the prettiest flowers of spring. I never tire of these little flowers.
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Under harsh noon summer sun, Chimney Rock (15 miles west of Pagosa Springs) was a standout against the western slope of the Rocky Mountains. This geological structure is visible from US 160. My altitude was ~7700 feet. Temperature was about 80F in the shade and approaching 100F in the sun.
The distinctive twin spires of Chimney Rock and Companion Rock are the most prominent geological features of the monument. These pinnacles are composed primarily of sandstone and shale, with evidence of sedimentary layers from the Mesozoic era, specifically the Cretaceous period (approximately 145–66 million years ago).
The key geological components include:
Sandstone: The upper portions of the spires are likely composed of resistant sandstone, possibly from the Point Lookout Sandstone formation, which is part of the Mesaverde Group common in the Four Corners region. Sandstone forms from cemented sand grains deposited in ancient marine or coastal environments. Its durability has allowed the spires to withstand erosion better than surrounding materials.
Shale: Beneath the sandstone cap, softer layers of Mancos Shale form a pedestal. Shale is a fine-grained sedimentary rock formed from compacted mud and clay in quiet, low-energy environments like ocean basins. Its relative softness makes it more susceptible to erosion, contributing to the spires’ isolated appearance.
Volcanic Influence: The San Juan Mountains experienced intense volcanic activity during the Oligocene (approximately 34–23 million years ago). While the spires themselves are primarily sedimentary, the broader region contains volcanic ash and tuff deposits interlayered with sedimentary rocks, indicating nearby volcanic eruptions that influenced the local geology.
Formation of the Spires
The twin spires of Chimney Rock and Companion Rock are classic examples of differential erosion, a process where materials of varying resistance erode at different rates:
Cap Rock Protection: The spires owe their existence to a hard sandstone cap that protects the softer shale and other underlying materials from erosion. This cap rock acts like an umbrella, slowing the erosion of the material directly beneath it while surrounding softer rocks are worn away by wind, water, and freeze-thaw cycles.
Erosion and Isolation: Over millions of years, the surrounding landscape was eroded, leaving the more resistant spires standing tall above the mesa. The Piedra River and Stollsteimer Creek, which flank the monument, have carved valleys that enhance the spires’ prominence, with Chimney Rock rising approximately 315 feet from its base.
Mesa Formation: Stollsteimer Mesa, where the spires are located, is a flat-topped landform typical of the Colorado Plateau.
Mesas form when resistant rock layers (like sandstone) protect underlying softer layers from erosion, creating elevated platforms. The mesa’s elevation and the spires’ position atop it highlight the region’s layered sedimentary history.
Geological Processes and Features
Several geological processes have shaped the Chimney Rock landscape:
Sedimentation: During the Cretaceous period, the area was part of the Western Interior Seaway, a vast shallow sea that covered much of central North America. Sediments from rivers, deltas, and marine environments accumulated, forming the sandstone and shale layers visible today. Fossils found in the area, such as marine shells, provide evidence of this ancient seaway.
Tectonic Uplift: The Laramide Orogeny uplifted the Rocky Mountains, including the San Juan range, elevating the sedimentary layers to their current high altitude. This uplift exposed the rocks to erosion, setting the stage for the formation of the spires and mesa.
Erosion: Wind, water, and seasonal temperature fluctuations (freeze-thaw cycles) have sculpted the landscape. The steep cliffs and exposed rock faces at Chimney Rock are evidence of ongoing erosion, which continues to shape the monument. The softer shale erodes faster, undercutting the sandstone cap and maintaining the spires’ sharp profiles.
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