Hoodoo you Do?

 Here are a few more shots of the toadstool hoodoos to follow on from my last post. 

These hoodoos fall within (or rather stand within) the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. I had made an assumption that this land was a part of the Navajo Nation (Diné), )which was a reasonable assumption because I had stayed at Shash Diné campsite the previous night) however the toadstool hoodoos have greater significance in Paiute tradition. The Paiute people's land encompass much of Southern Utah and in their traditions these hoodoos and those at Bryce canyon are the "legend people" who were turned to stone by the Coyote God Sinawava for past bad deeds. Apparently stories like this are part of the Paiute's oral traditions which are traditionally only told during the winter season.

Looking back at the pictures I shared yesterday and the very clear rock face it is easy to see why traditions like this have developed.

How do you Hoodoo?

 When I was planning my US road trip in May/June of this year I think the part I was most looking forward to was the couple of days  I would be camping in the desert in Arizona. Of course the trip as a whole was amazing and each day had something special but I was so excited to camp out, see the unpolluted night sky and experience the desert scenery that I remembered from the Saturday morning westerns I had watched as a kid. I was definitely not disappointed especially by the night sky (see previous post "Natural Wonder" from 26th June) or by the views of the Grand Canyon.

On researching the route from Page AZ to Bryce Canyon UT I noticed a marker on the map for the Toadstool Hoodoo Trailhead just off Highway 89 outside Kanab, Utah. I was intrigued and thought it would be a good spot to break up the journey and explore. Even though it was only late May it was blisteringly hot and walking along the dry river bed there was no shade so I was glad that the walk from the highway to the hoodoos wasn't actually too far.

I have picked a few shots for today's post, the first shows part of the trail and you can see how flash floods have carved a path through the sandstone creating an ever changing landscape.

In the other shots we can see a couple of my favourite hoodoos, remarkable structures caused by millions of years of erosion. These are quite different to the more conical structures in Bryce Canyon since they have the harder capstones that look a bit like hats. I think there is a very definite face in one of them too, I could almost imagine it speaking in a deep voice to tell tales of the many things that must have happened in its "lifetime". They certainly give a literal meaning to the term "rock face".

I was definitely pleased to have stopped here, it left a great impression .

The Boar's Head

 I don't know whether you can see what I see, but when I saw this rotting log i thought of a wild boar rummaging in the dirt or perhaps just resting its chin on the ground.

I like looking for things like this where rotting wood has the appearance of something else it certainly adds a little interest to the decaying process.

Needles

 Here are two views of the Needles seen from Hurst Castle.

I have some happy memories of the Isle of Wight, as a child I had an aunt who had a gift shop on the island and we would often have day trips to visit her. I remember the ferry to Ryde then walking along the pier and then bus rides across the island. Sadly I haven't been back to the island since I was small and I imagine that it is a very different place 50 years on.

I have always been fascinated by the Needles rocks and lighthouse, because you can see how the power of the sea, its tides and currents, have eroded the chalk cliffs and shaped the landscape.

From the top of Hurst Castle you can see the powerful currents at work through the solent.

Although they are similar views I have given them slightly different treatments. In the first I think the boat in the foreground adds interest and gives a sense of scale. I have adjusted the exposure slightly to enhance the colours in the sky but apart from that all I have done is crop the image to give it a better balance. In the second image I have cropped it and applied the auto white balance setting which gives an overall warmer tone. 

If you look closely you can see three small vessels near the lighthouse which do give a sense of scale but you do have to look really closely.

In The Canyon

As promised I have chosen a different subject today having posted pictures of fungi for the past three posts. But if you want more fungi you could always check my instagram today (chipster_63)

The first of todays pictures shows the path through the forest on the way to Ouimet Canyon in Ontario. It is a spectacular sight however on the day we visited there was thick fog or low cloud obscuring much of the view although it was really atmospheric.

The canyon itself is 100m deep, 150m wide and 2km from end to end. The origin of the canyon is glacial erosion but the erosion continues as a result of wind and rain. 

One of the rock features that you can see in the above photos is known as the "Indian Head" which eerily peers through the mist.

The bottom of the canyon is out of bounds because it is of special scientific interest due to the many species of arctic flora found there. Normally they would only be found 1000km to the north but the conditions at the bottom of the canyon allow these species to flourish.

Seaside Scenes

So I know that the second of today's images is a bit like a holiday postcard but I wanted to share it because it follows on from the first picture which is of a fresh water spring which was bursting out from the cliff and really took me by surprise as I was walking along the beach. 
It was pouring out at such a rate that it has carved out a pool in the sand and then as you can see from the second picture it flows out to the sea as quite a wide river, cutting a course through the beach and in places it was quite deep everyone who was walking the beach, from either direction was forced to turn back as the river blocked their path. 
This is an interesting feature though because when the tide comes in the whole beach is covered and the river effectively disappears and then as the tide goes out the river starts afresh.

In the distance you can just about make out Criccieth castle and further in the distance the hills on the Lleyn Peninsula. You can also see the snow clouds building on the right reminding me at least of how bitterly cold it was in spite of the sun.

Strata

Hopefully if you liked my post yesterday you will like today's pictures too.

I think the first picture is my favourite. I like the way the patterns in the rocks continue on either side of the crevice that has been worn away over so many years. They are like the grain in timber. I wonder how many years it took to form these rocks, layer upon layer and then how many more to erode them so that we can see them today.

The second shot was taken inside a cave with water dripping from the roof and running down the walls revealing the vivid colours in the rock. It was pretty dark so I used a small torch to illuminate the patterns in the rock and to emphasise the sheen.

After The Tide

I took these shots to show the contours where the receding tide had sculptured the sand around the base of some rocks at the base of the cliffs. I think it creates some interesting patterns and if it weren't for the small tell-tale signs (the small shells, the seaweed and the dogs footprints) it would be difficult to work out the true scale of these miniature canyons.

I like the colours and textures in these pictures. 

As you know, if  you have seen my recent posts it was a cold and snowy day, and if you look carefully at these images you will see the white streaks of snow flakes blowing through the shot.

All Stacked Up

The River Tees winds it's way towards  the sea near Redcar, starting 85 miles away on Cross Fell in the Pennines.

In places it is a gentle slow flowing river but in others it forms cascades and waterfalls as it carves it's way coastwards.

The picture I have chosen for today is an example of the type of rock it has to negotiate along its journey. I like the structure of this cliff with the layers of rock laid long ago and gradually worn away by the force of water.

Sea Defense

On the beach at Aberaeron these defense prevent erosion. It is interesting that the pebbles on the right hand side which is more exposed to the effects of the waves are small compared to the stones on the more sheltered left hand side which are much larger.

Entrance to Dunharrow

I liked this shot for the opening in the rocks which reminded me a little of the entrance to the realm of the ghost king in The Lord of the Rings. I also like the way there is a tree growing on the top of the rock and I am amazed that it can get any nourishment in such a barren spot.

Rock Idol

So when you saw the title of today's post did you expect to see a picture of some heroic figure from the world of rock music? If so I am sorry to disappoint.

This shot was taken yesterday on a walk around Brimham Rocks, close to the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in North Yorkshire. It is a large area of moorland managed by the National Trust with numerous impressive rocky outcrops where the elements have combined to wear away at the grit stone leaving behind hundreds of contorted rock formations. 

This is perhaps one of the most unusual and spectacular because it appears balanced on a small conical rock at its base and it is known as the Idol. I have no idea how long it has stood here but as erosion continues it is certain that at some point in the future it will fall. 

The Roaches

Along the ridge known as the Roaches there are some pretty interesting rocky outcrops and formations. The first one in today's selection looks like the head of a dog and the second looks rather like a head, facing across the valley.

I like the different shapes and the way the sandstone has been worn away by the elements and the different colours in the rocks as can be seen in the next two pictures.

I also like the final picture looking south along the ridge with the moors to the left and the patchwork of fields in the valley to the right. This really is a green and pleasant land.

Coastal Erosion

I didn't post anything yesterday as I was camping in North Yorkshire with the intention of getting some more pictures for my blog but the weather was dreadful and so no new pictures I'm afraid however, I did have a good time regardless of the weather, I just love being outdoors.

Anyway for today I have chosen a few more pictures of the cliffs at New Quay showing the layers and the intricate structure of the rocks.  I wonder how long it has taken to achieve such a marvelous spectacle as a result of the erosive effects of the wind, rain and sea on this rocky coastline.

These are the last pictures from my day in New Quay and tomorrow and in the days to come I have a real treat in store from a trip to Skomer so be sure to come back and see...

Pecca Falls and Hollybush Spout

Having posted a few random/abstract images over the past few days I have gone for some more "traditional" views of the first series of falls at Ingleton for today's selection.

Yesterdays shots of the spray were from First Pecca Falls which is quite a spectacular drop although of course you can't really tell from those shots. 

The first of today's images are of a sequence called Pecca Twin Falls which are further up the valley at the top of a steep climb. They're really quite picturesque and I loved standing here watching the water pouring over and listening to the sound as it thundered past.

The final image today is of Hollybush Spout. I don't know where the name comes from but what I like about this section is the way the rock face to the left of the image has been eroded and there is a significant indent showing just how much force comes over the falls.

Tomorrow I will post a few more pictures of other falls further along the trail so if you like these pictures be sure to come back tomorrow.

This city is sinking

It is often said that Venice is slowly sinking how true that is I am not sure, but while we were there we saw workers on barges busy replacing some of the old piling which supports the city.  I imagine it is a never ending process, but well worth the effort to preserve such a beautiful place..

The first two pictures show street scenes near San Basilio, away from the hubbub of the tourist areas, it looks calm and peaceful but every bit as beautiful as the more familiar parts of Venice.

I like the third picture of the Cormorant as it stands like a sentinel watching our approach.

As we approached the city on the Vaporetto on our first day  we passed the restaurant terrace in the last of today's pictures.  Everyone looked relaxed and happy, enjoying the late afternoon sun.  I wonder how relaxed they would feel if they could see the state of the piling supporting the terrace... it's not a great picture I know but it does show the effect of constant erosion and that is why I took it.

I loved Venice and would definitely go again, and I would take time to explore some of the less seen parts of the city again.

Erosion

More photos from Hilbre Island, today the theme is erosion and the pictures speak for themselves. Let me know which you like best...