Immortality

It was sun-setting and I rushed to reach the top of a prominent rocky outcrop, I wanted to catch the last rays.
I was suddenly very disappointed when I came across this totally vandalized large sandstone lookout: names and dates have been carved into the soft rock.


adapted cine lens Kodak Ektar 25mm f1.9  1/1000sec

Upon reflection, I am now in two minds with the message behind this image: is it environmental vandalism or is it the primeval urge to mark one's presence?
Initially I was miffed to see this rock totally covered in carved graffiti: there are a few declarations of love but mainly I noticed persons' names and dates.
Then it came to me: humans have been marking their presence on earth before history, almost like to preserve their spirit to immortality .
We all have the need to belong and the want to be needed, it's part of being human. Is marking our presence the fact that we existed and a way to preserve our memory?

Scottish thistle

Often despised because of its prickly nature, the Scottish thistle can show its beauty in the right light.


E.Ludwig Meritar 50mm f2.9   @f4 1/4000sec

Pure gold

Even the imperceptible power of water can shape pure granite, given enough time.
As it carved through thousands of years it changed its course and today it flows in a chamber much lower, leaving behind the leather-like smooth rock.
Sunlight bounces around making it appear as pure gold.


M.Zuiko 12mm  f4.5 1/8sec    (capturing this image)