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Not a sunny day in the Eastern Sierras today!
Mono Lake is a shallow salt water lake located in the high desert on the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, in California in the United States. The lake has no outlet to the ocean causing high levels of salts to accumulate in the waters. As a consequence of its high salinity, no fish live in Mono Lake, but there are plenty of brine shrimp that thrive in its waters. Over two million annual migratory birds use Mono Lake as a stop over and resting place as they fly to South America or the tropical oceans. They feed on the shrimps, lay eggs and hatch their young ones here.
The most unusual feature of Mono Lake are its dramatic tufa towers emerging from the surface. These rock towers form when underwater springs rich in calcium mix with the waters of the lake, which are rich in carbonates. The resulting reaction forms limestone. Over time the buildup of limestone formed towers, and when the water level of the lake dropped the towers became exposed.
Big Sur is a rugged and mountainous section of the Central Coast of the U.S. state of California, between Carmel Highlands and San Simeon, where the Santa Lucia Mountains rise abruptly from the Pacific Ocean. It is frequently praised for its dramatic scenery. Big Sur has been called the "longest and most scenic stretch of undeveloped coastline in the contiguous United States", a sublime "national treasure that demands extraordinary procedures to protect it from development", and "one of the most beautiful coastlines anywhere in the world, an isolated stretch of road, mythic in reputation". The views, redwood forests, hiking, beaches, and other recreational opportunities have made Big Sur a popular destination for visitors from across the world. With 4.5 to 7 million visitors annually, it is among the top tourist destinations in the United States, comparable to Yosemite National Park, but with considerably fewer services, and less parking, roads, and related infrastructure.
Big Sur Village is a collection of small roadside businesses and homes. The larger region known as Big Sur does not have specific boundaries but is generally considered to include the 71-mile (114 km) segment of California State Route 1 between Malpaso Creek near Carmel Highlands in the north and San Carpóforo Creek near San Simeon in the south, as well as the entire Santa Lucia range between these creeks. The interior region is mostly uninhabited, while the coast remains relatively isolated and sparsely populated, with between 1,800 and 2,000 year-round residents and relatively few visitor accommodations scattered among four small settlements. The region remained one of the most inaccessible areas of California and the entire United States until, after 18 years of construction, the Carmel–San Simeon Highway (now signed as part of State Route 1) was completed in 1937. Along with the ocean views, this winding, narrow road, often cut into the face of towering seaside cliffs, dominates the visitor's experience of Big Sur. The highway has been closed more than 55 times by landslides, and in May 2017, a 2,000,000-cubic-foot slide blocked the highway at Mud Creek, north of Salmon Creek near the San Luis Obispo County line, to just south of Gorda. The road was reopened on July 18, 2018.
The region is protected by the Big Sur Local Coastal Plan, which preserves it as "open space, a small residential community, and agricultural ranching." Approved in 1986, the plan is one of the most restrictive local-use programs in the state, and is widely regarded as one of the most restrictive documents of its kind anywhere. The program protects viewsheds from the highway and many vantage points, and severely restricts the density of development. About 60% of the coastal region is owned by governmental or private agencies which do not allow any development. The majority of the interior region is part of the Los Padres National Forest, Ventana Wilderness, Silver Peak Wilderness or Fort Hunter Liggett.
The ruins of Urquhart Castle, is a historic fortress situated on the shore of Loch Ness in the Scottish Highlands. Once one of Scotland's largest castles, its ruins remain an iconic landmark and a popular tourist destination known for its dramatic setting and association with the legend of the Loch Ness Monster.
The castle is located on a rocky promontory on the north-western shore of Loch Ness, near the village of Drumnadrochit, Scotland. The present ruins largely date from the 13th to 16th centuries, though the site itself has evidence of fortifications from the early medieval period, with St. Columba said to have visited in the 6th century. Control of the castle frequently passed between Scottish and English forces during the Wars of Scottish Independence, and it was also raided by the MacDonald Lords of the Isles.
The castle was placed in state care in the early 20th century and is now one of the most-visited castles in Scotland, featuring a modern visitor centre where guests can learn about its history and explore the ruins.
Última Esperanza Sound (the ‘Last Hope Sound’ or the 'Inlet of Last Hope') is an inlet stretching from the mouth of Eberhard Fjord to the outskirts of Mount Balmaceda, within the Magallanes Basin.
Juan Ladrillero, the 16th-century Spanish navigator and explorer, named it so in 1557, because he felt it was this direction was his last chance to reach the Strait of Magellan. The inlet ends at a glacier, and not at the strait.
Within just a few decades of exploration of the area by the Portuguese explorer, Ferdinand Magellan, Juan Ladrillero, who from 1557 to 1559 explored the coast of Chile from Valdivia to the Barbara Channel between Clarence Island and Santa Ines Island. He was the first to navigate the Strait of Magellan from its western entrance to its eastern and back again.
navigator
This area is known for its dramatic landscapes, fjords, and proximity to Torres del Paine National Park.
The water is a fjord, which is a long, narrow inlet with steep sides or cliffs, created by a glacier.
In the background are the Andes Mountains, a vast mountain range extending along the western coast of South America.
Taken in Patagonia. Chile.
Through life's every twist and turn
Along its path, we travel and learn
Under its trees filled with fate
Across the depths of its dramatic
lake
Up its mountains towards the sky
Where smiles and love, they do fly
Across its fields covered in dreams
Basking in the hope that streams
Down upon every twist and turn
Along life's path, where wild passions they burn
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This striking photograph showcases the Double Delight Rose, renowned for its unique bi-colored petals that blend creamy white with vibrant crimson edges. The rose's lush petals unfurl in a delicate dance of color and texture, exuding a natural elegance against the vivid green backdrop. Each petal appears to be carefully painted with a watercolor brush, a testament to nature's artistry. The Double Delight Rose is not just a feast for the eyes; it is also famous for its intoxicating fragrance, a sweet and spicy aroma that enchants the senses. As a hybrid tea rose, it stands proudly on its stem, commanding attention and admiration. This image captures the essence of what makes the Double Delight a favorite among gardeners and flower enthusiasts alike – its dramatic contrast, exceptional beauty, and the promise of a sensory experience that goes beyond the visual.
This gorge was made famous by the early impressionist paintings of the Dutch painter Petrus Van der Velden, who was captivated by its dramatic flows and somber light. This is a modern take on his portrayal of the river, a three-image stitch shot with a Rodenstock Grandagon-N 65mm with front tilt of 4 degrees to lay the focus plane back across the scene. Separate images were taken with rear shift of -15, 0 and 15mm, with these stitched in Lightroom before final processing in Photoshop.
Tourists wading in Hiroshima Bay to get close to Miyajima's Great Torii.
The Great Torii on Itsukushima (Miyajima) Island near Hiroshima. Part of the Itsukushima Shinto Shrine UNESCO World Heritage Site.
From Wikipedia: Itsukushima Shrine (厳島神社, Itsukushima-jinja) is a Shinto shrine on the island of Itsukushima (popularly known as Miyajima), best known for its "floating" torii. It is in the city of Hatsukaichi, in Hiroshima Prefecture in Japan, accessible from the mainland by ferry at Miyajimaguchi Station. The shrine complex is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the Japanese government has designated several buildings and possessions as National Treasures.
The Itsukushima shrine is one of Japan's most popular tourist attractions. It is most famous for its dramatic gate, or torii on the outskirts of the shrine, the sacred peaks of Mount Misen, extensive forests, and its ocean view. The shrine complex itself consists of two main buildings: the Honsha shrine and the Sessha Marodo-jinja, as well as 17 other different buildings and structures that help to distinguish it.
Nose's Point is a coastal headland located on the Durham Heritage Coast in North East England.
It is known for its dramatic magnesian limestone cliffs and distinctive landscape.
Amalfi
The Amalfi Coast has a Mediterranean climate, featuring warm summers and mild winters. It is located on the relatively steep southern shore of the Sorrentine Peninsula, leaving little room for rural and agricultural development. The only land route to the Amalfi Coast is the 40 kilometres (25 mi) long Amalfi Drive (Strada Statale 163) which runs along the coastline from the town of Vieira sul Mare in the east to Positano in the west. Thirteen municipalities are located on the Amalfi Coast, many of them centred on tourism. The coast dazzles with its dramatic grottos, craggy cliffs, and shimmering bays.
Amalfi Coast is a stunning stretch along the coast of southern Italy from Sorrento to Salerno. It's considered one of the most scenic coastlines in Italy and was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997. My first visit to Italy was inspired by photographs of the Amalfi Coast.
© Knud Hald
A site looking over the valley of Kilmartin Glen in Argyll on the west coast of Scotland and opposite another site of rock art above Cairnbaan (aside the Crinan Canal - a shortcut at the top of Kintyre built from around 1794). Petroglyphs are everywhere around the Glen which is also known for its linear cemetry of large cairns and its dramatic compositions of stone rows - some decorated with cups. Cairns, crannogs and standing stones watch over.
The Archnabreac site was discovered in 2008 and is thought to be from around 5,000 ybp. This is just a portion, and the photo is from an angle that maybe best shows how the surface rock undulated down to the Glen. For the photograph, modern houses and fences were removed to simplify the reading (there were very few, and the whole valley area seems to be well managed). The image itself is a montage, with a layer set to expose structure and a second remembering colour - so, in effect a black and white tint. There is almost a sense of rain water ripples in the monolithic surface. Natural cracks are integrated into some of the designs.
For its sheer scale, this is probably one of the most important sites of cups and rings in the whole of the British Isles. With the variety of forms in adjacent sites, it is another factor that gives Kilmartin Glen a place of special importance to persons with an interest in prehistory, archaic land art, spiritual places and stone.
The site is managed by Forestry Commission Scotland so is under the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.
AJ
Itsukushima Shrine (厳島神社 (嚴島神社), Itsukushima-jinja) is a Shinto shrine on the island of Itsukushima (popularly known as Miyajima), best known for its "floating" torii gate. It is in the city of Hatsukaichi in Hiroshima Prefecture in Japan, accessible from the mainland by ferry at Miyajimaguchi Station. The shrine complex is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Itsukushima shrine is one of Japan's most popular tourist attractions. It is most famous for its dramatic gate, or torii on the outskirts of the shrine, the sacred peaks of Mount Misen, extensive forests, and its ocean view. The shrine complex itself consists of two main buildings: the Honsha shrine and the Sessha Marodo-jinja, as well as 17 other different buildings and structures that help to distinguish it. (Source: Wikipedia)
The Reinefjord curves into a quiet, heart-shaped mirror, reflecting drifting clouds and jagged peaks as Reine’s red cabins rest gently within the vast Lofoten landscape.
Reine often cited as the most beautiful village in Norway, is a postcard-perfect fishing community located on the island of Moskenesøya in the Lofoten archipelago. Nestled above the Arctic Circle, it is famous for its dramatic scenery where jagged granite peaks rise directly from sapphire-hued fjords.
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I photographed "The Count," Double-Crested Cormorant at La Jolla Cove, California, USA. Black velvet wings was its dramatic cape, bright orange gular with hooked bill and those striking teal eyes cast a spell on me!
Nannopterum auritum
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NGC 1365 is a spectacular barred spiral galaxy about 60 million light-years away in the constellation Fornax. It’s famous for its dramatic central bar, which funnels gas toward the core and fuels intense star formation. At its heart lies an active supermassive black hole, making NGC 1365 not just beautiful but dynamic.
-=Tech Data=-
Telescope: Planewave CDK24 f/6.5
Camera: QHY 600M
Exposure time
- Luminance: 2 hours 45 min
- Red: 3 hours 20 min
- Green: 3 hours 25 min
- Blue: 2 hours 30 min
- Total :12 hours
Shot from Rio Hurtado valley, Chile via Telescope Live
Sunset illuminates the rugged cliffs of Ponta da Piedade in Lagos, Faro, Portugal. The striking orange and red hues of the rock formations contrast with the calm blue Atlantic Ocean. Atop the cliffs, the Ponta da Piedade lighthouse stands prominently, adjacent to a couple of palm trees. The landscape captures the serene beauty of the Algarve coastline, known for its dramatic cliffs and scenic views. Waves gently lap against the base of the cliffs, completing this picturesque coastal scene.
The Great Torii on Itsukushima (Miyajima) Island near Hiroshima. Part of the Itsukushima Shinto Shrine UNESCO World Heritage Site.
From Wikipedia: Itsukushima Shrine (厳島神社, Itsukushima-jinja) is a Shinto shrine on the island of Itsukushima (popularly known as Miyajima), best known for its "floating" torii. It is in the city of Hatsukaichi, in Hiroshima Prefecture in Japan, accessible from the mainland by ferry at Miyajimaguchi Station. The shrine complex is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the Japanese government has designated several buildings and possessions as National Treasures.
The Itsukushima shrine is one of Japan's most popular tourist attractions. It is most famous for its dramatic gate, or torii on the outskirts of the shrine, the sacred peaks of Mount Misen, extensive forests, and its ocean view. The shrine complex itself consists of two main buildings: the Honsha shrine and the Sessha Marodo-jinja, as well as 17 other different buildings and structures that help to distinguish it.
Palo Duro Canyon is a canyon system of the Caprock Escarpment located in the Texas Panhandle near the cities of Amarillo and Canyon. As one of the large canyons in the United States, it is roughly 25–40 mi (40–64 km) long and has an average width of 6 mi (9.7 km), but reaches a width of 20 mi (32 km) at places. Its depth is around 800 ft (240 m), but in some locations, valley bottom to surrounding hills increases to 1,000 ft (300 m). Palo Duro Canyon (from the Spanish meaning "hard stick") has been named "The Grand Canyon of Texas" both for its size and for its dramatic geological features, including the multicolored layers of rock and steep mesa walls, which are similar to those in the Grand Canyon. It is part of Palo Duro Canyon State Park. The State Park had 442,242 visitors in 2022.
(Wikipedia)
Badlands National Park is in South Dakota. Its dramatic landscapes span layered rock formations, steep canyons and towering spires. Bison, bighorn sheep and prairie dogs inhabit its sprawling grasslands. The Badlands Loop Road (Highway 240) winds past scenic lookouts. Several trails begin near the Ben Reifel Visitor Center. The Fossil Exhibit Trail is a boardwalk with displays on fossils uncovered in the park.
This striking photograph features the famous Rubjerg Knude Lighthouse standing on a massive sand dune. Located in Northern Jutland, Denmark, the lighthouse is an iconic landmark known for its dramatic history of being nearly swallowed by shifting sands and coastal erosion.
South Stack Lighthouse, located on a small islet, Ynys Lawd, off the coast of Anglesey in Wales, is a historic lighthouse built in 1809. It was built by Trinity House to mark the treacherous rocks below and guide ships on the Dublin-Holyhead-Liverpool route. Known for its dramatic location on steep cliffs, it is accessible via a staircase of 400 steps. For a fee visitors can tour the former engine room and climb to the top of the lighthouse. South Stack is a wonderful place to watch thousands of breeding seabirds including guillemots, razorbills and puffins.
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We had a beautiful sunset in my hometown Schuders, a small village with just 30 people. The village is located higher up in the mountains of Graubünden, a canton in eastern Switzerland. From Wikipedia: Graubünden is known for its dramatic Alpine scenery and winter sports. St. Moritz, an upscale resort town and Winter Olympics host in 1928 and 1948, offers ski runs, an outdoor ice rink and ski jumping. Davos, home to the annual World Economic Forum, is also popular for skiing and hiking. The Engadin Valley has traditional whitewashed houses decorated with sgraffito plasterwork.
I processed a balanced and two paintery HDR photos from three RAW exposures, merged them selectively, and carefully adjusted the curves.
-- © Peter Thoeny, CC BY-NC-SA 4.0, HDR, 3 RAW exposures, NEX-6, _DSC0729_0_1_hdr3bal1pai1pai5e
Excerpt from en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Itsukushima_Shrine:
Itsukushima Shrine (厳島神社, Itsukushima-jinja) is a Shinto shrine on the island of Itsukushima (popularly known as Miyajima), best known for its "floating" torii. It is in the city of Hatsukaichi, in Hiroshima Prefecture in Japan, accessible from the mainland by ferry at Miyajimaguchi Station. The shrine complex is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the Japanese government has designated several buildings and possessions as National Treasures.
The Itsukushima shrine is one of Japan's most popular tourist attractions. It is most famous for its dramatic gate, or torii on the outskirts of the shrine, the sacred peaks of Mount Misen, extensive forests, and its ocean view. The shrine complex itself consists of two main buildings: the Honsha shrine and the Sessha Marodo-jinja, as well as 17 other different buildings and structures that help to distinguish it.
Big Sur is a rugged and mountainous section of the Central Coast of the U.S. state of California, between Carmel Highlands and San Simeon, where the Santa Lucia Mountains rise abruptly from the Pacific Ocean. It is frequently praised for its dramatic scenery. Big Sur has been called the "longest and most scenic stretch of undeveloped coastline in the contiguous United States", a sublime "national treasure that demands extraordinary procedures to protect it from development", and "one of the most beautiful coastlines anywhere in the world, an isolated stretch of road, mythic in reputation". The views, redwood forests, hiking, beaches, and other recreational opportunities have made Big Sur a popular destination for visitors from across the world. With 4.5 to 7 million visitors annually, it is among the top tourist destinations in the United States, comparable to Yosemite National Park, but with considerably fewer services, and less parking, roads, and related infrastructure.
Big Sur Village is a collection of small roadside businesses and homes. The larger region known as Big Sur does not have specific boundaries but is generally considered to include the 71-mile (114 km) segment of California State Route 1 between Malpaso Creek near Carmel Highlands in the north and San Carpóforo Creek near San Simeon in the south, as well as the entire Santa Lucia range between these creeks. The interior region is mostly uninhabited, while the coast remains relatively isolated and sparsely populated, with between 1,800 and 2,000 year-round residents and relatively few visitor accommodations scattered among four small settlements. The region remained one of the most inaccessible areas of California and the entire United States until, after 18 years of construction, the Carmel–San Simeon Highway (now signed as part of State Route 1) was completed in 1937. Along with the ocean views, this winding, narrow road, often cut into the face of towering seaside cliffs, dominates the visitor's experience of Big Sur. The highway has been closed more than 55 times by landslides, and in May 2017, a 2,000,000-cubic-foot slide blocked the highway at Mud Creek, north of Salmon Creek near the San Luis Obispo County line, to just south of Gorda. The road was reopened on July 18, 2018.
The region is protected by the Big Sur Local Coastal Plan, which preserves it as "open space, a small residential community, and agricultural ranching." Approved in 1986, the plan is one of the most restrictive local-use programs in the state, and is widely regarded as one of the most restrictive documents of its kind anywhere. The program protects viewsheds from the highway and many vantage points, and severely restricts the density of development. About 60% of the coastal region is owned by governmental or private agencies which do not allow any development. The majority of the interior region is part of the Los Padres National Forest, Ventana Wilderness, Silver Peak Wilderness or Fort Hunter Liggett.
The beautiful and now tranquil setting of Augustinian Lanercost Priory belies an often troubled history. Standing close to Hadrian's Wall, it suffered frequent attacks during the long Anglo-Scottish wars, once by Robert Bruce in person. The mortally sick King Edward I rested here for five months in 1306-7, shortly before his death on his final campaign.
The east end of the 13th-century church survives to its full height, housing within its dramatic triple tier of arches some fine monuments.
More photos of Lanercost Priory here: www.flickr.com/photos/davidambridge/albums/72157624989399623
Castle Hill in the Canterbury region is renowned for its dramatic limestone boulders, which resemble the ruins of an ancient stone castle. It's a popular destination for rock climbing, bouldering, and sightseeing. The area also holds cultural significance for the Māori, the indigenous people of New Zealand.
The layers of sedimentary deposits are very evident in this image. Water flows have eroded the banks of a small stream over millions of yeas.
Badlands National Park is in South Dakota. Its dramatic landscapes span layered rock formations, steep canyons and towering spires. Bison, bighorn sheep and prairie dogs inhabit its sprawling grasslands.
On our way to Iceland in 2019 we had a stop in Denmark not too far from the lighthouse Rubjerg Knude Fyr. I was equally fascinated from the abandoned lighthouse and the dune landscape, with its dramatic falloff to the sea. So this image is my version of bringing these two eye catchers together.
Standing on the windswept cliffs of Ouessant at golden hour, I was overwhelmed by the raw power and beauty of this legendary island at the edge of Europe. Known as the "end of the world" to sailors, Ouessant has always fascinated me with its dramatic granite coastline sculpted by centuries of Atlantic storms.
I positioned myself to capture both the iconic Stiff lighthouse and the spectacular chaos of granite formations that make this coastline so treacherous and beautiful. The lighthouse, standing sentinel over these dangerous waters, represents humanity's eternal struggle against the sea's power - a beacon of hope in one of the world's most challenging maritime environments.
The golden light transforming the harsh granite into warm honey tones felt symbolic of Ouessant's dual nature - both forbidding and enchanting. These jagged rocks that have claimed countless ships also create some of Europe's most spectacular coastal scenery.
My intention was to capture the essence of this mythical place where land meets ocean in its most dramatic form, honoring both the natural beauty and maritime heritage that define Ouessant's unique character in the Celtic imagination.
The Colorado River is one of the principal rivers (along with the Rio Grande) in the Southwestern United States and in northern Mexico. The 1,450-mile-long river, the 5th longest in the United States, drains an expansive, arid watershed that encompasses parts of seven U.S. states and two Mexican states. The name Colorado derives from the Spanish language for "colored reddish" due to its heavy silt load. Starting in the central Rocky Mountains of Colorado, it flows generally southwest across the Colorado Plateau and through the Grand Canyon before reaching Lake Mead on the Arizona–Nevada border, where it turns south toward the international border. After entering Mexico, the Colorado approaches the mostly dry Colorado River Delta at the tip of the Gulf of California between Baja California and Sonora.
Known for its dramatic canyons, whitewater rapids, and eleven U.S. National Parks, the Colorado River and its tributaries are a vital source of water for 40 million people. An extensive system of dams, reservoirs, and aqueducts divert almost its entire flow for agricultural irrigation and urban water supply. Its large flow and steep gradient are used to generate hydroelectricity, meeting peaking power demands in much of the Intermountain West. Intensive water consumption has dried up the lower 100 miles (160 km) of the river, which has rarely reached the sea since the 1960s.
Native Americans have inhabited the Colorado River basin for at least 8,000 years. Starting around 1 CE, large agriculture-based societies were established, but a combination of drought and poor land use practices led to their collapse in the 1300s. Their descendants include tribes such as the Puebloans, while others including the Navajo settled in the Colorado Basin after the 1000s. In the 1500s, Spanish explorers began mapping and claiming the watershed, which became part of Mexico upon winning its independence from Spain in 1821. Even after most of the watershed became US territory in 1846, much of the river's course remained unknown. Several expeditions charted the Colorado in the mid-19th century—one of which, led by John Wesley Powell, was the first to run the rapids of the Grand Canyon. Large-scale settlement of the lower basin began in the mid- to late-1800s, with steamboats sailing from the Gulf of California to landings along the river that linked to wagon roads to the interior. Starting in the 1860s, gold and silver strikes drew prospectors to the upper Colorado River basin.
Large-scale river management began in the early 1900s, with major guidelines established in a series of international and US interstate treaties known as the "Law of the River". The US federal government constructed most of the major dams and aqueducts between 1910 and 1970; the largest, Hoover Dam, was completed in 1935. Numerous water projects have also involved state and local governments. With all of their waters fully allocated, both the Colorado and the neighboring Rio Grande are now considered among the most controlled and litigated river systems in the world. Since 2000, extended drought has conflicted with increasing demands for Colorado River water, and the level of human development and control of the river continues to generate controversy.
Excerpt from the Information Board:
Upright Motive No. 5 is part of a series of vertical bronze sculptures Moore created between 1955 and 1956. Taller than the average human, this work is meant to be viewed in the round. The back is relatively flat, with four stubs protruding from its lower section, while a rounded shape similar to a bowling pin is modelled in slight relief near the top. The front looks and feels very different, however, with its dramatic swells and recesses. For Moore, a sculpture is a three-dimensional object whose forms should engage the viewer physically as well as visually. Moore called this overall bodily experience "scale".
Canyonlands National Park in southeastern Utah is known for its dramatic desert landscape of canyons, mesas, and buttes carved by the Colorado River and its tributaries. Print Size 13x19 inches.
Badlands National Park is in South Dakota. Its dramatic landscapes span layered rock formations, steep canyons and towering spires. Bison, bighorn sheep and prairie dogs inhabit its sprawling grasslands.
Badlands National Park is in South Dakota. Its dramatic landscapes span layered rock formations, steep canyons and towering spires. Bison, bighorn sheep and prairie dogs inhabit its sprawling grasslands.
Badlands National Park is in South Dakota. Its dramatic landscapes span layered rock formations, steep canyons and towering spires. Bison, bighorn sheep and prairie dogs inhabit its sprawling grasslands.
Excerpt from en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Itsukushima_Shrine:
Itsukushima Shrine (厳島神社, Itsukushima-jinja) is a Shinto shrine on the island of Itsukushima (popularly known as Miyajima), best known for its "floating" torii. It is in the city of Hatsukaichi, in Hiroshima Prefecture in Japan, accessible from the mainland by ferry at Miyajimaguchi Station. The shrine complex is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the Japanese government has designated several buildings and possessions as National Treasures.
The Itsukushima shrine is one of Japan's most popular tourist attractions. It is most famous for its dramatic gate, or torii on the outskirts of the shrine, the sacred peaks of Mount Misen, extensive forests, and its ocean view. The shrine complex itself consists of two main buildings: the Honsha shrine and the Sessha Marodo-jinja, as well as 17 other different buildings and structures that help to distinguish it.
Beautiful sunset light making the atmosphere orange around the Li river basin and its dramatic mountain peaks geography in the Guangxi province of China.
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Wrapping up my Southern Arizona Adventure 2024 with a visit to Amerind Foundation and Texas Canyon. This is stage 9 of 9.
As I drove to the "Artists' House" I liked this curving road among the rock formations.
www.amerind.org/texascanyonnaturepreserve/
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Texas Canyon is a striking natural area located in Cochise County, southeastern Arizona, along Interstate 10 between Benson and Willcox. It is renowned for its dramatic landscape, characterized by massive granite boulders scattered across the desert terrain, creating a rugged and picturesque environment.
The granite boulders in Texas Canyon were formed through millions of years of erosion and weathering. These formations, often precariously balanced, provide a unique and photogenic sight, making the canyon a popular stop for travelers and photographers.
The area is surrounded by the Chiricahua Mountains to the south and other nearby ranges, offering expansive views of the Sonoran Desert with its mix of desert vegetation, including cacti and mesquite trees. The light, especially at sunrise and sunset, enhances the golden hues of the rocks, adding to the area's charm.
Texas Canyon has a rich history tied to the Chiricahua Apache people, who once roamed these lands. Later, it became home to early settlers.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texas_Canyon
Texas Canyon is a valley in Cochise County, Arizona,[1] about 20 miles east of Benson on Interstate 10. Lying between the Little Dragoon Mountains to the north and the Dragoon Mountains to the south and known for its giant granite boulders, the canyon attracts rockhounds and photographers.
www.arizonahighways.com/article/texas-canyon-nature-preserve
The giant granite boulders along Interstate 10 in Southeastern Arizona have been gracing postcards for decades, but that otherworldly landscape was always off-limits to the general public. Not anymore. Thanks to the Amerind Foundation, 6 miles of trails in the brand-new Texas Canyon
Revisiting a vantage point which I last photographed just under two years ago, this is the popular view of St Paul's Cathedral from the southern end of the London Millennium Footbridge. The image was shot about 30 minutes before sunrise on a clear but very hazy morning, creating a soft glow along the horizon and leaving the buildings near Barbican and Moorgate only faintly visible. The view from Bankside had changed considerably since my last shoot: several cranes had sprung up north of the Thames, scaffolding had been set up along the north end of the Cathedral's dome, and graffiti had been scrawled along the glass panels of the Millennium Bridge leading to the river's walkway. It was also a pleasant surprise to find that while St Paul's Cathedral would previously have switched off all external lights at around 1am, several of its dramatic spotlights were still switched on at 4am. All of which made the project a fun challenge to return to, with the peaceful early-morning atmosphere a world away from the bustling scene an hour later when the city's morning commute would begin.
Nine bracketed exposures were captured for the final image, with luminosity masks used in Photoshop to blend the exposures and to ensure a clean finish in the shadows while controlling the highlights, particularly inside the building windows and across the sky, where it was important to me to retain the original tones and colour. I then isolated the sky using a combination of Quick Mask selection and the Pen Tool, as well as the walkway leading from the bridge to the Thames Path. This allowed me to edit the sky and the cityscape separately, and to target my brighter exposures to the walkway and the bridge's railings without affecting the rest of the image. The cranes from the skyline and the scaffolding around St Paul's were removed, but I left the graffiti in, as I felt it added to the story within the scene. After this, the image was colour-graded using a mixture of Colour Balance, Hue/Saturation and Selective Colour adjustments, toning down the yellow along the Cathedral while emphasising the pink tones in the sky and the aqua along the bridge's glass panels.
Inside Nik's Colour Efex Pro, I applied a gentle amount of Pro Contrast to the buildings to give them greater definition against the sky, as well as a very sparing amount of the Detail Extractor filter to bring out the texture inside St Paul's. I also lowered the midtone and shadow contrast along the walkway in the foreground, as a softer finish in the foreground seemed like it would help to guide viewers' eyes to the bridge and Cathedral in the distance. The final adjustments were a low-opacity Gradient Map to inject a small amount of blue into the shadows and to bring out the warmer tones in the sky, and finally, in Camera Raw, a small increase to the highlights around the Cathedral's dome to emphasise the building's lighting.
It will be interesting to see the result of the construction work near St Paul's, which will hopefully complement the skyline without obscuring the view and make the scene as much of a joy to revisit in another couple of years.
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This vibrant scene captures a charming corner of Taormina, a historic town on the east coast of Sicily, Italy. Set against a backdrop of overcast skies, the photograph showcases a typical town square lined with centuries-old buildings and lively cafés. Taormina has been a beloved destination since ancient times, known for its dramatic views of Mount Etna and its well-preserved Greco-Roman theater. Today, it remains a cultural and historical jewel, blending Roman, Byzantine, Arab, and Norman influences, all of which contribute to its unique character.
The architecture in this image reflects the town’s layered history. The buildings exhibit a warm palette of ochre and beige tones, common in Mediterranean constructions, and feature charming balconies adorned with flowers. The use of stone, arched doorways, and wooden shutters hints at a mix of Baroque and traditional Sicilian styles. The pharmacy on the right side, "Farmacia Ragusa," exemplifies how modern life is integrated into historic settings. Narrow staircases and uneven cobblestones add to the authenticity of the old-world ambiance.
Culturally, Taormina has long been a crossroads of civilizations, a melting pot of traditions that still thrive in its everyday life. This square, with its mix of tourists and locals, illustrates the town’s enduring appeal. Taormina often hosts classical music concerts, theater performances, and film festivals, enriching its vibrant cultural scene. The town’s relaxed pace, friendly residents, and scenic beauty make it an inspiring place for artists, writers, and visitors from around the globe.
Culinary traditions also shine in this scene. Several restaurants are visible, offering “Traditional Sicilian Food” as proudly displayed on the signage. This includes dishes like arancini (stuffed rice balls), caponata (eggplant stew), and freshly made pasta with seafood. Sicily’s cuisine is known for its blend of Arabic spices, Norman techniques, and Mediterranean ingredients, all of which are deeply rooted in the island’s diverse history. The al fresco dining setup, even on a cloudy day, speaks to the importance of food and socializing in Sicilian culture.
RX_02497_20240509_Taormina
Excerpt from en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Itsukushima_Shrine:
Itsukushima Shrine (厳島神社, Itsukushima-jinja) is a Shinto shrine on the island of Itsukushima (popularly known as Miyajima), best known for its "floating" torii. It is in the city of Hatsukaichi, in Hiroshima Prefecture in Japan, accessible from the mainland by ferry at Miyajimaguchi Station. The shrine complex is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the Japanese government has designated several buildings and possessions as National Treasures.
The Itsukushima shrine is one of Japan's most popular tourist attractions. It is most famous for its dramatic gate, or torii on the outskirts of the shrine, the sacred peaks of Mount Misen, extensive forests, and its ocean view. The shrine complex itself consists of two main buildings: the Honsha shrine and the Sessha Marodo-jinja, as well as 17 other different buildings and structures that help to distinguish it.
The beautiful and now tranquil setting of Augustinian Lanercost Priory belies an often troubled history. Standing close to Hadrian's Wall, it suffered frequent attacks during the long Anglo-Scottish wars, once by Robert Bruce in person. The mortally sick King Edward I rested here for five months in 1306-7, shortly before his death on his final campaign.
The east end of the 13th-century church survives to its full height, housing within its dramatic triple tier of arches some fine monuments.
More photos of Lanercost Priory here: www.flickr.com/photos/davidambridge/albums/72157624989399623
Lago di Braies (Pragser Wildsee) is one of the most popular places to visit in the Dolomites. This crystal-clear aquamarine lake, with its dramatic mountainous backdrop, easy walking trail, and rowboats, has long been attracting visitors
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The beautiful and now tranquil setting of Augustinian Lanercost Priory belies an often troubled history. Standing close to Hadrian's Wall, it suffered frequent attacks during the long Anglo-Scottish wars, once by Robert Bruce in person. The mortally sick King Edward I rested here for five months in 1306-7, shortly before his death on his final campaign.
The east end of the 13th-century church survives to its full height, housing within its dramatic triple tier of arches some fine monuments.
More photos of Lanercost Priory here: www.flickr.com/photos/davidambridge/albums/72157624989399623
Milford Sound / Piopiotahi is a stunning fjord located in Fiordland National Park, in the southwest of New Zealand’s South Island. Known for its dramatic cliffs, lush rainforests, and cascading waterfalls, it was carved by glaciers during the ice ages. There is a waterfall in the middle bottom of the shot. Several dolphins and three seals napping on a big rock were spotted during the cruise.
Honestly it's so boring to have to stay home without too much nature walk in last serval months. I did a virtual walk through my photo collections that were taken in last few years. This photo caught my eyes for its dramatic sky. Still remember the sunset red tone during my last visit in 2019.
A loaded BNSF grain train continues its dramatic descent to the San Joaquin Valley as it passes through the lush rolling hills of Tehachapi Pass. Spring green has stuck around a bit longer this year thanks to several showers and storms that occurred late in the season.
Storr and Old Man of Storr in the distance, with a little section of Loch Leathan, seen from the edge of the A855 road, Isle of Skye, Highland council area, Scotland
Some background information:
The Storr is a mountain on the Trotternish peninsula of the Isle of Skye in Scotland. It presents a steep rocky eastern face overlooking the Sound of Raasay, contrasting with gentler grassy slopes to the west. The Storr is a prime example of the Trotternish landslip, the longest such feature in Great Britain. It is the type locality for the mineral gyrolite. The area in front of the cliffs of the Storr is known as the Sanctuary. This has a number of weirdly shaped rock pinnacles, the remnants of ancient landslips.
The main ascent route is a well-constructed path, used by many sightseers, which leaves the A855 just north of Loch Leathan. It heads up through a clearfell area that was formerly a conifer plantation. Most day-trippers are content simply to wander around the Sanctuary, admiring the pinnacles and gazing up at the Storr's eastern cliffs. Walkers can easily ascend to the summit, however, by skirting below the cliffs whilst heading north from the north end of the Sanctuary. An alternative route, involving some mild scrambling, follows the rim of the south-east-facing cliffs from the top of a steep section. The Storr is often climbed as part of a much longer expedition, following the full length of the Trotternish landslip.
The Old Man of Storr is a 48-meter-high rock pinnacle belonging to the Storr. It is one of the most famous landmarks of the Isle of Skye. The name "Storr" comes from Old Norse and means "great" or "peak." Nearby the Old Man of Storr, there are other rock pinnacles that are sometimes referred to as his family. However, a rock pinnacle that was once called his wife, collapsed many years ago. According to a legend, an old man and his wife were searching the area for a runaway cow. During their search, they encountered giants and fled in fear. As they were escaping, they looked back, and as a result, they were turned into stone.
The Isle of Skye, or simply Skye, is the largest and northernmost of the major islands in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland. The island's peninsulas radiate from a mountainous hub dominated by the the Black Cuillin and Red Cuillin mountain ranges, which provide some of the most dramatic mountain sceneries in the country. At 1,656 square kilometres (639 square miles), Skye is the second-largest island in Scotland after Lewis and Harris.
The most powerful clans on Skye in the post–Norse period were Clan MacLeod, originally based in Trotternish, and Clan Macdonald of Sleat. Following the disintegration of the Lordship of the Isles in the late 15th century, Clan Mackinnon also emerged as an independent clan, whose substantial landholdings in Skye were centred on Strathaird.
Skye is linked to the mainland by the Skye Bridge, which opened in 1995, while ferries sail from Armadale on the island to Mallaig, and from Kylerhea to Glenelg. The island is 40 kilometres wide at its thickest point and 80 kilometres long. But many inlets reach inland, resulting in a coastline of over 500 kilometres. This includes some sandy beaches, but particularly several enchanting bays such as Talisker Bay, and steep cliffs such as Waterstein Head at Neist Point or Kilt Rock at the island’s northeastern coast. By the way, the inlets also divide Skye into its various peninsulas, of which Minginish, Duirnish, Waternish, Trotternish and Sleat are the largest.
The largest employer on the island is the public sector, which accounts for about a third of the total workforce and the second-largest employer is the tourism industry, but there is also a number of small firms like the Talisker Distillery. However, commercial fishing remains important too, including fish farming of salmon and crustaceans such as scampi.
Due to its dramatic land- and seascape, Skye has been used as a location for several feature films, such as "Flash Gordon“, "Stardust" starring Robert De Niro and Michelle Pfeiffer, or Ridley Scott's "Prometheus" from 2012. And the Justin Kurzel adaption of Macbeth starring Michael Fassbender was also filmed on the Isle of Skye.
Cuckmere Haven is an area of flood plains in Sussex, England where the river Cuckmere meets the English Channel between Eastbourne and Seaford. Its dramatic chalk landscape with a characteristic cliffy coastline is constantly changing. The cliffs are being eroded at a rate of 30-40 cms every year.
Guilin’s most renowned feature is its dramatic karst terrain. The peaks are made of limestone. Limestone is formed in part from the shells and skeletons of marine animals. Our reptilian marine reptiles are with us still today, still soaring above that ancient ocean floor upon which Guilin is now situated, looking down from the peaks that are their final resting place.
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